Sandpoint, ID (November 27, 2006)– If this is what they call an El Nino winter, skiers and snowboarders at Schweitzer Mountain Resort in Northern Idaho will take it. Schweitzer has just had one of their best opening weekends in history with just under 40” of snow falling over the 4 day Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend, bringing the year-to-date snowfall to just over 105” and allowing them to open approximately 2600 acres of terrain.
“It’s just been phenomenal,” said visiting skier Katie Toepel from Portland, “Most people are used to mediocre conditions this time of year - it’s a great opportunity to get the legs back in shape. But this year, we got thrown right into it with deep powder conditions.”
As of November 27, Schweitzer had received a total snowfall of 105”. The resort typically reaches their current snow depth by mid to the end of December. Last year, it wasn’t until December 31st that they had that much snow. They are reporting a settled snow depth of 59” at the summit and 33” in the Village.
“We always strive to open the resort for Thanksgiving Weekend if conditions allow,” said Tom Chasse, Schweitzer’s CEO, “ This year, to be able to open and to experience some of the greatest conditions in the country is great news for all of us here and in the community.”
This translates to a great Thanksgiving Weekend with over 5000 skiers and snowboarders hitting the slopes of Schweitzer in the first three days. Seven of eight lifts are operational with intention to open the final lift as soon as conditions allow.
“The phone has been ringing,” said Tawnie Sleep of Sleeps Cabins in Sandpoint, “most skiers wait until the snow flies to book their holiday vacations. My phone traffic has definitely picked up.”
Lodging options for the Christmas and New Year holidays are still available on the mountain and in Sandpoint, although they are becoming more limited as the snow piles up.
Schweitzer will host a $10 ski day on December 8th in memory of Sandpoint resident Heather Gibson to benefit the local Cancer Community Services.
