Skiing: It’s Kid’s Play Local Resorts Target Children, Teenagers With Programs Designed To Increase Interest In Winter Sports

Mogul mice. Fresh tracks. Dyna-Mites. Little Nuggets.

Names of new alternative rock bands?

Nope.

These are just some of the fun programs offered for children and teens at the local ski resorts: Silver Mountain, Schweitzer, 49 Degrees North and Mount Spokane.

Although the area resorts are in competition with each other for skiers and snowboarders, one thing they have in common is a desire to attract families to the mountain to enjoy recreational activities.

“We have an aggressive kids program with about 30 to 40 13-year-olds and younger,” said Pat Deneen, director of Silver Mountain’s ski school.

In his first year as director, Deneen has implemented a first-year women’s-only ski clinic and a racing program for children.

“The ladies’ day is the most aggressive (program) in the market,” he said. “The racing program takes a huge commitment from parents.”

Ladies’ day is specially designed for women with lessons, rentals if needed, videotaping and a special six-week price.

Even though snowboarding is considered the fastest growing winter sport, Deneen sees the younger kids sticking with skiing.

“I’m watching the families come up with young children getting into skiing … ages 3 to 9, and 90 percent of those kids … are continuing with skiing (as they get older), but I don’t see one sport taking away from the other,” he said.

“The younger kids, it’s easier for them to learn to ski than to snowboard.”

He said, 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds find it difficult to get the maneuvering they need on snowboards with their legs together.

Claudia Yamamoto at 49 Degrees North isn’t too concerned with which sport kids and teenagers choose. “We don’t really try to promote one or the other,” she said.

The Chewelah resort offers a wide variety of lessons and packages for every ability during the weekday and on weekends. Daily lessons for first-timers include complimentary 1-hour lessons for ages 11 and up in downhill skiing, snowboarding and telemarking.

Daily and weekly offerings include private lessons for children and adults, from the neophyte through the expert.

Bob Hamilton at Schweitzer Mountain agrees with Yamamoto, and hopes skiers and snowboarders come and enjoy the ski areas.

“It really makes no difference (which sport), the fact that they are developing an interest in winter sports is more important,” Hamilton said.

At Schweitzer, children 6 and under ski free, and if families stay overnight, children 12 and under stay free.

New skiers, who stick strictly to the beginner’s area, can get a reduced-price ticket for that part of the mountain. When they are ready to branch out, they can buy a regular lift ticket to use the whole mountain.

This is an example of Schweitzer’s dedication to entry level participants. Hamilton said ski rental prices are also discounted.

Schweitzer, along with the other ski areas, also offers discounts for seniors and students.

During weekdays, when the Bonner County schools are out, Hamilton said the mountain offers reduced ticket prices. Also, children with good grades can get a $5 lift ticket during days when they’re only in school for half a day. They can ski from noon until the mountain closes.

Daily programs at Schweitzer include group lessons in alpine and cross country skiing and snowboarding, for beginners through advanced levels. Just for the kids, Schweitzer has several packages. Fresh Tracks is a three-week series of lessons for ages 6 through 17. Junior’s Edge is a three-week series for intermediates.

Mogul Mice is for children aged 5-6 and 7-11.

Schweitzer also has a skiing program for ages 3-1/2 through 6 with two ski lessons.

Adult packages include three-week series for adult beginners and intermediates. For women, Schweitzer has Women’s Super Saturday for intermediate to expert skiers and Women’s Wednesdays, a 3-hour ski improvement session.

Like Schweitzer, Mount Spokane offers free tickets for children 6 and under and discounts to area school children. Mead Junior High takes advantage of Friday night skiing.

Ski prices for children 12 and under are only $15 during the weekend and a snowboard park is conveniently located near the base lodge.

By keeping its prices low, Mount Spokane is able to compete with the larger mountains for skiers and snowboarders, said Gregg Sowder, president and general manager of Mt. Spokane Ski Corp.

“We have programs for all ages and abilities,” he said.

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