Whitefish Mountain Resort Ski Trip Guide (2026-27)
Whitefish Mountain Resort's 2026-27 season is scheduled to run Friday, Dec. 4, 2026 through Sunday, April 4, 2027, conditions permitting (Whitefish Mountain Resort). For a group, the best ski trip here pairs days on the mountain with evenings at a house big enough for everyone, with a hot tub and sauna for tired legs. That's what The Evergreen in Somers is built for.
When does Whitefish Mountain Resort open for 2026-27?
The scheduled season is Dec. 4, 2026 to April 4, 2027, conditions permitting. Chair 8 closes March 31 each season (Whitefish Mountain Resort). Early-season terrain depends on snow, so check the resort's site the week before an early-December trip. Lift schedules are on the resort's hours and dates page.
Does Whitefish Mountain Resort have night skiing?
Yes. Night skiing runs on the slopes under Chairs 2, 3 and 6. The resort's published 2026-27 night skiing dates are Fridays and Saturdays from Jan. 8 to March 6, 2027, plus the holiday periods Dec. 26, 2026 to Jan. 2, 2027 and Feb. 12-14, 2027 (Whitefish Mountain Resort night skiing). Confirm on the resort's page before you plan around a specific night.
Is Whitefish Mountain Resort the same as Big Mountain?
The resort sits on Big Mountain. In the resort's words, it "is located atop Big Mountain, a 6,817-foot peak overlooking the city of Whitefish" (Whitefish Mountain Resort). So when someone says "we're skiing Big Mountain," they mean Whitefish Mountain Resort above the town of Whitefish.
How big is Whitefish Mountain Resort?
The resort says it runs 11 chairlifts plus a T-bar and two conveyor carpets, with 112 named trails across 3,000 acres, and that it is about 15 minutes from downtown Whitefish (Whitefish Mountain Resort). That size, plus a real ski town at the base, is why it works for destination group trips. Closer to Flathead Lake, Blacktail Mountain Ski Area in Lakeside is a smaller local hill. For a wider regional comparison, see Bozeman or Big Sky vs. Flathead Valley.
How do you check the Whitefish snow report?
Use the resort's own snow report. For groups with mixed abilities, check which lifts and runs are open before you split up for the day.
Where should a ski group stay near Whitefish Mountain Resort?
You can stay slopeside, in Whitefish, or in the Flathead Valley and drive up. The Evergreen is in Somers, on the north shore of Flathead Lake (Montana FWP). It has 6 bedrooms with flexible sleeping arrangements and 3.5 baths. There's a private hot tub and barrel sauna on the deck, a game room (pool, shuffleboard, foosball, air hockey, retro arcade cabinets), a private speakeasy with a poker table and bar counter, a fire pit, and a long dining table for group dinners. The driveway fits three vehicles plus a trailer. It is not a ski-in/ski-out home, and winter road conditions vary, so check them before you drive to the mountain.
What else is there to do in Whitefish in winter?
- Whitefish Christmas Stroll: Friday, Dec. 11, 2026, on Central Avenue in downtown Whitefish (Whitefish Chamber).
- Whitefish Winter Carnival: the main carnival weekend is Feb. 5-7, 2027 (Whitefish Winter Carnival).
- Glacier National Park in winter: see below.
More ideas are in the Flathead winter holidays guide.
Can you visit Glacier National Park in winter?
Yes, with limits. The plowed section of Going-to-the-Sun Road from West Glacier to Lake McDonald Lodge is open year-round, weather permitting. Beyond Lake McDonald Lodge the road is unplowed and becomes a ski and snowshoe route. NPS runs ranger-led snowshoe walks on winter weekends (NPS). A snowshoe day makes a good rest day between ski days.
What are the house rules for a ski group at The Evergreen?
It's a neighborhood home, not a party house. No parties or smoking. Quiet after 10 p.m. Pets are case by case, so ask first. Check-in is 4 p.m. and checkout is 10 a.m. Confirm your full party size on the booking page (The Evergreen). There's no private lake access and no dock or boat. Rates and availability are on the direct booking page.
| Date | What | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Dec. 4, 2026 | Whitefish Mountain Resort scheduled opening (conditions permitting) | skiwhitefish.com |
| Fri, Dec. 11, 2026 | Whitefish Christmas Stroll | Whitefish Chamber |
| Dec. 26, 2026 - Jan. 2, 2027 | Holiday night skiing | skiwhitefish.com |
| Jan. 8 - March 6, 2027 | Night skiing, Fridays and Saturdays | skiwhitefish.com |
| Feb. 5-7, 2027 | Whitefish Winter Carnival | whitefishwintercarnival.com |
| Feb. 12-14, 2027 | Holiday night skiing | skiwhitefish.com |
| Wed, March 31, 2027 | Chair 8 closes for the season | skiwhitefish.com |
| Sun, April 4, 2027 | Scheduled closing day | skiwhitefish.com |
| Day | Plan | Evening at The Evergreen |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fly into Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, grocery stop, 4 p.m. check-in | Game room |
| 2 | Full ski day | Hot tub and barrel sauna |
| 3 | Ski morning, or a Glacier snowshoe rest day | Speakeasy poker night |
| 4 | Night skiing on a scheduled night, or a downtown Whitefish stroll | Group dinner at the long table |
Gear checklist: lift tickets bought ahead; rentals reserved; a winter-driving plan for mountain roads; swimsuits for the hot tub; vehicle count for the driveway.
FAQ
When does Whitefish Mountain Resort open for 2026-27? It's scheduled for Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, conditions permitting.
When does Whitefish Mountain Resort close? It's scheduled for Sunday, April 4, 2027. Chair 8 closes March 31.
Does Whitefish have night skiing? Yes, on Chairs 2, 3 and 6. For 2026-27 it's scheduled on Fridays and Saturdays from Jan. 8 to March 6, 2027, plus Dec. 26, 2026 to Jan. 2, 2027 and Feb. 12-14, 2027.
Is Big Mountain the same as Whitefish Mountain Resort? Whitefish Mountain Resort sits atop Big Mountain, a 6,817-foot peak above the town of Whitefish, so people use the names interchangeably.
When is the 2027 Whitefish Winter Carnival? The main carnival weekend is Feb. 5-7, 2027.
Does The Evergreen have a hot tub and sauna? Yes: a private hot tub and a barrel sauna on the deck.