Extreme cold weather on Big Mountain might force Whitefish Mountain Resort to close the upper part of the mountain on opening day tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 7, for safety reasons.

According to resort spokesperson Riley Polumbus, the current forecast for Saturday calls for 20 below zero temperatures and winds from the north at 13 mph, gusting to 21 mph.

Ironically, good preseason snowfall had made it possible for the resort to open nearly the entire mountain to skiers and snowboarders on opening day, including Hellroaring Basin, but an arctic blast might put the kibosh on those plans.

Lifts that could be running on Saturday include 2, 3, 6, Big Easy and the Magic Carpet. A decision will be made by resort officials early tomorrow morning on whether the upper mountain is closed.