Resorts gear for good ski season

Last winter was one for the record books on Northwest ski slopes. It was as bad as it gets, with little snow and a short operating season that left ski bums seriously bummed. But as in roulette, the result of the last spin has no bearing on the next. Ski area managers aren’t dwelling on last year, and they don’t want customers to worry about a repeat performance this winter. “Last season is over, it’s gone,” said Dig Chrismer, marketing manager at Schweitzer Mountain Resort near Sandpoint. “We’re dealing with the conditions we have currently, which are getting better and better by the hour. It looks good.” Just how good a season it will be, no one can say for sure – until April when it’s over, Chrismer said. But she is encouraged by the strong start from recent storms and by forecasts for near-average snowfall in the Inland Northwest/ Scott Maben , SR. More here.

• Also: Snowmaking becoming a game changer for ski resorts /Betsy Russell, SR

Question: Are you ready to hit the slopes?