Skiers share their best of outstanding year

A few weeks ago, I requested input about the best of the Inland Northwest during this memorable winter.

Some elitists wrote to chide me for asking. Their experiences are too special to share. I won’t expect an invite, but at least they’re reading my column.

Overall response was gratifying. I put a number of categories on the table. More people sent input for best instructor than any other.

All praised Nice Turns at Schweitzer. I spent a morning with Nice Turns in December. In a few hours, they reinforced sound technique that helped me throughout the season. Students in the program get eight weekly lessons. Its legion of satisfied customers is understandable.

This season powder days were a blur, but one stands out in popular opinion – Jan. 27. It didn’t matter which mountain people visited during this epic storm. I skied a doubleheader at Lookout Pass and Silver Mountain.

But a 28-inch dump last Sunday at Mt. Spokane can’t be left out. It was enough to extend the season another week. Snow like that can transform a seasoned expert into Pavlov’s dog. Even a patroller got lost out of bounds. Know anything about that, Pat?

Here’s more on the best of Inland Northwest snow riding for 2007-08.

Best snow: Everybody wins.

Best grooming: Nominations included Schweitzer, Lookout Pass and 49 Degrees North. My best carving experience was in Sunrise Basin at 49 with my wife, Claire, on a bluebird morning.

Best lifties: Michael Floyd of Spokane summarized the consensus for Lookout Pass: “When you have little kids, you really notice alert lifties. They ask ahead of time if your kids need a boost or a slow-down. A second liftie is always on the spot to help.”

Best variety: Readers agree size matters. Schweitzer is big and makes the most of it. A campaign to maximize glades draws national attention. Plus, new lifts on the front side give more skill levels easier access to variety.

Best runs: Some readers say it’s all about the view – The Ridge at Mt. Spokane and the Great Divide at Schweitzer. Others go for length – The Ridge or Zip Down at Schweitzer. Some like steep – Sunset at Silver Mountain, Hercules at Lookout Pass or Misfortune at Schweitzer. My pick is any line off Wardner Peak at Silver Mountain.

Best speed: Using her GPS, Patty Slagle from Ferry County clocked her 13-year-old son at 81.2 mph on Klondike at 49 Degrees North. Joel Armstrong of Spokane GPS-clocked his 7-year-old daughter Emily at 60 mph on Zip Down at Schweitzer.

Best trees: Readers note that more local hills are increasing and improving glades. Schweitzer weighs in with sheer quantity. My vote for highest quality is Powder Keg at 49 Degrees North, first thing in the morning on March 29.

Best new terrain: Runs under the new North Star lift at Lookout Pass are the most challenging addition to skiing and riding here in years. But the Red Dot glades at Mt. Spokane are a treat, if you can find them.

Best bumps: Consistent storms haven’t given bumps a chance on mountains. Tim Jablonski, a San Diego skier who made a couple of dozen trips to our neighborhood this winter, voted for North Division Street.

Best fuel: You need a party of five to put away the Macho Nachos at 49 Degrees North. A pair will do fine with the Not so Macho Nachos.

The season ends Sunday. Our incredible run of powder in-bounds is over. But corn snow and sunshine is the next best thing. Silver Mountain opens Saturdays through April. Perhaps I’ll see you there.