Snow
Overnight snow falls, measured by the Supervisor at 4 am, of 4 inches or more will initiate City snow plowing routes.
- Blocked Driveways
- Emergency & Priority Routes
- Fire Hydrants
- How You Can Help
- Sidewalks & Trails
- Snow Removal Map
- Street Parking
It is inevitable that driveways will be blocked during plowing operations. We’re sorry for this inconvenience, but please be understanding that it can’t be avoided. Snow removal can be a monumental task with our limited equipment, and street crews will do their best around the clock to get the roads cleared.
Although some of the City's snow removal apparatus are equipped with "snow gates" to control curb side discharge, these snow gates are intended primarily to control snow at intersections, not at every driveway, mailbox, fire hydrant, etc.
Emergency and priority routes may be plowed out of sequence regardless of direction of travel due to hazardous winter time conditions. The following are the City of Whitefish Emergency and Priority Snow Routes:
Emergency Snow Routes
| Route | Section Plowed |
|---|---|
| Baker Avenue | W 19th Street to Edgewood Place |
| Columbia Avenue | E 7th Street to E 13th Street |
| E 2nd Street | Spokane Avenue to E Edgewood Place |
| Pine Avenue | E 2nd Street to E 7th Street |
| 7th Street | Columbia Avenue to Muldown School |
| W 13th Street | Baker Avenue to Columbia Avenue |
| JP Road | Highway 93 to Whitefish River Bridge |
| River Lakes Parkway | JP Road to Hospital Way |
| Hospital Way | River Lakes Parkway to Highway 40 |
| W 7th Street | Baker Avenue to Karrow Avenue |
| Karrow Avenue | W 2nd Street to W 7th Street |
| Edgewood Place | Wisconsin Avenue to Washington Avenue |
| E Edgewood Place | Wisconsin Avenue to E Texas Avenue |
| Dakota Avenue | Edgewood Place to Glenwood Road |
| Glenwood Road | Dakota Avenue to Wisconsin Avenue |
| State Park Road | Highway 93 West to W Lakeshore Drive |
| Texas Avenue | E Edgewood Drive to Denver Street |
| Denver Avenue | Texas Avenue to Wisconsin Avenue |
Priority Snow Routes
| Priority Order | Sections to be Plowed |
|---|---|
| 1st Priority | Emergency Routes |
| 2nd Priority | Collector and Commercial Streets |
| 3rd Priority | Residential Streets |
| 4th Priority | Cul-de-sacs and Parking Lots |
| 5th Priority | Alleys |
During plowing operations, equipment operators will try to refrain from piling excess snow near or around fire hydrants that are located at intersections, however it is inevitable that mid-block hydrants will be covered during snow removal operations.
Whitefish residents are encouraged to assist with clearing snow and ice from around fire hydrants. Ideally, fire hydrants should be cleared of snow and ice so as to create a 4 foot clearance in all directions, and a 3 foot wide path should be cleared from the fire hydrant to the street or public space so that the Fire Department personnel have unimpeded access to the fire hydrant.
Reporting
To report areas that are in need of immediate plowing or sanding, call 406-863-2460 or 406-863-2457 or email Public Works.
If your call reaches voice mail, please leave an address/location and a phone number to call back if needed.
Please Be Patient
The City has 6 snowplows and 1 grader to clear approximately 67 miles of roads and alleys. The Public Works Department has 8 employees available for snow removal operations. If snowfall or freezing rain resumes before we’ve gotten to your street, it probably means we’ve had to start over on 1st priority streets again.
The City of Whitefish Parks and Recreation Department maintains all sidewalks along City property in addition to City bicycle/pedestrian trails. To report areas that are in need of immediate plowing or sanding, email Parks and Recreation or call 406-863-2470.
Homes & Businesses
Removal of snow or ice on sidewalks in front of homes or businesses is the responsibility of the property owner. To report a hazardous situation, call 406-863-2410 or email Code Enforcement.
Snow Removal Map
The more cars off the street, the faster and better job we can do clearing the roadway. If you have a driveway, please use it!
Alternate Side Parking
Per City Ordinance 18-24, parking restrictions are in place from October 1st through April 30th of each year. Please move your vehicle in accordance with the alternate side parking ordinance:
From October through April, between the hours of 5 am to 5 pm:
- On the even calendar days, park on the even side of the street (typically north and west)
- On the odd calendar days, park on the odd side of the street (typically south and east)
For more information review our Alternate Side Parking Ordinance Frequently Asked Questions.