49 Degrees North 49 Degrees North is known for its tree skiing and healthy snowfall. Why not check out what locals call "Freshy Fridays"? With the exception of the holiday time period, 49 Degrees North is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. So if a storm hits the region over those days, make sure you head up on Friday morning to enjoy two days of untouched fresh snowfall. In addition to alpine skiing and snowshoeing, the resort has some of the best Nordic (cross-country) skiing in the region, complete with a toasty yurt where you can adjust your gear and relax for a bit before heading back out. 3311 Flowery Trail Rd., Chewelah, Wash. • 935-6649 • www.ski49n.com
Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area Getting to Lookout Pass is easy. Zoom along the four lanes of I-90 from downtown Spokane and you can arrive at Exit 0 on the Idaho/Montana border in 90 minutes; once there, you can ski two states on one mountain. Then there's the snow: a whopping 400 inches per year — nearly 100 inches more of lighter, drier white stuff than other local resorts. Its cozy historic base lodge is the second oldest in the Northwest, reminiscent of 1940s-era lodges. The resort offers three terrain parks, and its "famous free ski school" (yes, it's really free) to introduce kids ages 6 to 17 to skiing or boarding. I-90 Exit 0 , Mullan, Idaho • 208-744-1301 • skilookout.com
Mount Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park If you're going to glide down a mountain, you might as well do it from the highest point in Spokane County, right? Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park makes the unforgiving Inland Northwest winters more bearable. Less than an hour from Spokane, it's run by a nonprofit that offers affordable rates to hit the slopes. The mountain boasts 1,425 acres of skiable terrain and 45 runs, including a side that's nothing but black diamonds. If that's not enough, you can hit the terrain park or the Vista House at the mountain's summit. 29500 N. Mount Spokane Park Dr., Mead, Wash. • 238-2220 • mtspokane.com
RED Mountain Resort Awarded "Best Upcoming Ski Resort" by the 2013 World Snow Awards, Red Mountain Resort in Rossland, B.C., invites skiers to come check out their uncrowded 4,200 acres and "find out what none of the fuss is about." The resort has wide-open, well-groomed runs, 360-degree descents off of select peaks and incredibly deep snow. 4300 Red Mountain Rd., Rossland, B.C. • 800-663-0105 • redresort.com
Schweitzer Mountain Resort Although it's earned favorable writeups in fancy national publications in recent years, locals have known all along what a great place Schweitzer is. With 2,900 acres of skiable terrain and 92 designated runs, you won't get bored. The ski area offers plenty of opportunities, from newbies to those who were basically born on skis. Among the unique features at the mountain is the the Stomping Grounds Terrain Park, including rails, boxes and jumps. 10000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd., Sandpoint, Idaho • 208-263-9555 • www.schweitzer.com
Silver Mountain Resort One hour from Spokane and an easy 30-minute freeway ride from Coeur d'Alene, Silver Mountain is one of the most easily accessible area ski resorts. Tourists love the scenic 3-mile-long gondola and locals come here to ski the North Face Glades after a fresh dump of snow. Gondola Village offers lodging, restaurants and Idaho's largest indoor waterpark, Silver Rapids. 610 Bunker Ave., Kellogg, Idaho • 866-344-2675 • silvermt.com
Whitewater Ski Resort A three-and-a-half-hour drive from Spokane, near the funky town of Nelson, B.C., Whitewater Ski Resort is known for its dry, champagne-powder skiing and wide variety of terrain. With dependable snowfall averaging 40 feet each season, it's a guaranteed good time. The resort boasts short lift lines, reasonable prices and a truly some of the best ski resort food you'll taste anywhere. 602 Lake St., Nelson, B.C. • 800-666-9420 • www.skiwhitewater.com
