With new snow comes new terrain opening at Whitefish Mountain Resort.
After 5 inches of new snow blanketed the summit in the past 24 hours, the resort announced Friday it is opening Russ’s Street, an easily accessible route that descends the front side of Big Mountain to the base of Chair 1. The opening allows skiers to travel downhill without downloading, or riding Chair 1 from the summit to the base.
Skiers can still choose to ride the chairlift down from the summit, resort spokesperson Riley Polumbus said.
The resort is also opening T-Bar 2, which will service Whiskey Spring to the 316 Road that accesses Goat Haunt, and Big Creek down to Chair 7.
The resort opened for its 68th winter season on Dec. 5 with five chairlifts and seven trails available to skiers. There is a settled base of 36 inches at the summit with more snow in the forecast for the coming days.
Polumbus said skiers should be aware of early-season conditions, including areas with exposed terrain. Skiers should pay attention to all ski patrol signage across the mountain. Runs are open and closed based on the patrol’s discretion with safety being the primary deciding factor, according to resort officials.
Chairs 1, 3, 6, 7 and the carpet are open. The Flower Point chair remains closed. Click here for updates on trail and chair statuses.
Chair 1 will stop loading to the summit at 3 p.m. so that the last chair up can still get a ride down to Chair 7 before its closes.
Chair 1 starts running at 9:30 a.m. and Chair 7 starts at 10 a.m.