“We’re essentially doubling in size with the addition of 500 more acres,” says Brian Bressel, Lookout’s General Manager. “We have a little bit more timber to remove, but other than that, we’re on schedule to begin lift installation this summer.”

I got a sneak-peek of what’s to come on Eagle Peak on a late February trip with the resort’s cat skiing program, which will end with the close of the 2021-2022 season. We were fortunate to have timed it within a few days of some significant storm activity, and Eagle Peak did not disappoint!

Weaving fresh tracks through deep snow is always pure bliss, but what really stood out about the new expansion were the clean fall-lines and the diversity of terrain. Advanced skiers and snowboarders will delight in the steeper, gladed areas that book-end the main runs, while more novice riders will enjoy the large, rolling intermediate runs that span from top to bottom.

Sitting at 6,150 feet, Eagle Peak’s runs will be accessed by a C-Tech fixed-grip quad chair that the resort has already purchased. The new chair will load near the bottom of the eastern slope (Montana side), where Timberwolf (Chair 2) currently loads.

An additional chair is also in the master plan, giving skilled skiers and riders access to the glades and open bowls that populate the northwest edge of Eagle Peak’s ski boundary.

Located on public lands, in the Idaho Panhandle and Lolo National Forests, a U.S. National Forest special-use permit allows Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area to operate, according to Abigail Matalavage, Lookout’s Snow Sports Director. And Lookout owns all the owning all lifts and facilities.

“We were approved for expansion in 2017, and the land was added to the permit. But it took about six years of planning before that to get approval,” she says. “The terrain has blue and black runs, glades, a few natural areas, and plenty of groomed areas. Once the new chair 5 is in place, it will offer 1,350 vertical feet for skiers and riders.”

It’s no secret that Lookout Pass consistently boasts the highest annual snowfall in the region. With totals averaging around 400 inches each winter, Lookout seemingly resides in its own weather belt that virtually guarantees consistent dumps throughout the season.

Lookout’s reputation has reached well beyond the Inland Northwest, as evidenced by the crowd we shared the cat with that day. With us were a father and son from Utah, which is currently experiencing an unprecedented snow drought; a man from Pennsylvania who was powder hunting out West; and two men from Peru, who were cat skiing for the first time.

With a propensity for big snow and an expansion that doubles the total lift-accessed terrain to over 1,000 acres, the future is bright at the top of Mullan pass. And while Lookout’s popularity continues to grow, there are still a few secrets that Abigail Matalavage hopes will remain.

“I’ve really enjoyed all of the new terrain over on Eagle, but my absolute favorite would have to be a secret (yet to be named) tree-run, right off the very top,” she says. “Shhh, don’t tell anybody.”

Originally published as “A Sneak Peek Of Lookout’s Expansion Terrain” in the March-April 2022 print issue.

Brad Naccarato is a Spokane-based freelance writer and Out There contributor since 2012. Chasing snow, waves, trout, sun, dogs, and microbrews keeps him sane.

Find more stories about Lookout Pass in the OTO archives.

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Club Shred for Kids at Mt. Spokane = Date Night for Parents

Starting in January, every Friday night Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park will host Club Shred for skiers ages 4-10 (level I & II ability). From 5-8 p.m., there will be a kid-only dinner, ski lessons, and fun activities such as snow fort building, games, crafts, and more. $49/per child.

Free Your Heel, Free Your Mind at 49 Degrees North

When done well, telemark skiing is a beautiful thing to watch. Making knee-dropping turns gracefully down the mountain is a ton of fun and a great workout too. Regardless of ability or time spent on telemark gear, ages 12+ can register for a three-clinic series to learn how to tele ski from certified instructors: Jan. 23, Feb. 13, and March 20 (Sundays) at 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort.

If you want to get some practice in first, 49 Degrees North also has tele gear in the rental shop.

