Toyota Ski Free Fridays in March

Drive any Toyota vehicle to the mountain and the driver gets a free lift ticket. Event dates are: March 3 at 49 Degrees North; March 10, Silver Mountain; March 17, Mt. Spokane; and March 24, Lookout Pass.

Night Skiing at Mt. Spokane (March 1-11)

Every Wednesday-Saturday, through March 11, enjoy city lights and sunset views atop Mt. Spokane. $36/person for night-session lift ticket; night-ski included with any day-ticket/season pass. Lifts close at 9 p.m.

Doug E. Fresh Banked Slalom at Silver Mountain (March 4)

At Silver Mountain, this snowboard-only race against the clock is an annual fundraiser for the Doug Johnson Memorial Fund. Register at silvermt.com or the day-of starting at 7:30 a.m. at gondola base.

Ski Bum Prom Night Skiing at Silver Mountain (March 4)

First night ski event since 2020! Beginning after the Doug E. Fresh Banked Slalom event, this event  includes live music from JamShack, local dance band, in Mogul’s Lounge in the summit Mountain House along with a drink special from Grand Teton Brewing. Wear your classiest retro ski bum attire. Ski until 6 p.m.; Mogul’s Lounge open until 8 p.m.

Boyd Hill Sorta Natural Snowskate Banked Slalom & Rail Jam (March 4-5)

Come watch or bring your snowskates and best tricks to compete in a 2-day event organized by Boyd Hill Snowskates in Coeur d’Alene. The Saturday, March 4event takes place at Lookout Pass, Rolling Thunder Terrain Park. Then on Sunday, March 5 at Silver Mountain, the Snowskate Rail Jam happens at 1-3:30 p.m. at Noah’s Terrain Park, followed by a parking lot party. Info: Boydhill.com.

Fat Bike Day at 49 Degrees North (March 5)

Fat tire bike demos in partnership with North Division Bicycle. Event also includes fat bike rentals and race. Takes place on 49’s lower Nordic trail system. $20/registration fee (on-site @ 9:30-10:30 a.m.); activities begin at 11 a.m.

Sneva MFG Demo Day at Silver Mountain (March 5)

Spokane-based ski/snowboard manufacturer will be atop Silver Mountain with their new fleet of handmade skis (learn more about Sneva at snevamfg.com).

Tele Gathering at 49 Degrees North (March 5)

“The Gathering” featuring telemark ski clinics for all abilities as well as rentals and prize giveaways.

Alpine Haus Ultimate Demo Day at Mt. Spokane (March 5)

Try the very latest models of skis and snowboards from the hottest brands; $20/person for early registration at Alpine Haus located on Spokane’s South Hill.  $30/day-of registration on the mountain.

Ladies Day at Mt. Spokane (March 10)

Women-only lessons led by the ski school’s best female instructors.

Cajun Seafood Boil at 49 Degrees North (March 11)

Chow down on some Cajun-style seafood at this family-style meal with live music and brews (limited seating so purchase tickets online).

Retro Party! Last Night Ski Celebration at Mt. Spokane (March 11)

Come to Mt. Spokane wearing vintage ski gear to enjoy the last night ski session of the season. Sunset Happy Hour (weather-permitting) begins at 4 p.m. at the Burt, near the top of Parkway Express. Then head down to the lodge for karaoke in Foggy Bottom Bar.

Beer Release Party for Bale Breaker Brewing at Silver Mountain (March 11)

Festivities include a scavenger hunt with clues posted throughout the resort (first 50 finishers win prizes) and live music, free swag, and brews at in Mogul’s Lounge, at the summit Mountain House, noon-3 p.m.

Special Olympics at Silver Mountain (March 18)

In the morning, cheer on the athletes at the opening ceremony parade through the Gondola Village (morning start time TBA).

Jaeger’s Park Party at 49 Degrees North (March 18)

A special event dedicated to (and to memorialize) homegrown pro-snowboarder Jaeger Bailey.

SheJumps—Wild Skills Junior Ski Patrol Day Camp at 49 Degrees North (March 18)

8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at 49 Degrees North. Open to all girls age 8-17 who are intermediate to advanced-level skiers/snowboarders. Work with 49’s female ski patrollers and other local skiers to learn mountain safety, first aid, and other topics, including snow science and about patrol toboggans. Register online through March 17—cost: $77 (includes lift ticket), $40 if a 49 season pass holder. Scholarships available.

