Whitefish Mountain Resort adds summer attractions
Whitefish Mountain Resort announces its new two-hour zip line tour and its new alpine slide for thrill-seekers.
Mountain-wide operations open on June 27.
Both new attractions will be offered at a steep discount - less than half price for the zip line - until June 26 to give those that live in the Flathead Valley a chance to try the rides before the summer tourism season gets into full swing. "We're hoping that this early season pricing makes it very easy for everyone who is interested to come up, try these new attractions, and tell us what they think," said resort president Dan Graves.
The zip line tour consists of four spans, each having two parallel cables for two-at-a-time zipping. The highest of the four spans is suspended more than 100 feet above the forest floor. Another is nearly 1300 feet (more than 4 football fields) long and passes over the top of the Easy Rider chair lift.
"This is not just a rock climbing harness and a carabiner sliding from one side of your back yard to the other," said Graves. "A lot of design and engineering has gone into making sure these spans offer some serious thrills, and I think we've been successful. I would challenge anyone to stand at the top of the second or third span without at least a little flutter of excitement and anticipation in their belly."
Along with the zip lines, the resort is also constructing an alpine slide on Chipmunk, the ski run beneath Chair 6. The slide will snake into and out of the trees that border the run as riders negotiate high banked turns and control the speed of their wheeled sleds with an on-board handbrake.
"Anyone who has ever ridden an alpine slide will tell you that it is surprisingly fun . . . it really brings the kid out in you," said Graves. "You go as fast as you dare to, but that always ends up being a little slower than you'd like your friends to believe."
The two new attractions join cross-country and downhill mountain biking, hiking, the unique Walk In The Treetops, scenic lift rides, mountain-top dining, and more for summer at Whitefish Mountain Resort.
A new freeride-style downhill mountain bike trail called The Runaway Train was opened late last season and will be joined by significant improvements to the older Summit Trail, as well as the beginner and intermediate cross-country trail network for summer 2009. Funding for the improvements will come in part from a grant secured by a local non-profit dedicated to improving mountain biking in the area.
Also continuing this summer is the Walk In The Treetops, a guided nature tour through the canopy of an 'old-growth' forest that sits on land owned and managed by F.H. Stolze Land and Lumber Company. The tour includes a walkway suspended in the treetops, more than 70 feet above the ground. The two daily tours are traditionally very popular, making reservations highly recommended.
The resort plans to offer all activities and services from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 27 to Sept. 6, as well as Saturdays and Sundays through the end of September. Dining options will include the Summit House and the Base Lodge Cafe, as well as Hellroaring Saloon, the Bierstube, Kandahar Cafe, Aunt B's and the Big Drift Coffee House in the Upper Village.
Two-hour zip line tours will be offered throughout the day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for $59. Until June 26, they will be offered for only $29. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are suggested.
Rides on the alpine slide will be $8, or three for $20. The early season (until June 26) rate will be $5 per ride.
Other pricing and information can be found on the resort's website at skiwhitefish.com. 2008-2009 winter season pass holders should keep their eyes peeled for a coupon book that will be available in early June, and which will feature significant discounts for all summer activities including the zip line tour and alpine slide.
For more information on summer at Whitefish Mountain Resort, please visit skiwhitefish.com or call 877-SKI-FISH.
Mountain-wide operations open on June 27.
Both new attractions will be offered at a steep discount - less than half price for the zip line - until June 26 to give those that live in the Flathead Valley a chance to try the rides before the summer tourism season gets into full swing. "We're hoping that this early season pricing makes it very easy for everyone who is interested to come up, try these new attractions, and tell us what they think," said resort president Dan Graves.
The zip line tour consists of four spans, each having two parallel cables for two-at-a-time zipping. The highest of the four spans is suspended more than 100 feet above the forest floor. Another is nearly 1300 feet (more than 4 football fields) long and passes over the top of the Easy Rider chair lift.
"This is not just a rock climbing harness and a carabiner sliding from one side of your back yard to the other," said Graves. "A lot of design and engineering has gone into making sure these spans offer some serious thrills, and I think we've been successful. I would challenge anyone to stand at the top of the second or third span without at least a little flutter of excitement and anticipation in their belly."
Along with the zip lines, the resort is also constructing an alpine slide on Chipmunk, the ski run beneath Chair 6. The slide will snake into and out of the trees that border the run as riders negotiate high banked turns and control the speed of their wheeled sleds with an on-board handbrake.
"Anyone who has ever ridden an alpine slide will tell you that it is surprisingly fun . . . it really brings the kid out in you," said Graves. "You go as fast as you dare to, but that always ends up being a little slower than you'd like your friends to believe."
The two new attractions join cross-country and downhill mountain biking, hiking, the unique Walk In The Treetops, scenic lift rides, mountain-top dining, and more for summer at Whitefish Mountain Resort.
A new freeride-style downhill mountain bike trail called The Runaway Train was opened late last season and will be joined by significant improvements to the older Summit Trail, as well as the beginner and intermediate cross-country trail network for summer 2009. Funding for the improvements will come in part from a grant secured by a local non-profit dedicated to improving mountain biking in the area.
Also continuing this summer is the Walk In The Treetops, a guided nature tour through the canopy of an 'old-growth' forest that sits on land owned and managed by F.H. Stolze Land and Lumber Company. The tour includes a walkway suspended in the treetops, more than 70 feet above the ground. The two daily tours are traditionally very popular, making reservations highly recommended.
The resort plans to offer all activities and services from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 27 to Sept. 6, as well as Saturdays and Sundays through the end of September. Dining options will include the Summit House and the Base Lodge Cafe, as well as Hellroaring Saloon, the Bierstube, Kandahar Cafe, Aunt B's and the Big Drift Coffee House in the Upper Village.
Two-hour zip line tours will be offered throughout the day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for $59. Until June 26, they will be offered for only $29. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are suggested.
Rides on the alpine slide will be $8, or three for $20. The early season (until June 26) rate will be $5 per ride.
Other pricing and information can be found on the resort's website at skiwhitefish.com. 2008-2009 winter season pass holders should keep their eyes peeled for a coupon book that will be available in early June, and which will feature significant discounts for all summer activities including the zip line tour and alpine slide.
For more information on summer at Whitefish Mountain Resort, please visit skiwhitefish.com or call 877-SKI-FISH.
Leave a comment