49 Degrees North To Add New Ski Run

The 49 Degrees North Ski Area is continuing to expand in its second year of new ownership and is trying to score points among the region’s expert skiers.

The mountain near Chewelah plans to selectively thin 12 acres of trees next spring, making way for an additional expert ski run.

Last year, 100 acres of tree skiing was added, and another 100 acres will open this fall. Though some of the tree skiing is aimed at intermediate skiers, most will appeal to experts.

“The very best skiers love skiing the trees,” said owner John Eminger, who bought the operation in June 1996.

“The tree skiing now will have your undivided attention,” he said. “If you enjoy tree skiing on a good powder day, there’s nothing like it.”

Because the ski resort is on U.S. Forest Service land, the project needs governmental approval and it must comply with national environmental standards. The Colville National Forest Ranger District recently sent letters to residents seeking comment on the expansion plan, which includes the 12 acres of thinning and the extension of one of the hill’s four chairlifts (Chair 2) by 200 vertical feet, giving skiers and snowboarders access to midway lifts.

The ranger district will take comments until early October. After a decision is made by District Ranger Meredith Webster, a second comment period will be held.

If the new projects are approved, work could begin in the spring, following this year’s ski season.

The expansion plan is part of Eminger’s grand scheme to give skiers better runs within his relatively small niche in this region’s ski market.

“This is a ski hill owned by skiers for skiers,” said Eminger, who’s also re-roofed the lodge, brightened it up with bigger windows and decorated the deck with new cedar benches.

There’s more than one way to attract expert skiers, Eminger said. Experts like steep runs, runs with moguls and tree skiing. Because 49 Degrees North isn’t as steep as other mountains, such as Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Eminger said he’s focusing on adding the prized tree runs that many experts crave.

The 200 additional acres of new expert runs will bring the total acreage up to 1,100, with about 30 percent for beginners, 40 percent intermediate and 30 percent expert.

, DataTimes