Let there be snow

Snow sport enthusiasts have something to smile about today because Lookout Pass Ski Area is scheduled to open for the season.

Chair 1 will be open for top to bottom skiing and Chair 4, beginner area, will also be in operation. The lifts turn from 8:30 a.m. through 4 p.m. The lodge, ski school and rental shop will be in full operation.

A minimum of seven runs have been machine groomed and reduced ticket rates will be in effect. As of Saturday morning, Lookout had received 1 inch of new snow in the previous 24 hours and had a base depth of 8 inches with 14 inches of snow at the summit.

"More snow is in the forecast tonight through Monday," Lookout president and CEO Phil Edholm said in a press release Saturday.

Silver Mountain Resort opened its beginner hill for scenic rides, snow tubing and skiing on Friday and Saturday and is open again today. Gondola hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and tubing sessions are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1-3 p.m. The mountain needs about another foot of snow to open the rest of the mountain, but Silver staff are expecting snow all week and hoping to be fully open by Friday.

"The forecast is 125 percent of normal," said general manager Jeff Colburn. "We're looking forward to a great year from a snow perspective."

As of Saturday morning, Silver had recently received 6 inches of snow, had a base depth of 18 inches at Kellogg Peak and 13 inches at mid-mountain with a total snowfall of 36 inches this season.

Schweitzer Mountain Resort officials reported an additional 3 inches in its village Saturday morning, totaling 23 inches in the past week. Schweitzer's opening day is scheduled for Friday, weather permitting.

"Keep doing those snow dances!" the Schweitzer team posted on its website.

Info: www.skilookout.com, www.silvermt.com and www.schweitzer.com