Idaho Ski Resort is the Second in the U.S. to Open This Season [Pictures]
Believe it or not, Ski season has officially begun in Idaho with the surprise opening of one Idaho ski resort last weekend and another resort scheduled to open by next weekend. Here are other major ski resorts scheduled openings:
Last weekend (November 4th) Lookout Pass in North Idaho became the 2nd ski resort to open this year in the United States. There are 6 other resorts open in the U.S now but only 10 total in all of North America. Lookout is also the least expensive of all resorts currently open at only $45 for a full day lift ticket.
The resort has 16 inches of snow at the base and 28 inches at the summit and will reopen again this weekend (Nov. 10-12). Last weekend, Lookout offered nine groomed trails on the front of the mountain, ran two of its four chair lifts, and opened all of its facilities, including rentals, lessons, food services, and tavern. Other Idaho Ski resorts are gearing up for the season. Grand Targhee has received 90 inches of snow total so far this season and plans to open Nov.17th.
Here are the planned openings for other Idaho Ski Resorts. (Conditions permitting):
* Sun Valley (sunvalley.com) -- Nov. 23
* Silver Mountain Resort (silvermt.com) -- Nov. 24
* Schweitzer Mountain Resort (schweitzer.com) -- Dec. 1
* Brundage Mountain (brundage.com) -- Dec. 8
* Tamarack Resort (tamarackidaho.com) -- Dec. 8
* Bogus Basin (bogusbasin.org) -- Dec. 9
* Pebble Creek (pebblecreekskiarea.com) -- Dec. 16
There's more good news for skiers, too: The National Weather Service
is forecasting weak La Niña conditions in the Pacific Ocean this winter for the Northern Hemisphere. Dave Groenert, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Forecast
Office in Boise. What does this mean? It means we should have an above normal ski year in Idaho….In case you forgot, Idaho experienced a La Niña winter last year and we all remember how that turned out. It was the wettest October-June in Idaho history. Will this season follow suit? Check back with me in February and I'll let you know for sure, but as of right now, based on how early we've seen the Boise Foothills and Bogus Basin receive snow, I'd say count on it. Happy skiing.
Check out the amazing ski conditions and pictures on the link below from Lookout Pass.