Columbia Falls sophomore Lane Anello and his friends got to opening day at Whitefish Mountain Resort at 6:00 AM last year, and were too late.
So, this year they took a different strategy.
"I woke up at four and we were on the mountain by four forty," said Anello.
Anello and his friends rode the first chair at 9:30 AM up the mountain.
Whitefish Mountain Resort Spokesperson Riley Polumbus says the mountain staff couldn't be more excited for opening day.
"Employees are very stoked, everyone has been looking forward to this day. People have been training this week, and prior weeks just to get everything ready," said Polumbus.
Polumbus says chair 6, 3, 1, and the magic carpet are open on the front side.
Whitefish high school student Jonah Talaga admits he skipped school today to enjoy opening day and that his parents were ok with it.
He says what his favorite part of opening day is.
"You get to ski finally after a long summer," said Talaga.
Spokesperson Polumbus tells MTN that next ski season visitors could see some changes to Hellroaring Basin.
"The hope is to also put in a new lift. To get people from Grand Junction to the top of Hellroaring Peak. All of this is within our permit boundary," said Polumbus.
Polumbus tells MTN that Hellroaring Basin belongs to the forest service.
Currently, the forest service is reviewing permits.
If approved, the new lift is one of many updates to Hellroaring Basin.
Right now chair 1 is still downloading until the front of the mountain can get some more snow.
Once more snow falls, the front side will be completely open to visitors.
