Our early season mountain snowfall was welcomed with much excitement, but it quickly changed back to more normal temperatures for the season. We were fortunate to have a beautiful fall, with colors in brilliant shades of yellow and red and weeks of sunny days. The cold weather, along with a strong windstorm, broke that cycle, and snow has returned to the forecast. Area resorts are lighting up their snowmaking machines, ski swaps are coming and going, movie premieres are reuniting winter friends, getting us hungry for the upcoming season, and area skiers are eager for more snow to fall in the mountains as we wait for opening day announcements.
Here at Snowlander, we're ready to open the doors to the second annual Snowlander EXPO this weekend. This year, we're excited to add the Inlander PowderKeg Brew Festival to the program. We've got more than 20 breweries and cider houses lined up; they'll be pouring their frosty craft beers and ciders for those over 21 years of age. We've got backcountry awareness seminars, and regional resorts on hand to take season pass pictures while getting everyone stoked for the upcoming season. Area ski shops will be selling skis, snowboards and outerwear to get you ready for when opening day finally rolls around. On Saturday evening, the Spokane premiere of the Teton Gravity Research movie Way of Life will be screened adjacent to the EXPO as we celebrate the weekend and toast the upcoming season. Remember that the first 2,000 entrants to the EXPO — on both days — will receive a free lift ticket to Red Mountain or 49° North. And there'll be a ton of other giveaways throughout the weekend.
We're less than a month away to predicted openings, and the best time of year in the Northwest. Hope to see you at the EXPO. Think snow!
