Skiing outlook brightens with new snowfall

Many of the region’s alpine ski areas are getting a second wind.

In North Idaho, Silver Mountain reported 11 inches of new snow on Sunday and Monday while Lookout Pass reported 9 inches and Schweitzer reported 4 inches.

Eight inches fell in Stevens Pass Saturday and Sunday brought 13 more, said Stevens Pass general manager John Gifford. The ski resort will partially reopen downhill runs on Thursday.

“We’re expecting some moisture over the weekend, and next week we’re going back to normal winter weather,” Gifford said. “If we get normal winter weather between now and April, we’ll be fine.”

Aside from the Mount Baker ski area near Bellingham, Stevens Pass will be the only ski area open west of the Cascades.

The telemark ski racing series and clinics this weekend at Lookout Pass ski area will go as scheduled, organizers say.