Northwest Montana Ski Season Update
Maritsa Georgiou
"It's Thanksgiving week which has a lot of people starting to think about hitting the slopes.
Historically, the Whitefish Mountain resort has opened Thanksgiving Day. That changed a few years ago. This year, the resort plans to open December 5.
Right now, resort crews are doing things like training, grooming and last minute preparations to make sure they're ready to go in two weeks.
Northwest Montana hasn't seen much snow on the valley floor, but resort officials say the back side of the mountain is ready to open.
Blacktail Mountain Ski Area in Lakeside does things differently. They don't set target opening dates. Resort owners there wait until there's enough snow on the ground to open the lifts.
We talked to Blacktail owner Steve Spencer Monday. He says they still need a lot of snow before they can open. He says once they get a reasonable amount of snow, they'll post snow reports and opening updates on their website. Turner Mountain in Libby operates the same way.
If you're itching to hit the slopes this week, there is some good news.
Great Divide SKi Area near Helena is already open Tuesdays through Sundays.
Lookout Pass on the Idaho border and Big Sky Resort in Southwest Montana plan to open Thanksgiving Day.
Red Lodge Resort Plans to open Black Friday.
Bridger Bowl near Bozeman is having a meeting Tuesday to decide their opening day. "