April 7th 2012 was the day chairs turned at Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park for the 2011-2012 season. Skiers and riders came out to make their last turns on great spring corn under a beautiful blue sky. It was one of those spring days we all long for. Most guests finished up early and spent the rest of the day sitting outside on the enjoying the warm sunshine and sharing stories. A few skiers and riders rode till the last possible second, trying to get in as many turns as possible. It was truly an awesome way to finish an amazing season.

But before this writer takes a summer hiatus, here is a recap of the 2011-2012 season. As usual, the Mt. Spokane Ski Patrol Ski Swap kicks off the season. Thousands of people showed up browsing two huge showrooms packed full of skis, boards, and every accessory needed to hit the slopes in style. The staff members of Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park were on hand to get people their season passes, answer questions, and even set up an Xbox in which people could show off their “virtual ski skills” in a downhill ski game.

Of course, November 25th 2011 was the day everyone was waiting for. Blue skies, 7″ of light and dry, and now wind made for excellent conditions. Skiers and riders came in droves to carve out their own little piece of winter awesomeness after a long summer. As expected, everyone had huge grins on their faces. Opening day brings and energy that is impossible to articulate-you just feel it. You look around and realize that you are not dreaming. It’s all real. It’s time to shred!!!!

Night skiing kicked off on December 16th which in our book, means its officially DEEP winter. After the sun went down the energy level went way up. Out on the slopes skiers and riders were taking advantage of six additional hours of shredding under the stars while the Foggy Bottom lounge was packed with guests enjoying some apres. Night skiing is truly one of the benefits of shorter days and longer nights.

We had a variety of other events throughout the season including the Kan Jam freestyle festival. The annual event consists of three days of freestyle events. It starts off with skiers and riders hitting the rail jam, then the slopestyle, and finishes off with the big air. This year our participants threw down big for every competition. They really put on an amazing show for spectators. Their efforts were rewarded by some of our sponsors who offered up thousands of dollars worth of new gear. It is so exciting to watch these kids come out and really take things to the next level in their skiing and riding.

All of these wonderful events and activities would not be possible without the team of hardworking staff at Mt. Spokane. They show up early and leave late. They truly have to bust their rear ends to keep the mountain running smoothly. From the ops staff down in the parking lot directing traffic, to the lifties loading people on the chairs, to all of the lodge staff, and to the ski patrollers keeping everyone safe, all of our staff members play a critical role in our operation. Since day one where they undergo their training, staff members have to come to work each and everyday with their game face-something they do all season long.

We at Mt. Spokane want to thank all of our guests for an outstanding season. It is always tough to hang up our jackets, put away our skis and boards, and pack away our gear. Skiers and riders seem to have a different opinion on the changing seasons than do non-skiers and riders. While we are for the most part happy to have warm weather, it is fair to say that we would give it all up in an instant for a powder day. As for now though, it is time to say goodbye. Thank you all for such a wonderful season. We will see you next winter!

Its January again!!!! And that means cold and wet weather which translates into SNOW!!!! While many are waiting on summer to come back, skiers and riders are stoked because there are still many cold days in the forecast. But the best part of January is that it is “Learn a Snow Sport Month.” That means it is time time to turn of the video game console, bail on the TV, and get off your rear end and get up to Mt. Spokane. With a variety of different learning packages to suit your needs, it is easier than ever (on you and your wallet) to come experience what nature has to offer. Don’t worry if you have never been on the snow, at Mt. Spokane we have 125 certified ski and snowboard instructors to guide you through your first turns.

One of our instructors Andrew Fuzak told us that his favorite part of instructing is when he sees ”people having fun and when they make breakthroughs.” He likes to see people realize that once they get then hang of things, skiing or boarding is actually a ton of fun. Our ski school manager Maxine McIntyre said that her favorite part of instructing is when, “one of my previous students goes flying by yelling hi Max!”

Today, students from Whitworth University were feeling the love! Through their physical education classes, they were able to get school credit by coming up and skiing or riding. Now that’s learning huh? Many of the students have never skied or boarded before, so they were very excited. A few others have been riding for quite awhile so they were looking to sharpen their skills and become more comfortable riding on  difficult terrain.  

