Several regional ski areas have already started their seasons, but a few are waiting for another storm or two to fire up their lifts.
Those that are open include Lookout Pass on the Idaho-Montana state line, east of the Silver Valley; Silver Mountain at Kellogg; Schweitzer Mountain near Sandpoint; and Tamarack at Donnelly.
- Tamarack kicks off its season today, with skiing available on the upper portion of the mountain. According to a news release from the ski area, visitors can expect early-season conditions.
- Like many resorts, Schweitzer opened in fits and starts, with weekend skiing only for its first few weeks. The ski area near Sandpoint went to its normal operation - seven days a week - on Dec. 1. The ski area has 14 inches at its base and 37 at its summit, and staff is actively making snow on its busiest runs.
Spokeswoman Dig Chrismer said the La Nina winter should deliver lots of snow to area mountains.
"La Nina is fantastic for everybody in the region. It's a great forecast," she said. "Last year, we had 320 inches for the season, which is above average. If we follow the same pattern or we have a stronger La Nina and it hits a littler harder, that is fantastic."
Schweitzer will hold its Community Day next Friday. The event features $10 lift tickets. Proceeds will be donated to local charities.
- Silver Mountain is open today through Sunday and is scheduled to move to daily operations starting next Friday. There is 18 inches at its summit and 12 at its base. Spokesman Willy Bartlett said the area did some work over the summer to thin trees and bushes in some of its glades to improve tree skiing and also added a new run.
"It kind of ties together with some existing stuff and adds a top-to-bottom mostly groomer run in Chair Two basin."
- Lookout Pass was the first ski area in the region to open. Lifts will run through Monday and go to seven days a week starting Thursday and lasting through Jan. 1. The resort has 12 inches at its base and 27 at its summit.
- Brundage Mountain near McCall is still a bit thin on snow, but will open its Easy Street lift at no cost today through Sunday. The lift provides access to beginner terrain.
The upper portion of the mountain will not be served by a lift this weekend, but those willing to hike up can ski the more difficult terrain. Hikers are required to check in at Uphill Travel Kiosk prior to beginning their climb.
Brundage visitors will find a finished Goose Lake Road. The road was rebuilt over the past two summers and now is wider and some of its curves have been softened or eliminated. Brundage plans to open the rest of the mountain as soon as there is enough snow.
- Bluewood near Dayton also is waiting for another storm or two to open. It has 10 inches at the base, 22 at the summit and needs another foot to open.
- Bald Mountain at Pierce, Cottonwood Butte near Cottonwood and Snowhaven near Grangeville all need more snow to open.
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Barker may be contacted at ebarker@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2273. Follow him on Twitter @ezebarker.
