Snow News - 49 Degrees North

by THE INLANDER & r & & r & 2,325 Total Acres | 30% Beginner | 40% Intermediate | 25% Advanced | 5% Expert & r & & r & right outside chewelah, wash. | 509-935-6649 | www.SKI49n.COM





Longest Run:


2.5 miles


Base Elevation: 3,923 feet


Top Elevation: 5,774 feet


Vertical Drop: 1,851 feet


Average Snowfall: 301 inches


CROSS-Country Trails: 12 miles (16 km)


Downhill Trails: 68 plus glades


Lifts: 1 quad (new)


4 double, 1 surface


Total Uphill Capacity:


6,010/hour





HOURS


Fridays-Tuesdays


Opening Day--Jan. 25


9am - 3:30pm


Jan. 26 - April 13


9am - 4pm


*Open 7-days/week*


Dec. 14 - Feb. 19





LIFT TICKETS


Weekdays/Regular


Adult (18-64): $37


Youth (7-17): $33


Kid (6 and younger): $5


College (w/ID): $35


Master (65+): $35


Chair 3: $31


Weekends/Holidays


Adult (18-64): $43


Youth (7-17): $35


Kid (6 and younger): $5


College (w/ID): $37


Master (65+): $37


Chair 3: $31





CAMPS FOR NEW SKILLS


& lt;span class= "dropcap " & D & lt;/span & o you have a kid who wants to progress in their skiing or boarding? Well, then 49 Degrees North has a program for them. Over the holidays, 49 will host several programs and clinics that will keep your kids busy while you are poaching that powder on the backside, treating yourself at Boomer's or getting those last-minute reports done while surfing 49's complimentary wireless Internet access from the lodge.





From Dec. 27-29, 49 is offering two youth camps: the 49er Youth Camp and the Freeride Camp. The 49er Youth Camp provides on-mountain challenges with games and activities. The staff of professional coaches will provide the needed guidance to help your young skier or snowboarder gain the confidence to master the mountain. Groups are divided by age and ability. To participate, young skiers need to be 5 to 11 years of age; snowboarders ages 7 to 11 years may sign up.





The Freeride Camp is geared to intermediate skiers and snowboarders wanting further skill-building development to hone in on jumping, sliding rails and practicing tricks on natural terrain. This will offer a well-rounded training program taking skiers and snowboarders to the next ability level. Want to get serious about freeride? This year, 49 is offering a two-month camp (which includes the Holiday Camp), kicking off on Dec. 15 and running through Feb. 23. The two-month course is $399 (and includes the Holiday Camp). The Holiday Camp alone starts at $139 for instruction only.





A great program for the aspiring racer is the 49 Alpine Ski Team (FAST), where the goal is more than winning races -- it's about helping each athlete develop self-confidence, pride in accomplishments and an understanding of commitment and follow-through. Coaches are dedicated to developing diverse skiers and place an emphasis on family involvement. The FAST team also hosts a Holiday Camp, which typically kicks off their season. This is a perfect opportunity for new athletes to give ski racing a try and make some turns through a race course.





All of the Holiday Camps start at $139 for instruction only. Also available are discounted rentals and a lunch option. In addition to 49's expansive youth programs, they also offer group and private lessons for all ages and Nordic lessons. Please check out 49's Website for further details on pricing and a complete listing of all of their learning opportunities.





Featured Event: Jan. 5: This is the day to be at 49 for their always popular and successful Demo Days, with Mountain Gear and Alpine Haus bringing up the latest for all you gear heads to try out. Teledaze is also happening, so bring up your tele gear and race your way to some great prizes.





MOUNTAIN People: Eric Bakken


& lt;span class= "dropcap " & E & lt;/span & ric Bakken, 49 & deg; North's Mountain Manager, may be a behind-the-scenes type of guy but he is not an unfamiliar face to the Inland Northwest. He grew up in Spokane (Green Bluff), learned to ski at the age of three on the rope tow at Mt. Spokane and skied for years at Schweitzer. After receiving his master's degree in philosophy from the University of Washington and working in the construction and real estate development fields in Nevada, he moved back to the area and now lives within a mile of the resort outside of Chewelah. He came up with John Eminger 12 years ago, started in the facilities department and quickly moved into his current position; he's also been a vice president and board member of the corporation since 1996.





When getting around the mountain, Bakken uses his telemark equipment, which he has been riding for the last 15 to 18 years. In his off time, he is the quintessential family man with three kids and a wife that keep him pretty busy. He has been an avid climber and still enjoys backpacking and hiking, activities he is able to do with his young children.





Since arriving 12 years ago, his most memorable experience has been building chair five. "This was my baby last summer (2006)," says Bakken. "This was the most fun thing that I have ever done in my life. I was really happy to be able to be a part of it."





Bakken has a definite passion for the mountain and the people, especially at 49 & deg; North. With the season opening, he adds, "I am so happy to be a part of this group up here. They are the smartest and hardest working group and it is a real pleasure to work with them every day."