Spring Freestyle Youth Camp at 49 Degrees North (March 19)

One-day camp for beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders, ages 10-15 (takes place 12:30-3:30 p.m.). Discounted lift tickets available for camp participants. Register at ski49n.com.

Women’s Clinic Series at 49 Degrees North (March 19)

This is the last session for the Women’s Clinic Series for female skiers and snowboarders; all ability levels welcome.

Hawaiian Daze and Slush Cup Pond Skim at 49 Degrees (March 25)

An event that includes—in addition to the always-exciting pond skim—snow golf, a poker run, scavenger hunt, silent auction, and costume contest. Special lunch menu with Hawaiian burgers/hot dogs. Proceeds support 49’s volunteer ski patrol.

Hawaiian Day & Pond Skim at Mt. Spokane (April 1)

Get in the spirit and test your pond skim skills to usher out the season.

April Fool’s Day Festivities at Lookout Pass (April 1)

Don’t miss the prize drawings (starting at 3 p.m.), snow cat ride on the groomer, private lessons, Lookout Pass swag, Hiawatha Scenic Bike Trail vouchers, and more.

Spring Break (April 3–9)

Free skiing for all youth, all week long, at Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park.  

Hawaiian Luau at Lookout Pass (April 8)

Island-themed lunch and brews on the deck and Cardboard Box Derby.

Last Day at Mt. Spokane (April 9)

Free tickets for everyone! Lifts close at 1 p.m.

Easter Egg Hunts (Sunday, April 9)

Gear up and search for eggs at Silver Mountain starting as soon as lifts open. Eggs will be hidden on ski runs and only accessible by skis/boards. Golden egg earns a prize! At Lookout Pass, hunt for eggs all over the mountain. Inside the eggs will be candy as well as possible prize numbers. Meet in the lodge for the afternoon “prize reveal.”

Last Call at Lookout Pass (April 15-16)

It’s spring—time to ski! Don’t miss closing weekend.

Leadman Triathlon (April 22)

Adventure triathlon at Silver Mountain Resort. Relay teams (2- or 3-person) and individual competitors (age 16+) will race in a 1.2-mile ski, 7.5-mile bike, and 4.1-mile run tri. Course begins at Kellogg Peak, with finish line at Silver’s Gondola Village. Event hosted by Kellogg Rotary Club; 100% of proceeds are donated to local charities. Register online by April 18; limited to the first 275 competitors. Includes post-race BBQ lunch and live music. More details online include competition categories. Race is open to individual kids age 11-15 who race with a parent.

_{This post sponsored by Ski The Northwest Rockies, Silver Mountain Resort, Lookout Pass, Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard, and 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort}

2023-2024 Season Pass and Spring Ticket Deals

Season Pass Sales and Free Spring Skiing

Invest in next year’s powder with the best deals on a season pass this spring!

• Silver Mountain: Buy a pass for next season now and ski/ride free for the rest of this season. Silver Mountain Bike Park season passes also for sale.
• Lookout Pass: Ski free during March and April when you purchase a pass for next season. Returning passholders get a special discount (see skilookout.com for pricing details).
• Mt. Spokane Spring Season Pass & ½ Sale: New passholders ski free the rest of this season. Renewing passholders receive special discount when renewing by May 31.
• 49 Degrees North: A2023-24 Season Pass provides full access to both Alpine and Nordic areas and includes bonus perks like complimentary lift tickets to other regional resorts such as Bluewood, Loup Loup, White Pass, and more. For all pricing details and discount end-dates, visit each mountain’s website. 

Lift-Ticket Discount at Lookout Pass—For Other Mountain-Passholders

Any season-passholder from any other ski mountain in the world can visit Lookout Pass Monday-Thursday and get a discounted daily lift ticket, $35/person. Show your pass and photo ID.

Mt. Spokane Spring Ticket Specials

Visit mtspokane.com for the latest announcements about daily ticket specials for spring skiing.

The post Spring Skiing Shenanigans & Season Pass Deals appeared first on Out There Venture.

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.]

The post What’s New at Local Resorts: Ski NW Rockies appeared first on Out There Venture.

Nowland started out skiing in the late 1970s, when he and some buddies scrounged up some gear from local thrift stores and hit the hills at Manito Park. And like many kids of that generation, there was hooky-bobbing behind older friends’ cars.