Women-Only Lessons

49 Degrees North has a Women’s Clinic Series for intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders to develop new skills. Clinic dates are Jan. 10, Jan. 24, Feb. 14, and Feb. 28 (Mondays). Each clinic’s focus will take into consideration the daily conditions and participants’ goals.

Mt. Spokane is hosting only one Ladies’ Day event this year, on Friday, February 11. Led by the ski school’s best instructors, the event package ($129/person) includes morning coffee, four hours of instruction and skiing (for all skill levels), an après party, and great door prizes.

Cat Skiing at Lookout Pass Ski

Lookout Pass Cat Skiing Adventures will operate this winter, transporting 12 guests in a SnowCat to the summit of Eagle Peak (Lookout’s new expansion area that is still waiting the new lift completion).

Gear Demo Days

Mt. Spokane will host two Demo Days—Feb. 4 for backcountry gear and March 12 for alpine skis and snowboards. Demo skis are also available at Lookout Pass’ Rental Department. Test out carving, all mountain, and powder skis.

Multiweek Youth Lesson Programs 

49 Degrees North Mountain Resort’s Discovery Club is a 4-week lesson program for children ages 6-13. There are groups for skiers or snowboarders, beginners through advanced level. The February session begins the weekend of February 5-6. Choose between four consecutive Saturday or Sunday lessons.

At Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, advanced-level youth skiers can sign up for Adventure Club to advance their skills for tree skiing, technical terrain, and backcountry safety. For snowboarders, there’s a new Terrain Park multiweek program that focuses on teaching terrain park skills.

Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area has a Learn to Ski or Snowboard First Timers three-day package available for $169—which provides 3 days of lessons, lift tickets, and rental equipment.

Silver Mountain’s EZ 1-2-3 Ski/Ride packages include three lessons, three lift tickets, and three rentals for $149/person. This is a great opportunity for anyone who has never skied or boarded to learn the basics and feel comfortable on the slopes. (Not valid weekends or holidays.)

Night Skiing at Mt. Spokane

Through mid-March, every Wednesday through Saturday night, 3-9 p.m., select runs on the frontside will be open for night skiing at Mt. Spokane. Tickets are only $32 for 6 hours of skiing/riding. Anyone with a day ticket can stay for night skiing.

Fun Events Every Weekend

More events are back this season, with local resorts hosting events through March.

At Silver Mountain, don’t miss Jackass Day (January 13), 10 Barrel Beercat (mobile snow pub, Feb. 25-27), and Après Ski Weekends during MLK and Presidents’ Day weekends. For special events, an outdoor bar will serve drink specials from Dry Fly, Damn Good, Schilling Cider, 2 Towns Cider, Fremont Brewing, Western Sons Vodka, and J Seeds Whiskey. More details at Silvermt.com.

At Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area, popular events return, including Kids’ Snow Bowling and Mountain Brewfest (Jan. 30), PNW Wife Carrying Competition (Feb. 26), Sorta-Natural Banked Slalom (March 5), and Hot Dogs in the Park (March 27). Find event details at SkiLookout.com/Events.

Lookout Pass Expansion & Improvements Update

The Timberwolf Chair, located on the Montana side, has been upgraded to a triple chair, increasing uphill capacity by 50 percent. All 14 trails that comprise the Eagle Peak Expansion have been cut and are ready to become lift-served trails for next winter.

New Snack Shack at Silver

Silver Mountain will open a completely revamped Jackass Snack Shack, located at Midway Chair 4, in mid-January. Serving canned beverages, snacks, and even some hot food, this is the place to be if you want to spend the whole day lapping Chair 4. (Restroom also added.)

Silver Mountain’s New Trail Map Sign

If you haven’t spent much time at Silver and need some help getting oriented, a new map located right outside the Mountain House will be a welcome addition. With LED lights indicating which runs are open and which are groomed, it’s also a valuable tool for Silver Mountain regulars to plan the day.

Expanded Alpine Shop at 49 Degrees North

The retail and gift shop at 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort has added mountain swag including hats, shirts, hoodies, stickers, and other logo gear. Stop by and show your love for your local mountain.

