Whitefish Mountain Resort in Montana is expected to start its season on December 7th. According to the Daily Interlake, the big change is the reconfiguration of Chair 8 (Hellroaring). The lift is expected to open on December 11th, and its new location will allow the lift to open in the season than in prior years. In its prior position, the only way to reach the chairlift was via a cat track. Chair 8’s “bottom terminal of Chair 8 is at Grand Junction, and the top is near the intersection of Toni Matt and Big Ravine.” The trip on Chair 8 will last seven minutes and is 1,082 vertical feet. This follows the addition of six new runs and regrading of Hell Fire in Hellroaring Basin in 2020. Here’s Whitefish’s explanation for the move:
“In its earlier configuration, there was no easy way to access Hellroaring Basin besides a cat track, and limited options to get from the top of the lift directly back into the basin without adding a front side run. It was further hampered by a long outrun to get to the bottom of the lift, where the early season snowpack was often thin.”
The other big news from the mountain is the name of its first six-pack coming in the 2022-23 season: The Snow Ghost Express. This lift will stretch from the base area to the top of Inspiration Ridge. This lift will replace Chair 4, and take seven minutes to reach the top. It will also allow skiers to get to the summit without riding two separate chairs, which is what they need to do now.
Whitefish also has revealed their new trail maps for this upcoming ski season, which you can check out below. The big difference is the changed location of Chair 8 Hellroaring.
Image Credits: Whitefish Mountain Resort
