KELLOGG, Idaho — Lookout Pass saw several skiers and snowboarders enjoying the slopes on Monday but that wasn't the case for many other mountain resorts in the Inland Northwest.
That's because of a lack of snowfall so far this winter season. But, there is good news. Many of those resorts are expected to expand their hours or even open this week.
Throughout the Inland Northwest, the winter season is off to a slow start. While Lookout Pass is open now, it's still facing some challenges. "We normally open about the middle of November," Lookout Pass Marketing Director Matt Sawyer. "At this time, we'd be fully open."
For now, snowboarders are taking advantage of the two-chair lifts open on Lookout Pass. Soon they'll have more options later this week.
At Silver Mountain Resort, the chairlifts may not be running, but General Manager Jeff Colbum said they will be very soon. The last two weekends, Silver Mountain opened to visitors on a limited schedule. It plans to be open seven days a week with full operations starting this Thursday.
Right now, chair lift 1, 2 and 5 are open. Chair lifts 3 and 4 will open when there's more snow.
"We need about a foot of snow and then we're good to go with that side," Colburn said.
Colburn said this year's snowfall is unusually low for this time of year, but he is optimistic.
"It's been an interesting year because we've gotten snow and then we got rain and snow and rain," Colbum said. "So, not a normal year by any stretch of the imagination. Once we get to this time of year, hopefully we get rid of rain and we're all snow."
Schweitzer Ski Resort joined Lookout Pass as the only two locations with runs open Monday.
Opening day at Mount Spokane is scheduled for this Wednesday, December 13.
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