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THE ROCKIES W I N T E R 2 01 8

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SKI RESORTS WITH EPIC SLOPES

BARS, BEDS & BACKCOUNTRY $4.95 Whitefish Mountain Resort in northwestern Montana

WINTRY WALKS IN U.S. PARKS

MONTANA

EVENING RUSH

There’s plenty to do at Whitefish Resort after the sun sets

By Adrienne Jordan

W

HITEFISH, MONT., HAS HUMBLE origins. Starting as a timber and railroad town, it became a tourist destination after Glacier National Park opened in 1910. The Whitefish Lake Golf Course followed in the 1920s, and the establishment of the Hellroaring Ski Club in the 1930s solidified the locale as a vacation destination. Then came Whitefish Mountain Resort.

Today, the 70-year-old resort, which set

a record with 346,000 skier visits during its 2016-2017 season, reaps the benefit of $2.6 million in improvements implemented this year. Chair 5 has been relocated from Ptarmigan Bowl to the East Rim to improve skier access to terrain; Ed & Mully’s slopeside restaurant has been remodeled, and the village area upgraded.

Perched 6,817 feet above the town of Whitefish and in view of the peaks of Glacier National Park, the resort is a skier’s sanctuary. It shares its perimeter with the mountain goats, elk, bighorn sheep and mountain lions that call Glacier home.

When guests arrive, they can witness some of the average 300 inches of snowfall that occurs annually on the resort’s 3,000 acres of mountains, bowls, chutes and glades.

And that snowfall is even more memorable against the backdrop of a dark evening sky, which guests can enjoy during the resort’s Moonlight Dine & Ski events, scheduled for Feb. 2 and March 2, 2018.

The stunning excursions begin with a panoramic chair-lift ride up to the summit of Big Mountain, followed by a savory dining experience, and a lift ride or ski down with an experienced instructor. The Moonlight

BRIAN SCHOTT

GETTING THERE Located 18 miles from Whitefish, the Glacier Park International Airport makes a quick drive possible, but why exert the energy when you can relax and be chauffeured around town? Make a reservation with Wild Horse Limousine, and your party can start partying as soon as you leave baggage claim. Wild Horse clients also can customize their itineraries, whether the group wants to stop along scenic routes to snap photos or detour to a winery before arriving at the resort. ▶ 406-756-2290; wildhorselimo.com

Skis and snowboards are essential if Dine & Ski patrons want to ski down after dinner, and cameras are strongly suggested for capturing unparalleled moonlight views.

BRIAN SCHOTT

Dine & Ski culminates at a dazzling 7,000 feet above sea level, while overlooking the snow-covered peaks of Glacier National Park and the skyline of Flathead Valley — all by moonlight.

“We want the guests to be transported from the chilly chair-lift ride under the stars to (our) warm atmosphere,” says Ben Neese, executive chef at Summit House, the restaurant where skiers dine during their moonlit outing. The buffet offerings vary depending on the night’s theme.

Dinner guests revel in the candlelight and a backdrop of the full moon peeking in through large windows.

“After settling down with a glass of wine or a cocktail, guests will enjoy the themed buffet at their leisure and relax in the

atypically serene atmosphere of the Summit House at night,” Neese says.

If guests are unable to make the two Moonlight Dine & Ski dates, the adventurous still have the option to go night skiing — on Fridays and Saturdays, Jan. 5 to March 3, 2018, and over the holidays: Dec. 26-29, and Feb. 19, 2018.

“Night skiing is a magical experience. The glowing snow-covered trees and the glimmer of the lights in the valley transfigure familiar runs of the day into an enchanting lighted forest at night,” says Christina Brown, a Whitefish guest.

Nearby residents are also big fans of night skiing, which “enables locals to start the weekend early, and gain a few thousand feet of vertical on Friday night,” says Bill Cubbage,

director of Whitefish Mountain Resort’s ski school. “It is especially gratifying when the snow starts falling Friday afternoon, or they haven’t been able to come up all week because of work or school.”

In addition to snow sports, Whitefish offers an abundance of cultural offerings. After a day of skiing, guests can tour the galleries along Central Avenue — a strip where dozens of artists exhibit their work. The nonprofit community-supported Stumptown Art Studio welcomes the public to paint, craft and pursue other creative endeavors; no reservations needed. Also, consider sampling craft beers at Bonsai Brewing Project. Try ranger-led snowshoe tours in Glacier National Park, or go cross-country skiing at the Glacier Nordic Center in Whitefish.

Moonlight Dine & Ski skiwhitefish. com/moonlightdine-ski Night Skiing skiwhitefish. com/nightskiing