Earliest opening in 25 years attributed to La Niña and snowmaking
Sandpoint, ID – Schweitzer Mountain Resort will open this Saturday, November 19. This is the earliest opening date since the 1984/85 season. These favorable early season conditions are a product of Schweitzer’s snowmaking system combined with over 23 inches of natural snowfall this season.
Terrain will be available for all ability levels with the Basin Express and Musical Chairs lifts open. These 2 chairs are scheduled to operate from 9am to 3:30pm this Saturday and Sunday. Some Nordic trails will be groomed as well. Schweitzer will close down mid-week and then re-open on Friday, November 25 for the weekend. (weather permitting)
For the weekend, lift tickets will be available at the reduced rate of $40 for everyone except for children 6 and under who ski free. For those individuals who only wish to ski on Musical Chairs tickets prices will be $25. Schweitzer’s Sunday-Friday passholders may also ski this Saturday at no charge. Sunday Solution will be available on Sunday, half day ticket are only $25 if purchased in advance online, or $35 at the ticket window.
The opening is possible in part due to Schweitzer’s snowmaking system installed in 2008 and completed in 2009 which has aided the current conditions with the help of ideal weather. This month alone, Schweitzer converted 3.7 million gallons of water into snow. That water had been collected in spring runoff and stored in a mountain-top reservoir. That amount of water equates to roughly 18 inches of snow on Midway and Happy Trails.
On mountain parking will be free this weekend and the shuttle from the “Red Barn” parking lot will be running on the midweek schedule. The full bus schedule is available online at Schweitzer.com. Plenty of lodging is available for opening weekend as well, to book a stay call 877.487.4643
For the most up to date information about chairlifts and terrain that will be open visit schweitzer.com or call the snow phone at 208.263.9562
