The Beercat is one of 10 Barrel’s famous mini-pubs that’s built into a custom built on a 1987 Spryte snowcat. Pro-snowboarder and DIY master Mike Basich created The Beercat. He designed and built a new base and custom bar for the snowcat (see video below).

The Beercat is carefully designed to bring suds slopeside to resort goers, allowing for a thirsty skier to drink a beer with a very unique “drink beer outside” spin from 10 Barrel Brewing. Think snowcat + beer = beercat, the ultimate mountain beer delivery system. 

The Beercat mobile snowpub makes it way from Mt. Shasta, California, to Schweitzer, in Sandpoint, Idaho, for President’s Day weekend, February 19-21, 2022. The Beer Cat will be parked in the village on Friday (for display only) and Sunday, with beer flowing from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Saturday, the mobile pub will be on Schweitzer’s slopes, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., for skiers and riders to find. (Fun!)    

On Sunday, The Beercat will be parked in the village for all the festivities of Schweitzer’s Let it Glow Parade and Fireworks.        

The following weekend, The Beercat will be at Silver Mountain, February 25-27. This winter, day tickets are sold exclusively online on a first-come, first-served basis for all Saturdays, Sundays, and during holiday periods. Tickets must be purchased at least 24 hours in advance.

Other Northwest stops include Pebble Creek Ski Area in southeastern Idaho, near the town of Inkom (south of Pocatello); and Crystal Mountain Resort in southeast of Seattle, near the town of Enumclaw and Rainier National Park, March 26-27.

Learn about more upcoming events and other outdoor news.

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Club Shred for Kids at Mt. Spokane = Date Night for Parents

Starting in January, every Friday night Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park will host Club Shred for skiers ages 4-10 (level I & II ability). From 5-8 p.m., there will be a kid-only dinner, ski lessons, and fun activities such as snow fort building, games, crafts, and more. $49/per child.

Free Your Heel, Free Your Mind at 49 Degrees North

When done well, telemark skiing is a beautiful thing to watch. Making knee-dropping turns gracefully down the mountain is a ton of fun and a great workout too. Regardless of ability or time spent on telemark gear, ages 12+ can register for a three-clinic series to learn how to tele ski from certified instructors: Jan. 23, Feb. 13, and March 20 (Sundays) at 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort.

If you want to get some practice in first, 49 Degrees North also has tele gear in the rental shop.

Women-Only Lessons

49 Degrees North has a Women’s Clinic Series for intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders to develop new skills. Clinic dates are Jan. 10, Jan. 24, Feb. 14, and Feb. 28 (Mondays). Each clinic’s focus will take into consideration the daily conditions and participants’ goals.

Mt. Spokane is hosting only one Ladies’ Day event this year, on Friday, February 11. Led by the ski school’s best instructors, the event package ($129/person) includes morning coffee, four hours of instruction and skiing (for all skill levels), an après party, and great door prizes.

Cat Skiing at Lookout Pass Ski

Lookout Pass Cat Skiing Adventures will operate this winter, transporting 12 guests in a SnowCat to the summit of Eagle Peak (Lookout’s new expansion area that is still waiting the new lift completion).

Gear Demo Days

Mt. Spokane will host two Demo Days—Feb. 4 for backcountry gear and March 12 for alpine skis and snowboards. Demo skis are also available at Lookout Pass’ Rental Department. Test out carving, all mountain, and powder skis.

Multiweek Youth Lesson Programs 

49 Degrees North Mountain Resort’s Discovery Club is a 4-week lesson program for children ages 6-13. There are groups for skiers or snowboarders, beginners through advanced level. The February session begins the weekend of February 5-6. Choose between four consecutive Saturday or Sunday lessons.

At Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, advanced-level youth skiers can sign up for Adventure Club to advance their skills for tree skiing, technical terrain, and backcountry safety. For snowboarders, there’s a new Terrain Park multiweek program that focuses on teaching terrain park skills.

Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area has a Learn to Ski or Snowboard First Timers three-day package available for $169—which provides 3 days of lessons, lift tickets, and rental equipment.

Silver Mountain’s EZ 1-2-3 Ski/Ride packages include three lessons, three lift tickets, and three rentals for $149/person. This is a great opportunity for anyone who has never skied or boarded to learn the basics and feel comfortable on the slopes. (Not valid weekends or holidays.)

Night Skiing at Mt. Spokane

Through mid-March, every Wednesday through Saturday night, 3-9 p.m., select runs on the frontside will be open for night skiing at Mt. Spokane. Tickets are only $32 for 6 hours of skiing/riding. Anyone with a day ticket can stay for night skiing.

Fun Events Every Weekend

More events are back this season, with local resorts hosting events through March.

At Silver Mountain, don’t miss Jackass Day (January 13), 10 Barrel Beercat (mobile snow pub, Feb. 25-27), and Après Ski Weekends during MLK and Presidents’ Day weekends. For special events, an outdoor bar will serve drink specials from Dry Fly, Damn Good, Schilling Cider, 2 Towns Cider, Fremont Brewing, Western Sons Vodka, and J Seeds Whiskey. More details at Silvermt.com.

At Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area, popular events return, including Kids’ Snow Bowling and Mountain Brewfest (Jan. 30), PNW Wife Carrying Competition (Feb. 26), Sorta-Natural Banked Slalom (March 5), and Hot Dogs in the Park (March 27). Find event details at SkiLookout.com/Events.

Lookout Pass Expansion & Improvements Update

The Timberwolf Chair, located on the Montana side, has been upgraded to a triple chair, increasing uphill capacity by 50 percent. All 14 trails that comprise the Eagle Peak Expansion have been cut and are ready to become lift-served trails for next winter.

New Snack Shack at Silver

Silver Mountain will open a completely revamped Jackass Snack Shack, located at Midway Chair 4, in mid-January. Serving canned beverages, snacks, and even some hot food, this is the place to be if you want to spend the whole day lapping Chair 4. (Restroom also added.)

Silver Mountain’s New Trail Map Sign

If you haven’t spent much time at Silver and need some help getting oriented, a new map located right outside the Mountain House will be a welcome addition. With LED lights indicating which runs are open and which are groomed, it’s also a valuable tool for Silver Mountain regulars to plan the day.

Expanded Alpine Shop at 49 Degrees North

The retail and gift shop at 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort has added mountain swag including hats, shirts, hoodies, stickers, and other logo gear. Stop by and show your love for your local mountain.

Banked Slalom Competition

Mt. Spokane is hosting their ever-popular Banked Slalom Competition on February 19, as well as terrain park competitions, ski races, demo days, clinics, live music, and more during January and February. Event details at Mtspokane.com; pre-registration is required.

New Groomers at Lookout Pass

Mountain ops added two more grooming Snowcats to their fleet, with one that’s designed specifically to carve out terrain park features.

Snowboard Race for a Good Cause at Silver (March 5)

This snowboard-only race against the clock is on a banked slalom course in the terrain park. The “jam-format” event gives contestants two timed runs each, with the fastest time counted. Individual races will have category awards going three deep, with awards for fastest man and woman of the day regardless of category. The beer garden at the bottom of the course is once again sponsored by Grand Teton Brewing.

This 6th annual fundraiser for the Doug Johnson Memorial Fund on March 5 delivers all proceeds to the Doug E. Fresh Foundation. Doug Johnson was a loving father of four children, a fixture of the Inland Northwest ski and bike community, and all-around great dude. His early passing has left a void in the local mountain culture, so this event is to remember and celebrate Doug’s way of life. 

New Beacon Testing Park at Lookout

Lookout Pass Ski Patrol has installed an avalanche beacon testing park for guests to practice using their beacons before venturing into the backcountry. With the explosion of skiers and splitboarders in the backcountry in recent years, combined with Lookout’s close proximity to out-of-bounds, avalanche-prone backcountry, this beacon testing park is a welcome addition.

Benefits for Buying Lift Tickets Online in Advance

If you want to make sure to secure a lift ticket for an upcoming ski day, Mt. Spokane provides advance ticket sales online for reserved dates. Lift tickets may sell out on peak days (which happened in December), so plan ahead.

Reserve Lookout Pass lift tickets online and save $3 to $4 per ticket. To qualify for a discount, reservations must be at least 24 hours in advance, and prior to 8 a.m. the day before you plan to visit. 

Lessons Are for Everyone

Many skiers and snowboarders assume that lessons are for beginners, but the truth is there are always things to improve on that will make your time on the snow more fun no matter how many years you have under your belt. Even if one knows the basics, says Silver Mountain Resort’s marketing director Gus Colburn, a lesson can teach additional skills and techniques so skiing or riding new or more challenging terrain is less work and less intimidating, allowing you to stay on the slopes longer.

And the benefits of lessons for beginners are huge. “Our professional coaches can get new participants off to the right start, make learning easier, progression faster, and the whole experience more fun,” adds Colburn.

Published in the January-February 2022 print issue’s Out There Snow special section.

Sponsored by Ski the NW Rockies Association Resorts

Find more stories about skiing & snowboarding in the OTO archives.

[Feature photo by Lacey Johnson, courtesy of Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area.]

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5th Grade Ski/Ride FREE Passport

This popular program helps get 5th graders out on the slopes for free. The passport provides three free days at each of the participating ski areas with a parent/guardian present (49 Degrees North, Lookout Pass, Mt. Spokane, Silver Mountain, and Loup Loup Ski Bowl).

To participate, parents need to submit an application with a $20 processing fee at 5thgradeskipassport.com and check their email for the passport. Print the passport or pull it up on your phone at the ticket office to receive a lift ticket. Please note blackout dates for each resort listed on the passport website, which include but may not be limited to Saturdays and holidays.