Banked Slalom Competition

Mt. Spokane is hosting their ever-popular Banked Slalom Competition on February 19, as well as terrain park competitions, ski races, demo days, clinics, live music, and more during January and February. Event details at Mtspokane.com; pre-registration is required.

New Groomers at Lookout Pass

Mountain ops added two more grooming Snowcats to their fleet, with one that’s designed specifically to carve out terrain park features.

Snowboard Race for a Good Cause at Silver (March 5)

This snowboard-only race against the clock is on a banked slalom course in the terrain park. The “jam-format” event gives contestants two timed runs each, with the fastest time counted. Individual races will have category awards going three deep, with awards for fastest man and woman of the day regardless of category. The beer garden at the bottom of the course is once again sponsored by Grand Teton Brewing.

This 6th annual fundraiser for the Doug Johnson Memorial Fund on March 5 delivers all proceeds to the Doug E. Fresh Foundation. Doug Johnson was a loving father of four children, a fixture of the Inland Northwest ski and bike community, and all-around great dude. His early passing has left a void in the local mountain culture, so this event is to remember and celebrate Doug’s way of life. 

New Beacon Testing Park at Lookout

Lookout Pass Ski Patrol has installed an avalanche beacon testing park for guests to practice using their beacons before venturing into the backcountry. With the explosion of skiers and splitboarders in the backcountry in recent years, combined with Lookout’s close proximity to out-of-bounds, avalanche-prone backcountry, this beacon testing park is a welcome addition.

Benefits for Buying Lift Tickets Online in Advance

If you want to make sure to secure a lift ticket for an upcoming ski day, Mt. Spokane provides advance ticket sales online for reserved dates. Lift tickets may sell out on peak days (which happened in December), so plan ahead.

Reserve Lookout Pass lift tickets online and save $3 to $4 per ticket. To qualify for a discount, reservations must be at least 24 hours in advance, and prior to 8 a.m. the day before you plan to visit. 

Lessons Are for Everyone

Many skiers and snowboarders assume that lessons are for beginners, but the truth is there are always things to improve on that will make your time on the snow more fun no matter how many years you have under your belt. Even if one knows the basics, says Silver Mountain Resort’s marketing director Gus Colburn, a lesson can teach additional skills and techniques so skiing or riding new or more challenging terrain is less work and less intimidating, allowing you to stay on the slopes longer.

And the benefits of lessons for beginners are huge. “Our professional coaches can get new participants off to the right start, make learning easier, progression faster, and the whole experience more fun,” adds Colburn.

Published in the January-February 2022 print issue’s Out There Snow special section.

Sponsored by Ski the NW Rockies Association Resorts

Find more stories about skiing & snowboarding in the OTO archives.

[Feature photo by Lacey Johnson, courtesy of Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area.]

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5th Grade Ski/Ride FREE Passport

This popular program helps get 5th graders out on the slopes for free. The passport provides three free days at each of the participating ski areas with a parent/guardian present (49 Degrees North, Lookout Pass, Mt. Spokane, Silver Mountain, and Loup Loup Ski Bowl).

To participate, parents need to submit an application with a $20 processing fee at 5thgradeskipassport.com and check their email for the passport. Print the passport or pull it up on your phone at the ticket office to receive a lift ticket. Please note blackout dates for each resort listed on the passport website, which include but may not be limited to Saturdays and holidays.

Some of the participating ski resorts also offer discount rental gear and lessons as part of the 5th grade passport program. More info: Skinwrockies.com

EZ Ski/Ride 1-2-3

The EZ Ski or Ride 1-2-3 programs makes learning to ski or snowboard for the first time affordable and easy. And both kids and parents can sign up! All four Ski the NW Rockies association resorts (49 Degrees North, Lookout Pass, Mt. Spokane, and Silver Mountain) are offering a three-visit package to first-timers at an incredible price that includes three lift tickets, three rentals (boots, poles, skis or snowboard), and three lessons.

