Choosing the best fit for your child foremost depends on your family’s schedule availability and transportation means as well as your child’s age and skill or experience level.

Next, decide if your child would do best in a group setting or would learn better with more one-on-one instruction (which would mean private/semi-private lessons should be considered).

This guide to lesson and learn-to-ski options for Winter 2022-23 at the four Ski the NW Rockies resorts—49 Degrees North, Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area, and Silver Mountain Resort—serves as a quick overview to what’s available that will best meet your family’s needs. Even if you already have a “home mountain” because you’re a season pass guest or know that you’ll just visit the same mountain as your friends or family do, this guide will be useful.

If you want to enroll children in a multi-week group lesson, register online ASAP, as these fill quickly. If a session is full, get on the program wait-list—there are always cancellations by the time January comes.

For single-lesson programs, advanced registration online is recommended; however, some ski schools allow walk-ins for day-of registration, no later than 30 minutes prior to lesson start time.

Age Level

Each mountain structures their instructional program a bit differently, with minimum age requirements and age-range groupings. Families with children in different age groups will want to choose a mountain destination accordingly so every child who needs lessons can be included.

Another important detail for parents to keep in mind is the required time commitment. For example, is the lesson only a morning or afternoon session, or is it all day and includes a supervised lunch break? What are the specific drop-off and pick-up times? Will instructors help young children put on their gear?

If you’re not sure about lessons, because of cost or time, consider this: enrolling kids in lessons is a great way for parents to have “free ski time” on the mountain. You can find powder stashes in the trees and shred black diamonds all you want, knowing your children are being taken care of and progressing their skills. And then when you’re all together on the slopes, your kids can show off what they learned.

• Age 2+: 49 Degrees North’s Li’l Club Lesson & Day Care (ages 2-6). Most all ski schools can provide private and semi-private lessons for children age 2+.
• Ages 4-7: Mt. Spokane’s popular multi-week group ski lessons during weekends are the Mini Mites (ages 4-6, morning and full-day options) and Mighty Mites (ages 5-7, full-day). The little rippers can also join Mt. Spokane’s Club Shred (ages 4-10) and winter break camps. Lookout Pass has its Mini Moose program for this age group (Sundays only). For the EZ Ski/Ride 1-2-3 programs, minimum age is 7; however, 49 Degrees North allows kids ages 6 and older to participate.
• Ages 6-13: There are a lot of multi-week group programs and single-lesson packages for this age group. At Silver Mountain, the Silver Kids program (ages 7-12) only offers lessons for level I-II skiers. Lookout Pass has weekly ski and snowboard group sessions for all abilities and levels. At Mt. Spokane, skiers/snowboarders can enroll in Kids Club (ages 7-15). 49 Degrees North has an Adventurers program (ages 6-13) for multi-week sessions, while the single-lesson options are Trailblazers (ages 6-12) and Above & Beyond (ages 12+, beginners only). 
• Ages 9-17: Mt. Spokane has two instructional programs for advanced skiers/snowboarders, Park Club (Saturdays) and Mountain Adventure Club (Sundays)—only during February 2023. 49 Degrees North hosts a one-day Intro to Freestyle and Park Skills “day camp” for skiers and snowboarders (ages 10-15) in December.

Parent-Child Lessons at 49 Degrees North

Mommy/Daddy & Me is a 1-hour lesson for one parent and one child (ages 2-13, beginner). Program goal is for parents to learn teaching tools to help their child further develop ski or snowboard skills.

First Time on Skis or Snowboard

• EZ Ski 1-2-3 (ski/ride): This is a popular program offered at all four resorts includes three days with 2-hour group lessons, rental gear, and lift ticket and allows for progressive skill building. (Does not have to be booked for consecutive days.) Minimum age restrictions vary. At Silver Mountain, only for ages 13+ and not available on Saturdays or holiday periods.
• Never-Ever/First-Timer: One-day lesson packages, ages 6/7+, typically include a 2-hour group lesson, rental equipment, and bunny-hill lift ticket—ideal for those wanting to try skiing or snowboarding with minimal financial and time commitment. (49 Degrees North calls its program “Learn 2 Package.”) Reservations recommended, but walk-ins are welcome on a space-available basis the day-of (registration cut-off is typically 30 minutes prior to lesson start time).

Snowboard Group Lessons

Each mountain offers EZ Ride 1-2-3 and first-time/never-ever lessons for children, teens, and adults, plus some unique programs tailored to snowboarders (reservations required).