Some of the participating ski resorts also offer discount rental gear and lessons as part of the 5th grade passport program. More info: Skinwrockies.com

EZ Ski/Ride 1-2-3

The EZ Ski or Ride 1-2-3 programs makes learning to ski or snowboard for the first time affordable and easy. And both kids and parents can sign up! All four Ski the NW Rockies association resorts (49 Degrees North, Lookout Pass, Mt. Spokane, and Silver Mountain) are offering a three-visit package to first-timers at an incredible price that includes three lift tickets, three rentals (boots, poles, skis or snowboard), and three lessons.

Three Simple Steps: Pick one of the three ski areas, call the ticket office at the resort and purchase your EZ SKI 1-2-3 package, and then follow their instructions to schedule the lessons. More info: Skinwrockies.com/ez-ski-ride-123

Lookout Pass Free Ski School

Over the past 81 seasons, Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation area on the Idaho/Montana state line has been offering its Free Ski School. Since that first year, the ski resort has introduced over 78,000 kids to the winter sports of skiing and snowboarding.

The program is available for boys and girls between age 6-17 who want to learn to ski and ages 7-17 for snowboard lessons. The lessons range from beginner to advanced, so there are lessons for all abilities and kids can move up levels as the season progresses.

While the lessons are totally free and a lift ticket is not required to ski or snowboard during the lessons, rental equipment is not provided and a season pass or day ticket is required for kids who want to continue skiing or riding after the lesson and on non-lesson days.

Rental equipment can be reserved and paid for at the Lookout rental shop, or kids can bring their own gear. Parents should also pre-purchase any season pass or lift tickets if desired. More info: Skilookout.com/famous-free-ski-school

Sponsored by Ski the NW Rockies Association.

Read more stories from the Family Winter Sports Guide 2021.

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Here are 16 new updates to look for during your next visit to Mt. Spokane Ski & Recreation Park, 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort Lookout Pass, and Silver Mountain Resort.

1. Lookout Pass Offers Cat Skiing in New Terrain

According to the resort, a team of loggers has been out in the woods cutting the 14 new trails that comprise Lookout’s new Eagle Peak expansion. Once that work is completed, Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area will be offering cat skiing by reservation this winter so guests can experience these new trails.

A quad chair that the mountain has already purchased will be installed in Summer 2022 to provide lift-served access to these trails in the Eagle Peak expansion area for next winter.

2. Mt. Spokane’s Chair 2 Gets an Overhaul

A needed upgrade to Chair 2 (now named Illuminator) at Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park will include a $1 million investment in the replacement of the drive terminal. Chair 2 is key to moving skiers and snowboarders around the mountain, and this investment will help provide reliable service all year long.

3. New High-Speed Quad Set to Open at 49 Degrees North

This fall, 49 Degrees North is putting the finishing touches on an all-new Doppelmayr High-Speed Quad Chairlift to replace Chair 1. According to 49, a top-notch team from Doppelmayr has spent the summer and fall constructing the 6,644-foot-long lift that extends from the base area of the Central Basin, just west of the main lodge, to the summit of Chewelah Peak parallel to the existing Bonanaza lift that will eventually be removed.

When opened this season, it will be the longest high-speed quad in Washington State, extending over 1.25 miles. At the same time, the lift will cut ride times to the summit in half. With mid-mountain loading no longer available with the new lift, 49 has created new terrain and trails below Beaver Slide to give those accustomed to skiing and riding that area additional options.

4. Mt. Spokane Goes All In on 7-Days-a-Week Shredding

Last year, Mt. Spokane started offering seven-days-a-week service that ran from the holidays through February, and this year they are extending that new schedule from December 15–March 13. 

5. Weekend & Holiday Ticket Sales May Be Limited Again This Year

Some resorts report that they once again may limit the number of lift tickets sold on weekends and holidays to keep capacity at a safe and manageable level. Season pass holders at all four Ski the NW Rockies Resorts will once again get unlimited access to their home mountains, which makes having a pass your best bet for unrestricted access.

If you do plan to ski or ride on a weekend or holiday period, purchase your tickets in advance online to get ahead of any possible limits on tickets sold for your preferred days as the date gets closer.

6. Glass Cover Added to Conveyor Lift at Silver Mountain

A new glass cover was installed over the conveyor lift that serves the beginner run and tubing park at Silver Mountain. The cover will shield riders from the harsh winter elements and will make beginners’ first days on skis and tubers’ experience much more enjoyable. 

7. More Man-Made Snow at 49 Degrees North

The evolution of 49 Degrees North’s new snowmaking system continues this year, extending farther up Silver Ridge all the way to where Blastface meets the Silver Ridge. All of this increased snowmaking capacity means earlier opening of some terrain and a longer season for the resort.

8. Interactive Map Shows Trail Status & Closures at Silver

A new interactive trail map right outside the Mountain House at Silver Mountain will show which runs are open, closed, and groomed. The map is sure to become a popular spot for people to meet and serve as a backdrop for selfies and social media posts.

9. High-Performance Rental & Demo Gear at 49

The rental shop at 49 Degrees North has added more new skis and boards to enhance the experience of guests young and old, including a whole new high-performance demo fleet for anyone looking to test the latest skis and snowboards. If you’ve ever wanted to try telemark skiing, 49 is your place to rent tele gear and give dropping a knee a try.