So what are you waiting on? We have awesome deals, awesome instructors, awesome everything! We hope to see you up here very soon.

~Jeremy

Some seasons we get more snow than others. This season has been one of the others, well so far. But by looking around here at Mt. Spokane, our skiers and riders are still having an absolute blast. The reason???? Well we have been very fortunate to be above the gloomy skies that cover Spokane. Here at the mountain, we have been enjoying a lot of clear weather with beautiful corduroy covering our slopes like a canvas waiting for artists to carve out their signatures. If you are someone who prefers to only “play artist” in the powder, here are a few ideas while waiting for our next storm…

Skiers looking to build their skills should consider hitting the bumps. Nothing will build one’s steeps skills like being able to negotiate turn after turn after turn with lightning quick speed. Mogul skiing helps train one’s body to be able to make fast proficient turns which will help them excel  when they  advance past the easy slopes and want to try their hand at some tight tree skiing. Also, hitting the bumps for a few hours will tell you just how much work your legs need.

For snowboarders, learning to ride switch is always a great asset to have when shredding in the park. Being able to be fully proficient riding in both directions allows one to execute maneuvers they could not do otherwise. A few boarders  mentioned that they were going to spend the whole day riding opposite of their normal riding style, i.e. goofy if regular and regular if goofy. Having the whole day with virtually no lift lines and soft smooth snow makes for the perfect training ground by allowing one to practice by making run after run with no interruptions.

Both skiers and riders can benefit from our weather and conditions by utilizing the park. Enhancing freestyle skills is certainly a great way to build confidence and help develop proficiency all over the mountain.

If you have been itching to just haul down the mountain,  right now is your chance. If you haven’t checked out chair 1 then you should. There is a lot of open space to put it into high gear and go really, really, really fast.

If you are reading this than hopefully next time you get out on the hill you can try something new. If you never have skied bumps go ski them. If you always ride regular spend the day riding goofy. If you can’t hit a rail or jumps here is your chance. And when the day is done we are not. Wed through Sat we are open for night skiing. Also, remember that introducing someone to skiing and snowboarding makes a great first date and the best part about doing it right now is that you won’t have to miss any pow while you’re down on the bunny hill.

We hope to see all of you very soon. Keep those snow dances up!

We may have started skiing and riding on November 25th, but it really doesn’t feel like we are fully into the winter season until we get to shred under the lights and enjoy some apres.

It was great seeing the parking lot ‘refill’ last night after the day crowd had retired. Skiers and riders were anxious to get up and start some after hours shredding on the new snow that we received Thursday and shred they did! Around 5:30, the skies cleared making Two Face fully visible and with very little traffic from the Friday day crowd (Two Chair was closed Thursday) the snow was piled up very nicely allowing for a taste of POWDER!!! Elsewhere on the mountain, the groomers were velvety smooth and everyone was making beautiful turns.

After tearing down the slopes, guests were treated to some wonderful apres. In the Foggy Bottom Lounge, VooDoo Church was providing great music while guests were enjoying their winter beverage of choice and the Monster Energy Girls were serving up samples of Monster Energy drinks. Guests were also spinning the Greasy Sheave and were awarded prizes ranging from swag to deli meats to cans of beans.

The night was definitely a great way to kick off the winter season. We at Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park greatly appreciate our guests for making this the best skiing and riding in the inland Northwest. Winter has just kicked off so keep up those snow dances and we hope to see all of you soon.

Hello fellow skiers and riders,

Exams are over or soon to be over. A few weeks off from the hustle and bustle of school sure brings a sense of relief to those who have been pounding the books. For many, winter vacation  means sleeping late, drinking the latest sensational beverage from one’s favorite coffee shop, and indulging in sweets, but…..What should you be doing? As a skier or rider, school has just started.

We at Mt. Spokane love seeing people improve their skills. This winter come and do what you wanted to do last year. If you are new to the sport come out and spend some time in ski or snowboard school and learn the finer points of the sport. If you are a park dweller, this is the year to try that trick that you didn’t try last spring.

