Resort ends season with over a foot of fresh powder, record visitation

After warm spring weather endured throughout the majority of March, winter made its return again just in time for closing weekend at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

The Big received 15 inches of fresh, surfy snow over the weekend leaving skiers and snowboarders with a closing day to remember for years to come. The new snow brought the settled base at the summit to a depth of 115 inches with a total of 260 falling throughout the season.

“Closing weekend was a dream come true and an awesome way to bid farewell to winter,” WMR spokesperson Chad Sokol told the Pilot. “The Pond Skim returned Saturday after a two-year hiatus, drawing dozens of costumed competitors and hundreds of spectators.”

“And the snow just wouldn't stop falling, giving us 15 inches of fresh, surfy powder,” he added.

The resort also ended the season yet again breaking the skier visitation record with about 464,000 skier visits. That is three full seasons in a row that WMR has had record-breaking visitation — seasons ending in the years 2019, 2021 and 2022 — as the 2020 season ended prematurely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last season the resort says visitation was just over 458,000.

Altogether Whitefish Mountain Resort says guests skied and snowboarded over 2.3 billion vertical feet. Topping the leaderboard was pass holder Michael Donnay with 6,800,000 vertical feet.

After starting out the winter season by having to delay opening day due to a lack of snow, mother nature stepped up and delivered another snow-filled season on The Big.

Opening day brought about 1,500 riders to the mountain with limited terrain open. Throughout the holiday season, the resort was pounded with snow and cold temperatures providing good coverage early on.

The resort debuted its relocation of the Hellroaring Basin lift, Chair 8, in late December. WMR also dedicated new ski runs to the Whitefish locals they were named after and just a couple of weeks ago saw Chair 4 take its final spin.

“It’s been another banner year for us, and we’re excited to keep providing excellent service and a ski experience of unparalleled value for all our guests,” Whitefish Mountain Resort President Nick Polumbus said in a release. “The loyalty of our pass holders shows through every year, and we’re just super thankful that folks continue to see this as a place they want to spend their time in the winter.”

The resort looks forward to construction over the summer and opening the new high-speed six-pack chairlift that will transport riders from the Base Lodge to the top of Inspiration Ridge near the summit beginning next winter. This will be WMR’s first-ever six-person lift and replaces the current Chair 4.

Season passes are also on sale now for the 2022-23 season. An adult season ski pass at Whitefish Mountain Resort will top the $700 mark next winter; with early-season pricing, an adult season pass is set at $719. That is a $30 increase over the 2021-22 rate.

A senior pass is $609, teen pass $409, junior pass $209 and super senior $154. Kids 6 and under ski free. The early season prices are available through Sept. 30.

Next ski season is scheduled to run from Dec. 8 to April 9, 2023.

As usual, at the end of each winter season, WMR now closes until late May when it plans to open for a variety of summer activities.

“We can't wait to see folks back here for the next ski season,” Sokol said. “But in the meantime, we're gearing up for summer activities on the Big — hiking, mountain biking, zip-lining, huckleberry picking, an alpine slide and a ropes course.”

For more information, visit skiwhitefish.com.