49° North Mountain Resort Chewelah Peak Ski Club, founded in 1935, was the first to install a cable tow on the mountain, with permission from the U.S. Forest Service. The two-story lodge was completed in 1950, followed by a double chairlift a year later. By 1968, however, the ski area had closed down, only to […]
Historical Roots of Local Ski Resorts Read More »
Learning to ski at any age can be intimidating, but kids often have an easier time of it due to their inability to fear the consequences of failure. Nonetheless, about three seasons ago, I decided that I was going to learn to ski. After an unsuccessful first attempt that included bombing down the bunny hill
Ski & Snowboard Lessons Are for Everyone Read More »
Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area Location: Mullan, ID (Bitterroot Mountains) Summit: 5,650’ Base: 4,500’ Terrain: 540 skiable acres/4 lifts/34 runs/3 terrain parks Tickets: $28-45/free for 6 and under/free on your birthday Lodge: Historic lodge straddles the Idaho/Montana border Nordic skiing: 25k of cross-country trails starting from base area Celebrity sightings: Actress Patty Duke Strangest
Over the past decade of skiing, I’ve noticed my attention being drawn to the poof balls of puffy jackets, oversized helmets, and comically-tiny gear that adorns little kids on the slopes. Watching them shuffle to the magic carpet or bunny hill lift and scoot on, with parents doting to keep them from falling, is adorable
First Time on the Slopes Read More »
Many of the people who live, work, and raise their families in the Inland Northwest have been taking full advantage of the superb winter mountain conditions throughout the area for decades and were among the first people in line when the ski resorts began offering season passes. I had the opportunity to talk to a
Season Pass: Long-Time Ski Pass Holders Spread the Love Read More »
Whether it’s awakening early enough to be at the mountain by 9 a.m., keeping track of and carrying one’s own gear, or standing up from a precarious fallen-down position without assistance – these types of challenges help children acquire essential skills such as responsibility and perseverance. But also much more. I’ve brainstormed more than 20
Learning from a Mountain: Grit and Resilience Read More »
The first time I clicked in to skis, I didn’t know how to turn, how to weight my legs, where to put my hands. A guy with snow in his beard pointed me straight down the hill and I took off, letting my natural balance and my inability to know any better keep me afloat
Learning to Ski as an Adult Read More »
Skiing or snowboarding with your children anywhere other than the bunny hill is an adventure in itself. A big mountain of new terrain awaits you on those intermediate runs and eventually black diamond ones. A great, and sometimes frustrating, aspect of skiing is that it requires continuous learning, with new challenges for every new run,
Take Your Kids Skiing in Two States at Lookout Pass Read More »
We’re all trying to get the best bang for our buck, and when you ski or board, that means trying to get some freshies in the days after a storm. We are lucky living in the Inland Northwest with so many resorts all within a short drive. Taking last season out of the mix, each
