Ski season off to slow start in region
Some areas are open, while others are still waiting for more snow to fall
Once again, winter is testing the patience of skiers, boarders and snowmobilers with a slow start to the season.
A few regional ski areas have opened full time, some are running on weekends only, while others are still waiting for enough snow to welcome even part-time visitors. Here is a rundown of what's happening at some of the regional resorts.
Lookout Pass
Sitting on the Idaho-Montana state line off Interstate 90, Lookout seems to always be the first ski hill to open in the region, and was again this year with a 24-inch base and 41 inches at its summit. The hill is open Thursdays through Mondays, but moves to seven days a week between Dec. 19 to Jan. 7.
Full-day lift tickets are $39 for adults, $37 for college students and members of the military and $28 for juniors (7-17). Kids 6 and younger ski free.
Schweitzer Mountain
The mountain, which sits above scenic Lake Pend Oreille near Sandpoint, has been open the past two weekends and opens daily starting today. There are 25 inches at the base of the hill and 46 at its summit.
"We have had 21 inches in the past three days," said Schweitzer spokesman Sean Briggs.
New this year is a freshly cut race course that will allow the hill to host ISF (International Ski Federation) races. Briggs said the Starfish Terrain park was eliminated and replaced with the South Side Progression Park that will be located next to the Stomping Ground Terrain Park.
Lift tickets are $71 for adults, $61 for seniors and college students and $50 for juniors. Kids 6 and younger ski for free.
Silver Mountain
Expert skiers have a new place to shred on Silver Mountain this year. Shady Lady, a double black diamond run, was added over the summer.
"It's probably the steepest run on the mountain," said spokesman Willy Bartlett.
There are 20 inches of snow at the base of the hill and 34 on the summit. The mountain will be open today through Monday this week. The mountain will be open seven days a week from Dec. 19 to Jan. 6, and then return to its normal Thursday through Monday schedule.
Lift tickets are $52 for adults, $47 for college students, military personnel, emergency medical technicians and firefighters, $42 for seniors and $37 for juniors. Kids 6 and younger ski for free.
Brundage Mountain
Officials here are still doing their snow dance and waiting for one more storm before they fire up the lifts.
"We are awfully close. We are just a little short on snow," said spokeswoman April Whitney.
Over the summer, ski area officials moved the terrain park to the Kick Back run, which sits at a higher elevation and should allow features to be built earlier in the season.
Brundage has a base depth of 12 inches and 28 inches at the summit. It will be open seven days a week once snow allows.
Lift tickets are $58 for adults, $37 for seniors and juniors (12-17), and $23 for kids between 7 and 11. Children 6 and younger ski for free.
Ski Bluewood
The ski area near Dayton is also a good storm away from welcoming visitors. There are 5 inches at the base and 22 at the summit.
"We are still in the pray for snow and do the snow dance type scenario," said director of marketing Brandy Ream.
Bluewood will celebrate its 35-year anniversary this winter and has invested $250,000 into the ski hill. The money was spent on generator upgrades, a new grooming machine, ski and board rental inventory and brush cutting.
Bluewood is open Thursdays through Sundays, but will run daily from Dec. 20 to Jan. 5.
This year the ski bus between Lewiston and Bluewood returns. (See related story.)
Full-day lift tickets are $44 for adults, $38 for juniors, seniors and college students, $25 for super seniors, those 70 and older, and $29 for active members of the military. Kids 6 and younger can ski for $5.
The three small ski areas, Bald Mountain near Pierce, Cottonwood Butte at Cottonwood and Snowhaven at Grangeville, have not yet opened. Lift tickets at Cottonwood are $15 for a full day and $10 for a half day. Snowhaven tickets are $17 for a full day and $15 for a half day. Bald Mountain lift tickets are $17 for a full day and $14 for a half day.
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Barker may be contacted at ebarker@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2273. Follow him on Twitter @ezebarker.
