Visitors at Whitefish Mountain Resort should have an easier time sending texts and placing phone calls this winter with the addition of a new cellular tower at the base of the ski slopes.

A 60-foot tower designed to resemble an evergreen tree is under construction on the north end of the Fir parking lot off Glades Drive. The monopine tower will support service for both Verizon and AT&T customers. Installation is expected to be complete before the ski season begins Dec. 4.

Cell service is currently limited on Big Mountain, particularly around the hub of activity at the Base Lodge, which houses food service, rentals, ticket sales and lockers. Guests have relied on the resort’s public Wi-Fi to send texts or make calls, which can become overwhelmed during busy weekends or holidays.

The resort expects the new tower to enhance service across the base and village areas.

“We were approached by a cell tower company interested in constructing this tower on our land, and we took the opportunity knowing better cell service would benefit our guests and our operations,” resort spokesperson Chad Sokol said. “The additional coverage will be especially convenient on busy days.”

Based on preseason pass sales, droves of locals are eager to hit the slopes on Big Mountain.

As of October, the resort had sold more than 15,000 season passes, an increase of 6.8% over the same time last year. The total does not include free passes for skiers under age 6.

“Of course, passes are still available to purchase, including discounted passes for employees of Big Mountain Commercial Association member businesses, so we anticipate the total number will continue to tick up as ski season gets underway,” Sokol said.

Other upgrades planned for the upcoming ski season include new grooming and snowmaking equipment.

The resort purchased two Prinoth snowcats — one new and one used — bringing the fleet to 10 grooming machines. Prinoth, headquartered in Italy, has manufactured snow groomers since the 1960s.

A pair of TechnoAlpin snowmaking machines were also purchased, increasing Whitefish Mountain Resort’s arsenal to 19 snow guns. According to the resort, the modern machines made in Italy can produce snow during warmer temperatures and at a higher volume than older models.

“Our snowmaking efforts ensure we can open lower-elevation terrain early each season and maintain a sufficient base depth,” Sokol said.

Skiers will also notice less brush on some of the resort’s existing runs. Trail maintenance crews worked through the summer to shape up more than 150 acres of terrain by clearing out overgrowth.

“A huge swath of the frontside of the mountain — from Chair 1 east to Inspiration, from the summit down to Russ’s Street — has undergone maintenance to improve the skiing experience,” Sokol said. “Several other zones around the mountain were targeted for maintenance as well.”

Mostly located on Flathead National Forest land, the ski resort encompasses more than 3,000 acres with 111 named runs.