Resort plans expansion following forest approval

Whitefish Mountain Resort this spring is set to begin a multi-phase project the resort says will enhance skiing in Hellroaring Basin.

The project is set to include the reconfiguration of the current Hellroaring Chair location, adding a new chairlift, and adding eight ski runs.

Flathead National Forest Supervisor Kurt Steele on Wednesday approved the project. The forest administers a permit to the resort to use about 3,000 of forest land for the ski area on Big Mountain.

“Downhill skiing is an important part of the winter economy and a great winter outdoor activity that many people come here to enjoy,” Steele said in a release. “Through our partnership and collaboration with Whitefish Mountain Resort, I am proud to continue to support this highly valuable recreation opportunity on public lands.”

The resort says the initial phase of the project includes constructing a service road from the top of Swift Creek Express/Chair 2 to the Grand Junction area, clearing timber for new runs and lift line, as well as, gladed areas adjacent to runs, and resloping areas on the Hell Fire run to eliminate the negative grades.

Phase 1 is expected to be completed by the fall of 2020. Phase 2 includes relocating Chair 8 in 2021, which will allow the resort to open Hellroaring Basin earlier in the season.

Whitefish Mountain Resort CEO Dan Graves said the resort is excited to begin work on the Hellroaring Basin project. “As the next major project at the resort, these improvements will enhance the guest experience by increasing access and adding more versatile terrain in Hellroaring Basin,” Graves said in a statement. “Additionally, relocating the Hellroaring chairlift will allow us to open the area earlier in the season due to the higher elevation at Grand Junction, as well as allow skiers to access terrain in Hellroaring Basin and the front side of the mountain from the top of the lift.”

The resort say the improvement project is estimated to cost $1.4 million to create new runs, improve slopes and relocate Chair 8.

During the first phase, the resort plans to clear six runs including portions of the existing runs — Glory Hole, Connie’s Coulee, Gray’s Golf Course and The Back 9. Two additional runs will be added to the northwest facing slope.

The new service road will be used for construction purposes during the project and in the winter will become a green run for the easiest access into the basin. The road also will provide an evacuation route for injured skiers. Trail ratings and names have yet to be determined.

Also during the first phase, the resort will regrade three areas on the Hell Fire run where the trail currently slopes uphill. The plan has also identified six zones to be gladed, which will provide more space between trees for skiing, and is beneficial for forest growth.

The survey for the lift line is expected to begin this spring and timber clearing will begin once completed.

In 2021, the resort plans to move the existing Hellroaring chairlift, Chair 8, from its current location upslope. The bottom terminal will be located at Grand Junction and the top terminal to the intersection of the Toni Matt and Big Ravine ski runs.

The resort says this will allow guests to access more areas on the front side of the mountain including Big Ravine, Toni Matt and Good Medicine as well as access back into Hellroaring Basin providing an improved flow of skier traffic compared to the current location.

Future phases include an additional chairlift from Grand Junction to the top of Hellroaring Peak as well as two runs on the west and east ridges. Additionally, a cat track will be constructed and provide access from Hellroaring Peak to the Gray Wolf ski run on the north side of the mountain.

The resort says no timeline for these phases has been set.

Hellroaring Basin opened for the 1996-97 ski season for skiing and riding above the Highway to Heaven traverse. In 1997, the Hellroaring Chairlift/Chair 8, which had been on the north side of the mountain since 1985 as Chair 7, was moved to Hellroaring Basin opening the lower section of Hellroaring Basin including the Grand Junction area and Hell Fire ski run. For 20 years Hell Fire has been the only intermediate-level run in Hellroaring Basin.

The Flathead Forest has administered a permit for the resort area since 1947. All planned projects are located within the resort’s special use permit area.

The Forest in November released a draft decision and finding of no significant impact for the Hellroaring Basin Improvement Project.

The forest says comments generally came from those who supported the project, but also from those concerned about the potential impacts to grizzly bears, Canada lynx and hydrology. The forest says the project includes requirements to protect resources during and after construction, such as limitations on helicopter and heavy equipment use during construction, and riparian area avoidance.

The Swan View Coalition, Friends of the Wild Swan and Columbia Falls resident and wildlife consultant Brian Peck have raised issue with the Hellroaring Basin Improvement project as well as other projects planned on the forest. They claim that more trails with more people would mean more conflicts with grizzly bears and displace other wildlife.

The two groups are suing the Forest Service over the 2018 Flathead National Forest plan claiming that the forest by allowing road construction and relaxing of road closures will diminish the habitat security for grizzly bears.

Grizzly bears are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

The forest says though the area is not large enough to be grizzly bear secure core habitat, several measures are in place to reduce grizzly bear disturbance during the non-denning season. Those include seasonal restrictions on maintenance activities and public access, among others.

Hellroaring Basin will continue to be closed to skiers and snowboarders beginning April 1 each year.

For more information on the project, visit the forest service’s website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=55012