Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area - Ski Spokane
Having trouble deciding whether Montana or Idaho has the better ski conditions? Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area saves you from being forced to make those hard choices with some of the best ski runs in the entire state! If you are looking the best Spokane Ski Resorts, Lookout Pass is at the top of the list!
![Lookout Pass ski area](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Lookout-Freeride-7727.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=e850a241879e20440fbbe6e579b2d9cf 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Lookout-Freeride-7727.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=37c4164a9a25c42b5218d92e84870b9e 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Lookout-Freeride-7727.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=f4e421e632aae508079366dbb24f698e 768w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Lookout-Freeride-7727.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=25eba9787412598e02a8e6f56c1aa1e8 1024w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Lookout-Freeride-7727.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=ab5b7d57f4695edf4e5040532eccce7d 1200w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Lookout-Freeride-7727.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=e6f7e5b31484a800e57a76e11ed332d0 1440w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Lookout-Freeride-7727.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=47bfcaaadd8e6abb7ea2ab27ae2ac59d 1920w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Lookout-Freeride-7727.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=74d5b19a7837f538c914ebf09b35c67d 2560w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Lookout-Freeride-7727.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=cd766d9c3a820b966f01c8e13dcd28ca 3840w)
The Most Snow In Idaho
According to Director of Marketing Matt Sawyer, Lookout is one of four ski areas in the United States that straddles two state borders and one of only two that operates in two different time zones.
“If you want to drive your smartphone or smartwatch crazy, just come over,” he jokes. “You’ll find yourself in Montana one moment, and then after another turn you’re in Idaho. As we like to say, life is better lived on the border.”
That unique distinction imbues Lookout with the advantages of both geographies. The 540-acre resort sees the most snow in Idaho, with an average of 400 inches of natural snowfall per year. It receives snow earlier in the season than most resorts, too, making it a top destination for folks who can’t wait for the start of winter. And yet it’s one of the most accessible ski spots, with its primary parking area just 200 yards from I-90’s Exit 0.
“Of course, quality snow is a key ingredient,” says Sawyer. “But skilled and experienced groomers are what really make the mountain shine, and we have impeccable grooming. A lot of people love the idea of skiing deep powder, and they do have that opportunity here, but they can also fall back on the groomers where they can just have a fun time.”
![](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Lookout-2-1-20_2375_MomVideoKidWedge.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=dc6fa4c1f64649acd8e22e69779d6ab3 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Lookout-2-1-20_2375_MomVideoKidWedge.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=ea7ee0192231a24a53d95af4f987f13f 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Lookout-2-1-20_2375_MomVideoKidWedge.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=f4a97f22f5fb5ac753f9f0d1a9caf96b 768w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Lookout-2-1-20_2375_MomVideoKidWedge.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=5e3c9abdab0bd99936bfbbbd7305c882 1024w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Lookout-2-1-20_2375_MomVideoKidWedge.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=a1eeff9909c08fb8fa8045c7eae48d6c 1200w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Lookout-2-1-20_2375_MomVideoKidWedge.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=8cffd0e523a9e241199d203d8d5dc666 1440w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Lookout-2-1-20_2375_MomVideoKidWedge.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=a0e2e2f4a249f02b0541eca9dbcbcb39 1920w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Lookout-2-1-20_2375_MomVideoKidWedge.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=ad1ec38f8e273d6eb27b02ec1baa451f 2100w)
Even as Lookout pushes farther upward through its massive Eagle Peak expansion, which will see the resort nearly double in size to 1,023 skiable acres and reach a height of 1,650 vertical feet, Sawyer says that its prices have remained “family friendly” and represent some of the best values in the region.
“In this age of mega-resorts, we still offer free parking, affordable lift tickets, incredible deals on season passes, and even our food is reasonably priced,” he says.
![Lookout Pass Snowboarding](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/snowboarding-gd31a17e2b_1920.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=f58547db77c6e14211c261184492548d 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/snowboarding-gd31a17e2b_1920.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=45c23ad3313d279d59c1674624971b11 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/snowboarding-gd31a17e2b_1920.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=678c45d860c4b23764c5a3666238753c 768w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/snowboarding-gd31a17e2b_1920.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=e8962a16f7e264dc31e0989bcf614cca 1024w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/snowboarding-gd31a17e2b_1920.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=a3cd43d09c9f3b19f2648f24c1da8c38 1200w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/snowboarding-gd31a17e2b_1920.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=d8d07fb99a0e6c55a312ff7afab0bf6a 1440w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/snowboarding-gd31a17e2b_1920.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=0b5816f3af865ab49eefd27f12437a11 1920w)
Learn To Ski at Lookout Pass
Over more than 80 seasons, Lookout’s free ski school has introduced tens of thousands of kids to the sport at no upfront cost. Spots for that fill quickly, though, so be sure to check the Lookout Pass website for when the signup window opens for the 2022-23 season.
First-timers can also take advantage of Lookout’s three-day learners’ program for skiers as well as snowboarders. The fee will include lift tickets, lessons and rentals over any three days during the season. The beginner hill is outfitted with a dedicated chairlift and groomed daily to make the experience more relaxed.
Lookout is still determining its COVID-19 protocols for the current season, but the resort will be taking its cues from state and local bodies like the Shoshone County Board of Health. COVID guidelines for guests will be posted on the website prior to the season and updated throughout.
“Our key objective is to make it safe and fun for both the employees and the guests,” says Sawyer, not least because Lookout wants guests to see its recent modernization efforts and facility upgrades firsthand.
“We now have a quad lift on the front of the mountain. We have a triple chair on the beginner hill, and we’re putting a new triple chair over on the backside. It’s a different look and feel to the mountain than it was years ago. We want to encourage people to come out, ski around, have some fun.”