Over the weekend, the skiers and riders at Whitefish’s Big Mountain were filled with excitement and joy as they glided through the abundant fresh snow. It was a rare occurrence where a substantial winter storm coincided with a long weekend when many individuals had already intended to go skiing. As the snow reporter at Whitefish Mountain Resort expressed on Sunday morning, this was the kind of day that everyone dreams about.
According to a new documentary created by Explore Whitefish, in collaboration with the resort and nonprofit organization Protect Our Winters, climate change might result in fewer powder days in the future.
The short film, called “75 Years,” was released in conjunction with the resort’s diamond jubilee, which is being celebrated this winter. It features interviews with Whitefish Mayor John Muhlfeld, retired United States Geological Survey scientist Dan Fagre, three-time local Olympian Maggie Voisin and others. It’s Fagre — perhaps best known for his photography documenting the retreat of glaciers in nearby Glacier National Park — who delivers some of the most sobering statistics about the future of snow in Whitefish and other ski towns.
According to Fagre, if we don’t take prompt and significant action, winter will undergo a significant transformation here in the next seventy-five years.
According to a 2017 study, most ski areas in the United States will see the number of days they are able to operate reduced by 50% by 2050, and 80% by 2090. At Whitefish Mountain, which currently is open an average of 120 days every winter, that would mean being open for 56 days by 2050 and just 14 days by 2090. As Fagre solemnly notes, that’s not long enough for a ski area to remain economically viable.
In 2022, the visitor and convention bureau of Whitefish, known as Explore Whitefish, joined forces with Protect Our Winters, a nonprofit organization committed to increasing awareness about climate change. This collaboration emerged after recognizing the potential significant effects of climate change on Whitefish’s economy, which heavily depends on tourism. Particularly, the partnership acknowledged the escalating severity of fire seasons and rising temperatures during winters. As a result of this alliance, the documentary is one of the initial outcomes produced.
Brian Schott, Dan Hansen, and Justin Kauffman collaborated to write and direct the film. As the spokesperson for Explore Whitefish, Schott mentioned that the team dedicated approximately a year to the project. He expressed his desire for the film to not only bring attention to the community’s vulnerability to climate change but also highlight Whitefish’s efforts in shaping its future.
Unless we take immediate and serious action, winter here will look drastically different in seventy-five years.
Retired USGS scientist Dan Fagre
Schott expressed that the message conveyed is impactful, emphasizing the need for immediate action to prevent a bleak future for winter. He believes that this film serves as an initial effort to initiate broader discussions about climate change within the community, with the hope that these conversations will lead to tangible actions being taken.
In 2018, the city of Whitefish passed a climate action plan that encourages local residents and businesses to reduce their carbon footprints. The city has also worked to ensure its buildings are energy efficient through the use of high-efficiency heating and cooling systems and converting its streetlights to LED bulbs.
Up on the mountain, Whitefish Mountain Resort CEO Nick Polumbus said his organization is also doing what it can to be a good steward of the environment and climate. Among the biggest initiatives in recent years has been becoming the nation’s first “Whitebark Pine Friendly Ski Area.” Whitebark pine is integral to the alpine ecosystem, supporting dozens of other plants, insects and wildlife. At one time, huge swaths of the Flathead National Forest were covered by the tree, but in recent decades it has teetered on the brink of extinction in the area as a result of fungal infections. One of the biggest remaining stands of pine is near the summit of Big Mountain. A few years ago, the resort planted dozens of white pines in hopes of strengthening the population.
But Polumbus said the ski area is doing other things too, such as asking visitors and staff to recycle more and encouraging more people to carpool or take the “Snow Bus” from town.
According to Polumbus, the ski industry will undoubtedly face one of its greatest challenges in the coming years due to climate change and its effects. He highlighted that people have already started observing changes in winter patterns compared to previous years. For instance, the resort has experienced an increase in snowfall towards the end of the season rather than a consistent distribution throughout winter, as noted by Polumbus.
Polumbus expressed his hope that the recent documentary, along with the ongoing celebrations of Whitefish Mountain’s 75th anniversary, will effectively emphasize the resort’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
He expressed his hope that people would understand that we are actively aware of this issue and not ignoring it.
In-depth, independent reporting on the stories impacting your community from reporters who know your town.
