Mt. Spokane 2000 deserves credit

Mt. Spokane is coming into its own as a ski area. After two decades of stagnation and decline run by a corporation, one decade of non-profit leadership has turned things around. Revenues reached a record $3 million last year and are expected to be larger this year.

Because of the commitment of Mt. Spokane 2000 – the ski area’s board of directors – expanded terrain and a new lodge are possibilities, not a dream. Nearly two years of planning and public comment on expansion options drew to a close on Monday.

Now consultants hired by the Parks Commission will study the potential impact of the board’s vision.

To get a feel for the potential of our community hill, I paid a visit to Bogus Basin, a thriving ski area near Boise operated by a non-profit organization since 1942. This season it celebrates its Black Diamond Anniversary – 65 years as Boise’s winter getaway. People have been skiing Mt. Spokane longer as the first rope tow was installed in 1938.

Mt. Spokane and Bogus Basin are twin sisters in a lot of ways. Each is managed by a professional staff with the guidance of an all-volunteer board of directors of community leaders and professionals.

Both mountains are local landmarks rising above their cities. Their markets are similar. Spokane County’s population is more than 450,000. Boise is in Ada County, with a population of about 400,000.

Local skiers can also choose Schweitzer, 49 Degrees North, Silver Mountain and Lookout Pass. Bogus Basin’s alternatives include Tamarack, Brundage Mountain, Soldier Mountain and Sun Valley.

Things even out in other ways. Bogus Basin has more terrain – 2,600 acres vs. Mt. Spokane’s 1,200. But Mt. Spokane has more vertical – 2,000 feet vs. Bogus Basin’s 1,800. Plus, Mt. Spokane gets twice as much snow and packs a higher quality of variety in a smaller footprint.

Mt. Spokane Ski Patrol Director Dan Edwards introduced me Saturday to new glades in-bounds as good as the best in the Northwest – and better than the tree skiing at Bogus.

There’s also a stark difference between the hills.

During a sale lasting six days in February, Bogus Basin sold 22,000 season passes for 2008-2009. In one week the mountain raised nearly $3.8 million in cash.

Meanwhile, Mt. Spokane 2000 fights on against stiff opposition to ensure its future as a ski hill of which the community can be proud. Opponents include the Nature Conservancy and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Even the ski area’s closest neighbors, the Spokane Mountaineers, stand against them. Earlier this month a Mountaineers representative told The Spokesman-Review that ski area expansion will destroy a forest that benefits the community.

The entire backside of the mountain is part of the ski area’s concession. They want to use about half of the area they’re responsible for to help ensure Mt. Spokane’s future as a model community ski area.

Mt. Spokane State Park exists for recreation. It rests on land donated for that purpose. Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park, with its proximity, many programs and low prices, is one of the greatest benefits this community has to offer its citizens.

That’s not a bogus argument.