Whitefish Mountain Resort

Whitefish Mountain Resort occupies Big Mountain above Whitefish in northwestern Montana. The operator describes roughly 3,000 acres around the summit, with learning facilities near the Base Lodge, front-side runs and separate northern and Hellroaring terrain. This guide concerns managed alpine skiing and snowboarding; summer biking and independently regulated uphill travel are separate.

Conflicting sources: the 3 November 2026 announcement and first-visit guide report 112 named trails after adding Bad Medicine and Big Twig, while the mountain-statistics and lift-ticket pages retain 110. These advertised totals are not our documented route count or a verified complete map inventory.

Conflicting sources: the statistics FAQ gives 14 lifts, but the expanded list also includes competition-only Heritage and residential Elk Highlands; winter hours separately close Bad Rock. Read the purpose and daily status of each device instead of treating every listed lift as public winter access.

Follow the resort’s local signs and ability ratings. Generic OSM difficulty has not been converted into an official US grade or universal piste colour. New glade names and steep or uncertain terrain are not reconstructed on our independent map.

Unconfirmed: 4 December 2026–4 April 2027 is the operator’s conditions-dependent winter plan. Current lift-served skiing, each sector’s opening and the complete final return are not established.

The published winter table gives Chair 1 from 09:30–16:00; Chairs 2, 3, 4 and 9 from 09:00–16:00; Chair 6 from 08:45–16:30; and Chair 5 from 09:45–16:00. The northern Big Creek chair ends at 15:30 and Flower Point at 15:15. Weather and operational decisions can change these hours.

Hellroaring is listed 09:45–16:00, with gates closing at 15:45 and an annual 31 March closure. Bigfoot T-bar is listed 10:00–15:15 on weekends and holidays. Heritage is competition-only, Elk Highlands serves residential subdivisions and Bad Rock is closed during ski season.

The separate night page lists Chairs 2, 3 and 6 for 16:00–20:30 on Fridays/Saturdays from 8 January–6 March 2027, plus nightly 26 December–2 January and 12–14 February. Check the selected session and ticket; the daytime northern and Hellroaring sectors are not night-skiing promises.

Unconfirmed: those timetable endpoints do not establish last boarding, every connecting run, or a complete ski/lift return to your own base. Ask staff before leaving the front side and allow time for rental returns and transport. The snow report still carries a 29 October 2026 narrative, which is historical rather than a fresh observation.

The operator directs Base Lodge visitors to 1015 Glades Drive. From Whitefish, follow Big Mountain Road and turn onto Glades Drive before the skier bridge. Village lodging check-in is farther along Big Mountain Road at 3889; confirm which destination matches your booking. The independent base pin is approximate.

The parking page lists free general lots and separate paid Birch, Cedar, Dogwood and Pine/Spruce arrangements. Pine/Spruce are listed at USD 15 on Fridays–Sundays and specified holidays, free Monday–Thursday and free for vehicles with at least three people when space is available. Follow the actual signs; a general first-visitor statement about free parking does not cover every lot.

The S.N.O.W. Bus provides free seasonal travel between Whitefish and the resort. Village and parking shuttles are separate services. Unconfirmed: a current complete winter bus timetable, final town-bound departure, shuttle stops and uninterrupted accessible transfer are not verified; arrange an independent return.

Conflicting sources: the 3 November 2026 announcement directs in-season uphill parking to the new Poplar Lot, while the general uphill policy still directs early uphill users to Spruce. Verify the current instruction with staff. This downhill guide does not authorize an uphill route or parking exception.

The inspected lift-ticket table lists an adult aged 19–64 at USD 120 for one day, USD 108 per day for two or more days and USD 110 for a half day starting at 13:00. Ages 6 and under are free but still require a ticket. Confirm dates, eligibility and the final checkout price; listed prices may change.

The beginner ticket names Chairs 6 and 9 plus the two carpets; a carpet-only product is narrower. Night skiing and the swing-shift product have different validity. Multiday tickets have a one-day grace period from the selected start and exclude night skiing unless separately included.

Foot-passenger tickets cover Chair 1 only, prohibit ski or snowboard equipment including boots, and have a 14:55 boarding cutoff. They do not provide Chair 6 access or a skier connection. Lessons, rentals and the separately required uphill entitlement should not be assumed included.

The operator asks for lift-ticket refund requests at least 48 hours before the start date. Unconfirmed: individual availability, all checkout terms and a particular refund outcome are not verified. Review the current product before paying.

Keep off closed terrain, obey signs and patrol, control speed and give downhill users priority. Load and unload lifts only when you can do so safely; ask attendants for help. Terrain, weather and ability can change the appropriate route during the day.

The operator warns that tree wells and deep unconsolidated snow can trap and suffocate skiers. Avoid tree/deep-snow areas, remain with a partner in sight and have a rescue plan. The historical snow-ghost photograph is landscape context, not advice to ski among those trees.

Outside the marked resort boundary, the operator does not perform avalanche mitigation. This guide and map grant no backcountry or uphill access. Uphill users must consult the current route, time, pass and closure rules; the operator prohibits child or infant backpack carriers and specifies clearance from grooming and snowmaking equipment.

Mountain Patrol is listed at +1 406 862 2940. The operator describes a walk-in clinic beside the Base Lodge near Chair 9. Unconfirmed: its undated daily 10:00–17:00 listing does not establish present opening, emergency capacity, evacuation coverage or individual accessible assistance; confirm arrangements before travel.

The Ski & Ride School lists group and private teaching, children’s programmes and links to DREAM Adaptive Recreation. Contact the school at +1 406 862 2909 to confirm the exact age/ability group, meeting point, lift product and equipment requirements. A programme link does not establish individual adaptive availability.

The 2026/27 rental page distinguishes Base Lodge and village shops. Base Lodge lists 08:30–17:00 on weekdays and 08:00–17:00 on weekends and specified holiday periods; village rentals list 08:30–17:00 daily. Both advertise later closing during night skiing. These are seasonal service plans, separate from lift operation.

Rental equipment is due back by 16:30 on the final day under the published FAQ. Helmets are charged separately from standard ski/snowboard packages. A credit card and an adult renter or accompanying guardian are required; confirm fit, collection time and the precise return arrangement.

Guest information is available at info@skiwhitefish.com and +1 406 862 2900. Unconfirmed: restaurant hours, a specific lesson/rental booking, current clinic operation and the complete assisted return are not individually verified. Contact the relevant service before committing to a plan.