10. Eating & Drinking Evolution

One of the few positives that came out of the pandemic last year was how it spurred innovation in the eating and drinking options at our local resorts.

It’s now easier than ever to grab a quality bite to eat or a beer without ever having to step boot into a lodge.One new outdoor eatery that will enter the scene this year is Pablo’s Taco Revolution, a new taco truck at 49 Degrees North.

11. Events Make a Comeback

Expect more events to return this year at our local resorts as long as the COVID situation continues to improve. A sign that this season may look more normal that last year, Mt. Spokane is planning to bring back terrain park competitions, demo days, live music, and the very popular Ladies’ Day.

12. Chair 2 Now a Triple at Lookout Pass

Chair 2 on the backside of Lookout (the Timber Wolf Chair) is being upgraded from a double to a triple this year with new American-made triple chairs. This modification means a huge increase in the capacity of riders the lift can serve, and it also removes the center bar to make it more family friendly.

The chair upgrade is a key linchpin in Lookout’s forthcoming expansion to Eagle Peak, as it will provide transport for guests to get back to the lodge and parking lot on the front of the mountain after experiencing the new terrain that will increase skiable acres from 540 to 1,023.  

13. Friday Night Club Shred Program at Mt. Spokane

This season, Mt. Spokane is expanding on its extensive camp offerings by adding a Friday Night Club Shred program so that parents can hit the slopes while kids learn lifetime skills on the snow. This is a great way for parents and kids to spend time together and get to ski or ride apart on Friday nights. 

14. Earlier Steep Terrain Opening at Silver Thanks to New Equipment

Improved early-season conditions will be possible thanks to a new D3 cat with a mulcher. This new equipment helps Silver staff to brush-cut steeper runs and glades, allowing the mountain to open more terrain earlier. 

15. New Chewelah Hotel Will Cater to Skiers

The Mistequa Hotel in the works at Chewelah Casino will bring a modern, comfortable lodging option to Chewelah, serving out-of-town skiers and snowboarders looking to spend more than a day up on the mountain. Amenities will include ski lockers, an indoor pool and jacuzzi, extended patio seating, a lounge, and a large fireplace in the lobby.

16. Midweek Lodging, Lift Ticket, & Waterpark Deal at Silver

If you’re looking for an affordable family ski vacation, Silver Mountain Resort offers a mid-week deal on lift tickets, lodging in a family studio, and access to the indoor waterpark for $55 per person, based on quad occupancy. The mid-week offer runs from January 3 through April 10, 2022. Use the code “SAVEBIG” when booking.

Sponsored by the Ski the NW Rockies Association Resorts

All photos courtesy of Ski NW Rockies mountain resorts: Mt. Spokane (top row left & right); Silver Mountain Resort (Top row right-bottom; middle row top-left); 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort (middle row, right & left-bottom); Lookout Pass (bottom row).

Find more stories about skiing and snowboarding in the OTO archives.

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You or your kids will never be the only one snowplowing on the bunny hill. There’s plenty of beginner-friendly terrain to practice stops and turns on green circles, too. Then, when you or your kids are ready, move to the more challenging terrain of blue squares.

Here are recommendations from mountain staff members, from each of the Ski the NW Rockies affiliated mountains, about where to go for a first day on skis or snowboard—and, when ready to get off the bunny hill, which beginner terrain to venture to next.

49 DEGREES NORTH

49 Degrees North Ski Resort – Chewelah, Washington

Surface Lift: Gold Fever, located near the lodge in the ski school teaching area. Snowsports School Director Alison Pasino says it “is the ideal place for little ones to have their first experience sliding.” It’s open to both children and adults, regardless of ability level.

Bunny Hills: Access the beginner area using the Payday Lift (Chair #3). For skiers, Pasino recommends Easy Slide, Gold Chute, and Fool’s Gold. For snowboarders, Lower Gold Pan Alley has a gentle pitch and wide-open slopes.

Beginner Runs: Great trails for new skiers and snowboarders are found in all areas of the resort, which is the second largest in Washington State. Pasino recommends Huckleberry Ridge and Big Bear located in Sunrise Basin; Quartzite Ridge off Angel Peak; and Lost Dutchman to the 4800 Road in the West Basin. In Central Basin, the trails off Beaver Slide include a “mellow, meandering route for those who want to cruise and enjoy the beauty of the Colville National Forest.”

Don’t Miss: Hobbit Forest, where you can search for iconic bells hanging from branches alongside the trail. It provides a “first taste of the epic tree skiing that 49 North has to offer,” says Pasino.

Other Recommendations: 49’s Mountain Host program offers free guided tours of the alpine terrain. It’s like an orientation to find the best runs, groomers, and powder stashes for all ability levels of your family.

Beginner runs at 49 Degrees North: Carrie Peck teaching her daughter how to ski (left), and son, Oliver (right), making a “pizza” with his skis. // Photos by Nate Peck.

