Turner Mountain eyes Dec. 23 opening date

Turner Mountain Ski Area is set to open next week.

While officials say the tentative opening date of Friday, Dec. 23 is weather dependent, conditions are certainly favorable.

The ski season has begun with a number of large snowstorms bearing down on northwest Montana, and numerous forecasters have predicted a triple-dip La Nina phase in the Pacific Ocean.

Usually a La Nina system means more precipitation for this part of the country, “which is wonderful if you’re a skier,” according to Bruce Zwang of Turner Mountain.

Of course the mountain will continue to monitor conditions with an eye set on providing riders with a quality experience.

“We like to be open for when the kids get out of school,” Zwang said.

Families looking to make the most of winter break can take advantage of several existing programs at Turner, such as the “learn to ski in three program,” Zwang said.

Also, fifth-grade students ski and ride for free with the resort’s passport program. Passports should be acquired before the resort opens, and require the payment of a $20 processing fee.

This year the mountain has acquired a new groomer, which should improve the quality of the corduroy–groomed runs the resort offers. With groomed runs totaling between 30% to 40% of the mountain that leaves plenty of room for powder skiers to enjoy the rest, according to Zwang.

The resort also expanded the parking area to allow recreationists to park even closer to the lift, and allow room for more to fit in the overall area. This was accomplished by widening the existing parking area, Zwang said.

These improvements can make a big difference on a mountain known for its small-scale charm.

The resort, which opened in 1960, started off with just the essentials – a rope tow, a warming hut and a snack bar.

Shortly after building what many referred to as “the longest T-Bar in North America,” the resort became a destination for visitors in the winter months, providing a boost to Libby’s economy during what was previously a seasonal lull, according to Turner Mountain officials.

Since its start in the 1960s, Turner has become a non-profit and so improvements are funded through donations or business profits, Zwang said. Although not all donations are monetary – the resort operates with the help of volunteers who donate their time, and have formed the Kootenai Winter Sports Ski Education Foundation, Inc.

With a base of 3,842 feet and a summit elevation of 5,952 feet, the resort features nearly 2,110 feet of vertical drop, and despite a lower elevation, Turner boasts over 200 inches of annual snowfall, according to Zwang.

The ski area continues to provide “the same spirit of camaraderie, volunteerism and desire for great alpine skiing on which it was started in the late 1950s,” Turner’s website said.