WINTERSPORTS -- Schweitzer Mountain Resort will open for the season at 9 a.m. on Saturday officials say. A lift will operate through Sunday with 150 acres available for skiing out of the resort's 2,900 acres of terrain.

Skiers will be limited to Midway, with the Basin Express chair lift scheduled to operate from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during opening weekend.

“Even though we’re only opening with limited operations, we’re very excited to get the season started in the Inland Northwest,” says President/CEO Tom Chasse.  “The fact that we have anything to offer is a direct result of pre-season brush cutting, our snowmaking capability and our dedication to the skiers/boarders of the region.”

Schweitzer will close mid-week and then re-open on Friday, Nov. 28, for the weekend. 

With new snow in the forecast over the weekend, the resort hopes to expand the terrain and add the Musical Chairs lift for Thanksgiving weekend.

Lift tickets this weekend will cost $40 for everyone except for children 6 and under who will ski free. 

Schweitzer’s Sunday-Friday passholders may also ski this Saturday and next, at no charge.

Sunday Solution tickets will be available on Sunday, half day ticket are $25 if purchased in advance online, or $35 at the ticket window.

Schweitzer has received only 5 inches of natural snow so far this season in the village but colder than usual temperatures in the last week provided optimal snow making conditions, officials said.

Skiing and snowboarding is recommended on groomed trails as early season conditions exist with variable snowpack.

On mountain parking will be free this weekend and the shuttle from the “Red Barn” parking lot will be running on the midweek schedule. 

Info: (208) 263-9562.

• 49 Degrees North officials say they're still waiting for more snow before making an announcement.