2012-2013 Updated Ski Reports Available October 18th!
49 Degrees North
(Chewelah, Wash.)The 49th parallel marks the line between Canada and the United States. This resort isn't quite that far north (it's more like 48 Degrees North), but when you're up top, it feels like you can see that far. This is one huge place, with more than 2,000 acres %u2014 one run goes on and on for nearly three miles. There are 12 miles of cross-country trails too. These guys open more terrain every year and have big plans for the future up there at the edge of Canada. Ski report - Directions
Apex Mountain Resort
(Penticton, B.C.)
Apex Mountain Resort celebrates 50 years of quality snow, great weather, incredible terrain and friendly people this season. Apex is hidden in the heart of the Okanogan Valley, featuring a perfect mix of large amounts of precipitation and low humidity making the lightest champagne powder snow imaginable. Delivering you to the goods in this hidden gem, are four lifts taking you to 67 trails to explore over 1,112 skiable acres. Ski report - Directions
Big White Ski Resort
(Kelowna, B.C.)
It's big, all right %u2014 the second-largest ski resort in B.C. You've got nearly 3,000 acres, 16 lifts, a gondola and options for cross-country skiing. And you won't go hungry, either %u2014 Big White has 21 on-mountain places to eat. Even its tubing park is big. They call it the "Mega Snow Coaster." Ski Report - Directions
Blacktail
(Kalispell, Mont.)
Blacktail Mountain is an "upside-down hill," where everyone, regardless of whether they are an expert or novice skier or snowboarder, starts at the top. Views from the top are spectacular with Flathead Lake, Glacier Park and the Mission, Whitefish and Cabinet ranges surrounding this 1,000-acre ski area. In addition, Blacktail offers Nordic skiing nearby. Ski Report -Directions
Bluewood
(Dayton, Wash.)
Don't underestimate the power of this quaint ski area located in the southeast corner of Washington. With a full service lodge (food, beverage and shopping), Bluewood offers up some of the best tree skiing in the Northwest, with 24 runs and three lifts. Only 150 miles from Spokane and 50 from Walla Walla, this road trip could be for the day or a long weekend. Ski Report - Directions
Brundage
(McCall, Idaho)
Brundage is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and it's spent those years building up quite a list of attractions. Beyond the 1,500 acres of downhill skiing, there's 19,000 acres of terrain open to cat-skiiers. And if you're really itching for snow-tubing or cross-country skiing, it can be found in abundance in and around McCall, Idaho, just eight miles away. Ski Report - Directions
Fernie Alpine Resort
(Fernie, B.C.)
The secret's out about Fernie. It used to be a quiet little destination outside the old mining town. Now Aussies and Brits love it, along with locals in the know. There are five spacious bowls to choose from (the most bowls at one resort in all of North America), served by 10 lifts (two of them high-speed). You want to expand your winter sport repertoire? Try a snowshoe safari, a sleigh ride or even dog sledding. Ski Report - Directions
Kimberly Alpine Resort
(Kimberly, B.C.)
If you're a Sound of Music kind of person, Kimberley is your place. Snowcapped peaks? Check. Quaint Bavarian architecture? Check. Singing children? Okay, you have to bring your own singing children. But you're in luck, as Kimberley is a very kid-friendly resort. It's great skiing, too, with more than 80 named runs and glades, suitable for all skill levels. Ski Report - Directions
Lookout Pass Ski Area
(Wallace, Idaho)
Every time you look, Lookout Pass has grown again, and now it's three times bigger than its initial footprint. But Lookout's big feature is its location. Its spot on the Idaho-Montana stateline seems to wring the snow from the skies - 400 annual inches is the norm, and it's always one of the first resorts to open. Lookout maintains a great mom-and-pop vibe, with a free (that's right, free) Saturday Ski School. Ski Report - Directions
Mission Ridge
(Wenatchee, Wash.)
Mission Ridge, located only 12 miles from Wenatchee, is widely known for its dry snow, open spaces and sweeping views of Mt. Baker, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Stuart and the surrounding Cascade Mountain range. And you can actually see them, due to the average of 300 days of sunshine. There are 36 designated runs covering 2,000 acres, including some rippin' groomers, hidden chutes and bowls. Ski Report - Directions
Mount Spokane
(Spokane, Wash.)
