Mount Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount SpokaneSki and Snowboard Park |
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 Mount
Spokane Location in Washington (state)
Mount
Spokane Location in the United States
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| Location | Mount Spokane State Park, Spokane County, Washington, U.S. |
| Nearest city | Spokane: 23 mi (37 km) |
| Coordinates | 47°55′19″N 117°05′49″W / 47.922°N 117.097°W |
| Vertical | 2,071 ft (631 m) |
| Top elevation | 5,889 ft (1,795 m) |
| Base elevation | 4,400 ft (1,340 m) lodge 2 base area 3,818 ft (1,164 m) lowest lift base, #4 |
| Skiable area | 1,425 acres (5.8 km2) |
| Runs | 45 - 23% easiest - 45% more difficult - 42% most difficult |
| Lift system | 6 chairs |
| Lift capacity | 4,920 per hr |
| Snowmaking | no |
| Night skiing | yes |
| Website | mtspokane.com |
Mount Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park is a fun place to ski and snowboard! It's a ski resort located in Mount Spokane State Park in Spokane County, Washington. You can find it about 23 miles (37 km) northeast of the city of Spokane.
The park sits on the east side of Mount Spokane. The lowest part of the ski area is at 3,818 feet (1,164 m) above sea level. The very top of the mountain is 5,889 feet (1,795 m) high. This means you can enjoy a long ride down with a vertical drop of 2,071 feet (631 m)! The park has six chairlifts to take you up the mountain.
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History of Mount Spokane Ski Park
Early Days and Park Growth
The land for Mount Spokane State Park grew thanks to people like Cheney Cowles. He was a newspaper editor and helped get more land for the park. Sadly, he passed away during World War II.
In 1933, the Vista House was built at the top of the mountain. It was one of the first fire lookouts there. Some of these buildings were even built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was a group that helped young men find work during the Great Depression.
Skiing Competitions and First Lifts
Mount Spokane hosted big ski championships in February 1937. A famous skier named Gretchen Fraser won the women's slalom race. She later became an Olympic gold medalist!
The ski area first started on the west side of the mountain. It used rope tows to pull skiers up. In 1947, Mount Spokane had the world's first double chairlift. This chairlift was actually made from an old mine tramway! A lodge was also built by the CCC in the late 1930s.
Moving to the East Side
After a fire in 1952, the ski area moved to the east side of the mountain. A new day lodge was built by the state. In 1956, a new double chairlift was put in. More chairlifts were added over the years, with the fifth one arriving in 1977.
Night skiing became popular at Mount Spokane. It started in December 1967, letting people ski even after the sun went down!
Changes in Ownership
Al E. Mettler was a main owner of the Mount Spokane Chairlift, Inc. He sold his part of the company in 1970. Over the years, the ski area had a few different owners and managers. People like Rock E. Caley, Keith Petrie, and Sam Wormington helped run the park.
Mount Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park continues to be a favorite spot for winter fun in Washington!