• Mt. Spokane: Holiday camps; Kids Club, ages 7-15 (Saturdays only, January-March); Club Shred, ages 4-10 (Friday nights, Jan.-March); Park Club, ages 9-17, for advanced/Level 4+ skiers and snowboarders who want to improve Terrain Park skills (Saturdays in February); Mountain Adventure Club, ages 9-17, for advanced snowboarders/skiers who want to explore and improve skills on treed and side-country terrain (Sundays in February).
• Lookout Pass: Free Ski School for snowboarders ages 7-17; Lookout Pass full or half-day group lessons for ages 7-12.
• 49 Degrees North: Multi-week group lessons, ages 6-13 (private lessons available for younger kids), include Discovery Club; Above & Beyond half-day group lesson for beginners (ages 12-adult)—advanced registration recommended but walk-ins can register day-of at least 30 minutes prior to lesson start time; and a one-day Intro to Freestyle and Park Skills “day camp” (ages 10-15, Dec. 23) for snowboarders and skiers.
• Silver Mountain: Flexible 5, semi-private group lessons (ages 7 and up).

Free Ski School at Lookout Pass

A popular program that fills quickly is the longtime “Free Ski School,” staffed by volunteer instructors and organized separately from Lookout Pass’ Snowsports School. Registration opens in late Oct./early Nov. and lessons begin in January 2023.

Beginner and intermediate/advanced skill level sessions are offered for skiers (ages 6-17) and snowboarders (ages 7-17). Participants must attend a session during the first three weeks of the program, which is free. Doesn’t include equipment or a lift ticket, although a lift ticket isn’t necessary during the lessons.

Month By Month Schedule

Registration already opened for some local ski schools back in October, and multi-week sessions fill quickly. For some families, a certain month can be the best time for lessons because of commitments to other activities and non-alpine sports.

• December: EZ Ski/Ride 1-2-3 and first-timer group lessons, as well as private/semi-private lessons, start now and run throughout the season.Youth specific programs include Mt. SpokaneHoliday Camps (3 days) during winter break, ages 4-15, and 49 Degrees North’s Intro to Freestyle and Park Skills (ages 10-15) afternoon “day camp” on Dec. 23.
• January: Learn to Ski/Snowboard Month! Busy weekends at ski mountains, with newbies of all ages snowplowing down the bunny hills. Multi-week sessions kick off for the 4-15 age group at all the mountains (same lesson start/end time schedule, for four  consecutive Saturdays or Sundays). Silver Mountain’s Flexible 5 program begins Jan. 9, 2023 (must register before this date), and continues through the season.
• February: Multi-week session #2 at all mountains. At Mt. Spokane, two programs commence for older advanced/experienced rippers, ages 9-17—Park Club and Mountain Adventure Club.
• March: Mt. Spokane offers a session #3 for Kids Club & Mini/Mighty Mites (only 3-weeks this month). Still available at all mountains will be EZ Ski/Ride 1-2-3, first-timer, and private/semi-private lessons. //

Adaptive Programs

For any children with unique physical or developmental needs, adaptive private lessons are available at 49 Degrees North. At Mt. Spokane, Spokane Parks and Rec’s Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS) hosts a ski and snowboard lesson program.

Season Pass Bonus

Ski the NW Rockies mountains offer reduced cost for a season pass, good for the remainder of the current season, after completion of an EZ Ski/Ride 1-2-3 program (available to all ages). Mt. Spokane offers a free season pass after completing two camps/multi-week programs.

At Silver Mountain, Flexible 5 program participants earn a “graduation gift” of a season pass good for the remaining ski season, and then 50 percent off a season pass for the following winter season (must reserve package by January 9, 2023).Flexible 5 lessons are offered only Sunday-Wednesday (one lesson per day max), holiday weekends excluded.

Keep this season-pass perk in mind when choosing a mountain for your children’s lessons—it’s an affordable gateway to becoming annual season passholders.

5th Graders Ski or Ride for Free

The 5^th Grade Ski or Ride Passport allows any 5th grader from any state to ski or snowboard three free days at each of the participating resorts: 49 Degrees North near Chewelah, Wash.; Lookout Pass on the Idaho/Montana stateline, Mt. Spokane, Silver Mountain in Kellogg, Idaho; and Loup Loup near Twisp, Wash.

Ski Idaho runs a similar program that allows 5^th and 6^th graders to ski or snowboard three days for free at each of the 17 participating Idaho resorts.

To participate in the 5^th grade passport program, parents need to submit an application with a one-time $20 processing fee at 5thgradeskipassport.com and then wait for the passport to be emailed to them. A parent or guardian must be present with a participating 5^th grader at the resort ticket office with either a printed copy of the passport or the electronic version on their phone to receive a lift ticket.

There are some blackout dates and dos and don’ts, so be sure to read the rules and regulations online in advance. 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 (OTO)

Find more stories for outdoor families, about skiing/snowboarding and teaching kids to ski, the annual Family Winter Sports Guide, and more Ski NW Rockies stories in the OTO archives.

The post Guide to Ski & Snowboard Lessons: Inland NW appeared first on Out There Venture.

It doesn’t matter how fancy your ski equipment is or how old those jackets and ski pants are. I started snowboarding as a teenager in the early ‘90s with a cheap hand-me-down board, Sorel boots, wool hunting pants, and a retro thrift store jacket.

With a little planning and a thrifty mindset, it’s easy to ski more and spend less. These tried-and-true tips put a winter of on-the-mountain fun within reach of most family budgets.

