Events - Event View

Ski Magazine recently published a 2025 reader survey ranking the top 30 ski resorts in the West.  Whitefish ranked #19 and we get to experience its’ charm and hidden gem status in a month.

Condo assignments have been made and ticketing information for flights have been sent. Although we don’t have an exact trip itinerary at this time, I want to share some general information. For those leaving from the Cedar Rapids airport, plan to be there by 7:00 AM for our 9:00 AM flight. We will be picked up in Kalispell by a transportation service.  We will have a 30-minute stop at a grocery store for supplies. Please have a shopping list in hand so you can get this done quickly. You may want to communicate with your condo mates in advance and know how you want to handle meals. The January Chili Cook Off event might be a good time for local folks to sit down and decide who brings what for your condo.

There will be a welcome reception at the Lodge. There is usually a lot of helpful information shared at these gatherings: shuttle schedules, rentals, ambassador tours of the mountains, optional day trips from other outfitters in the area. To date only six people have indicated interest in going to Fernie to ski. If that is your plan don’t forget to take your passport.

The club has included a group evening meal in the cost of this trip. Over the years what was a wine and cheese reception morphed to a pizza supper when the club no longer provided the booze. After tiring of pizza, meals started to get planned.  It was easy to take frozen lasagna or sloppy joes to locations where we drove but with everyone flying on this trip it posed a challenge to come up with a meal where Jeff and I don’t need to spend the day in the kitchen cooking. Our solution is we will have a Baked Potato Bar with fixings of ham, broccoli, salsa, chili, cheese, onions, etc. There will also be some type of desert. As always, you bring your preferred beverage. We will decide a date and condo location once we get to Whitefish.

I have received some communication from the Whitefish Mountain Resort (located on the mountain). I am including the information for those that want/need to rent equipment and the information about Ambassador Tours:

Rental Equipment:

We provide discounts on all rental equipment besides demo skis. Rental equipment can be reserved using this link (https://shop.skiwhitefish.com/s/groups). For all groups staying in Non-WMR Lodging properties, please have them select the Village Rental Shop as their pickup location. This is the most convenient location for groups staying off-property and is located where their lodging shuttles will drop them off. Group members can also take advantage of group rates when they arrive on-mountain if they don’t want to reserve in advance.

For anyone reserving the day of, they can show their group lift ticket to the cashiers at the base lodge or village rental shops and an appropriate discount will be provided.

Ambassador Tours:

Ambassador tours are free and offered every day at 10:30am and 1:30pm. Their team wears bright orange jackets, and they are hard to miss at the bottom of Chair 1 (main lift) or at the summit near the top of Chair 7 (under the large trail map). Here is a link for more information about the free mountain tours – https://skiwhitefish.com/ambassadors/. You can also call the Ambassadors directly at 406-862-1702.

Participants on this trip, please watch your emails. Probably a week to 10 days out more specific information will come. Let the countdown begin!

Probably a good indication that winter is beginning in the mountain areas, was an article I read on October 22 about how Road to the Sun in Glacier National Park is closed for the season. That 50 mile stretch of road includes Logan Pass. The road is narrow surrounded by steep cliffs. It often doesn’t open again until June.

Talking about Glacier National Park, I received communication from an outfitter in Whitefish that has a number of half-day and full-day excursions in the area. I am including a link they provided with details and pricing for a number of activities that folks might want to consider for a non-ski day. A representative of the company will be present at the welcome reception when we arrive to answer questions and provide more information. I would suggest waiting to book any activity until you arrive and have an idea of the weather forecast for the week and decide then when and what to schedule. Here is the link: https://grouparrival.com/eisc-ski-club.

Both Steve Cummings and I checked with shipskis.com on pricing to ship a ski bag. The least expensive was a five-day ground transportation option that cost $90.00 one way. That’s too much for my budget so I plan to fly with my gear and hope it arrives with me.

I have communicated with those leaving from Cedar Rapids. I need to provide Ski.com with names, DOB and other details by the end of the month for airline ticketing.

I am also working on the rooming assignments with contact information for each individual so you can be in contact with those you will be staying with. Hope you all have a pleasant Thanksgiving.

The calendar must have had to change to “fall” for several persons to begin thinking about cooler temps and skiing. There were two individuals who signed up for the Whitefish trip at the monthly meeting and others who called later and are signed up. The trip is full! We have started a waiting list which is always important. There are often some last-minute unexpected situations that can create an opening. We strongly urge you to have your trip insured. Refer to previous Skidoo articles that had links to ski.com or secure trip insurance through other sources.

I have had some communication with the manager of The Whitefish Lodge where we are staying. He informed me their team meets in early November and gets information together that is geared to winter travelers. I did glean a few bits of information that might helpful:  As mentioned earlier there is free bus transportation to get to and from Whitefish, The Lodge and Mountain. The Lodge does have several vehicles for rent. They are five-passenger vehicles and can be scheduled to be used for trips around town or to Glacier National Park. There is also a tour company that provides half-day excursions into the western part of Glacier Park. Several years ago, I did that tour. If I recall it goes about 15 miles into the park. There were several times we stopped and were able to walk to a lookout point. More specifics on this will come later.

The city of Whitefish has a winter carnival scheduled for February 7-9. The actual schedule of events isn’t posted yet but there are “festivities” on the Friday evening we are there (maybe some wining and dining)?  Our scheduled flight home on Saturday is in the afternoon so maybe we can see a penguin plunge that happens on the Whitefish Lake where our condos are located.

I plan to do some research on some options of shipping skis/boots instead of using the airlines. Currently (and of course subject to change with airline rules) a ski bag and boot bag together are considered one piece of luggage and must be less than 50 pounds. The current charge is $30. A boot bag alone is considered luggage and is subject to weighing less than 50 pounds and charge $30. There are four different locations to obtain rental equipment in Whitefish and on the mountain.

By the time of our November meeting, I should have more information and details regarding this trip.

Only 1 spot left!

Time is winding down so don’t sit on the fence if you think you want to go on this trip. If you know of non-members who like to ski encourage them to join the club and get on board for this trip.