The snow may be melting in the lowlands with clear signs of spring emerging, but our local mountains still have a snowy scene that’s worth exploring for some spring skiing and snowboarding and some of the most fun events of the season.
Learn about current deals and upcoming events at the Ski the NW Rockies affiliated ski and snowboard recreation areas and resorts, which includes Silver Mountain, Lookout Pass, 49 Degrees North, and Mt. Spokane.
Bring a Friend Thursday Special at Lookout Pass
Shredding is better with friends—cash in by bringing a pal to Lookout Pass on any Thursday for the rest of the season and get two lift tickets for just $70. (They don’t even have to be that good of a friend!)
Ski Free If You Own a Parker Subaru
You’ll be able to score a free lift ticket at Lookout Pass on April 1 if you drive a Parker Subaru. Stop by the Coeur d’Alene store to learn more.
Mt. Spokane Spring Pass & 1/2 Sale
Take advantage of the guaranteed lowest rates for the 2022-2023 season at Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park by purchasing your pass now. You’ll be able to ski the rest of the season free! Renewing pass holders save even more with this deal. For details and to purchase, visit mtspokane.com.
Mt. Spokane: Sunrise from atop the Illuminator chairlift and blue bird days. // Photos courtesy Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park.
Freestyle Camp at 49 Degrees North
Kick off spring with a spotlight on freestyle! This one-day camp is all about giving participants the confidence to explore the world of freestyle terrain, from sculpted jumps, rails and boxes to natural features all over the mountain. Creativity and fun is the central theme as coaches help build skills with an “outside-in” approach, working on movements in low-consequence environments then taking those skills to the park, where they will also learn park etiquette and how to use different features.
Camp runs from 12pm-3pm for snowboarders and skiers ages 10-15. $99/person; intermediate and beginner groups available. Contact Snowsports School at skischool@ski49n.com with questions.
Spring Pass Sale at Silver Mountain Resort
Buy your pass for the 2022-2023 season at Silver and ski the rest of the 21/22 season for free! If you know you’re going to invest in next winter, it’s an opportunity you won’t want to miss that will also compel you to take advantage of spring skiing. As marketing associate Siobhan Ebel puts it, “The season’s not over yet! Spring skiing means late-season powder dumps and bluebird days. Time it right and spring skiing can make for some of the best days on the mountain all season.”
Added bonus? This pass sale will get you 4 day tickets to Silver Rapids Indoor Waterpark for just $13/each (usually $39/each). Visit silvermt.com for prices and to purchase.
Eagle Peak Cat Skiing Adventures
By reservation only, explore the newly created territory of Eagle Peak at Lookout Pass any day this spring and be among the first to get the experience before it becomes lift-served next winter. You’ll get 4-5 rides in a Snowcat to the top of Eagle Peak for just $100, or you can make a single run for $30 at 1:30 in the afternoon. Make your reservation at skilookout.com.
Ski Free if You Own A Toyota
It’s a good time to drive a Toyota if you like winter sports and a good deal. On March 11, the driver of any Toyota, Scion, or Lexus will be eligible for free lift tickets at Silver Mountain Resort. Toyota reps will hand out free lift tickets in the parking lot, so no reservations are required.
Toyota Ski Free Days occur at all four of the Ski the NW Rockies resorts — 49 Degrees North on March 4, Mt. Spokane on March 18, and Lookout Pass on March 25. Schweitzer had their event back in January. Check with individual resorts to see whether lift ticket reservations may be required.
Smooth Days Ahead for Silver Mountain
Silver Mountain made several improvements to their beginner and groomed run areas that will see a continued impact next season. They installed a brand-new covered, moving carpet to make beginner and tubing rides more enjoyable. They added two PistenBully groomers to their fleet, one of which is a winch cat, which will provide more consistency to future grooming.
A new D3 cat with a mulcher helped them improve early-season conditions with brush cutting on steeper runs and glades, which will help them get more terrain open earlier in the 2022-2023 year as well.
Silver Mountain: Gondola, spring skiing, and covered Magic Carpet. // Photos courtesy Silver Mountain.
Jaeger’s Park park & Hawaiian Daze at 49 Degrees North
“Springtime just brings out the fun . . . warmer temps, soft spring snow, slushy park laps, goggle tans, retro outfits, sunglasses and baseball caps, and lots and lots of smiles,” says Rick Brown, director of skier and rider services at 49 Degrees North.
