Annual Lookout Pass free ski school begins Saturday

LOOKOUT PASS - Around 400 youngsters from North Idaho and western Montana will slice or, more likely, crash their way down the slopes of Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area this Saturday, Jan. 8.

Lookout's Free Ski School for Kids, tailored to children ages 6 to 17, will enter its 71st year of instructing area youths in the basics of downhill skiing. Classes will be held every Saturday through March 12. Registration will begin promptly at 9 a.m. Saturday on the third floor of the lodge and can also be completed online at www.skilookout.com.

Participants must register by Jan. 22.

According to a press release, approximately 40,000 children have learned to ski or snowboard through the Lookout Pass Free Ski School for Kids since the program's inception in 1940. The program is entirely free of charge.

"It gives kids a good reason to get off the couch, outside and doing something," said Tammy Nusz, the program's chief administrator who will be staffing the registration desk on Saturday.

Nusz and her husband, Chris, took advantage of the free opportunity and brought their eldest daughter to the ski school seven years ago. Nusz's two daughters are now instructors at Lookout, working alongside Chris.

"Through the program my girls have not only learned how to ski but also how to teach," she said. "They love being involved."

The Nusz children have come full-circle, from students to teachers. That enthusiastic spirit has remained constant at Lookout Pass for the better part of the 20th century, and experts such as Bill Dire Jr. and Terry DeVoe continue to introduce the thrill of skiing to local youths.

"We're teaching these kids a life skill and doing our part to grow more skiers," said Dire, who doubles as the Lookout Pass marketing director and a 15-year veteran Free Ski School instructor.

Approximately 45 instructors have volunteered their time to the program in 2011. Nusz said over half have proven their loyalty to the program by volunteering annually.

"There are at least 20 to 25 that have been here every year since I started volunteering (six years ago)," she said.

Students are responsible for providing their own equipment, Nusz said. Season rentals can be obtained from Lookout Ski Shop in Kellogg for approximately $115.

Classes begin at 10 a.m. for beginners and 11:30 a.m. for intermediate and advanced levels.

Lift tickets will be offered free of charge during lessons, which last one to one and a half hours. If participants decide to ski all day, they will be required to purchase passes.

Transportation to and from the mountain will be offered via buses from Pinehurst, Kellogg, Osburn, Silverton, Wallace, Mullan, Superior, Mont. and St. Regis, Mont. free of charge. Rides will also be offered from Liberty Lake, Wash., Post Falls, Coeur d'Alene and Hayden for $13 round-trip.

For bus departure times and locations visit www.skilookout.com.