You don’t have to travel far from Spokane to experience a great day on the slopes! Whether you are just learning or are an advanced skier/snowboarder, the Spokane area has the perfect winter adventure for you. Spokane visitors are delighted by the excellent conditions and short lines that residents enjoy all winter long. Make Stratford Suites extended stay hotel your base of operations and enjoy a warm, luxurious suite after a long day of play. There is plenty of room for all your winter sports gear in our spacious, beautifully appointed rooms.
Five ski resorts are only a short drive away from Spokane: Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park, Silver Mountain Resort, 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort, Lookout Pass Ski Area, and Schweitzer Mountain Resort.
Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park (fifty minutes northeast of Spokane)
copyright Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park
This nearby gem shares a mountain with a state park that boasts great cross country trails as well as backcountry snowshoeing. Mt. Spokane has five lifts and forty-five trails, plus a new tubing hill with a rope tow for those who just want to slide down the snow without a lot of work. For a moonlight adventure or a unique date, try night skiing or night tubing. For more information, go to www.mtspokane.com.
Silver Mountain Resort (one hour from Spokane, at Kellogg, ID)
If you or someone in your family likes to pull off tricks rather than smoothly flying down the slopes, this is your winter sports destination. Silver Mountain continually modifies the Quicksilver terrain park for a new adventure in jumps, rails, and hand tables every visit. Silver has seven lifts, seventy-three downhill trails, and tubing. If you stay at the resort’s Morning Star Lodge, you can even re-visit summer with Idaho’s largest indoor water park. Silver Mountain is easily accessible right off of I-90, and rather than dealing with hairpin turns up narrow mountain roads, visitors park and take a scenic three-mile gondola ride to the top. Go to www.silvermt.com for more information.
49 Degrees North Mountain Resort (one hour and fifteen minutes north of Spokane)
copyright 49 Degrees North
The largest resort expansion in Washington state this year looms over the charming little town of Chewelah. Angel Peak, a sub-peak of the Chewelah Mountain crest, has just opened at 49 Degrees North, bringing the number of downhill trails at the resort to seventy-five (with six lifts). The lower half of the new peak is accessible by lift, but if you are ready for a challenge, you can hike up to the summit at 5295 feet. In addition to fine downhill skiing, including a wonderfully gentle run for beginners, 49 Degrees North boasts twelve km of cross country trails and a fun terrain park. Go to www.ski49n.com for more information.
Lookout Pass Ski Area (one and a half hours from Spokane at the Idaho/Montana state line)
Here’s the salient point: Lookout Pass receives on average 400 inches of light Northern Rockies snow annually. This resort is known for legendary powder, early openings, and the longest seasons in the region. Officially, Lookout has thirty-four named runs, but that number only reflects part of the whole experience as skiers and snowboarders can play in acres of prime tree skiing and riding, and there are also twenty-five km of cross country trails. This popular winter destination has tripled in size since 2003, yet it is still the most affordable resort in the region. Go to www.skilookout.com for more information.
Schweitzer Mountain Resort (two hours from Spokane, eleven miles from Sandpoint, ID)
copyright Schweitzer Mountain Resort
From the top, you can gaze upon three mountain ranges, Canada, and three states. The scenery at Schweitzer is breathtaking, but so is the night skiing that is offered all season long. It is one of the largest ski resorts in North America. Nine lifts, ninety-two trails, thirty-two km of cross country trails, two terrain parks, plus open bowl skiing—what more could a snow lover ask for? Well, how about rare to non-existent lift lines? Or great events, including New Year’s Eve parties for adults, teens, and tweens? Schweitzer truly has something for everyone. Visit www.Schweitzer.com for all the details.
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We are blessed to have 5 mountains within 2.5 hours of Spokane…all with great powder, tree skiing or just plain groomed cruisers.