SPOKANE, Wash. – The 61st Annual Mount Spokane Ski Patrol Ski Swap concluded Sunday, marking another successful year for what is claimed to be the nation’s largest ski swap.
With more than 25,000 items up for sale, the event generated funds to support the fully volunteer ski patrol at Mount Spokane.
As ski resorts across the Inland Empire gear up for the upcoming season, excitement is building after a challenging winter last year. Many resorts faced difficulties due to a lack of precipitation and warm temperatures.
Taylor Prather, Marketing Communications Manager, shared optimism for the season.
“I think there’s a lot to look forward to, especially with another La Niña season ahead, long range forecasts are looking great for a winter wonderland up here at Schweitzer. We have a lot of new things happening this season as well,” Prather said.
The tentative opening date for Schweitzer is set for November 21.
Approximately 90 miles southeast, Silver Mountain is also preparing for a promising season with an opening date set for November 28. After experiencing below-average snowfall last year, the resort is anticipating a wetter and cooler winter.
Gus Colburn, Silver Mountain’s Marketing Coordinator, described some of the improvements made at the resort.
“We’ve done a lot of new things here at Silver Mountain, including a lot of extensive gladding on the mountain, so thinning out the trees, making the runs make a little more sense, less traversing, just more powder runs, more top to bottom,” Colburn said.
This year, Silver Mountain is expanding its tubing offerings to seven days a week, providing more opportunities for visitors to enjoy the snow.
For more details on the Mount Spokane Ski Patrol and upcoming ski events, visit their official website.