There is never a dull moment when you are trying to progress your skill level. We at Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park want you to push your perceived personal limits and once pushed, smash em to bits. We are just starting a wonderful season. So grab your gear and come with the “I am gonna do it this season attitude.” Hope to you on the slopes soon.

~Jeremy

Do you know what the best deal to be had on black Friday was? I’ll give you a hint, it does not involve TV’s or packages of socks. Still guessing? Okay, I will tell you. It was 7″ of light and dry, under blue skies, calm winds, and non existent lift lines. It was the kind of day that makes you say to yourself,  “that was so AWESOME!”

Today was just, well, it was awesome! There is no better way to open a season than with fresh powder under blue skies. It was pretty evident that everyone was feeling the same way. Seriously, it was almost as if everyone had  a sweet tooth and just found a bowl of candy. People were just so stoked to be shredding lines under the sun and being opening day made it all the sweeter.

Everyone was throwing down today. The faces of 2 and 3 were carved up in beautiful s curves and the tree stashes served as a sort of snow shower covering the lucky skier or rider with lots of the white stuff. The corduroy was in fine shape today, allowing arc after arc to be carved with little effort. In the park, skiers and riders were getting in plenty of air time with the new features set up.

Great snow, great weather, and great people made ‘White Friday’ a success. There is no better way to kick off a season than with epic conditions and awesome people. This was only a glimpse. We have a long, cold, wet winter ahead of us. And I believe that puts a smile on everyone’s face.

By the way, if you could not make it up today, there are still plenty of pow stashes out there waiting to be shredded.

Before that first chair turns, before those first beautiful powder turns, before goggle tans, before enjoying après, before anything happens opening day, the staff members of Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park are hard at work making the aforementioned pleasures a possibility. It is their hard work and dedication that make Mt. Spokane the best place to ski and ride in the Inland Northwest. It’s a lot of work, but it’s a labor of love. We, like all of our guests, want to enjoy the wonderful white stuff that Mother Nature blesses us with each November.
This year is no exception.  This week, thanks to relentless snowfall, it was announced that Mt. Spokane will be open to skiers and riders Friday November 25th or as we call it, WHITE FRIDAY!!!! But before any of this can happen however, the staff must shift into high gear getting things ready. The most important part of the prep work is “Safety, Safety, Safety,” says Eric Edwards, base operations supervisor.
Last Saturday, all employees gathered at Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park to train, train, and train some more.  During orientation, new staff members are welcomed into the Mt. Spokane family. It is this family that provides us with cohesiveness to make your experience unforgettable.  The lift operators or “lifties” as we call them, were busy training on the new scanner systems that they will be carrying this year to scan tickets for every skier and rider. Down in Snow Sports, staff members were busy learning procedures to get guests out of line and onto the snow in a hot minute. Ski and snowboard instructors were busy going over procedures to ensure that their students are carving arcs before lunch. The base operations crew was busy clearing walkways, organizing parking, setting up ski check, and other various tasks needed to ensure that guests have easy access to the slopes. Rental shop technicians are quite excited because this year over 300 pairs of brand new skis and snowboards are on the shelves ready to be taken out and played with.
Above all else, the staff members of Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park are hard at work to make sure that every guest has a positive and memorable experience. With all of the new snow falling, everyone is in high spirits. So Friday the 25th,  forget the shopping, the lines, the hassles, and the headaches. Instead grab the kids, grab the gear, and head on up to Mt. Spokane for WHITE FRIDAY. With less than a week till opening day, nearly 3 FEET at the summit, and more expected throughout the week, we guarantee to turn your normally black Friday into a Friday that is very, very WHITE!!!!!!!!!!

Can  you believe that some people will still be skiing on the 4th of July?  Crystal Mountain and Mt. Bachelor are the closest mountains open throughout the holiday weekend, as well as Mammoth, Squaw Valley, A-Basin in Colorado, and Snowbird in Utah.

If we’re lucky, you may be able to ski Mt. Spokane in July as well!  There is still a large patch of snow near the summit that’s good for maybe 10 turns.  10 turns, that is, if the patch sticks around two more days to make it into July.

Are you willing to earn your turns and ski Mt. Spokane in July?