Three Simple Steps: Pick one of the three ski areas, call the ticket office at the resort and purchase your EZ SKI 1-2-3 package, and then follow their instructions to schedule the lessons. More info: Skinwrockies.com/ez-ski-ride-123

Lookout Pass Free Ski School

Over the past 81 seasons, Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation area on the Idaho/Montana state line has been offering its Free Ski School. Since that first year, the ski resort has introduced over 78,000 kids to the winter sports of skiing and snowboarding.

The program is available for boys and girls between age 6-17 who want to learn to ski and ages 7-17 for snowboard lessons. The lessons range from beginner to advanced, so there are lessons for all abilities and kids can move up levels as the season progresses.

While the lessons are totally free and a lift ticket is not required to ski or snowboard during the lessons, rental equipment is not provided and a season pass or day ticket is required for kids who want to continue skiing or riding after the lesson and on non-lesson days.

Rental equipment can be reserved and paid for at the Lookout rental shop, or kids can bring their own gear. Parents should also pre-purchase any season pass or lift tickets if desired. More info: Skilookout.com/famous-free-ski-school

Sponsored by Ski the NW Rockies Association.

Read more stories from the Family Winter Sports Guide 2021.

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Here are 16 new updates to look for during your next visit to Mt. Spokane Ski & Recreation Park, 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort Lookout Pass, and Silver Mountain Resort.

1. Lookout Pass Offers Cat Skiing in New Terrain

According to the resort, a team of loggers has been out in the woods cutting the 14 new trails that comprise Lookout’s new Eagle Peak expansion. Once that work is completed, Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area will be offering cat skiing by reservation this winter so guests can experience these new trails.

A quad chair that the mountain has already purchased will be installed in Summer 2022 to provide lift-served access to these trails in the Eagle Peak expansion area for next winter.

2. Mt. Spokane’s Chair 2 Gets an Overhaul

A needed upgrade to Chair 2 (now named Illuminator) at Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park will include a $1 million investment in the replacement of the drive terminal. Chair 2 is key to moving skiers and snowboarders around the mountain, and this investment will help provide reliable service all year long.

3. New High-Speed Quad Set to Open at 49 Degrees North

This fall, 49 Degrees North is putting the finishing touches on an all-new Doppelmayr High-Speed Quad Chairlift to replace Chair 1. According to 49, a top-notch team from Doppelmayr has spent the summer and fall constructing the 6,644-foot-long lift that extends from the base area of the Central Basin, just west of the main lodge, to the summit of Chewelah Peak parallel to the existing Bonanaza lift that will eventually be removed.

When opened this season, it will be the longest high-speed quad in Washington State, extending over 1.25 miles. At the same time, the lift will cut ride times to the summit in half. With mid-mountain loading no longer available with the new lift, 49 has created new terrain and trails below Beaver Slide to give those accustomed to skiing and riding that area additional options.

4. Mt. Spokane Goes All In on 7-Days-a-Week Shredding

Last year, Mt. Spokane started offering seven-days-a-week service that ran from the holidays through February, and this year they are extending that new schedule from December 15–March 13. 

5. Weekend & Holiday Ticket Sales May Be Limited Again This Year

Some resorts report that they once again may limit the number of lift tickets sold on weekends and holidays to keep capacity at a safe and manageable level. Season pass holders at all four Ski the NW Rockies Resorts will once again get unlimited access to their home mountains, which makes having a pass your best bet for unrestricted access.

If you do plan to ski or ride on a weekend or holiday period, purchase your tickets in advance online to get ahead of any possible limits on tickets sold for your preferred days as the date gets closer.

6. Glass Cover Added to Conveyor Lift at Silver Mountain

A new glass cover was installed over the conveyor lift that serves the beginner run and tubing park at Silver Mountain. The cover will shield riders from the harsh winter elements and will make beginners’ first days on skis and tubers’ experience much more enjoyable. 