1. Season Passes: If you want to ski or snowboard more than a couple of times a winter, a season pass is the way to go and can save hundreds of dollars. For the best deal, get your pass in the spring or during the fall season pass sale windows (usually by the middle of November or earlier). Several resorts also offer discounts for purchasing multiple passes. 
2. Lift Ticket Deals: Many resorts often offer special lift ticket discount promotions throughout the season. Check the ski resort websites for details or call and ask about promotions.
3. Learn to Ski/Ride Programs for Kids & Adults: Our local resorts make it easy and affordable for kids and adults to learn to ski or snowboard for the first time. The EZ Ski Ride 1-2-3 program for total beginners is an all-inclusive package that come with three days of skiing or snowboarding with everything included: lift tickets, lessons, and gear rentals.
4. 5^th Graders Ski for Free: The Ski the NW Rockies 5^th Grade Passport program allow 5^th graders to ski for free three times at each participating resort, including Mt. Spokane, 49 Degrees North in Chewelah, Silver Mountain in Kellogg, and Lookout Pass on the Idaho/Montana border. Ski Idaho offers a similar program at all Idaho resorts for both 5^th and 6^th graders.
5. Toyota Free Ski Fridays: All of our local resorts host a free ski day sponsored by Toyota on one Friday each season. On those days, the driver of any Toyota vehicle gets a free lift ticket when they arrive at the mountain. Find all the dates and details at Skinwrockies.com/toyota-free-ski-days.
6. Hit the Ski Swaps: You can save a ton of money outfitting your family with skis, snowboards, boots, poles, and all the winter gear at annual ski swaps. You can sell your old gear at the swap too.
7. Buy Quality Used Gear at Rambleraven Gear Trader: Rambleraven started out as an outdoor gear consignment store where you can now find a wide range of quality used ski and snowboard equipment and winter gear like jackets, ski pants, gloves and more. Located on the Division Street hill in north Spokane, Rambleraven also carries new ski and snowboard equipment in case you don’t find the right used gear. Additionally, you can bring adult and kids’ gear into the shop for consignment to turn your old ski stuff into cash. Save gas and check the shop’s website where all of its new and used gear are listed and available for online purchase with shop pick up or convenient shipping.
8. Borrow What You Need: If you know other skiing or snowboarding families, check with them to see if they have any gear their kids have outgrown that might be collecting dust in their garage. When our son first started out skiing, we had friends loan and even give us quality old gear.
9. Rent Equipment: Several ski shops in the Inland Northwest lease or rent all sizes of ski and snowboard equipment, from children to adult sizes, which is a great option if you only plan to go a few times. You can also rent equipment on-site at a resort (best to call ahead for a rental reservation).
10. Lease Kids’ Ski Packages from Spokane Alpine Haus: If you or your kids plan to spend more time on the mountain, Spokane Alpine Haus on the South Hill has a popular Jr. Ski/Snowboard Season Lease program. An awesome opportunity because each season your child will get fitted for a new set of boots and skis that is the right size for their growing bodies. This saves time and money, and eliminates shopping around to buy new or used gear each year. At the end of the ski/snowboard season, simply return the leased gear (in clean condition) to the shop. Spokane Alpine Haus also carries a wide range of brand-new ski equipment and ski and snowboard gear for kids and adults. Reserve your child’s leased ski gear early for best selection.

Find more stories for outdoor families, about skiing/snowboarding and teaching kids to ski, the annual Family Winter Sports Guide, and more Ski NW Rockies stories in the OTO archives.

The post 10 Ways To Save Money & Ski More appeared first on Out There Venture.

Here, fellow Inland NW parents and young skiers share the runs they recommend for brand-new skiers and riders and those advancing skills — with suggestions covering a range of ability levels.

“Best” is a relative term, so use these ideas to help you decide where to go the next time you’re at one of these mountains.

What to know about trail ratings

A ski run’s difficulty level is relative to all the runs on that particular mountain. Meaning, not all blue squares and black diamonds are equally challenging across mountains. A designated “black” at one mountain can seem more like an intermediate compared to another mountain.

Additionally, an intermediate run can seem like a black diamond for a more advanced beginner skier/rider. And remember, any run can be more challenging on any day based on current weather and snow conditions. (Note: Experienced skiers/riders typically refer to a run difficulty by the respective color rather than the skill level; e.g., “Rock Slide is an easy black.”)

For the Ski the Northwest Rockies association, member businesses include Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area and Silver Mountain Resort (both in north Idaho off Interstate 90), and 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort and the non-profit Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park, both located in eastern Washington.

Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park

• Rockslide: black / Illuminator (chair #2) –This was the first black diamond that my kids went down at our home mountain—and it’s the mountain’s easiest black, according to my family. I’ve also led some of my friends’ young kids down Rockslide as their first black diamond experience, and everyone agrees that it’s more fun than scary and easier than they thought it would be.
• Secret Squirrel: blue / Northwood (chair #6) – A “long run with a good slope angle and fall line,” says my 12-year-old son, Landon. However, on the rare occasion when this run isn’t groomed, it would be more challenging; yet on those days it’s a good teaching run to learn how to navigate ungroomed terrain. The run is accessible off Yellow Brick Road (green cat track) starting from the summit, via Vista Cruiser (chair 1), with a return to the summit via Northwood chair.
• Jim’s Gem: green / Northwood – A more challenging run for advanced-beginners, this backside green circle (two runs past the turn-off for Secret Squirrel) is best for those with endurance who want to experience a longer run. A good choice for someone who has mastered all the beginner runs on the mountain’s front side. (Remember, a skier/rider has to return to the front side via Northwest Passage—a long journey back to the lodge for tired legs.)
• Ridge Run: blue / Hidden Treasure (chair #4) – “A longer run with variable pitches for those who want to go a little steeper but not for long,” says my husband, Judd, who has been ski patrolling at Mt. Spokane for nearly 25 years.

Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area

• Huckleberry Ridge: green / Peak 1 Quad – “For families relatively new or brand new to skiing, my daughters recommend Huckleberry,” says Lookout season passholder AnnaMarie White. Daughter Olivia says this run “helps (kids) to build confidence because it’s not too steep—it seems like it goes on forever.” From the mountain’s North side, ride Timber Wolf (chair 3) back to the summit to access Huckleberry.
• Tamarack: blue / Timber Wolf (chair 2), Montana Side – “Long run with a little slope to it for kids” who are still learning “and wide enough to work on turning,” says Alex Conrow, dad of one of this issue’s featured “Little Rippers.”
• Rainbow Ridge: blue / Timber Wolf (chair 2) – Similar to Tamarack, and fun for experienced skiers as well, says Conrow, because you can quickly get going fast.

49 Degrees North Mountain Resort

• Gold Chute: green / Pay Day chair – “This is a unique and magical experience designed for beginner skiers. This easy, gentle run is hidden in the trees off our Pay Day lift and features animal signs to mark the way,” says 49 Ski School Director Alison Pasino.
• Huckleberry Ridge: green / Sunrise Basin, Peak 1 Quad chair – “This gentle, family-friendly run has versatile green terrain for beginners to intermediates. Fun natural jumps along the side. Great for kids looking to ride both of 49’s quad lifts and explore the mountain,” Pasino says.

Silver Mountain Resort

• Easy Street: green / Magic Carpet: Silver’s bunny hill has a giant, covered conveyor called ‘Magic Carpet’ in the middle, with ski/boarding on one side and tubing on the other and is a family favorite says Mandy Labahn, who works and snowboards at Silver and is “Little Ripper” Zoey’s mom.
• Claim Jumper & Dawdler: green / chair 5 – Below the Magic Carpet, Claim Jumper leads to the bottom of chair 5. “[This chairlift] runs slow just for the kids and beginners learning to use a lift,” says Labahn. Stay straight on Claim Jumper and the trail turns into Dawdler, the easiest of the easy, she says.
• Sunrise: blue / chair 2 – Long run, from top to bottom, with great views. “If it’s a sunny day, I want to stay on chair 2,” says Courtney Yarber, who, along with her husband and daughters, ages 9 and 12, are season passholders.
• Silver Bell (blue) to Alpenway (green): chair 2 – While you could follow Silver Bell all the way to the base of 2, Yarber likes to turn onto Alpenway (skier’s right), go under the chair, then turn skier’s left at the junction with Sunrise—go left and enjoy an easy route to chair 2’s base.

Find more stories for outdoor families, about skiing/snowboarding and teaching kids to ski, the annual Family Winter Sports Guide, and more Ski NW Rockies stories in the OTO archives.

The post Best Ski Runs for Kids: NW Rockies appeared first on Out There Venture.

Mid-Week Deals

Every Thursday at Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area, bring a friend and buy 2 lift tickets for only $75. And if you’re a season pass-holder from a different mountain, you can buy a highly-discounted daily lift ticket Monday-Thursday (holiday periods excluded). Just show your mt. season pass at the ticket window.

Every Monday-Thursday at 49 Degees North (except holiday periods), an all-mountain lift ticket is only $49 for adults, $44 for youth.

At Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park on Mondays and Tuesdays, from January 2 to February 21, bring a buddy and buy 2 lift-tickets for only $72 (not available on holidays).

Get midweek stay-ski-waterpark package deals at Silver Mountain Resort for any reservations Sundays-Thursdays.

Flex 5 Lesson Package at Silver Mountain

Learn to ski or ride mid-week with Silver’s Flex 5 deal—package includes: 5 lift tickets, 5 rentals, and 5 ski or snowboard lessons. Best perk: program “graduates” receive a season pass good for the rest of the 2022-23 season, PLUS they get a 50% discount on a season pass for the 2023-24 season.  

Lookout Pass Offers Fully Transferable Season Pass

Ideal for a company to share with employees or an individual to share with friends. Purchase online for $999 by November 18. Pass provides the daily user with one lift ticket.

