Burton's "Sabotage Stupidity" Campaign - Part I

Okay, so this is a tad off-topic. I found this campaign by Burton. The objective: repeal the ban on snowboarding at the four United States ski resorts that ban it through a combination of guerrilla warfare and downright poor attitude. The prize: $5,000 from Burton and $5,000 from evogear. Quote Jake Burton: "We have demonstrated our sport to be for real, and of no threat to society." I'm sorry, but I can't make head or tails of this. For example, you can view poaching videos at burton.com/poaching. The videos clearly show numerous boarders doing the following, usually considered violations of the Skiers' and Snowboarders' Responsibility Code:

1. Obviously, purposely cutting skiers off - mere feet from the skiers.
2. Weaving in and out of young skiers.
3. Not bothering to look up as they merge into a trail.
4. Ignoring the shouts of annoyed skiers who paid premium prices for the experience.

In ski country - the mountains - the Skiers' and Snowboarders' Responsibility Code is generally considered the "law of the land," along with various codes set forth by the Board of Directors. So tell me how, in the process of shooting the poaching video, they did not break any laws or endanger society? You could argue that the Responsibility Code is the law on the mountains.

More next week...

Current Snowmaking at Schweitzer

Here are a bunch of the latest photos from Schweitzer. If you look closely at the image of snowmaking at the Great Escape, you see a huge pile of snow, ready for some sliding. There are also some interesting shots of the Basin Express. Can I just tell you: WOW?! It looks so cool! Can't wait!!! Here is an image of the current snowmaking areas. These are the areas that we know snow has been made or is being made. Enjoy!
Just remember to THINK SNOW!!

Weather Forecast - 11/23

Great news just in from the National Weather Service! Snow is FINALLY in the air at Schweitzer Mountain Resort, because there is a Hazardous Weather Outlook in store for us. In the words of the NWS:

FORECAST MODELS ARE INDICATING A PAIR OF MOIST AND COLD PACIFIC STORM SYSTEMS TRACKING THROUGH THE REGION ON MONDAY NIGHT AND AGAIN ON OR ABOUT WEDNESDAY. THESE STORMS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE THE FIRST SIGNIFICANT AND POSSIBLY HEAVY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF THE SEASON OVER THE POPULATED LOWER ELEVATIONS OF EASTERN WASHINGTON AND NORTH IDAHO.

Of course this is GREAT news for all the inland northwest resorts. Here's the lowdown.

Today, expect foggy and then cloudy weather to prevail. There will be a high of 33 degrees, but don't worry, because the low tonight will be about 24. Then, tomorrow, expect another day of fog and clouds, and a high of 32, but falling throughout the day. On Saturday Night, expect a 40% chance of snow and a low of 12 and a wind chill of -2 to 5. On Sunday, expect another chance of snow and a high of around 24. Expect it to get cold again Sunday Night, with a low around 16 and mostly cloudy skies. Things start to get interesting Monday with a 70% chance of snow after 10am and a high of 19. Snow continues into Monday Night with snow showers and a low of 14. Another batch of snow starts Tuesday, with a high near 23. Expect a chance of snow on Tuesday Night and snow on Wednesday and Wednesday Night.

Keep THINKING SNOW!!! It's working!!!

Weather Forecast - 11/21

Fast Forward to Saturday on our forecast. I know, I'm skipping Thanksgiving, but nothing much is going on. Dry, cold air is in place over the area until at least Saturday, when, hopefully, changes arrive. That's when a slight chance of snow arrives. Chances persist into the evening and overnight hours. Snow potentially stays with us until Thursday, when a huge mass of wet weather (snow, obviously) moves in and bombards us with huge amounts of snow. This prediction is, unfortunately though, based off the GFS, which is not the most reliable forecast model. In the meantime, THINK SNOW!

The Road to Opening Day, Part 3 - Snowmaking

Snowmaking has begun at Schweitzer Mountain Resort. The recent snow "drought" has many managers anxious to open, and what better way to cure that anxiety than making snow. Schweitzer employees flipped the switch for the guns Tuesday morning, at a frigid 19 degrees. Snow is currently being made on the most (obviously) accessible run, Happy Trails. Let's all hope for success and think snow!