LOOKOUT PASS

Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area – Mullan, Idaho

Bunny Hill: Success Slope via Success Triple chairlift. “This slope is designed to allow you to get comfortable on snow without the fear of going high up on a mountain or riding a high lift,” says Lookout’s marketing director Matt Sawyer.

Beginner Runs: Sawyer recommends taking Huckleberry Ridge to Grub Steak run—a “longer run with a mild pitch,” he says. Get there via the Peak One Quad chairlift, which takes you to the mountain summit. “Tell the staff member who is loading the lift that this is your first time on this lift and they will slow the chair down for your load,” Sawyer says. “You get to enjoy awesome views and you have reached the summit, which is a goal for most beginners.”

Next Level: Tamarack on the Montana-side of mountain (referred to as the “backside”). At the bottom is the base of the Timber Wolf Triple chair. Sawyer says a ride on this chair offers the best views that Lookout Pass has to offer a beginner, including Stevens Peak and St. Regis Basin.

Other Recommendations: Huckleberry Jam Progression Park has “very low and mild progression style features that are ideal for a first foray into a terrain park,” says Sawyer. Parents and kids can learn to ride on small terrain style features, including flat boxes with a ride on lip, a wide dance floor feature, and even a very casual rainbow feature.  

MT. SPOKANE

Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park – Mead, Washington (located within Mount Spokane State Park)

Magic Carpet: Located just below Lodge 2 (main lodge) near the ski school building, ski patrol lodge, and bunny hill chairlift loading area.

Bunny Hill: Ego Flats via Chair 5 that’s now named Beginner’s Luck. Mt. Spokane’s outdoor recreation manager Katrin Pardue, who is also Mt. Spokane’s Ski and Ride School director, says snowboarders should stay center on this run. At the top of the chair, turn right to access the lower section of Johnson’s Run. Because it is narrow, she advises staying skier’s left.

Beginner Runs: Northwest Passage, via Parkway Express (Chair 3). Stay center and then go skier’s left. Also try Half Hitch, staying skier’s right to avoid the terrain park. Both runs lead to the cat track where you can head back to the base of Chair 3 or 5, or continue along to access Chair 1. If you don’t turn off Half Hitch onto the cat track, you go straight onto Lamonga, which has some terrain features and leads to the bottom of Chair 4.

Next Level: Take the Vista Cruiser lift (Chair 1) to ski/ride a series of linked runs—Gold Cross to Upper Northwest Passage (“stay close to the trees”) to Skookum (“stay skier’s left until you hit the flat section”) to Northwest Passage.

Don’t Miss: The triple chair (#6) on the backside, Northwood. Pardue recommends taking Yellow Brick Road to Jim’s Gem (stay along the tree line, skier’s left; it gets flat at the bottom, so snowboarders should be careful) to Big Timber (stay skier’s right at the lower part for the “most mellow pitch”).

SILVER MOUNTAIN

Silver Mountain Resort – Kellogg, Idaho

Surface Lift: Prospector Adventure Lift—a new, covered conveyor lift (640 feet long) located by the Mountain House.

Bunny Hill: Easy Street—near the surface lift and Mountain House.

Beginner Runs: Ross Run, recommended by Silver Mountain’s marketing director Gus Colburn, follows the gondola line down to more beginner runs, including Dawdler, Bear Grass, or Huckleberry, before ending up at Chair 5.

First Blue Square: Colburn recommends taking the Alpenway run down to Junction, “which is the best progression run to build your skills to eventually take laps on Silver Belt.”

Family Winter Sports Guide sponsored by Ski the NW Rockies.

Read more stories from OTO’s annual Family Winter Sports Guides.

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“The trail crew has been hard at work the past few months, and the trails are riding great!” according to Silver Mountain staff. Chair 3 zone is now open with the exception of Logjammin and Lower Logjammin, which are being rebuilt to provide a better riding experience. Beginner terrain is also available.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Silver Mountain Bike Park website.

All photos courtesy of Silver Mountain.

Learn about other current News & Events.

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Sweet Mid-Week Deals

49 Degrees North is offering two mid-week discount specials this winter. The “Mega Mondays” deal gets you a half-priced lift ticket by visiting a participating McDonald’s location where you’ll need to scan a QR code that allows you to pre-purchase the half-off ticket online.

On Tuesdays, 49 is partnering with iHeart Radio for “Twofer Tuesdays,” which means you can get two lift tickets for the price of one. Details for both of these promotions are available on 49’s new website.

Follow COVID Rules to Keep Resorts Open

While Washington and Idaho have some different COVID-19 related requirements for ski resorts this winter, masking up in lift lines and lodges, social distancing, and hand washing are standard practices that will help keep everyone healthy and the mountains operating. (See: “COVID Safety Tips: 7 P’s for the Ski Mountain.”)

“We all want to be open all season,” says Mt. Spokane’s general manager Jim van Loben Sels, who adds that following the rules will help keep Mt. Spokane and other ski areas from getting shut down early.

“I feel really encouraged so far that we are doing the right thing,” he says, noting that in addition to signs reminding people of the mask policy that Mt. Spokane has added extra staff in the lift lines to remind skiers and snowboarders to mask up.