5-Pack Bundle Deal Returns

Due to popular demand, Mt. Spokane is once again offering 5-pack lift ticket bundles—for sale online starting Nov. 15. $229 for restricted-use bundle (not valid on holidays and peak weekends) or $299 for unrestricted bundle, with no blackout dates. Limited quantities—available thru December while supplies last.

Snowmaking at 49 Degrees North

During summer, staff fine-tuned and prepared 49’s snowmaking system (new 2 years ago and expanded last winter), making it ready to use as soon as conditions allow this season.

Night Skiing at Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park

Starting December 16, the front-side chairlifts keep running after dark, for most Wednesdays-Saturdays. Night tickets (3-9 p.m.) cost only $36 each, all ages. (Any day-ticket holders can stay and keep skiing/riding until closing.)

Improved Webcams

Lookout Pass and 49 Degrees North both upgraded their webcams. Check snow and trail conditions from the comfort of your home, office, or mobile device. (AirFlare app recommended for safer viewing of Lookout Pass trail cam live-stream.)

Midway Snack Shack

Jackass Snack Shack, a newly renovated food and beverage outlet at Silver Mountain’s Midway Chair 4, will open this season—and includes a restroom! Old-timers may recall this location as the original ski lodge when the mountain was still named Jackass Ski Bowl.

Lodge Upgrades

At Mt. Spokane, Lodge 2 has a remodeled kitchen and food service area, which improves the guest experience. Lodge 1 is still undergoing renovation for an improved indoor space and expanded outdoor patio area. Look for more food-service offerings, greater variety, and meal specials throughout the season. 

At Silver Mountain Resort, the Mountain House was spiffed up with new carpet and paint.

Lookout Pass lodge upgrades include a new entryway and new deck with wider stairs, located between the food service and rental/ski school area, that improves access to the lodge and slopes.

More Parking

A new 2.5-acre parking lot was added at the base of 49 Degrees North. Shuttle service to and from the lodge will be available during weekends and holidays.

At Lookout Pass, parking space was added to the lower lot (below chair 1, along I-90) and to the Montana side of the maintenance building.

New Eagle Peak Quad Chair & Terrain at Lookout Pass

The newest quad chair—nearly a mile-long ride—has 152 chairs to transport up to 1,500 skiers and snowboarders every hour to Eagle Peak Summit, where there is also a new Ski Patrol Shack. Enjoy 14 new named runs and a new 500 skiable acres. (Learn more.)

New Runs—Longer Runs

At Silver Mountain, inbound terrain was expanded off chair 2, with a new run that’s naturally gladed and known to hold powder, according to Marketing Director Gus Colburn.

49 Degrees North extended three of its newest runs from last season. “Alpine Steel, Gunslinger, and Tin Star now extend all the way up to Silver Ridge,” says Ursula Bakken, 49’s interim marketing director. “In addition, the lower portions of all of those runs—along with Lower Hole in the Wall and Lower Carpet Bagger—have seen heavy clean-up and debris removal, allowing us to open them earlier and with fewer obstacles.”

New Groomers

Silver Mountain added a new cat-groomer to its fleet. They also used a D6 Cat for summer brush-cutting to allow more terrain to open earlier in the season.

Mt. Spokane welcomed a brand-new Pistenbully100 Snow cat, dedicated to improving the freestyle terrain park.

A new maintenance shop at 49 Degrees North will help staff work on snowcats, heavy equipment, vehicles, and lift components—improving mountain ops overall.

More Rental Gear At 49 Degrees North

49 Degrees North rental shop has improved and increased its inventory. Look for new Rossignol skis and snowboards; new Burton snowboards especially for the littlest rippers; and a new fleet of Rossignol high-performance demo skis and snowboards as well as locally-made Sneva MFG skis.

Better Bunny Hill

Lookout Pass improved its Beginner Slope and Learning Hill. After adding tons of dirt, staff “regraded and contoured the slope to provide a longer, more consistent learning pitch and overall better learning experience for first-time skiers, snowboarders and those beginners working to improve their turns,” says Lookout Marketing Director Matt Sawyer.

New Lesson Programs at 49 Degrees North

New this season are Intro to Free Style and Park Skills and Junior Instructor programs. The popular Women’s Clinics are now on Sunday afternoons to make them more accessible.

MSSRT Ski & Boarder Cross Competition at Mt. Spokane

Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park and Mt. Spokane Ski Race Team (MSSRT) have partnered to host a variety of ski races this season, including the first-ever MSSRT Ski & Boarder Cross Competition on February 4-5, 2023.

Daycare At 49 Degrees North

Offered again for the 2022-23 season, 49’s daycare is open during weekends and holidays for children ages 2-6 (reservations recommended).

More Ladies Days at Mt. Spokane

Popular women-only lesson program at Mt. Spokane with two dates this winter, February 10 and March 10, 2023.

Nordic Area Improvements

49 Degrees North’s Nordic Center Yurt has a brand-new deck to welcome guests for Nordic skiing as well as fat biking and snowshoeing. Yurt will be open and staffed Fridays through Sundays, and the majority of holiday periods.

