While the recent cold and snowy weather has been rough for drivers, it was good to skiers.
Big Sky Resort opened Thursday with what was described on the resort's website as "the best conditions in 10 years" for an opening day. The base depth was 50-70 inches, with 36 of 150 runs open.
Great Divide announced this week that it would have its earliest summit opening ever, with Mount Belmont, Good Luck and Back Yard lifts running Friday and Meadow Mountain Lift expected to open Dec. 4. The ski area has a lower mountain snow depth of 34 inches.
Whitefish (Big) Mountain will open Dec. 4, and skiers are gushing about the snow. The base is pegged at 35 inches.
Teton Pass near Choteau is hoping to open Dec. 10, "subject to lifts being finished" and snow conditions, according to the resort's website. The ski area reports a base at the top of the chairlift of 22 inches.
Showdown near Great Falls also is expected to open Dec. 10. It has a base of 39 inches at the summit.