Ski the Northwest Rockies Snow Show

Don't forget that this weekend is the Spokane Snow Show, now back at the Convention Center, instead of the puny Big Easy Concert House. New this year is Spokane's first indoor rail jam and a showing of Yeah Dude! featuring world-class skiers ripping it up at Schweitzer. Admission is free to season pass holders and the Show will take place from 9-6 on Saturday. Get ready, because the ski season is coming. Think Snow! :-)

Weather Forecast - 11/16

Well, everything is going as forecasted (unfortunately). It rained in the village earlier today, and reports from the top are scattered, as the Selkirk Powder Company webcam image is down. Darn. Oh, well, here's a fresh forecast for the summit, at 6,396 feet.

We start off, again, right away, with snow in the forecast for Tonight. Expect 1-2 inches of the white stuff before dawn, with temps favorable for accumulation, obviously. On Saturday, A high near 31 will favor an accumulation of 1-3 inches of snow. Saturday Night, temperatures will dip well below freezing - near 22, for an accumulation of 3-5 inches. On Sunday and Sunday Night, the chance of snow is 40%, with temperatures cold enough to sustain the snowpack. On Monday, expect a 50% chance of snow, with possibly up to 4 inches if it does snow. The high will be a frigid 19 degrees. We'll keep you up-to-date, and be back later when and if the conditions change.

Bye, for now, and Think Snow! ;-)

Weather Forecast - 11/15

Okay, because of the great variations in the recent forecasts, I am going to clear up the rumors. This forecast will be based solely off of the NWS forecast for the Village at Schweitzer. I like to use the village because it gives an idea of what it would be like for anyone staying on mountain right now. Let's get started.

Bam! We get started with a bang! 2-4 inches are expected tonight in the the village at Schweitzer. That means temperatures will be favorable for accumulation - on top of the four inches we have already. Tomorrow, expect rain or snow. The temperatures - in the mid/upper 30s, are too close right now to call, so for now, expect snow and then rain. Friday Night, though, almost certainly, will see rain. Lows will be at 31, not low enough to put snow in the forecast. Bummer!! Saturday will be much like Friday, except it may snow all day. Chance of accumulation is 65%, and highs will be in the mid-30s. Saturday Night will be similar, with lows around 26. Expect an ongoing chance of snow on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Expect a break on Wednesday, at least - but it will not be warm enough for snow melt. For Thanksgiving, forecasts vary greatly, with some, like the NWS, saying dry, but others, like folks over on the forums at almanac.com, quoting the European Model - a large snowstorm. We'll just have to wait and see for now!

That's all for now, but remember: Think Snow!!

Weather Forecast - 11/11

The latest National Weather Service forecast has skiers abuzz. The forecast calls for snow, SNOW, and MORE SNOW! Let's see... for Schweitzer, on Monday and Monday Night, the forecast calls for highs pegged at 35 degrees, but winds will be blustering to 45 MPH, so wind chills could be -10-10 degrees. Lows will be at 15 degrees, with wind chills likewise. The snow accumulation will be between 4 and 9 inches! Tuesday will be rather uneventful but by Wednesday the snow returns, and we can expect another full-blown storm! Snow is even expected for the rest of the week, so stay posted as we keep you up to date!

The Road to Opening Day - Part 2

Okay, I know I've been absent for a bit, but now I'm getting back into this: snow is in the forecast! So today is part two of The Road to Opening Day. We'll look at the fundamental change going on at Schweitzer: 2 New Lifts.

The two new lifts are named The Basin Express and The Lakeview Triple. The Basin Express is a high-speed quad that starts in the heart of Schweitzer Village near the Mill Building. That lift follows the old chair 7 line and will take you to a point just above the old MidWay Unload/Load station. It will only take a blazing fast 3.7 minutes. Then, you will have the option to ski down to the Stomping Grounds Terrain Park or other intermediate terrain or get on the Lakeview Triple and ride to the top. The Lakeview is Schweitzer's first triple, and it will actually take 4.5 minutes to reach the top via the same line as Chair One.

Here are some pictures of the lifts under construction.

This is a shot of the Basin Express with a wonderful snowy Ridge Run in the Background.Here is a shot of crews assembling the lower station for the Basin Express.Ah, the bliss of the summit of Schweitzer Mountain. Wait - why is that patrol station so high?!

Hello, down there! A shot of the Top of the Lakeview Triple

The weirdest looking unloading station ever! A shot of the Basin Express.

All this happens over the summer. It's so amazing. The lifts were manufactured by Doppelmayr CTEC in Salt Lake City, Utah. To visit their website and fantasize about a backyard T-Bar, go HERE.