Mt. Spokane Apres-Ski & Swag

Foggy Bottom Bar will offer more selections from Spokane-area breweries, and host live music on Friday nights and select weekends. Mt. Spokane also expanded its selection of hats, beanies, hoodies, and other swag for fans of the ‘Kan.

New Mt. Spokane Corporate Pass

Businesses and organizations can now take advantage of a new transferable and flexible season pass, issued in the name of a business or group. A Corporate Pass is good for one person each day of the winter 2022-23 season, which can be shared among employees and/or clients (who don’t already have a Mt. Spokane season pass).

Pass costs $1,299 and includes 10 additional (free) daily lift tickets to be used in conjunction with the passholder, plus 50% off any additional lift tickets, up to 6 discounted tickets per day (no blackout dates).

Freedom Pass & Group Discounts at Mt. Spokane

A new benefit for season passholders is the Freedom Pass, which includes 3 free visits to any of the 19 partner mountains (with no blackout dates), plus 7 additional partner mountains with varying ski benefits. Expansive group discounts are available for high-school and college recreation groups, church and homeschool programs, and other organizations. 

Free Ski School—Longer Sessions

Free Ski School at Lookout Pass, which begins in January 2023, has expanded its program options—complete details at skilookout.com/famous-free-ski-school.

Upcoming Events

• Daily operations begin at Silver Mountain: Thursday, Dec. 15. (See events calendar for more details.)
• Night skiing begins at Mt. Spokane: Friday, Dec. 16. Open 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Wednesdays-Saturdays. (See operations and events calendar.)
• SheJumps + 49 North Film Showing: Dec 17, fundraiser & social event at the Chewelah Arts Center. (See events calendar for more details.)
• Women’s Clinic Series at 49 Degrees North: Series dates include Dec.18, Jan. 29, Feb. 12; 2-hour group lesson, 1-3 pm.
• Daily operations begin at Mt. Spokane: Monday, Dec. 19. Open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays.
• Youth Freestyle Ski/Snowboard Camp at 49 Degrees North: Dec 23, 12 p.m.-3 p.m. for ages 10-15.
• Holiday events at Lookout Pass: Dress like Santa on Dec. 22 to ski/ride for only $20/ticket. Revenue goes towards buying Christmas gifts for local children in need; Open Christmas Day, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with discounted tickets and a special Christmas Day Luncheon, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade, Dec. 31. (See events calendar for more details.)
• Gone to the Dogs & Skijor Day at 49 Degrees North: Dec. 30, dogs allowed on Nordic ski area’s lower trail system all day, when accompanied by their human with a pass. (Additional event dates in 2023; see events calendar for more details.)
• Jackass Day at Silver Mountain: Jan. 12, 2023. Annual tradition celebrating the ski area’s history. Wear vintage ski gear and buy retro-priced lift tickets for only $19/person.

The post What’s New At Ski NW Rockies: Winter 2022-23 appeared first on Out There Venture.

Since the beginning of both the glorious sports of skiing and snowboarding, all ski bums of new and old keep making up new ski lingo that takes some getting used to. It’s not always easy to talk like a shredder.

My uncle is the Rossignol rep for the Northwest, and as a kid I frequently made the trip down to Mt. Hood to visit him. He spoke English, but in a different way. His was the language of the ski or snowboard extremist.

I was becoming a shredder at this point, but listening to my uncle made me realize I had just found another route to becoming an even better and more steezy skier: by learning the language.

Earlier this year, I was up skiing Revelstoke when I started talking to a 60-year-old logger from Oregon. I asked him if he wanted to take the skier’s left or right chute off the top of the sub-peak at Revy. He said, “What did you just say, son?”

I had to explain to him that as a snowboarder you face both uphill and downhill, but skiers always face downhill. This interaction was a reminder that the language of skiers and snowboarders is ever-evolving.

It made me wonder what I may not even know. And that experience also made me think about a few phrases that are still common on the mountain today.

Photos by Aaron Theisen, courtesy of Ski the NW Rockies.

New School Ski Lingo

Jib: Jump or rail feature that is off piste or off the trail.

Send/boost: To hit a jump that throws you as close to the moon as you could possibly go.

Steeze: Amount of style you have.

Shred: Going down difficult terrain as fast and hard as you can.

Park Rat: The skiers and boarders that only go to the Terrain Park.

Nuking/dumping: When it’s snowing cats and dogs.

Jerry: The skiers and boarders that have no idea what they are doing and are charging down the mountain. (Editor’s Note: See Jerry examples on Instagram @Jerryoftheday, which has some of the best, most funny captions and hashtags; also see @Jerryslams.)

Gaper: The distinguished gap between a Jerry’s helmet and goggles; Another term for a newbie.

Snow Bunny: A female skier or boarder that is attractive and shreds harder than most of the people on the mountain.

