Skiers, boarders play hooky on WMR opening day

Opening day, Dec. 7, 2023, at Whitefish Mountain Resort. Brock, Morgan, Kelsey and Devin scored the first chair of the season. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)

Opening day, Dec. 7, 2023, at Whitefish Mountain Resort. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)

by JULIE ENGLER
Whitefish Pilot | December 13, 2023 1:00 AM

From the front of the line to the back, skiers and riders were brimming with enthusiasm despite low snow levels on opening day at Whitefish Mountain Resort on Thursday, Dec. 7.

Thursday was the resort’s targeted opening day and marked the beginning of the 2023-24 ski season.

Chad Sokol, Public Relations Manager for Whitefish Mountain Resort, said the mountain tallied just over 1,800 skier visits on opening day.

After 12 inches of snow fell at the summit of Big Mountain in the week preceding opening day, there was a settled base of 57 inches to start the season. Chair 1 took riders to the summit so they could access skiable terrain on the backside of the mountain.

The base had a 4-inch settled base so all skiers and snowboards downloaded on Chair 1 after enjoying early-season turns.

Four determined skiers arrived at the resort at 5 a.m. to secure their spot at the head of the line for Chair 1. It was the first time they’d earned first chair honors. At 9:30 a.m., Brock, Morgan, Kelsey and Devin boarded the first chair, hooted, hollered and waved their poles in the air.

The four skiers from Kalispell admitted to skipping work for opening day and they weren’t the only ones in line who were playing hooky to play on the mountain.

Snow has continued to fall and accumulate on the mountain but Sokol warns that early-season conditions persist and mountain officials are stressing safety.

“Snow has been falling … burying bits of vegetation and other hazards that were clearly visible on opening day. Those hidden hazards are lurking just below the surface and can easily snag your edges,” Sokol said. “We're urging guests to look out, slow down and be mindful of fellow skiers and riders. It'll be a long season and there's no reason to take unnecessary risks.”

A weekend storm brought another 5 inches to the summit and 4 inches to the base area. There appears to be a break in storms this week with cloudy and partly cloudy days ahead according to the National Weather Service. Since opening day, the resort opened Russ’s Street on the front side as a way to get down the mountain to avoid downloading on Chair 1.

For more information and up-to-date information visit skiwhitefish.com.

Opening day, Dec. 7, 2023, at Whitefish Mountain Resort. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)