Take it easy at smaller ski areas

Published 9:00 pm Friday, December 24, 2004

Ski areas dot the Cascades from north to south: Baker, Stevens Pass, Summit at Snoqualmie, Crystal Mountain, White Pass.

But there are more opportunities for downhill skiing away from the Cascades at smaller ski areas: 49 Degrees North, Bluewood, Hurricane Ridge, Loup Loup, Mission Ridge, Mount Spokane.

Whether big or small, most ski areas are in the same boat: Workers are grinding their collective teeth at the slow-to-develop snowpack.

Crystal, 49 Degrees North, Mount Spokane and Mount Baker ski areas have opened; folks at Alpental, Mission Ridge, Bluewood, White Pass, Stevens Pass and Summit at Snoqualmie were hoping to be open by today.

When the snow hits, the natural reaction is to head to the nearest chairlift. Once the initial burst of skiing is over, consider sampling some of the other offerings:

49 Degrees North

My favorite name on the state ski-area list, it’s officially 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort. The peak now has more than 3 feet of snow, and it’s almost 1,900 vertical feet to the lodge.

It’s about 50 miles northeast of Spokane on the slopes of Chewelah Peak in the Colville National Forest.

By the mid-’90s, 49 Degrees had fallen on hard times, but a new owner has breathed life into the area, including a new lodge and dorms.

Elevation at the top is 5,774 feet, with an annual snowfall of 240 inches and a vertical drop of 1,851 feet. The terrain is 70 percent beginner and intermediate, but 5 percent is a double-diamond test.

Daily lift tickets range from free for ages 6 and under to $35 for ages 18 to 64. Call 866-376-4949; visit www.ski49n.com.

Bluewood

Good news: The last nine miles of gravel road has been paved. Bad news: Bluewood is way down in the southeast corner of the state, 120 miles south of Spokane, in the Blue Mountains of the Umatilla National Forest.

Earlier this week there were only 14 inches of snow on top, but good skiing on dry powder is only a decent snowstorm away.

Bluewood has the second-highest base elevation in the state and collects more than 300 inches of snow each year. It has 19 runs and a 1,125-foot vertical drop.

Daily lift tickets run from free for preschoolers to $34 for adults; 509-382-4725 or www.bluewood.com.

Hurricane Ridge

The snow was patchy so patience is in order while we wait with hopes of hitting the average annual 400 inches at 5,240 feet.

The first tows to operate in the 25-acre Olympic National Park mini-ski area 18 miles south of Port Angeles are the bunny and intermediate ones. Head here on weekends and holiday Mondays.

The vertical drop is only 800 feet but there are easily accessible bowls and glades for the taking. And it’s hard to beat the view.

Lift tickets are $20 at the United States’ westernmost ski area. Park fees of $10 a car are collected at the Heart O’ the Hills entrance. Call ahead for road conditions, 360-565-3131; or 360-457-4519 for ski information; or visit www.hurricaneridge.net.

Loup Loup

The community-owned Loup Loup Ski Bowl has a Poma Chair quad lift and night skiing at the summit of Loup Loup Pass in the Methow Valley, 12 miles from Twisp.

The snow level is about half of what’s needed, but hopes were high for snow this weekend so skiers could enjoy 10 major runs with 1,240 vertical feet.

Lift tickets are $12 to $30 for ages 5 to 70. Call 509-826-2720 or visit www.skitheloup.com.

Mission Ridge

Snowmaking operations are under way but it’s going to take a decent snow dump to open at the ski area 12 miles southwest of Wenatchee, since there were only 11 inches at the top on Tuesday.

When it gets here, expect dry and light snow. You’ll find a vertical drop of 2,200 feet, and 35 trails; 60 percent of the terrain is intermediate.

Lift tickets are $5 to $40. Call 509-663-6543 or visit www.missionridge.com.

Mount Spokane

Officially Mount Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park it offers a 2,065-foot vertical drop with 45 percent of the terrain tagged with black diamonds.

It’s operated by snowriders as a nonprofit organization and is 23 miles north of Spokane.

Lift tickets range from free for ages 6 and under to $35. Call 509-238-2220; visit www.mtspokane.com.

Columnist Sharon Wootton can be reached at 360-468-3964 or www.songandword.com.