Pizza: The mechanism that newbie skiers use on the slopes to go down the mountain. In other words, their skis look like a V.

Falling Leaf: Snowboarders who can’t turn, so they stay on heel side the whole way down the mountain.

Grom: A little skier or boarder who rips down the mountain.

Après Ski: After skiing activities that usually include drinking.

Ski Terrain Terms

Glades: Trees that have been thinned out for skiing.

Chute/Couloir: Tight, steep ski lines that are bound on both sides by trees or rocks.

Moguls: Bumps created by skiers.

Groomer/Corduroy: Result of machines making the snow flat and wavy like a Ruffles chip so the skiing is easier and faster.

Pillow Line: Large boulders when covered with snow can make some epic lines when jumping from rock to rock.

Other Ski Terms

Bluebird: Blue skis and sunny! Break out the sunnies.

Gnarly: Tough terrain. Double black diamond, presumably.

Chatter: What happens to your skis when the ski hill turns into an ice rink and your edges don’t stick.

Side Country: Out of bounds at a resort that may or may not require using the resort’s lifts for access.

Liftie: The employee who puts you on and off the lift.

Tracked Out: When all the fresh snow has been skied on and you can no longer ski that fresh pow.

Originally published as “The Language of Shredders, Revisited” in the March-April 2022 issue, as the culture feature in the Out There Snow special section.

Logan Siegford is an avid snowboarder, rock climber, and fisherman who grew up in North Idaho. This is his first article for Out There.

Shredder Talk: Sending it on a bluebird (left); park rat fun (top right), and meet-up on the corduroy during a bluebird day (bottom right). // Photos courtesy of Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park.

Check out more ski lingo in “Talk Like a Skier: Gaper’s Guide to Ski Lingo” by Brad Naccarato, published in the February 2014 print issue.

[Feature photo courtesy of Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park.]

The post How To Talk Like a Shredder appeared first on Out There Venture.

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.

Sponsored by Ski the NW Rockies

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.]

The post Spring Ski Events & Deals at Inland NW Mountains appeared first on Out There Venture.

Currently steamrolling the local and national snowboard scene is Austin Visintainer, who grew up in Spokane. I was fortunate enough to sit down with him for a few hours before his crazy busy winter begins. You might be familiar with his Instagram handle @awsmevizz—if not, I highly suggest giving him a follow if you’re a snowboarding fan.

Visintainer, or Vizz, as he is often called by friends, started skateboarding at 5 years old and picked up snowboarding shortly after. An unbelievable skateboarder, Visintainer describes himself as a snowboarder who skates for fun. He is sponsored by juggernaut companies like Capita snowboards, Union Bindings, Crab Grab, Coal Headwear, Pistole Boardshop in Spokane, and Modest Eyewear Co., with whom he has his own signature goggle.

The past few years he has also been invited to the coveted freestyle jam session Superpark (hosted by Snowboarder magazine) and the annual marquee event the Holy Bowly, produced by Snowboy Productions. Accolades aside, what’s admirable about his story is how he carved out his own path to recognition and growth.

One thing known to be true of all successful people is the hours they put into their craft. Snowboarding 100-plus days a year, Visintainer has fully committed to his dream of being a pro snowboarder. This past year he filmed his first major snowboard video part and traveled all over the country to get clips. The movie, titled “Paper Tiger,” premiered this November in Salt Lake City.

He was honored with the opening part and assertively set the tone for the rest of the movie. For those not as familiar with snowboard videos, the opening and ending segments ritually go to the best riders of the film.

Chris Griener, professional snowboarder and host of the influential snowboard podcast “The Bombhole,” commented about Visintainer’s “Paper Tiger” appearance in a recent episode. “Huge fan . . . this could be Austin Vizz’s break out video part.”

Known for being handy with steel in the terrain park and on street rails, Visintainer’s ability to ride everything is what makes him such a dynamic rider. He’s the equivalent of an ATV in the automotive world: from massive handle-built jumps, sketchy urban wall rides, resort side hits and pow laps, to big mountain riding in the backcountry, the kid can ride it all.

Visintainer hones his work ethic, passion, and love for snowboarding by getting to the mountain early and lapping the terrain park when the mountain first opens. He explains that he enjoys the calmness of the empty park, the freshly raked takeoffs, and the recently groomed landings.

Then there are the hours he puts in during the off season to keep his dream alive. To create financial security during the summer months, he has a full-time day job that frees up his winter. When the snow flies, he has gas in the tank and money in the bank to chase the snow, travel to events, and film all season.  

Growing up in the Inland Northwest, Visintainer says there weren’t a lot of riders doing street and park snowboarding, and he wasn’t getting the opportunity that other competitive boarders were getting. Things weren’t progressing, so he created his own opportunity to get noticed and started making Instagram edits with the goal of putting out the sickest edits he could. The motto that drove him, he says, was “just be so good they [the snowboard companies] can’t deny you.” 

