More snow needed for Schweitzer opening
The Great Escape chairlift sits idle at Schweitzer Mountain Resort on Thursday. The resort reported receiving about a foot of new snow. (Photo by KEITH KINNAIRD)
SANDPOINT — A little more snow is needed before Schweitzer Mountain Resort can open for the winter.
“If you can tell me when we’ll receive our next 12-18 inches of snow storm I could confidently pick a day,” Schweitzer President and CEO Tom Chasse said.
Schweitzer Mountain Resort reported 36 inches of snow at the upper elevation Thursday, and 12 at the base. Its received 12 inches of snow in the last 24 hours, with more on the way.
Chasse said there isn’t a date yet he could pinpoint for an opening.
Schweitzer’s staff is on 48-hour notice. Snowmaking efforts are going 24/7, which will help on lower mountain/elevation, Chasse said.
“But we need another weather event like last night,” he said Thursday.
Elsewhere, Mother Nature has been a little more generous.
Very generous.
Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area announced Thursday it is opening today.
“About 50 percent of the time we’re able to open by Thanksgiving,” said Phil Edholm, president and CEO of Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area. “Any time we can get open before Thanksgiving, it’s going to be a good ski season.”
The lodge saw eight to 10 inches of fresh snow fall Wednesday night, and it continued to come down Thursday morning.
“It’s nearly a blizzard up here now,” Edholm said.
Base depth was 12 inches as of Thursday, with 20 inches of snow at the summit. More snow is expected this weekend.
According to Lookout Pass’ snow report, the majority of the front side of the mountain will be open today, along with the beginner area and top-to-bottom skiing and riding off Chair No. 1. As of Thursday, 14 trails were groomed with a projected 18 or more trails to be open.
“There’s a lot of pent up ski energy out there,” Edholm said.
Silver Mountain is holding out a bit longer, looking to create a good, solid base of snow that will stretch out the ski season.
“Our goal is to open up as late as possible so we can ski as late as possible,” said John Williams, Silver Mountain marketing director.
Silver Mountain’s projected opening day is Friday, Nov. 26.
Staff reporter Cameron Rasmusson contributed to this story.