Lookout Pass opens today

Ski and snowboard season officially begins today in Idaho.

Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area will be open today and Sunday, making it the first Idaho ski area to open this winter. Schweitzer will open next week.

Chair 1 and Chair 4 will operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the limited early season opening at Lookout Pass. Opening weekend rates are only $35 for adults, active military and veterans, and college students, and $25 for youths ages 7-17 and seniors ages 62-79.

Early season conditions exist and visitors may encounter potential obstacles and areas with thin coverage, said Matt Sawyer, Lookout's marketing and sales director.

"You should bring equipment you feel matches early season conditions," Sawyer said. "If all you have is new gear, you may want to wait for more snow."

Groomed trails will include Black Bear, Huckleberry, Gold, Grub Steak, Golden Eagle, and Success. Lookout Pass might open some ungroomed trails, too. It will open The Loft Pub, foodservice, and its snow sports school, too.

Lookout Pass will be closed Monday-Thursday and will reopen Friday Nov. 18 through at least Sunday Nov. 20.

Information: skilookout.com

With more than 3 feet of snow and a head start on snowmaking, Schweitzer officials will be opening early also.

The ski resort announced Thursday it was planning a “bonus weekend” of skiing and snowboard riding Nov. 19-20. The last time the resort, which typically opens around Thanksgiving, started before its projected opening date was five years ago during the 2017-2018 season.

“Since Mother Nature got a jumpstart on winter here in the Inland Northwest, we figured it was only right to open the mountain early,” Tom Chasse, Schweitzer CEO and president, said. “Nothing is more exciting than being able to welcome skiers and snowboarders to Schweitzer for the first time each winter, and thanks to favorable temperatures and a few feet of natural snowfall already this month, we’re ready to do so.”

Schweitzer plans to run the Basin Express chairlift Saturday, Nov. 19 and Sunday, Nov. 20 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with access to Midway trail. Season pass holders and day guests are invited to get in a few early season turns over the weekend with lift tickets available for purchase for $50 at the mountain. There will not be any beginner terrain available on opening weekend.

The mountain will close Monday, Nov. 20 through Thursday, Nov. 24 and will reopen for daily operations beginning Friday, Nov. 25. 

“Our lift and terrain offering will continue to expand as conditions permit,” Chasse said. “The best resource for the most up-to-date information is our website.” 

Pass holders who have renewed their pass from last season will be able to use their same pass thanks to the new reloadable RFID cards that were issued in 2021. Renewing pass holders who have a 20/21 card can go online to Schweitzer.com and sign a waiver to activate their 22/23 winter season pass.

Season pass holders who are new to Schweitzer will have an RFID pass either mailed to them or available for pickup from Guest Services, open daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guest Services can be reached by phone at 208-263-9555, ext. 1246.

Schweitzer has 2,900 acres of skiable terrain thanks to its two massive bowls and renowned tree skiing. The mountain was recognized as being one of the top 30 ski resorts in the West at No. 11.

Information: www.schweitzer.com