A ski area that straddles the border between Montana and Idaho has bumped up its opening day. Ski Lookout Pass will open Friday, November 8, 2024. Lifts will spin from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The move comes after one big storm dropped a couple feet of snow on the mountain, and more storms are in the immediate future.
“With the recent snowstorms depositing 14” to 36” of snow on the mountain, and with more snow pending, the mountain is ready to welcome skiers and riders,” general manager Brian Bressel said. “Stoke is indeed high and we’ve got enough early-season snow to offer a fun product for our enthusiastic early season diehards.”
Photo: Ski Lookout Pass
Most of the 14 trails on the mountain will be available, and they’ll be serviced by two chairlifts: the Eagle Peak Quad and Chair No. 1. Skiers and riders will be able to get turns in starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Early season conditions are to be expected, with bare spots and the potential for core shots both in place.
“With more snow in the forecast the start of the promising La Niña winter is adding a nice pre-Christmas glimmer to what is being touted by many forecasters as a winter to remember!” the press release says.
Ski Lookout isn't permanently open just yet. The mountain will be closed the following Monday through Thursday, and the plan is to open it back up next Friday for a full weekend of riding and skiing again.
Lift tickets are affordable, too. Friday’s ticket will cost just $30 for adults and $25 for youth and seniors. The price goes up to $47 and $35, respectively on Saturday and Sunday.
Typically, a midweek ticket will cost adults $55. Weekends cost adults $68. And don’t forget: Ski Lookout is the home to one of the best deals in all of snowboarding: ski or ride free on your birthday with a birth certificate or photo ID.
Photo: Lookout Pass
Lookout averages more than 450 inches of snowfall a year, and has 54 named runs over 1,023 skiable acres. The summit elevation is 6,150 feet, and it has a vertical drop of 1,650 feet. The longest run is 1.5 miles long. It’s located about 90 minutes from Missoula, Montana.
Interestingly enough, it is possible to cross two time zones in the same run at Ski Lookout.