“We mounted our own stuff, but since we had no idea what we were doing, the screws went right through the bases. And we really didn’t care,” says Nowland. He “officially” started skiing at Mt. Spokane in 1985, taking advantage of $5 night skiing lift tickets and the ski bus that shuttled excited teenagers to the hill. “It didn’t matter how cold or wet it was, we would ski until last chair at 10 p.m. or until the lift operators kicked us off the hill.”

That same year, Nowland began working in the local ski industry, gaining a job at Sunset Sports Center, which later became Herman’s Sporting Goods. “One of my buddies got me a job as a rental dog, which later turned into ski tuning a year later.” By 1990, Nowland was the head ski tuner at the legendary Lou-Lou’s Ski Chalet, a position he held until the shop closed permanently in 2005.

During the summer months, Nowland ran the Rossignol Test Center at Mt. Hood, working with athletes from the US Ski Team and other national teams that trained on the Palmer Glacier. After Lou-Lou’s closed in 2002, he took his skills to the Spokane Alpine Haus on the South Hill, where he remains to this day. Over a 36-year span, Nowland figures he has touched somewhere around 175,000 pairs of skis.

After all of those years in the industry, you would think he would have seen it all. But, alas, the strangest thing Nowland witnessed didn’t occur until this season. “A guy was interested in buying some skis, and asked if the marked price was for each ski or for the pair,” he says. “I was dumbfounded by the fact that I had never heard someone ask that before.”

When not in the shop, Nowland spends his weekends at 49 Degrees North, where he serves as a mountain host, directing guests and assisting ski patrol when needed. “I love doing it,” he says. “I mean, it keeps me on the hill and forces me to go skiing, even on those days when I really don’t feel like it.” His perfect day on the mountain consists of no wind, full sun, and firm corduroy groomers, and his favorite run is Dreamline, which drops directly below the Sunrise Basin quad. “I kinda like the limelight of skiing that run—you gotta bring your A-game when you know people are watching from the chair.”

Despite three and a half decades of experience and a reputation as one of the finest ski tuners in the industry, Nowland has somehow managed to keep it all in perspective. “I started out getting stuck working all day in a basement with no windows, and 36 years later, I’m still working in a basement with no windows—guess it could be worse.”

Brad Northrup is a former alpine race coach, ski industry professional, and long-time contributor to Out There Venture.

The post Spokane Ski Industry Icon Fred Nowland appeared first on Out There Venture.

Over the years I’ve become a casual collector of classic outdoors-themed literature and guidebooks. I enjoy so many things about books like these. From the images that paint a picture of the outdoor life that transpired before modern gear and in many cases before I was born, to the word choice and literary style used to explain technical outdoor skills.

So while I don’t intend to put the books’ teachings to a ton of practical use—even though I’m sure once I dig into them I will learn a few things—I was grateful to have them. There has to be some useful tips in “How to Ski The New French Way,” 80s-era “Ski Maintenance and Repair” by Seth Masia, or “How the Racers Ski.” And there are no doubt plenty of laughs waiting on the pages of “Here Come the Skiers,” a book of ski cartoons by the late Seattle artist Bob Cram. But above all for me, the allure of books like these is the historic glimpse they offer into ski culture from another era.

Rupp learned to ski in junior high at the now defunct North-South Ski Bowl near St. Maries, Idaho. “I pretty much taught myself to ski by watching the college students that taught there and imitating what I saw them doing,” he says. By the late 60s and 70s, Rupp was a ski instructor at Breckinridge, where his mentors included the likes of ski legends Trygve Berge and Stein Erickson. Later Rupp taught at Steamboat and eventually Schweitzer.

The ski books, which he picked up at book stores or ordered through the mail from ski magazines, were primarily a resource of techniques and jargon that he used to hone his teaching skills and check himself to see if what he was doing was what the authors were describing. Back in Rupp’s ski instructor days, people who were serious about skiing either had instruction books or at least read them and were familiar with the contents, he says. “As I recall, the main thing that was happening in skiing at that time is that my earlier gear had required the use of counter rotation in a turn so that the skier was looking downhill toward the inside shoulder, which was pointed at the tip of the skis.”

Rupp bought his first pair of skis for $30 around 1965, a set of laminated wood boards with P-Tex bases and screw on sectional edges. Henke had just started making buckle boots in the 50s, says Rupp, and the era of leather lace boots was on its way out. Books like these, he says, came out to adjust to stiffer boots that allowed for more side-to-side angulation at the hips and a more square posture looking down the hill.

