Winter Sports - 49 & amp;ordm; Degr#1DD9E1

by Leah Sottile


Things are growing and changing around 49 Degrees North as plans for new runs, new lifts and new roads are being finalized this year.


Flowery Trail Road, a $30 million project, recently opened on Oct. 13 -- allowing paved access to the skiing area, with guard rails lining most of the road. The resort still has plenty of parking in the enlarged and repaved lot that was finished last season.


The ski area also saw the opening of the Chewelah Peak Learning Center in mid-September. The $1.3 million project opened a main lodge and three 80-person dormitories.


Among other new things, DeeAnn Sieler, formerly of Mount Hood Meadows, was hired to take on the job of ski and snowboard director. The resort staff is also looking for approval of the East Basin lift project. If given the go-ahead, the project would put a six-acre glacier carved bowl and a brand-new ski lift at the resort ready for the 2005 season. The plan is currently in the final permitting stages and waiting on a Final Environmental Impact Statement and a Record of Decision from the U.S. Forest Service.


The resort, ranked as one of the top ski locations for families in the western United States, will continue some of its best programs again this year -- namely the Six-Pack Plan program. The six-pack allows for six individual lift tickets or equipment rentals at a discounted price. The Klondike Card is still available for skiers who don't want to carry cash on the resort's five runs. Ski, snowboard, snowblade and all the necessary equipment are available for rent at the resort, as well as day care and to-and-from resort transportation.





Where: Chewelah, Wash.


Phone: (509) 935-6649


Web site: www.ski49n.com


Vertical drop: 1,850 ft.


Average snowfall: 301 inches


Lifts: four double, one surface


Hill information: 1,265 acres; 42 trails; 30 % Beginner; 40% Intermediate; 25% Advanced; 5% Expert


Hours: Open Friday - Tuesday from 9 am - 3:30 pm. Open seven days a week from Dec. 22- Jan. 4. Closing day; Feb. 7 from 9 am - 4 pm. Night skiing on Dec. 26 and 27, Jan. 17 and Feb. 14.


Lift Prices: Weekend/Holiday: Adult $35; College student (18-25) and Master (65 and older) $29; Youth (7-17) $28; 6 and under free; Chair #3 is $25. Midweek: Adult $29, College student/Masters $27, Youth $26, children 6 and younger free, Chair #3 is $25. Half-days: Adult $27, College student/Master $24, Youth $21, children 6 and younger free, Chair #3 is $20.


Major events: Mountain Gear Telemark Demonstration, Dec. 13; Wintersport and Lou Lou's Demo Day, Jan. 10; Fast Blast, Jan. 23-24; EEYSL Race, Jan. 25; Toyota Ski Free Day, Feb. 13; Sheimo Cup (citizens' race), Feb. 14; EWU Hill Climb, Feb. 21; Bavarian Downhill Race, March 13; Free Ski Week, April 5-11





Publication date: 11/13/03