7. More Man-Made Snow at 49 Degrees North

The evolution of 49 Degrees North’s new snowmaking system continues this year, extending farther up Silver Ridge all the way to where Blastface meets the Silver Ridge. All of this increased snowmaking capacity means earlier opening of some terrain and a longer season for the resort.

8. Interactive Map Shows Trail Status & Closures at Silver

A new interactive trail map right outside the Mountain House at Silver Mountain will show which runs are open, closed, and groomed. The map is sure to become a popular spot for people to meet and serve as a backdrop for selfies and social media posts.

9. High-Performance Rental & Demo Gear at 49

The rental shop at 49 Degrees North has added more new skis and boards to enhance the experience of guests young and old, including a whole new high-performance demo fleet for anyone looking to test the latest skis and snowboards. If you’ve ever wanted to try telemark skiing, 49 is your place to rent tele gear and give dropping a knee a try.

10. Eating & Drinking Evolution

One of the few positives that came out of the pandemic last year was how it spurred innovation in the eating and drinking options at our local resorts.

It’s now easier than ever to grab a quality bite to eat or a beer without ever having to step boot into a lodge.One new outdoor eatery that will enter the scene this year is Pablo’s Taco Revolution, a new taco truck at 49 Degrees North.

11. Events Make a Comeback

Expect more events to return this year at our local resorts as long as the COVID situation continues to improve. A sign that this season may look more normal that last year, Mt. Spokane is planning to bring back terrain park competitions, demo days, live music, and the very popular Ladies’ Day.

12. Chair 2 Now a Triple at Lookout Pass

Chair 2 on the backside of Lookout (the Timber Wolf Chair) is being upgraded from a double to a triple this year with new American-made triple chairs. This modification means a huge increase in the capacity of riders the lift can serve, and it also removes the center bar to make it more family friendly.

The chair upgrade is a key linchpin in Lookout’s forthcoming expansion to Eagle Peak, as it will provide transport for guests to get back to the lodge and parking lot on the front of the mountain after experiencing the new terrain that will increase skiable acres from 540 to 1,023.  

13. Friday Night Club Shred Program at Mt. Spokane

This season, Mt. Spokane is expanding on its extensive camp offerings by adding a Friday Night Club Shred program so that parents can hit the slopes while kids learn lifetime skills on the snow. This is a great way for parents and kids to spend time together and get to ski or ride apart on Friday nights. 

14. Earlier Steep Terrain Opening at Silver Thanks to New Equipment

Improved early-season conditions will be possible thanks to a new D3 cat with a mulcher. This new equipment helps Silver staff to brush-cut steeper runs and glades, allowing the mountain to open more terrain earlier. 

15. New Chewelah Hotel Will Cater to Skiers

The Mistequa Hotel in the works at Chewelah Casino will bring a modern, comfortable lodging option to Chewelah, serving out-of-town skiers and snowboarders looking to spend more than a day up on the mountain. Amenities will include ski lockers, an indoor pool and jacuzzi, extended patio seating, a lounge, and a large fireplace in the lobby.

16. Midweek Lodging, Lift Ticket, & Waterpark Deal at Silver

If you’re looking for an affordable family ski vacation, Silver Mountain Resort offers a mid-week deal on lift tickets, lodging in a family studio, and access to the indoor waterpark for $55 per person, based on quad occupancy. The mid-week offer runs from January 3 through April 10, 2022. Use the code “SAVEBIG” when booking.

Sponsored by the Ski the NW Rockies Association Resorts

All photos courtesy of Ski NW Rockies mountain resorts: Mt. Spokane (top row left & right); Silver Mountain Resort (Top row right-bottom; middle row top-left); 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort (middle row, right & left-bottom); Lookout Pass (bottom row).

Find more stories about skiing and snowboarding in the OTO archives.

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You or your kids will never be the only one snowplowing on the bunny hill. There’s plenty of beginner-friendly terrain to practice stops and turns on green circles, too. Then, when you or your kids are ready, move to the more challenging terrain of blue squares.