“Ski the New French Way” and “Teach Yourself to Ski” both emphasized “a more square-and-balanced stance on the skis.” Warren Witherell’s book, “How the Racers Ski,” was “useful when I was teaching in that it helped with diagnosing student problems and helping to correct any issues they may have had.”  Ski equipment has continued to evolve in recent decades, making the sport more accessible to anyone who wants to learn. Yet the importance of expert advice and instruction when it comes to learning to ski or improving on one’s skills, whether it’s gleaned from a book, online videos, or an in-person lesson, remains invaluable.

Derrick Knowles is co-publisher and editor-in-chief. He lives in Spokane with his wife (and co-publisher and OTO visual editor), Shallan, and their young son and dog, Fernie. He enjoys backcountry (and in-bounds) alpine skiing, camping, biking, running, backpacking, bikepacking, and pretty much all other outdoor recreation. Follow his adventures on Instagram, @van_derrick_pnw.

[Feature photo: Vintage ski books. // Photo: Shallan Knowles.]

The post Hand-Me-Down Ski Books appeared first on Out There Venture.

I’ve also spent an unusual amount of time this winter wondering how the skiing life is transpiring at some of my favourite places north of the border. Like what’s a powder day at RED or WH2O like without us Americans crowding up the lift lines, filling condos and hotel rooms, and engaging in unusually loud après? What’s the scene like up at Kootenay Pass?

Since illegally skiing into Canada for a first-hand story was out of the question, we tapped Kimberley, B.C. local and self-proclaimed ski bum “Powder Matt” to share some words about the pandemic skiing life along B.C.’s Powder Highway.

Meet Powder Matt

“Powder” Matt Mostellar lived in his car for 63 days one winter so he could ski every day. When he isn’t backcountry skiing, hitting long trails, or drinking craft coffee in Kimberley, B.C, he shares stories through major media outlets to inspire people to get their own goodness outside. He is a passionate advocate of ways to seek a deeper good in life and greater community value through more time in nature. To that end, he is the co-founder of the #TimeOut and #DisconnecttoConnect movement as well as the co-creator of #MappyHour Canada, which inspires people to get outside.

Where did the Powder Matt handle come from? Years ago while ski touring with a group of friends, one of them said they were done for the day. One of Matt’s buddies turned to that guy and said, “Well, you got to get the flake-face ‘Powder Matt’ convinced it’s time to go.” And the name stuck like powder snow in a winter beard. Powder Matt has spent the pandemic living in Kimberley, B.C. “We love this place,” he says. “It’s a real community of passion-filled outdoor lovers. We had lived here before and returned pre-COVID to be back in the mountains with trails and forest out the back door. And it’s six minutes from the ski runs.”

Derrick Knowles, who grew up in Spokane, is co-publisher and editor-in-chief. He lives in Spokane with his wife (and co-publisher and OTO visual editor), Shallan, and their young son and dog, Fernie. He enjoys skiing, camping, biking, running, year-round backcountry adventures, and pretty much all other outdoor recreation. Follow his adventures on Instagram, @van_derrick_pnw.

The post Meet Powder Matt: Border Closures Deliver Locals-only Shred Fest In the Kootenays appeared first on Out There Venture.

Badger Mt. is operated by the local Lion’s Club out of Waterville. It was founded in 1938 and runs with a 100 percent volunteer staff. It’s open January-March and days of operation are condition dependent.  

Loup Loup Ski Bowl 

Located between Twisp and Omak on Little Buck Mountain, Loup Loup is open Wednesdays, Fridays, and weekends from December through March or April. Families will enjoy the tubing hill, outdoor firepit, and luge sledding. 

Sitzmark Ski Hill 

Sitzmark Ski Hill near Oroville has 80 acres of skiing and riding and a terrain park. Call for operation hours and to inquire about conditions.   

Leavenworth Ski Hill 

Less than 2 miles from downtown, the Leavenworth Ski Hill offers many activities at an affordable price. Alpine races, Nordic races, and ski jumping tournaments are also part of the fun.  

See a story about Echo Valley Ski Hill, from our January-February 2021 issue.

The post 4 Small Ski Hills of Washington State appeared first on Out There Venture.

