Resort earns No. 3 ranking in annual poll

Earning its highest ranking yet, SKI Magazine has named Whitefish Mountain Resort the third best ski resort in its annual readers poll.

This is the third time the resort has appeared in the Top 10 for overall ski resort. This year, it also earned a No. 1 ranking for Local Flavor and No. 2 for Value.

Whitefish Mountain Resort CEO Dan Graves said the resort is honored to be named among the top resorts in the west in SKI Magazine’s 2020 Resort Guide, noting it is the resort’s mission to provide a memorable experience that is affordable, personal and fun.

“This year’s ranking is indeed a sign that skiers appreciate finding a ski area that values character, and makes guests feel relaxed so they can be themselves,” Graves said in a release. “This ranking illustrates our commitment to providing a high level of hospitality while maintaining the community’s unique and colorful qualities that set us apart, without charging a premium for it. Whitefish’s warm and welcoming personality extends beyond the resort to all the businesses throughout the community that take care of our visitors and go above and beyond to make them feel welcome.”

The resort’s previous appearances in the Top 10 list were at No. 10 in 2017 and No. 9 in 2015.

SKI Magazine asks its readers to rank North American resorts in a variety of categories and provide comments to create the Resort Guide, which is the longest running and most comprehensive ski resort survey in the industry, according to WMR.

Overall ranking is determined by a combination of reader’s scores across 21 different categories.

Whitefish earned 12 total Top 10 rankings across the categories. Those include No. 1 for Local Flavor and No. 2 for Value, the No. 4 spot for Service, Scenery, Charm, Après and Overall Satisfaction, as well as No. 7 in Family Friendly and Down Day Activities, No. 8 for its Nightlife, No. 9 in Grooming and No. 10 in Dining.

Additional rankings included: No. 11 for On-Mountain Food and Lodging, No. 13 for Accessibility, No. 15 for Travel Ease, No. 20 for Terrain, No. 22 for Snow, No. 28 for Challenge and No. 29 for Lifts.

Guest comments consistently praise Whitefish Mountain Resort for its friendly and helpful employees and the easy-going locals they meet while riding the chairlift, according to the resort.

The resort’s previous top SKI Magazine rankings were No. 11 in both 2016-17 and 2012-13.

This season’s daily walk-up ticket price is $83, or $76 per day for two or more days, and Ski & Stay lodging and lift ticket packages start at $89 per person, per night. The resort’s Learn to Ski/Ride package which includes two days of beginner lifts, equipment rentals and two half day lessons is $85 and a full day of daycare at the Kids Center is $82.

Whitefish Mountain Resort is scheduled to open for the 2019-20 season on Dec. 6.

For more information on Whitefish Mountain Resort, visit www.skiwhitefish.com.