Whitefish Mountain Resort Gets New Road

Skiers and snowboarders hitting the slopes will no longer drive the scary Big Mountain Road with its hairpin turns and narrow, shoulderless lanes. The hazardous road that claimed the life of one ski instructor earlier this decade has seen countless vehicles slide off its steep drops into the trees. Ski busses inch around the steep hairpins, often blocking traffic. Road construction surged forward this summer with new grading and wide shoulders on a route that eliminates the sharp turns. "It's really exciting to see," said Donnie Clapp, spokesman for the resort. "I think it has been difficult for the public to judge the progress they've made over the summer. Black pavement and yellow stripes make it pretty easy." The resort expects the new road to be completed by Dec. 8, opening day for the season.