Page 63 - Flathead Beacon // 1.22.13

JANUARY 22, 2014 | 63 FLATHEADBEACON.COM

WEEKEND OUTLOOK

WEEKLY ON-MOUNTAIN NEWS
WEDNESDAY, JAN 22, 2014
LOW34oF HI43oF

GO CLIMB A MOUNTAIN

W
ith our latest weather pattern the sun- Our two uphill routes are the Toni Matt
ny skies, and slightly more daylight are and the East Route which are marked by signs.
ideal conditions for a workout climbing up the Both routes are open while the lits are running
mountain. Climbing uphill, or Uphill Skiing is
(9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) While we are open climbers
can ascend either of these routes, and they can one of the latest trends in the

descend any run, so long as the run is open. ski industry, a trend I’m proud
Uphill travel in the morning before we open
to say our skiing community
is allowed on the Toni Matt route only and in can claim to be leading. In
the evenings it’s the East Route only. Whiteish addition to taking advantage
Mountain Resort’s entire policy is available of good weather this Saturday
Riley Polumbus
online at skiwhiteish.com/uphill and is posted is our annual mountaineering
race, the Whiteish Whiteout. here’s sure to be around the resort. It is the responsibility of the
a steady line of skiers climbing uphill training individual to read and understand the policy
for the event.
and follow the USFS Special Order.
Uphill skiing is a relatively new segment
he only time we allow climbing on

of snow sports. I say relatively because in a anything other than the two designated
historical sense, uphill skiing is something uphill routes during the ski season is during
that has been happening for over a century as the Whiteish Whiteout. his Saturday the
mail carriers, doctors and other professionals competition will start the race at the bottom
hiked over hill and dale on skis as required
of Chair 1 at 10 a.m. Racers can choose from
Competitors
for their vocation during the winter months. from the 2013 Whiteish Whiteout ascend the Toni Matt Uphill Route.
three categories: the Race Course (4,800 feet of
hen there’s our own ski heritage here on he climbing), the Recreation Course (2,400 feet of
Big Mountain where skiers like Lloyd “Mully” climbing), and new this year the Ascent Only
Muldown hiked up the mountain to ski for fun category (basically the Toni Matt uphill route). • Some ski areas do not allow uphill travel One of the resort’s priorities is to keep
before there was a rope tow or even a road.
Racers can still register online, just visit the during the day when lits are open.
uphill skiers safe when our snowmaking and
Whiteish Whiteout page on our events calen-
With today’s advanced Telemark and • Some ski areas require purchasing a ticket grooming equipment is out on the mountain.
Alpine Touring (AT) gear as well as split dar at skiwhiteish.com.
for skier to travel uphill.
his is why we provide two designated routes
snowboards, winter enthusiasts can access the If you are not racing but will be up here • Most ski areas that allow uphill travel and why the U.S. Forest Service created the fol-
top of mountains more easily. While this has this Saturday, be sure to check out the compe- provide a designated route or routes.
lowing Special Order:
been happening in the backcountry for de- tition. he Race Course will ascend a total of Our ski area is acknowledged as a leading It is prohibited for any skier, hiker, or person
cades, climbing up the groomed slopes of your four times including up North Bowl Face, NBC example in uphill skiing and in comparison otherwise, to approach within 100 feet of groom-

favorite ski area is gaining popularity. A few and Glory Hole in Hellroaring Basin. his race with other ski areas our policy is considered
ing machines, whether stationary or moving;
interesting facts about uphill skiing you may or is part of the national US Ski Mountaineering to be one of the most uphill skier friendly. We or snowmaking equipment, to include but not
may not already know:
series and will attract racers from the US and were one of the irst ski resorts to implement limited to fan guns, high-pressure water lines,
• Some ski areas do not allow uphill travel Canada. It’s a very unique and at times de- guidelines back in the 2009-2010 ski season. and high-voltage electrical cables, within the
at all, ever, period.
manding course, and one of the most exciting In March of 2010 we worked with members of Whiteish Mountain Resort permit boundary.

• Some ski areas allow uphill travel before events of the season.
the uphill community to create a set of policies Order D08-112-L-10, Title 36 CFR 261.53(e) his
and ater the ski season but not during that are agreeable to both the resort and uphill Special Order is ALWAYS In Efect.
the ski season.
skiers.

WHITEFISH WHITEOUT - JAN. 25

SKI MOUNTAINEERING RACE! 10START AT CHAIR 1. MULTIPLE COURSES & CATEGORIES.
am
ENTRY FEES VARY. $550 CASH PURSE. PRE-REGISTER AT SKIWHITEFISH.COM.

SMOKING ACES FREESTYLE TOUR - FEB. 1

THE 1ST STOP OF MONTANA'S OWN SKI & SNOWBOARD FREESTYLE TOUR! 12:30pm START AT
CENTRAL AVENUE PARK. PRE-REGISTRATION FEES: $35/OPEN CLASS OR $30/AMATEURS.
PRE-REGISTER & GET THE FULL DETAILS ONLINE.

877-SKI-FISH / SKIWHITEFISH.COM