Here are recommendations from mountain staff members, from each of the Ski the NW Rockies affiliated mountains, about where to go for a first day on skis or snowboard—and, when ready to get off the bunny hill, which beginner terrain to venture to next.

49 DEGREES NORTH

49 Degrees North Ski Resort – Chewelah, Washington

Surface Lift: Gold Fever, located near the lodge in the ski school teaching area. Snowsports School Director Alison Pasino says it “is the ideal place for little ones to have their first experience sliding.” It’s open to both children and adults, regardless of ability level.

Bunny Hills: Access the beginner area using the Payday Lift (Chair #3). For skiers, Pasino recommends Easy Slide, Gold Chute, and Fool’s Gold. For snowboarders, Lower Gold Pan Alley has a gentle pitch and wide-open slopes.

Beginner Runs: Great trails for new skiers and snowboarders are found in all areas of the resort, which is the second largest in Washington State. Pasino recommends 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. In Central Basin, the trails off Beaver Slide include a “mellow, meandering route for those who want to cruise and enjoy the beauty of the Colville National Forest.”

Don’t Miss: Hobbit Forest, where you can search for iconic bells hanging from branches alongside the trail. It provides a “first taste of the epic tree skiing that 49 North has to offer,” says Pasino.

Other Recommendations: 49’s Mountain Host program offers free guided tours of the alpine terrain. It’s like an orientation to find the best runs, groomers, and powder stashes for all ability levels of your family.

Beginner runs at 49 Degrees North: Carrie Peck teaching her daughter how to ski (left), and son, Oliver (right), making a “pizza” with his skis. // Photos by Nate Peck.

LOOKOUT PASS

Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area – Mullan, Idaho

Bunny Hill: Success Slope via Success Triple chairlift. “This slope is designed to allow you to get comfortable on snow without the fear of going high up on a mountain or riding a high lift,” says Lookout’s marketing director Matt Sawyer.

Beginner Runs: Sawyer recommends taking Huckleberry Ridge to Grub Steak run—a “longer run with a mild pitch,” he says. Get there via the Peak One Quad chairlift, which takes you to the mountain summit. “Tell the staff member who is loading the lift that this is your first time on this lift and they will slow the chair down for your load,” Sawyer says. “You get to enjoy awesome views and you have reached the summit, which is a goal for most beginners.”

Next Level: Tamarack on the Montana-side of mountain (referred to as the “backside”). At the bottom is the base of the Timber Wolf Triple chair. Sawyer says a ride on this chair offers the best views that Lookout Pass has to offer a beginner, including Stevens Peak and St. Regis Basin.

Other Recommendations: Huckleberry Jam Progression Park has “very low and mild progression style features that are ideal for a first foray into a terrain park,” says Sawyer. Parents and kids can learn to ride on small terrain style features, including flat boxes with a ride on lip, a wide dance floor feature, and even a very casual rainbow feature.  

MT. SPOKANE

Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park – Mead, Washington (located within Mount Spokane State Park)

Magic Carpet: Located just below Lodge 2 (main lodge) near the ski school building, ski patrol lodge, and bunny hill chairlift loading area.

Bunny Hill: Ego Flats via Chair 5 that’s now named Beginner’s Luck. Mt. Spokane’s outdoor recreation manager Katrin Pardue, who is also Mt. Spokane’s Ski and Ride School director, says snowboarders should stay center on this run. At the top of the chair, turn right to access the lower section of Johnson’s Run. Because it is narrow, she advises staying skier’s left.

Beginner Runs: Northwest Passage, via Parkway Express (Chair 3). Stay center and then go skier’s left. Also try Half Hitch, staying skier’s right to avoid the terrain park. Both runs lead to the cat track where you can head back to the base of Chair 3 or 5, or continue along to access Chair 1. If you don’t turn off Half Hitch onto the cat track, you go straight onto Lamonga, which has some terrain features and leads to the bottom of Chair 4.

