Cover photo courtesy of Silver Mountain
When visiting a ski area with kids or anyone who is still learning to ski or snowboard, it’s important to know the best runs that will match their ability levels. Some beginner-friendly runs are less steep and shorter, making it easier to get down the mountain before fatigue sets in. Some lifts are easier for kids and adult beginners to get on and off safely. The best way to set the stage for a great day on the slopes is to ask resort staff from the ski school for advice on which lifts to take and which runs to ski based on the abilities of your family, the current snow conditions and the weather. But by far the best decision you can make for your child or anyone learning a winter sport is to sign them up for lessons.
These beginner-friendly runs at the four Ski the Northwest Rockies resorts are a great option for new riders who are just getting started or looking to take the next step beyond the magic carpet or bunny hill terrain.
49 Degrees North
Location: Chewelah, WA
Surface Lift: Gold Fever, located near the lodge in the ski school teaching area. A great place for kids and adults to learn.
Bunny Hill: 49 has some of the longest and most diverse bunny hill terrain of any local mountain that is accessed via the Payday Lift (Chair #3). Give Easy Slide, Gold Chute or Fool’s Gold a try.
Beginner Runs: 49 Degrees North is the second largest ski area in Washington State and has plenty of beginner-friendly slopes. Local favorites include 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.
Lookout Pass
Location: Mullan, ID
Bunny Hill: Success Slope via Success Triple Chairlift provides a slow, comfortable beginner chairlift experience for kids, parents or anyone just learning, followed by some excellent low-angled practice slopes to help boost beginner confidence.
Beginner Runs: Huckleberry Ridge to Grub Steak run. Get there via the Peak One Quad Chairlift and ask the liftie to slow it down for the beginners in the group. The Huckleberry Jam Progression Park allows parents and kids to learn to ride on small terrain-style features.
Mt. Spokane
Location: Mead, WA
Magic Carpet: Located just below Lodge 2 (main lodge) near the ski school building and bunny hill chairlift.
Bunny Hill: Ego Flats via the Beginner’s Luck lift (Chair 5).
Beginner Runs: Northwest Passage, via Parkway Express (Chair 3). Also try Half Hitch, staying skier’s right to avoid the terrain park or Jim’s Gem via Northwood (Chair 6), which is a more challenging beginner run on the backside of the mountain that requires a long return to the front side and lodge via Northwest Passage.
Silver Mountain
Location: Kellogg, ID
Surface Lift: Prospector Adventure Lift (covered conveyor lift) located by the Mountain House.
Bunny Hill: Easy Street—near the surface lift and Mountain House.
Beginner Runs: Check out Ross Run, which follows the gondola line down to Dawdler, Bear Grass or Huckleberry before ending up at Chair 5. Below the Magic Carpet, try the Claim Jumper run that leads to the bottom of Chair 5 which runs slower for kids and beginners.