Emily McDaniel at 49 Degrees North also affirms that most guests have been good about wearing masks and says that the resort has them available for anyone who forgets to bring one to the mountain.

More Ways to Eat & Drink Outside

Mt. Spokane has a pretty cool new outdoor food and beverage spot at Lodge 2 that was built out of a 20-foot shipping container with windows for hungry and thirsty skiers and riders to purchase beer and other drinks and select food items. This new outdoor hangout spot helps limit the need for too many people to enter the lodge.

The mountain has also added a mountain-top watering hole, a yurt at the top of Chair 3. Mountain patrons can grab a bite or beverage outside with mountain views. Outdoor food and beverage service has also been added to the deck at Lodge 1.

Photos: (Left) Mt. Spokane’s concession yurt; (right) shipping container beverage bar. // Photos courtesy Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park.

With the lodge at 49 Degrees North only open for brief 15-minute warm ups as well as food and beverage pickup, the new Yard Sale Grab & Go that offers food and drinks from a pickup window on the deck is a welcome addition. 49 has also added tents and more outdoor seating for guests purchasing provisions from the resort. Like at other resorts, anyone who is brown bagging it is asked to eat in their vehicle.

New 49 Degrees North Website Offers Better Grooming Info

Given this season’s online-only ticket sales and the potential for last minute resort updates and changes, the new 49 Degrees North website is kind of a big deal. Emily McDaniel, Director of Marketing & Communication, says 49 created and implemented a dynamic trail map as part of their Mountain Status/Grooming Report.

The map has a toggle function that provides a visual of all the trails that are open, closed, and groomed, as well as if they are green, blue or black. 49 also added a lot of info to the mountain’s snow reporting page that explains how the mountain’s snow reporting process works. Pretty much any questions someone might have about the mountain that may have warranted a phone call or in-person query in the past is now posted on the new website, says McDaniel.

Lookout Pass Announces 2021 Events

Events like the wife carrying contest and kids snow bowling have earned Lookout a reputation of offering fun, creative, and competitive ways for skiers and snowboarders to celebrate the season together. While events this year will include COVID safety precautions, Lookout Pass is still planning several sure-to-be popular events this season.

Highlights include “Mtn. Brewfest & Kids Bowling” Jan. 31, “Fat Tuesday on a Sunday” with beads, gumbo, barbeque, and drinks on the deck Feb. 21; “St. Patrick’s Day Wear Green & Kids’ Treasure Hunt” on March 17; and the “Cardboard Box Derby” April 11. Find the full event schedule at Skilookout.com/events.

Silver Mountain Reminds Guests to Book in Advance

“All chairs are spinning at Silver Mountain Resort, and we’re continuing to stack up fresh snow,” says Silver Mountain’s Siobhan Ebel. However, Ebel reminds guests that “This year, lift tickets, lessons, and rentals must be booked 24 hours in advance on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.” Advanced purchasing can all be done online at Silvermt.com.

“Season passholders will continue to be able to access the mountain without reservations,” adds Ebel. Most other local resorts also require reservations for lift tickets and other guest service and many weekend days and holidays. Big power days any day of the week might also sell out in advance, so plan ahead before driving to your favorite mountain.

Ladies Only Clinics Return to Mt. Spokane

Mt. Spokane is offering three different ladies only clinics again this year: Jan. 8, Feb. 12, and March 12 for women 21 years and older. These popular clinics for skiers and snowboarders run by the mountain’s best women instructors sell out each year. Participants can expect a fun day of skiing and riding and learning new skills in a group of women of similar abilities. Each clinic includes lunch and end-of-the-day door prizes and drinks.

Lookout Delivers Deep Powder & Smooth Groomers

Many Lookout Pass season pass holders keep coming back each year to take advantage of the mountain’s legendary deep snow and epic powder days. Lookout regularly boasts some of the biggest powder dumps in Idaho, and the resort proudly proclaims its status as the #1 powder place with the most snow in the state.

But the inter-state ski area that straddles the Idaho and Montana border has also earned a loyal following for its impeccable grooming, says Lookout’s director of marketing Matt Sawyer. The most affordable ticket and season pass prices in the region are also a draw, he says.

Win Prizes with the Rad Photo Contest

Like taking photos with your pals at your favorite local resort? The “Keep It: Safe. Distanced. Rad Photo Contest,” sponsored by the resort-connected GPS tracking app Snowledge and the Ski the NW Rockies Resorts (Mt. Spokane, 49, Lookout, and Silver) gives you the chance to win prizes from J Skis and Spyder.

The grand prize is a $500 Spyder gift card, plus one $75 Spyder gift card will go to one lucky winner from each of the four resorts. Entering is simple. Download the free Snowledge app, enter the contest from the Explore/Contests link, and post photos of you and your friends on the mountain to earn entries. The contest runs through February.

Silver’s Ski & Stay Deal Is a Steal

Lift tickets are guaranteed when you book your stay with Silver Mountain Lodging, so if you’re planning a ski trip, make it a ski and stay at Silver to make sure lift tickets don’t sell out for your trip dates. When you make a reservation, please note how many lift tickets are needed and front desk agents will have them ready when you arrive.