Next Level: Take the Vista Cruiser lift (Chair 1) to ski/ride a series of linked runs—Gold Cross to Upper Northwest Passage (“stay close to the trees”) to Skookum (“stay skier’s left until you hit the flat section”) to Northwest Passage.

Don’t Miss: The triple chair (#6) on the backside, Northwood. Pardue recommends taking Yellow Brick Road to Jim’s Gem (stay along the tree line, skier’s left; it gets flat at the bottom, so snowboarders should be careful) to Big Timber (stay skier’s right at the lower part for the “most mellow pitch”).

SILVER MOUNTAIN

Silver Mountain Resort – Kellogg, Idaho

Surface Lift: Prospector Adventure Lift—a new, covered conveyor lift (640 feet long) located by the Mountain House.

Bunny Hill: Easy Street—near the surface lift and Mountain House.

Beginner Runs: Ross Run, recommended by Silver Mountain’s marketing director Gus Colburn, follows the gondola line down to more beginner runs, including Dawdler, Bear Grass, or Huckleberry, before ending up at Chair 5.

First Blue Square: Colburn recommends taking the Alpenway run down to Junction, “which is the best progression run to build your skills to eventually take laps on Silver Belt.”

Family Winter Sports Guide sponsored by Ski the NW Rockies.

Read more stories from OTO’s annual Family Winter Sports Guides.

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Oliver (Ollie) Peck: age 5, skier at 49˚ North

Landon McCaffree: age 10, skier at Mt. Spokane

Kendal Brumet: age 11, skier at Lookout Pass

Libby Collins: age 12, skier at Silver Mountain

Family Winter Sports Guide sponsored by Ski the Northwest Rockies association.

Amy McCaffree has been a freelance writer for Out There since 2006, and is Out There Kids columnist and special section editor. She started skiing in 9th grade, taking lessons with her junior high Ski Club at Ski Acres at Snoqualmie Pass in the Cascade Mountains. Since winter 2003-04, she has been a season pass skier at Mt. Spokane.

The post Little Rippers of the Inland NW appeared first on Out There Venture.

Hiking under still, silent ski lifts at the local resort may not strike you as the best place for a fall hike, but consider these reasons for giving it a try if you never have.

Looking for views and spectacular fall colors? The high peaks and open slopes of ski resorts and adjacent mountains and ridges can offer up priceless views of the landscapes below in the midst of their annual fall color make-over. And brushy ski slopes filled with huckleberry and other shrubs can create a spectacle of fall foliage like nowhere else if you time it right.

If you are a skier or snowboarder, hiking where you ski or ride is also a fun way to experience those wintery places you love so much in a whole new way, and it helps build the stoke for the coming season. And finally, during the modern rifle hunting season, hiking in or around a ski area can be a much safer alternative to tromping through the forested hunting grounds down below.

Enjoy these and other hikes in and around our region’s ski resorts and soak up the short-lived sights, sounds and smells of autumn before the snow flies. (Derrick Knowles)

Mt. Spokane

When Francis Cook called Mount Spokane his summer home in the early 1900s, he met would-be hikers, arriving at his door via horse-drawn wagon, and demanded a 50-cent toll for the privilege of hiking the steep trail between his cabin and Mount Spokane’s scenic summit. Today’s visitor to Mount Spokane State Park may find it easier to gain the summit via passenger car, then hike the old pack trail in reverse to the site of Cook’s former home.

The steep .75 mile trail is accessible from near the Boy Scout-installed lake markers at the summit. The markers indicate the eight lakes, including Eloika to the west and Pend Oreille to the northeast, all visible from Mount Spokane’s summit.

At Paradise Camp, Cook’s cabin is long-gone. The Civilian Conservation Corps-built woodshed is undergoing renovations by the Friends of Mount Spokane State Park, and new informational kiosks have been installed nearby. Take in the history of the site, which was also the location of the old ski lodge that burned to the ground in an electrical fire in 1952.