As I pulled into the parking lot, I saw a young father clutching his squirming toddler. Mom slid a few feet down a gentle slope to demonstrate the art of skiing while the child surveyed the situation with a stern and confused look. A hot chocolate was almost certainly in the child’s future. Good thing a kid’s size one only costs $1 at Terri’s Treats, Echo Valley’s lodge and eatery with a roaring fireplace and ski-hill classics like homemade chili smothered with a generous helping of melted cheese.  

As I clicked into my skis, I chatted with another parent who sipped a steaming cup of coffee outside the lodge. From his stance he could see most of the hill and watched one of his elementary-aged kids pizza furiously down the slope. This father and Echo Valley regular says, “It works out good. We stay here in the morning then head to basketball practice later. This is only 10 minutes from the house.” 

Its motto, “Where Chelan learns to ski,” is modest compared to modern resort marketing standards, and Echo Valley clearly accomplishes its goal. I was surrounded by squeaky little voices chirping, giggling, and occasionally crying after plunging face first into the snow during a failed rope tow dismount.  

One of three rope tows dragged me a few hundred feet upward too. I could have descended here or traversed over to the poma, which ascends to the ski hill’s highpoint. After choosing to traverse and ascend, I watched a group of college-age students cruise down the hill, playfully hooting and hollering like it was a powder day in the North Cascades rather than a slushy day on the modest slopes of Echo. The snowboarder’s parents live in Chelan, and he brought his friends along to escape the West-side rain. They take photos, catch tiny airs, and lounge at the top to gaze over the quiet, snow-capped wilderness.  

Echo Valley feels like one of the best parts of America’s past magically transported into the present, like vintage merry-go-rounds in public parks or restored Wonder Bread ads painted on 19th century brick buildings. It evokes an era when people said hello to strangers as they passed on the sidewalk, and when volunteerism was deeply integrated into civic life. 

Keith Carpenter, a former and long-time ski club president at Echo Valley and a still-active board member would a agree that it’s a special place, but he knows the secret behind the magic: an all-hands-on-deck level of community collaboration and stubborn faith in what’s good for the town. He’s seen dozens of ski hills shut down over the years and was around to make sure Echo Valley wasn’t one of them. 

“A lot of them [community ski hills] were lost to a big insurance run up in the 70s. It came about because of free style or hotdog skiing and people were doing things like inverted aerials, back flips, and those kinds of things. A lot of spinal injuries resulted in really high settlements against insurance companies.” 

Carpenter estimates that half the ski areas in America went under in the 70s and 80s. Today, there’s fewer than 20 ski hills and resorts in the state of Washington.  A glance at a Wiki called “Lost Ski Areas of WASHINGTON” shows that, at one time, there were at least 48. In fact, Echo Valley’s equipment was sourced from other defunct ski hills. The poma came from Squilchuck, which used to operate just down the road from Mission Ridge near Wenatchee.  

The same spirit of volunteerism that gives us Girl Scouts and Rotary Clubs is what launched and helps preserve Echo Valley. The hill was born in the early 1950s when the Peterson family created a rope tow out of their tractor and pulled kids and friends up a hill in their orchard.  

A few years later, the founders migrated to a better hill and formed the Lake Chelan Ski Club in 1955. In 2004 the ski hill became an official Lion’s Club activity, providing access to a deep well of volunteers and an affordable insurance policy. The Lion’s Club also benefited as new community members joined the club out of a desire to be involved in the ski hill. 

I only needed a few runs that morning to get my fix of cold and speed for the day, and I left about the same time dad drove his kids to basketball practice. I dropped elevation and carefully cruised down Cooper Gulch Road toward Manson for Winterfest. The dose of comradery and sunshine put me in the spirit to eat, drink, and be merry.

Learn about “Lost Ski Hills of North Central Idaho.“

The post Soul of Skiing: Community Ski Hills appeared first on Out There Venture.

Here are some ways to start rounding out your backcountry skills:

• Ski seasonal roads. If you’re new to the sport or don’t have any snow-science education, seek out low-angle slopes away from avalanche danger and side-country options. The Summit Road at Mount Spokane State Park is a good place to start.
• Buy a beacon and practice. Even if you’re not heading into avalanche-prone terrain, it’s a good idea to build good habits.
• Read safety information and watch avy education videos online. The Northwest Avalanche Center has online education modules. The Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center also has tutorials on topics like how to read an avalanche forecast.