This is Silver’s best offer of the season for lift tickets, lodging, and waterpark access. Prices start as low as $63 per person per night based on quad occupancy in a deluxe studio. For more information, including by-date booking, visit Silvermt.com/plan-trip/lodging/savebig. 

Ski Under the Stars Even Longer

Night skiing is back at Mt. Spokane, with a new, earlier start time that means you can ski from 3-9 p.m. for only $27. Night skiing is offered most Wednesdays–Saturdays through March 13, but check the operations calendar for updates and be sure to purchase your tickets online in advance.

Lookout’s Free Ski School Starts Jan. 9

Over the past 80 seasons, the Lookout Pass Free Ski School has introduced an estimated 78,000 kids to skiing and snowboarding. Registration for this year’s free kids’ lesson program opens Jan. 9 and runs every Saturday through March 6.

Participants must register within the first three weeks of the program, and lift tickets and equipment are not included, although a lift ticket isn’t required for the lessons. Purchasing one, however, allows kids to keep practicing their new skills all day. Kids ages 6-17 of all ability levels can participate in skiing or snowboarding lessons (snowboarders must be at least age 7).

To ensure rental equipment is available, pre-order from Lookout’s rental shop. More info at Skilookout.com/famous-free-ski-school.

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Four skiers survived the avalanche, including Rebecca Hurlen-Patano, who was able to extricate herself about being buried in two slides. She spent the past year recovering physically, mentally, and emotionally from the traumatic experience, and plans on attending the memorial. Countless first responders and ski patrollers from around the region assisted Silver Mountain ski patrollers during the initial search and rescue and subsequent search and recovery days. (Learn more: “Avy Dogs and Risk Assessment” – March 2020 issue.)

Hurlen-Patano, who has been a skier for 55 years and a Silver Mountain passholder for about 15 years, along with her fellow survivors — as well as Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center Director Jeff Thompson (and avy dog handler) and the parents of avalanche victim Molly Hubbard — wants January 7^th to be an annual day to bring awareness to mountain safety.

Mountain Safety & Awareness

Last fall, Hurlen-Patano met John and Mary Hubbard, Molly’s parents, after encouraging them to visit Coeur d’Alene. She hosted a dinner at her home for the Hubbards to meet all the survivors as well as Thompson. “We started a relationship and have tried our best to maintain that to help process this trauma,” says Hurlen-Patano. “It’s difficult to survive an incident where you were in close proximity to those who died. Out of this horrific event, we are trying to create something good — trying to create an awareness of mountain safety, particularly at resorts.

“This idea of having something horrible turn into something positive is the only channel of energy that would be healthy for me. John and Mary feel the same way. Molly, their daughter, was a pay-it-forward kind of gal, so we had this concept of, let’s get everyone together and bring awareness to [in-bounds] avalanches.”

According to a statement shared by the group of survivors, “It is everyone’s hope to preserve [the victims’] memory and to raise awareness of avalanche safety. Going forward, we hope to use this day each year to raise money for Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center (IPAC) and avalanche education to continue advocacy for avalanche safety protocols.”

They encourage people to “make a donation to your local avalanche forecast center or search and rescue organization” and to donate to Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center (IPAC) if you live or ski in the Inland Northwest. (IPAC has been impacted by U.S. Forest Service budget cuts, as was reported in a news story from the September-October 2020 double issue.)

“I know we can’t ring bells for everyone who has been lost in an avalanche. But it’s nice that this one is being honored,” she says. “Ring a bell and be glad you’re alive. And then check your backcountry gear, make sure you have avy gear [and commit to taking it with you when you ski or ride].”

Participants from around the western United States will take part at their home mountains, including at Mt. Baker near Bellingham, Wash.; Snowbowl near Missoula, Montana; and at resorts in Utah, according to Hurlen-Patano.

“Let’s get healed. Let’s create an environment where we can be better educated,” says Hurlen-Patano. “We are behind the times [in the Inland Northwest] when it comes to our mountain awareness. We’re going to have a lot of people come to our area to ski. And we’re going to have more incidents of people caught in avalanches, on the frontside and backside. So let’s make sure people know what they’re doing.”

Here are the memorial events planned for the one-year anniversary on Thursday, January 7, 2021.

Silver Avalanche Memorial

Anyone, any place, on any mountain can join in a moment of silence at 11:04 a.m. (Pacific Standard Time). Then at 11:05 a.m., ring a bell, click your ski poles, or give a holler to the mountains.

Remembrance & Dedication Ceremony at Silver Mountain Resort

• 9:30 a.m.: Dedication Ceremony of memorial windchimes at the Mountain House.
• 11:04 a.m.: Lifts at Silver Mountain will be stopped for a moment of silence.
• 11:05 a.m.: Ringing of bells and chimes.
• 12:00 p.m.: Gathering in Moguls Lounge, located inside the Mountain House, to raise a pint in remembrance for those who passed and those who are living.

