Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Cross-country ski trails opening

Cross-country skiers aren’t being left out in the cold as early snowfall covers trails and allows downhill ski resorts to open. Here’s the latest report: Mt. Spokane: Bitter cold temperatures have moderated and state park rangers have cleared blown down trees on most trails. Limited grooming is under way, with good conditions reported. Sno-Park permits are required at the state park’s parking lots for Nordic skiers and snowshoers. 49 Degrees North: Nordic trails are being groomed, and the warming yurt and other services will open today. Schweitzer: At least two trails are scheduled to be groomed for the resort’s season opener today. Methow Valley: The region’s big snow dump largely missed the Methow, although the groomers were out packing the half a foot or so that’s on the ground to be ready for the next storm, said Don Portman at Sun Mountain Lodge. In the meantime, skiers have been traveling up the North Cascades Highway to find plenty of snow near Cutthroat and Rainy Pass. Echo Ridge: This Nordic area above Lake Chelan has 10 inches of snow that was flat-pack groomed on about half of the trail system for Thanksgiving Day.