Big Mountain's new chairlift raises old concerns

Whitefish Mountain Resort’s new backside chairlift is expected to be ready to go on opening day, Dec. 6, ferrying thousands of skiers a day to the summit of Flower Point — a popular entry point to out-of-bounds skiing in the Canyon Creek area.

Without the new lift, skiers and snowboarders had to hike about 20 minutes to reach the Flower Point summit. This easy access has raised concerns about avalanches and other hazards in the unpatrolled area that is also used by snowmobilers.

Flathead National Forest officials met with backcountry skiing and snowmobile communities on Nov. 21 to discuss heightened concerns about avalanches and user conflicts related to the new lift and the resort’s open boundary policy.

The “breakfast chat” focused on how to best educate skiers about avalanche preparedness and proper etiquette for skiers who return to the resort on the groomed snowmobile trail.

“We assume more users will be accessing Canyon Creek because they don’t have to hike as far,” said Becky Smith-Powell of the Flathead National Forest.

A kiosk explaining the dangers of backcountry skiing and avalanches will be set up at the Flower Point summit, which will be roped off for the entire length of the new Ridge Run ski slope that runs along the northeast boundary of the resort. Signs — possibly with vivid skull and crossbones — warning of avalanche terrain will be placed along the boundary line.

“The idea is to be very frank and get the point across that you are entering the backcountry,” said Dave Stephens, Big Mountain Ski Patrol’s new leader.

Stephens explained the drawn-out protocol required before the ski patrol can respond to an out-of-bounds rescue. The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office will dispatch the Flathead Nordic Patrol before contacting the ski resort. Big Mountain Ski Patrol then must receive the OK from management before responding.

“Ultimately, you are on your own,” he said.

The Flathead Avalanche Center plans to install an avalanche beacon checkpoint at the Flower Point summit and amp up education efforts.

“Canyon Creek is a classic terrain trap,” the center’s director, Erich Peitzsch, said.

Peitzsch noted that two people were killed by an avalanche in the canyon in 2008, and two separate avalanches buried people this past winter. Typically, slides are triggered in the chutes on Mount Skookoleel, on the opposite side of the canyon from Flower Point.

“Our intention is to educate skiers as much as possible that it’s a terrain trap,” Peitzsch said.

Another concern with the new lift is etiquette on the groomed snowmobile trail.

“We have a real desire to see interaction between skiers and snowmobilers continue on a good note,” Smith-Powell said.

The Forest Service plans to hang signs reminding snowmobilers to share the trail and for skiers to walk on the left side of the groomed trail back to the resort.

“Don’t ski down then put your gear all over the trail,” Smith-Powell said. “I’ve seen it happen.”

She noted that the trail is a designated snowmobile trail, and that the Flathead Snowmobile Association helps pay for the grooming.

“It’s kind of a perk for skiers to be able to walk on it,” she said.