Sponsored by Ski the Northwest Rockies Association
While there was a slow start to the 2023-24 season thanks to a stingy snowfall, January and February historically serve up plenty of dumps, making mid-winter the most reliable time to get out and shred the slopes of our local Inland NW resorts. Thanks to the hard off-season work of many ski mountain staff, you can expect many improvements on your next visit to your favorite local resort.
New Carpet (and Lodge Space) Are Cool
Lookout Pass Ski & Snowboard Park replaced carpeting and created new interior layouts in both the ski area’s historic lodge and Snow Sports School Center. A new Sprung structure base lodge (a high-performance tensioned membrane structure), adjacent to Lookout’s current lodge, is big enough for 150+ skiers/riders to warm-up and relax between runs. Lookout also updated its rental center with new carpeting and layout to go with new rental gear and new demo skis/snowboard packages. There is also more parking at Lookout; a new ticketing and season pass sales systems; and new trail map in development.
At Silver Mountain, the Mountain House has new carpet and the Jackass Snack Shack, located at Midway Chair 4, has a new deck for sitting while refueling and to soak up sun on bluebird days Friday-Sunday and on holidays.
49 Degrees North also has a new Sprung structure at its base area, providing 7,000 square feet of indoor space. Located adjacent to Calispel Creek Lodge and Northern Spirit Express high-speed quad, the Sprung Structure provides a warm seating area. After interior work is completed in summer 2024, the building will house 49’s daycare; snow sports school; and guest services, rental and repair shop. Also at 49, a new stairway provides faster, easier access to the base area from the parking lots and shuttle drop-off.
Better Food and Brews
At Mt. Spokane, the No-Li Mountain Taphouse (in partnership with No-Li Brewhouse) was moved to the top of Parkway Express. In the main lodge, new menu items from a new chef include healthy options for a variety of dietary needs—but ski lodge food favorites are still offered. Mt. Spokane’s bars and tap handles will also offer even more locally-made craft products and regional spirits and flavors.
Lookout Pass has new beer options in its bar too, including Kettlehouse Brewing’s Snow Blind and Bayern Brewing’s Groomer.
Groovier Groomers
Crisper corduroy awaits skiers/riders at Mt. Spokane and Lookout Pass. Mt. Spokane has two new PistenBully Snow Cats, and Lookout Pass has a new Prinoth Groomer and added another PistenBully Snow Cat to its snow-grooming fleet.
More Snow Making at 49°N
49 Degrees North expanded its snowmaking capabilities to cover an additional 13 acres.
Cover photo courtesy of Lookout Pass
