Snow Sport Report

Alpine skiing

The catch phrase for the area is “spring conditions.” Mt. Spokane, Silver, Lookout, Sun Valley and Schweitzer report that the groundhog was merciful and called in spring a month early. Resorts also expect a busy three-day weekend.

Ski Bluewood has 76 inches on top, but destroyed bridges mean no one can get there to ski. Engineers will assess the post-flooding situation today, but the resort doesn’t know when it will reopen. Info: (509)-382-4725.

Whitwater, B.C., expects snow flurries Saturday and plays host to a Murder Mystery (Saturday, $8 registration, $200 first prize) and a telemark race (Sunday, open and novice divisions, $20). Info: (604)-354-4944.

Nordic skiing

Newport Ranger District nordic skiing might be done for the year. Wolf is very bad and Geo is slushy. Neither are being groomed. Mt. Spokane is grooming some, but not all trails; Methow Valley is grooming most trails, including recently the re-opened Patterson Lake and Raider Creek runs. They recommend midday skiing. Let the sun soften the snow, then go at it.

Snowmobiling

Priest Lake is still grooming and conditions get better the higher you go. Snowmobilers and cross-country skiiers should take caution on lower trails. Conditions are somewhat icy.