Upgrades to welcome skiers
<p>North Idaho ski resorts have already had snow this fall. This photo was taken at Lookout Pass on Oct. 2.</p>
North Idaho's ski areas have made improvements for the upcoming season.
Learn more about Idaho's ski areas at www.skiidaho.us or explore the state's winter recreation opportunities at www.visitidaho.org/winter.
Here's a look at changes and improvements to North Idaho's three ski areas:
Lookout Pass, Mullan
Located on the Idaho-Montana border, Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area receives an average annual snowfall of more than 400 inches each season.
Improvements this year include the expansion and relocation of the Huckleberry Jam, a family-friendly terrain park. To increase participation in the park it has been relocated to the other side of Huckleberry Ridge.
In addition, 10 easy new features have been added to introduce freesyle skiing and snowboarding to all ages and levels of skiers.
Info: www.skilookout.com, Christopher Barrett, (208) 744-1301, ext. 21, [email protected]
Silver Mountain, Kellogg
Silver Mountain Resort is home to the world's longest gondola and the Silver Rapids indoor water park.
Updates this year include two new intermediate runs - Skier's right of Moonshine and Bootlegger. The additions bring the number of total runs to 74.
In addition, Gold Pan Alley, a children's adventure trail, has been expanded and the seasonal locker room expansion in the Mountain House Lodge has been completed. Additionally, an extensive summer and fall campaign of brush and aldrew removal and thinning of glades will open more terrain and reduce lift lines.
Info: www.silvermt.com, Neal Scholey, (208) 783-1531, [email protected]
Schweitzer Mountain, Sandpoint
Schweitzer Mountain Resort has a new downhill course, new progression terrain park and a new sun deck outside of the Taps Lounge.
The new downhill course is on Stella. Crews widened the Shortcut Trail to 30 meters to connect upper Cathedral Aisle with the lower section of Zip Down. The new start lets racers start on a steeper pitch, allowing them to maintain a higher rate of speed suitable for downhill racing.
Schweitzer's new terrain park, Southside Progression Park, will replace Starfish Terrain Park and will be located next to The Stomping Grounds Terrain Park where Crystal Run is currently. The new progression park will be larger and offer a great number of features.
In the village, Schweitzer added a new 50-by-28 sun deck outside Taps Lounge. Among other improvements, Schweitzer has added a new groomer to its fleet, will roll out a new website this fall, is strengthening the wireless Internet throughout the village and has upgraded the electrical system on Musical Chairs.
Info: www.schweitzer.com, Sean Briggs, (208) 946-8731, [email protected]