Josh Yandel, the local owner of Pistole Boardshop in Spokane, has known Visintainer throughout this journey. “He’s an absolute true boarder, and I couldn’t be more proud of him,” says Yandel. “I’ve seen him grow through the years, and I don’t think there could be a better role model for snowboarding. Austin has worked hard and deserves the reward. He is an amazing human. I’m thankful to have him a part of the shop, and I think we are gonna see big things in his future.”

I speak as part of our local snowboard community when I say we couldn’t be more stoked to see one of “us” make it. Austin Vizz is humble, driven, and has endless style. He’s one to keep an eye on this winter and in the seasons that follow.

Originally published as “Austin Visintainer: Local Rider Makes Pro-Snowboarding Dreams Come True” in the January-February 2022 issue.

T. Ghezzi is Pacific Northwest raised and believes we should respect the land, spend time in nature, explore, adventure, hike, and never stop the pursuit to ride powder.

Find more stories about snowboarding and other notable Inland NW snowboarders and skiers in the OTO archives.

The post Spokane Pro-Snowboarder Austin Visintainer appeared first on Out There Venture.

Whenever another parent tells me they’ve never been skiing, I recommend they try cross-country skiing. It’s easy to learn and relatively inexpensive. Also called Nordic skiing, it’s said that if you can walk, you can learn to cross-country ski.

The traditional classic style is easiest to learn and has a relaxed pace, making it best for beginners and families with varied fitness levels. Skate skiing is faster, more strenuous, and requires different gear and a different type of groomed trail.

You can become acquainted with the basic technique by watching the 13-minute video on REI’s YouTube channel called “Classic Cross-Country Skiing for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started,” created in collaboration with Professional Ski Instructors of America.

If your family is willing to give it a try, here are four steps to make that happen.

1. Ensure you have proper base layers and outerwear for winter weather.

Every family member needs waterproof outerwear and other winter clothing to stay warm, dry, and comfortable. Visit the Spokane Nordic Ski Association (SNSA) website for a list of essentials.

The key is to dress in layers—you’ll get warm while skiing, but get chilled when you stop and rest. Be fully prepared.

2. Make an easy plan for where to go.

The younger your children, the easier you need your first day to be—meaning less drivetime, maximum fun, and a way to warm-up and get dry. Cold, unhappy kids are an adventure joy-kill.

For max simplicity and ease, I recommend visiting a Nordic ski area that offers rentals on-site.

• 49 DEGREES NORTH NORDIC CENTER: rentals, lessons, and 25K (15 miles) of trails; pass required.
• MT. SPOKANE STATE PARK NORDIC SKI AREA: Fitness Fanatics rental trailer is located near the area’s Selkirk Lodge and trailhead for 60K (37 miles) of trails; Sno-Park Permit and special groomed-trail sticker required.
• SCHWEITZER: rentals from the Demo Center, located in the Village; 32K (20 miles) of trails; pass required.

3. Rent gear in town and ski at a local park.

If there is snow in town and you don’t want to drive to a mountain, rent gear at a local shop and visit a park with (or without) groomed trails. Shop employees can help figure out the sizes you need, and SpokaneNordic.org also has tips for fitting XC ski gear.

• SPOKANE: Daily rental packages are available from Fitness Fanatics and REI. Spokane Parks & Recreation groom trails at city parks (no fee required to use) as well as Riverside State Park—see my.spokanecity.org/recreation/outdoor/groomed-trails. Or head to any local snow-covered field in a park and break your own trail.
• NORTH IDAHO: Ski Shack in Hayden and the Tri-State Outfitters and Vertical Earth stores in Coeur d’Alene rent XC gear. Groomed trails are available at 4^th of July Recreation Area, Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes (start at trailheads in Heyburn State Park or in the cities of Kellogg or Wallace), and Priest Lake.
• PERMITS REQUIRED FOR PUBLIC LANDS: Find out the requirements to park at your chosen trailhead.
• For Washington public lands, in most cases you will need a state parks Discover Pass or Sno-Park Permit and Groomed-Trail Sticker.
• For Idaho, a Park N’ Ski permit is required for the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, Priest Lake State Park, Priest Lake Golf Course, 4th of July Pass Recreation Area, and Palouse Divide (permit also valid in Oregon).

4. Before you leave home…

Prepare a backpack with a stash of hand-warmers, snacks, water bottles, and extra, dry clothes for the trail. Bring a thermos of hot water to make hot cocoa on the go, whether you drink during a rest-stop along the trail or leave in your vehicle to enjoy upon return.

Nordic Ski Lessons

If your family enjoys Nordic skiing and wants more, then consider taking lessons. Spokane Nordic Ski Association (SNSA) offers private and group lessons, a Nordic Kids program, and also partners with City of Spokane Parks & Recreation and Fitness Fanatics to offer weekday evening lessons in town. SNSA also hosts an annual Winterfest, every January, offering inexpensive lessons.

Additionally, Schweitzer and 49 Degrees North offer Nordic ski lessons.

Find more stories about cross-country skiing in the OTO archives.

The post Cross-Country Ski Beginner Guide for Families 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.