Snow still on summit June 28, 2011

Looks like enough for turns in July!

Wow, what an amazing “Viva La Nina” 10/11 season we had!  So amazing (and busy), in fact, that we dreadfully neglected the blog.  Well, it’s time for a reboot.  Let’s start with a photo recap of the epic La Nina season, which, by the way, refuses to let go - it’s snowing at the top of chair 2 as I write this (June 15th!)

Opening Day "White Friday" 2010/2011

The media showed up in droves for White Friday, and even got Lance, almost knee-deep in snow, in front of the camera!

But that didn't last long, he's a behind-the-scenes guy at heart!

It kept snowing...

... and snowing ...

... and snowing. Hey, where's all the powder shots??

Guess we were too busy taking laps to snap pow pics!

Where the heck did all this snow come from? That's right, our friend Bill Kelly at KHQ said it would snow!

Oh yeah, our pals Santa & the Yeti showed up for Christmas. Bet you've never seen a Yeti drive a snowmobile before, huh! Or Santa ski, for that matter.

Your Ski School. Anyone get a great lesson from one of these guys?

Courtney creating the next generation of skiers, one at a time.

After all those turns, we all feel like a nap! This little guy didn't even get his boots off before dozing away.

What a beautiful morning sight.

Our amazing staff is hard at work from morning (this is Jason's view)...

.. through the night. Our lift maintenance staff Joseph and Adam working tirelessly (literally!).

I'm biased, but I think we host the best events. We've even got firepits!

Brad drawing another name for the Greasy Sheave prize contest. Was it the winner of the classic "fooseball table"???

Wintersport Demo Day brought the newest gear from Burton, K2, Volkl, Rossi, and more. So fun to ride new gear.

Park Crew Alec directing the dig for the "Save The Rails" contest.

Competitors at the Kan Jam night rail jam.

Check out the crowds watching the Kan Jam Slopestyle!

Nice grab!

Kan Jam Big Air judges cozy around the fire pit.

Crowds of racers, coaches, and family showed up for the J3 qualifier.

J3 start gate, with the finish line in sight at the bottom.

All Toyota drivers got to ski free on Toyota Ski Free day.

And we raised thousands of pounds of food for the Mead Food Bank with Tom's Ski Free food drives.

The kids donned Hawaiian garb and race bibs for the Kids Obstacle Course on Family Fun Day.

And only a lucky few made it across the dreaded Pond Skim!

Brrr, that's cooooold! There's always next year to try and make it across..

Our pal Glen Plake dropped by for a tour of the mountain (his favorite run was Geronimo!) and some autograph signings...

Dave & Andrea were super-stoked to have shared some runs with such a legendary and fun fellow skier!

From the Staff & Patrol at Mt. Spokane, thank you for sharing your 10/11 winter with us!!

Photographs by Kristin Whitaker, Harvey Olson, and Megan Morgan.

                Hey, it’s Josie, the SSRA (Spokane Ski Racing Association) racer, and I’ve got a bit of an update for the week. We’re now in the midst of our Holiday Camp, a five day camp at Mt. Spokane that culminates with a club race (that anyone can sign up for, you can do it online here, or on race day, December 31, at Lodge 1). The first two days of camp were great, and we got some rock solid Slalom training in.  Yesterday we were lucky to have a Spokane local that now coaches the U.S. Women’s Europa Cup ski team on the hill coaching us, he left for Europe to get back with the team this morning and it was awesome to have his outlook on my technique. Today though, powder presented a welcome, but still unfortunate challenge, whether we should set a course or not.  We were in the course this morning but by the afternoon we decided to pull the course and enjoy some nice powder skiing.

                This isn’t the only challenge that comes with powder; unfortunately, we have also had to cancel our early morning speed training opportunities. We speed train for our fastest events, super giant slalom and downhill.  There are days when we get up to Mt. Spokane early and they will run the chair for us.  We do this because in order for speed event training to be safe, there needs to be minimal movement on the hill and with average speeds of 50-60 mph; even being too close to the course can be dangerous. Although it can pose some challenges, SSRA still loves the powder, probably almost as much as you, so see you up there!