The memorial windchimes were handcrafted by Paul Hoskinson, a friend of avalanche victim Carl Humphreys, and will be installed along the Wardner Peak Traverse. Guests are encouraged to bring bells or use a bell-sounds smartphone app to help mark the end of silence.

Review our coverage of the Silver Mountain avalanche. Learn more about mountain awareness and avalanche safety.

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Local ski mountain staff are stoked for winter and to welcome guests including young skiers and riders and their parents back to the slopes. Sadly, what caused our season to abruptly end last spring has created new challenges this winter. Particularly in the Inland Northwest, where interstate travel is frequent and public health guidelines vary by state, county, and even city or public-health district, it’s important that each of us takes a prudent mindset wherever we live or travel so that our mountain sports season can begin on-time and keep going.

Though each mountain may have slightly different operating procedures and protocols for group lessons, masking and social distancing will be universal, and every mountain will have reservation and online-purchase requirements for lift tickets and lesson packages.

With the fluid nature of the COVID-19 public health crisis, families need to check mountain websites and social media channels to stay updated on the latest operating policies. The four Ski the Northwest Rockies association resorts that help make this family winter sports guide possible (Mt. Spokane, 49, Lookout Pass, and Silver Mountain) have all invested considerable time and money to make getting your kids out to ski or ride this winter in a safe environment.

49 Degrees North Mountain Resort—Chewelah, Wash.

Group sessions this season will only be available for ages 7+. Because children ages 4-6 need a “more hands-on approach, especially in the early stages of learning to ski or snowboard.” According to Snowsports School Director Alison Pasino, 49 Degrees North is offering a new Mommy/Daddy & Me Group Lesson. These 1.5-hour sessions, offered Saturday and Sunday mornings, will teach kids how to slide on snow and give a parent teaching tools to help their child “continue practicing those skills after the lesson is over,” she says.

“Group sizes will be reduced for all age categories to allow for social distancing. We will also be offering more options for lesson times to help reduce crowding and spread demand out over the course of the day,” says Pasino. “We expect demand to be high, and availability may be limited, particularly on busy weekends and holiday periods. For anyone concerned about crowds, weekdays are a great option to consider.”

Private lessons for 1-5 people (all ages) are being offered this season for a set rate, providing a great value. This allows “guests the ability to stay in the comfort of their own family/friends bubble, get great coaching, and enjoy a day on the slopes with those they are most comfortable with,” says Pasino. Private one or two-hour lessons for Mommy/Daddy & Me sessions are available daily (one parent and one child).

Parents can book lessons, buy lift tickets, and reserve rentals in advance at Ski49n.com.

Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area—Mullan, Idaho

Private lessons for individuals, families, and self-organized small groups of family and friends are available with advance reservations—call (208) 744-1234 and ask for the Ski School Desk.

“If a family or friends group is comfortable taking lessons together or having their children take lessons together, we will happily accommodate them,” says Lookout Marketing Director Matt Sawyer.

Because the Free Ski School is not part of Lookout’s professional instruction program, and taught by volunteers, the planning process is still being figured out for 2021. But according to Sawyer there will be a free lesson program this winter.

Check for updates and make reservations at Skilookout.com.

Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park—Spokane, Wash.

The new management team at Mt. Spokane—General Manager Jim van Löben Sels; Director of Marketing Jodi Kayler; and Outdoor Recreation Manager (ski school director) Katrin Pardue—has been working on program offerings and modifying plans according to Washington’s Safe Start and Spokane County public health requirements.

“Our top priority is to provide the opportunity to shred the stoke, while keeping customers and staff safe and healthy,” says Pardue. The on-mountain Snoplay Daycare is closed this season, so the Mini Mites group lesson program will only be a two-hour session. Many of Mt. Spokane’s other lesson programs, however, will be provided this winter.

“We are limiting numbers of students per group to two pods of 12 people for each age group. Our Minis will only have 6 total students per group,” Pardue says. In addition, meeting points for class groups will be spread out around the base area in order to prevent crowding. Three-day Holiday Camps and multi-week packages for Saturdays and Sundays are also available.

Make online reservations for lift tickets and lessons and check program updates at Mtspokane.com.

Silver Mountain Resort—Kellogg, Idaho

Families can schedule private or semi-private lessons for all ability levels with 24-hour advance reservations required. Lessons for weekends and holiday periods must also be booked online, at least 24 hours in advance.

The Silver Kids lesson program, for ages 7-12, is only offering group sessions for “Never-Ever” (Level 1) and Beginners (Level 2) this season. Because the on-mountain daycare is closed, the Prospectors programs for kids age 6 and younger is cancelled. Plans have not yet been announced for Silver’s ALL Mountain Kids Club.

Find complete program details and updates at Silvermt.com. 

Amy McCaffree first learned to ski in 9^th grade with Friday night lessons at Ski Acres, at Snoqualmie Pass, through her school’s Ski Club. Her first set of used skis had leashes that looped around her boots (no brakes). Now she alpine skis with her ski-patroller husband and their two children at Mt. Spokane.

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