LOOKOUT PASS, Idaho – Lookout Pass is buzzing with excitement as it reopens seven days a week after a healthy round of snow this weekend. Two lifts on the frontside of the mountain are now operational, bringing joy to both employees and guests.
According to the staff at Lookout Pass, the reopening is a welcome relief. Employees are thrilled about their paychecks, while guests are eager to hit the slopes again. Although Christmas week typically sees low turnout, they are hopeful that today’s reopening will spark momentum for a successful ski season. The mountain had previously opened but was forced to close due to rain and warm temperatures.
“It really hurts to go from really good snow, literally skiing powder on half of the trails over on chair five that day. That was about 18 inches deep to losing almost all of the snow that we had been delivered since the beginning of the year. We had, at that point, 117 inches of snow already,” said a Lookout Pass representative.
“So we lost everything from about halfway up the mountain down,” they continued.
In a festive twist, anyone dressed as Santa Claus at Lookout Pass received discount passes. All proceeds from these Santas will be donated to provide Christmas presents for children in need in the Silver Valley.
While Lookout Pass and Schweitzer have limited terrain open, other ski areas like 49 Degrees North, Silver Mountain and Mount Spokane are still waiting to reopen. However, they remain optimistic given this week’s weather conditions.