Find more Out There Venture’ mountain safety stories.

The post 3 Ways to Learn Backcountry Safety appeared first on Out There Venture.

With COVID-19 thrown into the mix of what could be one of the snowiest and coldest winters in years, local resorts are stepping up to create a safe, fun, and convenient ski and snowboard experience like never before. Here’s a glimpse into what you can expect for this upcoming season from our local Ski the NW Rockies Resorts.

Buy Your Lift Tickets in Advance This Year

Most regional resorts are planning to limit the number of skiers and snowboarders on their mountains on peak days, which means no more early-birding it to the ticket window on a powder day expecting to score a lift ticket.  Most resorts this year will require advanced online ticket purchasing, and tickets may be limited and potentially not available during weekends and holidays. Priority, on the other hand, will be given to season pass holders, so the point here is to buy your lift tickets in advance online if you don’t plan to purchase a season pass.

Rick Brown, the director of skier & rider services at 49 Degrees North, illustrates how ticket purchasing will work at 49 and potentially at other resorts this season. 49 is totally upgrading its point-of-sale system to make it easier and safer for guests to get up to the mountain, he says. “We will have online ticketing so that people will be able to purchase tickets anywhere then walk up to the ticket window to get their lift ticket.”

A Better Ride for Beginners at Silver

Silver Mountain Resort is installing a new, double-wide, covered magic carpet lift to service their beginner run as well as their tubing hill. “Upgrading from our old single-wide to this double-wide will minimize the amount of time in the lift line and allow for more time spent on the snow,” says Silver Mountain Resort General Manager Jeff Colburn. “This new covered ride will provide protection from the elements and make for a more comfortable experience for tubers and beginners just learning how to slide on the snow.”

New Snowmaking to Extend the Season at 49

The big news at 49 Degrees North this season is the extensive addition to the resort’s snowmaking. “The snowmaking expansions will essentially give us the ability to make snow from the base area all the way up to Midway at Silver King and on up to Silver Ridge,” says 49’s director of skier and rider services Rick Brown. “It’s a pretty large swath that will allow us to open earlier most years and have better conditions later in the season.” The work involved putting in two pump houses and a reservoir on silver ridge, which positions 49 to move snow making even further up the mountain in the future. 49’s egalitarian snow-making capacity will also spread the cold, white love to the lower reaches of the mountain near Chair 3 that accesses beginner terrain as well as the resort’s magic carpet conveyor lift, greatly improving conditions for those just learning to ski and snowboard.

Make Turns @ Mt. Spokane 7 Days a Week

Mt. Spokane is making its family-friendly mountain more readily available this season. In January and February, the ski area will be operating all week long, including Mondays and Tuesdays. The move should help spread skiers and riders out over more days and lead to shorter lift lines and a safer, less crowded experience throughout the resort.

Silver Adds New Affordable Lodging Option

Silver Mountain Resort purchased and remodeled the Silverhorn Motor Inn and rebranded it the Silver Inn, located about a half mile from the gondola base. This 40-room hotel-style accommodation has a rich history in Kellogg and will be an affordable quality lodging option for skiers and riders looking to spend more time on the snow and less time driving back and forth to the mountain.    

Breathe Easier with Extended Lodge Hours

New this year, Mt. Spokane’s Lodge 1 and Lodge 2 will be operating seven days per week. The mountain is extending indoor operations to allow for more physical distancing for a safer experience during the ongoing pandemic. UPDATE: Lodges in Washington State will only be offering take-out food options and no indoor seating/dining in compliance with Governor Jay Inslee’s latest COVID-19 public health mandate, effective through at least Dec. 14, 2020. Check mountain websites and social media pages for the latest updates and restrictions.

Better, Faster Food

Our local resorts will have some welcome culinary innovations this season that will make dining on the mountain faster and more enjoyable. We are excited to hear that Mt. Spokane has brought on celebrity regional chef, Chad White, to make big kitchen changes at Spokane’s closest resort this year. “He’s bringing to life a new food and beverage menu focused on mountain flavors and local brews,” reports Mt. Spokane’s new assistant general manager and marketing director Jodi Kayler. “We can’t wait to roll out new flavors, more efficient service, and short wait times.”

