Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area - Ski Spokane
Having trouble deciding whether Montana or Idaho has the better ski conditions? Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area saves you from being forced to make those hard choices with some of the best ski runs in the entire state! If you are looking the best Spokane Ski Resorts, Lookout Pass is at the top of the list!
The Most Snow In Idaho
According to Director of Marketing Matt Sawyer, Lookout is one of four ski areas in the United States that straddles two state borders and one of only two that operates in two different time zones.
“If you want to drive your smartphone or smartwatch crazy, just come over,” he jokes. “You’ll find yourself in Montana one moment, and then after another turn you’re in Idaho. As we like to say, life is better lived on the border.”
That unique distinction imbues Lookout with the advantages of both geographies. The 540-acre resort sees the most snow in Idaho, with an average of 400 inches of natural snowfall per year. It receives snow earlier in the season than most resorts, too, making it a top destination for folks who can’t wait for the start of winter. And yet it’s one of the most accessible ski spots, with its primary parking area just 200 yards from I-90’s Exit 0.
“Of course, quality snow is a key ingredient,” says Sawyer. “But skilled and experienced groomers are what really make the mountain shine, and we have impeccable grooming. A lot of people love the idea of skiing deep powder, and they do have that opportunity here, but they can also fall back on the groomers where they can just have a fun time.”
Even as Lookout pushes farther upward through its massive Eagle Peak expansion, which will see the resort nearly double in size to 1,023 skiable acres and reach a height of 1,650 vertical feet, Sawyer says that its prices have remained “family friendly” and represent some of the best values in the region.
“In this age of mega-resorts, we still offer free parking, affordable lift tickets, incredible deals on season passes, and even our food is reasonably priced,” he says.
Learn To Ski at Lookout Pass
Over more than 80 seasons, Lookout’s free ski school has introduced tens of thousands of kids to the sport at no upfront cost. Spots for that fill quickly, though, so be sure to check the Lookout Pass website for when the signup window opens for the 2022-23 season.
First-timers can also take advantage of Lookout’s three-day learners’ program for skiers as well as snowboarders. The fee will include lift tickets, lessons and rentals over any three days during the season. The beginner hill is outfitted with a dedicated chairlift and groomed daily to make the experience more relaxed.
Lookout is still determining its COVID-19 protocols for the current season, but the resort will be taking its cues from state and local bodies like the Shoshone County Board of Health. COVID guidelines for guests will be posted on the website prior to the season and updated throughout.
“Our key objective is to make it safe and fun for both the employees and the guests,” says Sawyer, not least because Lookout wants guests to see its recent modernization efforts and facility upgrades firsthand.
“We now have a quad lift on the front of the mountain. We have a triple chair on the beginner hill, and we’re putting a new triple chair over on the backside. It’s a different look and feel to the mountain than it was years ago. We want to encourage people to come out, ski around, have some fun.”