Complete a loop hike by walking a short distance down the Kit Carson Loop Road to the intersection with upper trail 140, rerouted in the fall of 2013. Turn right and begin the climb back to the summit. The trail is a popular mountain bike and hiking trail in the snow-free months, and is marked with blue diamonds as a winter snowshoe route. It’s a steady uphill to the top, with plenty of opportunities to stop and admire the view while catching one’s breath.

At the summit, don’t miss Vista House, the 1934 native stone summit building, the upper portion of which served as the park’s first fire lookout. Until the ski season starts up again, the lower portion of the building is open to the public as a picnic area, protected from the fierce summit winds characteristic of the mountain’s top.

When the snow finally returns, do the hike on snowshoes or backcountry skis and bring a few extra bucks for hot cocoa at the winter-only weekend concession stand housed inside the historic building. (Holly Weiler)

Learn about the Mt. Spokane’s skiing history.

49 Degrees North: Chewelah Peak

Around 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort, any of the alpine, Nordic, or snowshoe trails are open for hiking before winter operations begin. Take off from the lodge and keep an eye out for wildlife and fall colors, says John Eminger, the resort’s owner and operator from 1996 to 2019. He recommends picnicking on the lodge deck and exploring any of the trails around the resort’s three basins and two summits.

The Summit Route around the alpine area includes three connective trails. The trailhead for the first one, the Alpine Road Trail – also called East Basin Trail – begins near the lodge parking lots. Follow the trail past Chair 5, which you pass under at the 2K (1.24 miles) mark, and continue until you reach Moose Track Corner (4K/approximately 2.5 miles).

Then you connect with the relatively easy South Face Traverse Trail. Follow this for three miles, enjoying views of the ski area’s backside, until you get to the Summit Trail. Continue for 1.2 mile on a rugged trek through trees to Chewelah Peak (5,775’ elevation). The trail ends near Chair 5, for a total of 7.89 miles. Head straight downhill back to the lodge area for a shorter descent, and keep an eye out for deer, elk, moose, bear and other wildlife.

Also, within the designated Nordic park, there is a network of mostly easy trails more suitable for less ambitious day hikers. Check out the resort/trail map at ski49n.com. (Amy McCaffree)

Lookout Pass: Stevens Lakes to Lone Lake

Most of us who are avid hikers have visited Upper and Lower Stevens Lakes, or even lesser visited Lone Lake next door, near Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area. But did you know there’s another route worth the effort? This trip visits both Stevens Lakes but continues on.

Once you’ve reached Upper Stevens Lake, look to the ridge to the west or right at the far end of the lake. The ridge is called Willow Ridge and is spectacular any time of the year. Look for a hiker-created trail, of sorts, or pick your way up the scattered game trails. Head up the side of the hill for the prominent rise along the ridge. The easiest route down to Lone Lake on the other side is located on the north side of this rise.

Over the years, many have ventured to the ridge and on to the summit of Stevens Peak. I suggest that you consider dropping over the ridge down to Lone Lake’s upper alpine bowl (I call it the “Upper Sanctuary”).

In the spring, the Sanctuary is an electric green of many shades. The vivid colors next to the massive rock faces, in contrast with the dark greens of sub-alpine fir, make for amazing images.

During the autumn months, these greens turn brilliant orange, red, and yellow. Upper Stevens Lake and the Lone Lake “Sanctuary” are especially beautiful this time of year.

Once you are down in the Lone Lake basin “Sanctuary,” notice the colors come alive. There are two humps above the small pond there that you can climb up for great views and a high place to photograph from. I would consider hiking into any of these lakes on their own to be moderately difficult, and by summiting, and then dropping into the sanctuary, and back to the same trailhead, this route becomes much more difficult. But don’t let that stop you. It’s simply too amazing to miss. (Chic Burge)

Originally published as “Hiking Where We Ski: Fall Hikes In Ski Country“ in the October-November 2015 print issue of Out There.

[Updated: Sept. 2021]

[Feature photo by Derrick Knowles.]

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