Celebrate spring at Hawaiian Daze, an action-packed Saturday on March 26 including music, BBQ on the deck, a poker run, costume contest, raffle, and the ultimate slope side spectator event—the Slush Cup pond skim! Proceeds support the 49 Degrees North Volunteer Ski Patrol.
Also taking place on the mountain this day is Jaeger’s Park Party, the “anti-competition event of the season” with a day of spring park laps, creative lines, and shredding inspired by the late, local pro snowboard legend Jaeger Bailey.
ZANY SPRING FUN AT LOOKOUT PASS
From a Hawaiian Luau and BBQ with live music to Lookout’s notorious Cardboard Box Derby, these guys know how to throw a spring ski party. March and early April conditions on Lookout are usually awesome with a deep snowpack and often warmer weather, thanks to its reputation for getting the most snow in Idaho.
“People wear a lot less winter clothing, and there are those that don the occasional swimsuit and sunglasses instead of goggles,” says director of marketing Matt Sawyer. “It’s a fun, laid-back vibe with beer, games for kids, more smiles and less lift lines.” For a full line-up of spring events, visit skilookout.com.
49 Degrees North Special Spring Pass
“What makes spring so great on Chewelah Peak? The short answer is everything!” says Rick Brown, director of skier and rider services at 49 Degrees North. “March and April bring some of the most beautiful days of the season. Mother nature always seems to have a way of sneaking in a few more pretty great pow days before truly closing the door on winter.”
Check it out for yourself with a 2022 Spring Pass that will give unlimited access from March 1 through the close of the 21-22 season ($189 for adults; $169 youth ages 7-17). Anyone who purchases a spring pass will qualify for $100 off a 2022-2023 season pass. All passes go on sale March 1 at ski49n.com.
Lookout Pass Spring Pass Sale
Purchase a 2022-2023 season pass for Lookout and ski all of March and into April for free! Lookout plans to be open through April 17. As Director of Marketing Matt Sawyer says, this season is a fun time to get on the hill, when lots of guests dig costumes out of their closets or show off where they went to school with their college colors or jerseys.
“Spring is one big send-off party to Ullr the God of Snow, as our way of showing our appreciation for a fun and festive winter season,” says Sawyer. Season pass holders from any other mountain will also get a ½ price lift ticket Monday-Friday for the rest of the season.
Lookout Pass: Deep pow days (left and middle). // Photos: Lacey Johnson; Tamarack run, beginner terrain (right). // All photos courtesy Lookout Pass Ski Area.
Go Bavarian at 49 Degrees north
Depending on who you ask, this may just be the best race event of the year. This ski/snowboard Bavarian Race starts on the deck and includes a top-to-bottom GS race course and—the Bavarian twist—timed beer drinking.
Enjoy great food, drinks, a golf chipping contest, great costumes, and lots of laughs on April 2, a date that still provides good conditions. “The sun sits higher in the sky, lighting up even more of the mountain, and sets later in the day, giving us more time to squeeze in those last laps at the end of the day,” says Brown.
Silver Mountain’s Leadman Triathlon
Too early for tri season? Not if one of the events is skiing! This adventure triathlon is a combo of skiing, biking, and running. Compete as an individual or team on April 23 and help raise money for local charities. Registration now open at silvermt.com.
Invest in Next Winter at 49 Degrees North
With the addition of the new Northern Spirit High Speed Quad, Washington State’s longest high-speed lift that carries riders from base to the summit in just seven minutes, 49 Degrees North is a great place to be for the 2022-2023 season. The resort plans to expand its operating schedule next season to 7 days a week from the Christmas holiday period until the first week of March to maximize days on the snow. Get your pass now for the lowest price at ski49n.com.
49 Degrees North: Sunset view and Hawaiian Daze spring event with pond skim competition. // Photos courtesy 49 Degrees North.
Originally published in the March-April 2022 print issue. Editor’s Note: Some slight changes were made to ensure this online version includes only future event information, as of the date published online.
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Find more skiing and snowboarding stories and articles about Ski the NW Rockies resorts and recreation areas in the OTO archives.
[Feature photo courtesy of 49 Degrees North.]