Lookout Pass is also working to refine its food menu with the primary goal of offering a faster meal purchasing experience. “Guests will find more grab-and-go options in our food court/deli and more food and drink options at our Summit Shack at the top of the mountain near the unloading point for our Peak One Quad,” says Lookout’s Matt Sawyer.

More Outdoor Hangout Spaces

Look for more options for purchasing food and drinks and hanging out in a protected outdoor area at all area ski resorts this season. “This year, we are focused on the outdoors and are adding two outdoor bars, outdoor eating areas, outdoor tents and group spaces, as well as outdoor lockers,” says Mt. Spokane’s Jodi Kayler.49 Degrees North also has two massive shelters in the works out front of the lodge to give people some outdoor hangout spaces that will have picnic tables, heat, lighting, and ventilation thanks to an open corridor between the tents.

Better Glades

Powder hounds always rejoice at the mention of pre-season work in the woods, and this year Lookout locals have a lot to look forward to in that regard. “We had crews enhancing the glade skiing experience, thinning out dead wood, etc., in the Lucky Friday Glades and also on the sides of the Niagra Trail,” says Lookout’s Matt Sawyer.

Season Pass Perks

This year, when some resorts may limit ticket sales on peak days (think Saturdays and holidays) to keep the number of people on the mountain down to a reasonably safe number, securing your season pass is smarter than ever. Even if you miss the fall season pass sale deadline for your preferred resort, consider shelling out the extra cash for a full-priced pass while they’re still available. That may be your only insurance plan for being able to ski or ride whichever day you want.

In addition to the priceless benefit of being able to get on a lift whenever you want, there are more perks than ever for season pass holders. Silver Mountain announced that they have joined the Powder Alliance for the 2020/21 season, which gives Silver Mountain passholders access to three free lift tickets at 17 resorts in four countries. “We’re excited to add this benefit for our season passholders,” says Silver’s Jeff Colburn, who also noted that each season passholder also gets four day passes to the Silver Rapids Indoor Waterpark.

49 Degrees North passholders can now take advantage of the Indy Pass, which for $199 gives powder-chasing passholders access to free lift tickets at 57 independent resorts across North America. 49 and Silver are also still promoting their 2^nd year of offering a combo pass good at both resorts while they last.

While the fall season pass sale deadline likely won’t be your last chance to secure a pass, don’t wait and end up paying more if you can help it. Here are the looming deadlines for fall season pass savings: Lookout Pass, November 15 ($99-$319); Mt. Spokane, November 10 ($329-$499) Silver Mountain, November 10 ($239-$469); 49 Degrees North, November 9 ($299-$519).

Mountain Events May Look a Little Different This Year

Several of our local resorts are still hoping to hold many of their most popular events, but they may look a little different given public health precautions. Check resort calendar listings for your personal favorite events and check back for updates as the season progresses. One of the first events of the season on the calendar is 49’s 4^th annual Thanksjibbing, scheduled this year for November 21. The community-oriented rail jam event happens every year even if the resort isn’t open yet, says 49’s Rick Brown. “We have a few events and some races on the calendar and are working to find a way to hold many of our same events in a safe way.”

New Terrain in the Works

Progress continues on the ongoing ski area expansion at Lookout Pass. All trails for the 458-acre Eagle Peak expansion have been marked down the centerline and edge to edge helping to define the perimeter for the 14 planned new trails, says Lookout’s Matt Sawyer. “All the new runs have been cruised and approved by the Forest Service and will be cut top-to-bottom next summer, including the two new lift lines.” The lifts are scheduled for installation the summer after next, he says. “We should be enjoying lift served skiing and snowboarding access to the Eagle Peak expansion terrain starting in the winter of 2022/23.”     

Snowledge: New App to Keep Connected on the Mountain

The four Ski the NW Rockies association resorts—49, Mt. Spokane, Lookout, and Silver—have partnered with Snowledge, the only complete, resort-connected GPS tracking app for skiers and snowboarders. Snowledge works across every resort and in the backcountry and it’s free. Designed by and for skiers and riders, the app uses GPS to get real-time info from resorts, track your day on the slopes, and easily find and locate your friends and family. Some of the coolest features of the app include access to current snow conditions, offers, and contests. Users can also track individual ski days and view detailed activity summaries of the entire season’s ski days. Download the app at Snowledge.co and start tracking and connecting when the snow flies.

Sponsored by the Ski the NW Rockies Association Resorts

The post Local Resorts—What’s New for the Season appeared first on Out There Venture.