Ski mountains see snow

The drop in temperature means people are beginning to fall into two camps.

In camp one, there are those who dread snowfall. It means the start of shoveling season, cold weather and slick roads.

"I hate snow, personally," said Hailey Huisman, a Post Falls resident. "A tiny bit of snow, like maybe an inch is fine, but not when it's early."

Then there are those who stare out the window, waiting for a snowstorm, counting down the days until the winter ski mountains open.

"I'll be going skiing for sure, probably as soon as possible," said John Brennecke, a Coeur d'Alene resident. "I'm definitely looking forward to it."

For the second camp, ski season pass prices are on sale now and expected to go up soon. The first dustings of snow are beginning to pepper the slopes so resorts are already preparing for the winter crowds, and looking forward to a strong season.

Schweitzer Mountain Resort

Schweitzer predicts its opening day for Nov. 25, consistent with last year's opening day.

Adult unlimited passes start at $999. Early bird specials end Oct. 31, when prices go up $350. Unlimited Schweitzer children’s passes are $349 and go up $200.

Schweitzer also offers a Voyager pass, in collaboration with IKON, that combines an IKON Base pass with unlimited Schweitzer access for $1599. Voyager passes will no longer be available after Oct. 31.

The IKON Base pass includes access to 48 resorts worldwide, with black out dates and some limitations that can be found on their website.

Schweitzer just debuted $5 million in improvements, from opening Cambium Spa, to improving chair lift capacity, enhancing snowmaking and adding webcams for better views of local conditions, according to an Oct. 6 press release on their website.

New projects also included better signage and widened outback access for more backcountry paths.

There are further plans to unveil more parking, a new base, and expanded beginner tracks in Schweitzer for the 2023-24 season as part of ongoing major improvement projects.

Lookout Pass

“We're excited our Eagle Peak Quad Chairlift will be open for winter 22/23. Offering 1,650ft of total vertical (Summit to bottom of Chair two), 500 more acres of terrain and 14 to 15 new trails,” according to a press release on Lookout Pass’ website.

As part of an elaborate years long construction project, Lookout Pass added Eagle Peak Quad Chairlift, flying concrete in via helicopter to set the chair posts and expand the park. Operation starts this season, with the new lift doubling the skiable acreage on the mountain.

The new terrain is a mixed blend of gradual slopes, intermediate runs and complex expert trails.

Last year Lookout Pass opened Dec. 11 but they’re looking to open earlier this year. The goal so far is to open in November, with no specific date.

Unlimited adult season pass prices start at $445 and will go up by $154 Nov. 19. Children’s passes start at $325 and will increase $74.

Lookout should get the most snow, according to Mann, and has the least expensive season passes of local resorts, so it can be a bargain for those willing to make the drive.

Silver Mountain Ski Resort

Silver Mountain is projected to open Nov. 25, in line with opening day last year.

Mann foresees up to 300 inches of snowfall at Silver this winter.

“It looks like it’s gonna be a really good winter,” said Gus Colburn, Silver Mountain marketing manager.

Silver Mountain has added a restroom and revitalized the Jackass Snack Shack near chair four opening this season. The new restroom allows skiers to stay near Midway instead of skiing all the way to the base for bathroom access from the food and beverage station.

A new run was also added off chair two, for a naturally gladed black diamond run, recommended for experts. The SOB trail, or South of the Border, is carved into the southern side of the slope for exposure to fresh powder.

Silver Mountain also added a new groomer to their fleet this year, in addition to two new snow cats they brought in last year.

Adult pass prices start at $559, and prices will go up $240 Nov. 11. Children’s passes start at $409 and will go up by $50.

Silver Mountain also partners with 49º North to offer combo passes for $799 until Nov. 11. Combo passes will no longer be available after Nov. 11, Colburn said.

Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park

Mt. Spokane Park is in year two of a 10-year plan for park improvements.

“This year Lodge One added a new garage-style door for an expanded patio and combined indoor outdoor space,” said Jodi Kayler, assistant general manager. “Lodge Two had a major overhaul to the kitchen area, which will make it more efficient and expand the menu. We’ve also improved the outdoor patio and social spaces there.”

Before they plan to open, Mt. Spokane Ski Patrol is hosting an annual “ski swap” Oct. 29-30 for new and used gear to hit the slopes.

“The annual Mt. Spokane Ski Patrol Ski Swap is the region’s largest winter sports equipment and clothing event, featuring thousands of new and used winter sports items being sold by individuals and area sports stores,” according to the Ski Patrol Ski Swap website.

Registration for anyone selling used gear will open Friday from 3-8 p.m., with a $0.50 processing fee. The ski swap charges 20% of the final sale price. All profits go to support the Mt. Spokane Ski Patrol.

General admission to shop the yard sale is $5 and children under 12 get in free.

Opening day for Mt. Spokane should be Dec. 3, which is consistent with opening day last year.

If they get “epic snowfall,” they’d be excited to open by Thanksgiving, Kayler said.

It was a long warm October until it started snowing Monday, so more snow could push opening day forward.

Crews have cleared a ton of brush and done stump removals on runs so the hope is to open earlier, Kayler said.

Mt. Spokane also added a brand new groomer to their fleet for polished runs this season.

Adult pass prices are $649 and will increase $150 for adults by Nov. 10.

Children’s passes start at $479 and increase $150.

Mann predicts up to 225 inches of snow will hit the Mt. Spokane by the end of the season.

“Multi-week lessons are filling up really fast,” Kayler said, with only a few spots remaining for the season-long pro courses.

49º North Mountain Resort

Washington-based resort 49º North won’t guess their opening day yet, and opened Dec. 15 last year.

Typically 49º North won’t predict their opening day, but they mark an earliest possible opening date that is then dependent on when they get enough snow.

“We’re optimistic and the forecast looks good,” said Rick Brown, director of skier and rider services.

The earliest possible opening date would be Nov. 12, then when weather conditions permit up to roughly 24 inches of snow-blowing, or storms drop about that much snow, runs will open as they’re coated with a dense base.

Realistically, the opening date could be pushed out to the weekend following Thanksgiving or Dec 3.

Early bird season pass prices for adults are $639, with specials ending Nov. 15. Youth passes start at $459. The amount prices will increase has not been released.

“We did an absolute ton of brush cutting this summer so our terrain is going to be better than it’s possibly ever been and we’ll have more terrain available,” Brown said. “For our corner of the state, we’re expecting colder and wetter weather this year over previous years.”

Brown believes it’s going to be a great year with a combination of deep snowpack predictions and the terrain work they’ve already completed for broader and more open runs.

A white winter

Despite an exceptionally warm October, Mann predicts a pretty good year for ski mountains, and staff are looking forward to strong seasons.

With weather predictions there’s always a layer of optimism mixed with fortune-telling, but based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports, and Mann’s estimates, the season should be a strong year for snow and snow sports.

La Nina is expected to bring the Panhandle colder and wetter weather than normal from December through February, according to reports on NOAA’s website.

Mann also predicts up to about 80 inches of snow in Coeur d’Alene, so up to 20 inches more than last year.

For anyone not looking forward to the snow sports, that means about 15% more shoveling.