Schweitzer Mountain Extends Ski Season One Week

Schweitzer Mountain Resort in Sandpoint will remain open a week longer than planned, thanks to extra helpings of snow and a scheduling twist for local school districts.

The resort will extend its season to April 13, instead of the week-earlier closing date originally scheduled, said Bob Hamilton, marketing director.

Schweitzer has more snow on its two bowls than at any time in its history. “We’d probably be able to ski it until Labor Day,” Hamilton said.

Silver Mountain Ski Resort in Kellogg will make a decision later this week on whether to extend its season, said David Kilmer, spokesman for the resort. Like Schweitzer, Silver has plenty of skiable snow, with more than 200 inches at its summit.

Spokane public schools always have a week-long spring break during the first full month of April, said Carol O’Brien, secretary in the District 81 administrative office.

This year, the first week of April starts on a Tuesday. That pushes the break week forward to April 7-11. With other ski resorts in the area planning to close by or before April 6, many student snowboarders and skiers thought they were out of luck, or out of open lifts.

Schweitzer will offer discounted week-long passes as part of its “Bonus Week” promotion. Adults can ski the entire week for $50, and students can do the same for $35.

“There may be some days where we get blown out (by high winds),” Hamilton said. “But we could also have some real days on the beach with the sunshine.”

With record snowpacks throughout the Inland Northwest, it would seem like an excellent opportunity for local ski resorts to make up for a holiday ski season that featured too much snow.

However, the economics of extending a ski season suggest otherwise. Most skiers who would take advantage of such an offer are season pass holders. The resorts like 49 Degrees North depend on lift ticket money for income. Extending their overhead costs would require big weekends to make the move pay off.

So, Lookout Pass Ski Area and 49 Degrees North Ski Area in Chewelah will shut down April 6.

, DataTimes