Silver Mountain To Open This Weekend Despite Limited Snow

Fri., Dec. 5, 1997

Another Inland Northwest ski resort is opening, despite limited snow coverage.

Silver Mountain in Kellogg will open Saturday and Sunday, spokesman David Kilmer said.

“It’s still definitely early-season conditions. I don’t want anyone to come up here with their new skis on,” Kilmer said.

The pony tow and two chairlifts will be open, including one that brings skiers to Kellogg Peak. To compensate for limited skiing, the resort will charge midweek prices: adults $23; juniors and seniors, $21; children, $17.

As of Thursday afternoon, Silver Mountain had 23 inches of snow at midmountain.

Elsewhere in the region, 49 Degrees North in Chewelah, Wash., will open for its second weekend with limited terrain and reduced prices. Lookout Pass will open for its third weekend. Mount Spokane and Schweitzer ski areas will remain closed this weekend.

Kirk Duncan, general manager of Mt. Spokane Ski Area, said he expects to open next weekend.

“We’ve got 18 inches at the base and it’s bulletproof,” Duncan said. “But we’re going to need about six to eight inches to open.”

To scare away the warm-weather demons, Schweitzer Mountain Resort is holding an El Nino Blowout Party on Dec. 13, featuring live music and a bonfire.

, DataTimes

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