With panoramic views that stretch from downtown Spokane to Coeur d'Alene, Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park feels as close to it all as it is, just 28 miles from downtown Spokane. If a friend emails you proof of an epic day in the making from the top of Chair 1, you can join him before lunchtime. Mt. Spokane, with its terrain park and Rail Jam series, is a top choice for local 'boarders, too. Night skiing kicks off in late December every season. Ski Report - Directions
Panorama Mountain
(Invermere, B.C.)
In addition to Panorama Mountain's 2,847 acres of skiable terrain, 120 trails and several multi-day festivals (one every month for four consecutive months, starting in January), Panorama boasts Canada's largest slopeside hot pools. What better way to wrap up a big day on the slopes than taking a relaxing soak in their conveniently located pools? Also adding to their full list of extracurricular activities are bus trips to neighboring attractions, snowmobile tours, heli skiing, tubing and a summit fondue experience. Ski Report - Directions
Red Mountain
(Rossland, B.C.)
The closest Canadian resort to Spokane is Red Mountain. It also happens to have some of the best terrain in all the Great White North. Red Mountain, itself, is really sweet, but Granite Mountain, with its wide, sweeping bowl is even better. And then there are Paradise Basin and Grey Basin. There's a lot to ski and 'board, and it's all a morning's drive away. And the nearby town of Rossland (like really, really nearby) is developing into a proper ski town. Ski Report - Directions
Schweitzer Mountain Resort
(Sandpoint, Idaho)
With tons of ski-in-ski-out slopeside accommodations, a bustling village scene and the nearby town of Sandpoint, Schweitzer is the Inland Northwest's version of Jackson Hole or Snowbird. And it delivers on the winter sports, too, with a variety of glades, bowls and terrain parks, and cross-country, snowshoe and back-country options, to boot. They've got a full schedule of events every season, from the Outrageous Air Show to the Stomp Games. Every weekend is a big one at Schweitzer. Ski Report - Directions
Silver Mountain
(Kellogg, Idaho)
It all started with the Gondola connecting downtown Kellogg with the top of Silver Mountain. And it's just expanded from there, to the point where you can snowboard and surf in the same day, thanks to the Silver Rapids Water Park, which is kept at a nice, balmy temperature all through the winter. Up on top, Silver offers 1,600 acres of skiing and snowboarding, including a terrain park with lots of rails. And right off I-90, it's easy access all the way. Ski Report - Directions
Silver Star Mountain
(Vernon, B.C.)
Just outside of bustling Vernon, B.C., you'll find Silver Star %u2014 another massive Canadian resort. They've got more than 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, and the Victorian-themed village at the base has 14 dining choices, shopping and nightlife. There's Tube Town for sledding; at Brewer's Pond, you can ice skate; and next to that you can sign up for a mini-snowmobile trip for your kids on Silver Star's own track. Ski Report - Directions
Whitefish Mountain Resort
(Whitefish, Mont.)
Affectionately known as "The Big" by the friendly locals, they don't call it Big Mountain for nothing. With over 3,000 acres of terrain with most of it being accessed by a high-speed lift, there isn't much standing between you, the top of the mountain (the majestic views of Whitefish Lake, the surrounding mountains and Glacier National Park) and the ginormous snow covered trees %u2014 aka, the Snow Ghosts. The established ski town of Whitefish awaits for your apres ski activities. Ski Report - Directions
Whitewater Ski Resort
(Nelson, B.C.)
After a morning of skiing hard and a season of eating in a ski lodge cafeteria, it seems to get to the point where nothing sounds edible. Not at Whitewater, where they take the ski lodge cafeteria to an entirely new level %u2014 there are even several cookbooks highlighting the fare available to hungry skiers. Outside the lodge, the resort expanded for last season, doubling in size, to the Glory Ridge area. Lodging is available in the nearby eclectic town of Nelson. Ski Report - Directions
