Happy winter, Flathead Valley! As I write this newsletter on a gray bird Thursday morning, it’s 27 degrees and squalling snow outside the Beacon HQ. Meanwhile, at the top of the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, the temperature on Logan Pass is 8 degrees Fahrenheit while the mercury reads in the teens across the high elevations of northwest Montana.
A storm and accompanying cold front brought a return (or introduction?) of old man winter on this early spring day, dropping more than a foot of snow in the mountains with more on the way. The spring showers are giving a small boost to the region’s dwindling river basins, most of which have a below normal snowpack as runoff continues.
Since yesterday, close to 10 inches of snow has fallen on Big Mountain where the elevation is 6,737 feet and the temperature read 17 degrees this morning. But despite the spring cold smoke, Whitefish Mountain Resort (WMR) officials warn of hazardous conditions including thin coverage and a smattering of rocks and vegetation that are now just barely lurking beneath the surface.
While WMR’s lifts quit spinning 11 days ago, those ascending the mountain on their own two feet are reminded to adhere to the 14-day post-season uphill restrictions, which remain in place until Monday.
From 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily, uphill and downhill travel is restricted to the East Route while there are no route restrictions outside of these hours.
Beginning at the Spruce parking lot, the East Route slog crosses the bridge toward ski school followed by a trek up lower Inspiration, Expressway, Moe Mentum and upper Russ’s Street to the summit. The remainder of the mountain is off-limits during these hours while crews operate heavy machinery as they button up the ski area for the season.
If you prefer to march straight up the mountain before 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m., the Benny Up Route begins at the western edge of Chipmunk under Chair 6 to the lift plaza, following Toni Matt to the summit.
WMR officials also remind go-getters that until recently, much of the lower front side was completely bare bones and currently holds a shallow base. If you choose to slide on the lingering snow, “extreme caution” is advised. Ski patrol won’t be around to save you.
But if you’re already missing warm weather activities – not to worry. Spring will be back this weekend when a high-pressure system returns, bringing northwest Montana’s temperatures into the 60s and 70s by early next week, according to the National Weather Service.
I’m Maggie Dresser, here to guide you through this erratic environment in today’s Daily Roundup.
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