Resort sets new record for season pass sales

Whitefish Mountain Resort has set a new record with more than 12,500 winter season passes sold so far for the 2020-21 season. This is the fifth consecutive year of record season pass sales at the resort.

The total is 10% ahead of last winter, according to the resort. Adult season pass sales had the biggest increase compared to last year up by 15%. 

“Our community’s desire to get out and enjoy the winter months is awesome,” said Nick Polumbus, Director of Marketing and Sales. “We are proud to be able to continue to improve the experience up here with projects such as the Hellroaring Basin improvements for this season. Frankly, we’re not shocked that the Whitefish Mountain Resort ski community has said louder and clearer than ever that we’re going to ski this winter even given the pandemic.”

The resort for the winter 2020-21 season is implementing coronavirus safety procedures for various areas of the mountain aimed at keeping guests and employees safe.

Masks must be worn in lift lines while loading and unloading. There will be no singles lines and lifts will be loaded by self-identified groups like households or guests traveling together.

Those who sit with people other than their self-identified group are strongly recommended to keep their masks on during the lift ride.

Guests should expect longer wait times, especially on holidays and big snow days, the resort notes.

Polumbus said in order to ensure that in order for everyone to ski this winter, resort users are “going to need to come together in a respectful way and adhere to some impactful changes” to the way the resort operates.”

“Employees and guests alike will have to be more patient with each other than ever knowing that honoring our changes to operations is the best way to be sure we all get to ski for this full La Niña season,” he said.

Masks must also be worn inside buildings, and the resort plans to reduce seating inside restaurants, but add more seating to outdoor spaces.

The resort is also offering a full refund before opening day for those who bought their winter season pass by Sept. 30. Opening day is scheduled for Dec. 10.

Additionally, there is a guarantee of 100 days of skiing beginning on Dec. 10. If there are lost operating days due to a mandated closure or stay at home order related to COVID-19, then a prorated credit toward a 2021-22 season pass will be provided based upon the purchase price of the pass.

The guarantee can only be applied to lost operating days related to the pandemic and does not apply if days are lost because of weather, mechanical or electrical issues.

Last winter the resort closed early for the 2019-20 season on March 15 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The resort had been scheduled to be open through April 5.

The resort’s children and adult programs also continue to grow.

“Our Freestyle Team continues to grow and that seems to be a testament to the strength of all of our programs for younger kids,” said Mike Davies, Snow Sports director for Whitefish Mountain Resort. “Additionally, participation in youth snowboarding programs as well as our Adult programs have shown nice increases this season.”

For more information, visit skiwhitefish.com.