Noah Ullah & Jill Larsen | Spokane Valley Living
When does ski season start near Spokane Valley? 2026–27 opening dates, pass deadlines and kids' deals from Noah Ullah of Spokane Best Home Living

When Does Ski Season Start Near Spokane Valley? 2026–27 Opening Dates, Pass Deadlines and Kids' Deals

By Noah Ullah · Spokane Best Home Living, powered by Epique Realty · November 11, 2026

Quick answer: No local ski area is open yet. Schweitzer is scheduled to open first, on Friday, Nov 27 (weather dependent). Lookout Pass usually aims for Thanksgiving weekend. OnTheSnow projects Silver Mountain for Nov 28, but Silver hasn't posted a date. Mt. Spokane, the closest full-service mountain to the Valley, is targeting Saturday, Dec 5, or earlier if snow allows. 49° North told KHQ in October that it hoped to open around Thanksgiving if conditions allow. The deadline to watch this week is Schweitzer's season pass sale, which ends Sunday, Nov 15. Mt. Spokane's pass sale ended Nov 10, but its 5-packs are on sale through Dec 5 or until they sell out. Got a 5th grader? A $29 passport gets them free days at four local mountains.

Hi, I'm Noah. One of the best parts of living in Spokane Valley is how much winter is within reach. Five ski areas sit within a day trip of most Valley neighborhoods, and the closest is about 28 miles from downtown Spokane. Each fall, the question I hear from neighbors is the same: "When do the mountains open, and what should I buy before prices go up?" So I checked each resort's own website and the latest local reporting. Here's what's confirmed, what's still a projection, and which deadlines are coming up. After that you'll find what's happening around the Valley this week.

Watch the 44-second Short: every local opening date and this week's pass deadline. Open on YouTube.

When do the ski areas near Spokane Valley open for 2026–27?

MountainOpening targetHow firm is it?
Schweitzer (Sandpoint, ID)Fri, Nov 27Scheduled by the resort, weather dependent (Schweitzer)
Lookout Pass (I-90 at the ID/MT line)Thanksgiving weekend, the usual targetDepends entirely on natural snow, because Lookout doesn't make snow (KHQ, Oct 14)
Silver Mountain (Kellogg, ID)Nov 28 (projection)An OnTheSnow estimate. Silver's own site doesn't list a date yet (OnTheSnow)
Mt. Spokane (about 28 miles from downtown Spokane)Sat, Dec 5, or earlierThe resort's target date (Mt. Spokane)
49° North (Chewelah)"Around Thanksgiving," conditions permittingWhat the resort told KHQ in October. No official date is posted yet (KHQ)

A reality check: These dates depend on snow. Last season Mt. Spokane also targeted early December, but a warm, wet stretch pushed its opening day to Dec 27 (Mt. Spokane's own season posts). Before you load the car, check each mountain's conditions page or the Ski NW Rockies conditions hub, which covers 49° North, Mt. Spokane, Lookout and Silver.

What's the snow outlook for this winter?

NOAA's winter outlook, released Oct 15, leans toward above-average temperatures for December through February across the Inland Northwest. It gives equal chances of a wetter or drier winter for most of the region, with a slight lean toward drier for North Idaho and far northeast Washington. A strong El Niño is the main driver, and NOAA put the odds that it continues through January–March at about 80%. NOAA doesn't forecast snowfall this far out, and individual storms still happen in El Niño years (KHQ on the NOAA outlook · NOAA). NOAA's updated outlook comes out Thursday, Nov 19.

Some resorts have planned for thinner years. The Inlander reports that 49° North can now make snow all the way to the summit, and that Silver Mountain added four mobile snow guns (Inlander, Oct 15).

Which pass and ticket deadlines are coming up?

  • Schweitzer: season pass sale ends Sun, Nov 15. Prices go up after that. Schweitzer 3-Packs are $249 while limited quantities last (Schweitzer · Inlander).
  • Mt. Spokane: the season pass sale ended Nov 10, but 5-Packs (five single-day tickets you can share) are on sale online through Dec 5 or until they sell out. The Value 5-Pack is $249 and has blackout dates. The Anytime 5-Pack is $329 and has none (Mt. Spokane).
  • Mt. Spokane day tickets for ages 18–59 are $68 on weekdays and $92 on weekends and holidays. You save $5 by buying online before midnight the night before. Kids 6 and under and skiers 80 and older ski free. Night tickets are $45 for ages 7 and up (Mt. Spokane lift tickets).
  • Already have a pass somewhere else? Mt. Spokane takes $15 off a single-day ticket for current Silver, 49° North, Schweitzer or Lookout season passholders (Mt. Spokane). Lookout offers half-price regular lift tickets Monday through Thursday, outside holiday periods, to 2026–27 season passholders from any other mountain (Inlander).

Want to live closer to the mountains, or closer to the Centennial Trail?

Every Spokane Valley neighborhood trades off drive times, lot size and price a little differently. Search current homes, see whether you qualify for down payment assistance, or book a free strategy call. We'll talk through which areas fit the way you actually live, winter included. Already own a home? Get a free home value estimate.

What are the best ski deals for kids and families?

  • 5th Grade Ski & Ride Passport ($29): A one-time $30.27 total, which is the $29 passport plus a $1.27 fee, gets a 5th grader three free full-day lift tickets at each of four mountains: 49° North, Lookout Pass, Mt. Spokane and Silver Mountain. A parent or guardian has to come along, and holiday blackout dates apply. Each mountain adds its own perks. At Mt. Spokane, that's up to three free group lessons, 25% off rentals and a $99 season pass after the third visit. At Silver, the first group lesson is free. At 49° North, one free group lesson comes with a reservation (Ski NW Rockies).
  • Lookout Pass Free Ski School: Free lessons, with a lift ticket included during the 1.5-hour lesson, for skiers ages 6–17 and snowboarders ages 7–17. Lessons start Sat, Jan 9, 2027, and registration opened Oct 31. Kids must attend within the first two weeks of the program to take part (Lookout Pass).
  • Mt. Spokane Club Shred ($49) is for ages 4–12. It combines a lesson, dinner and ski buddies on Friday nights, 5–8 p.m., and now runs on Saturday nights too. On Wild Wednesdays, a youth night ticket is $5 with a paying adult (Inlander).
  • New beginner lift at 49° North: The old two-seat Payday chair has been replaced by Dreamer, a quad that sits closer to the lodge and has restraint bars, easier loading and access to the kid-friendly Gold Chute trail (Inlander).
  • Not a skier? Silver Mountain's 640-foot tubing hill takes two-hour bookings at $27.95 for youth and $30.95 for adults, and the indoor Silver Rapids waterpark is at the base (Inlander · Ski NW Rockies).
  • Brand-new adult skiers: Schweitzer's "Learn to Ski in 3" is three group lessons with lift access and rentals for $425. Finishing it earns a free Grad Pass that's good from March through closing day (Inlander).

How does night skiing work at Mt. Spokane?

Starting Dec 16, Mt. Spokane plans to run seven days a week. Wednesday through Saturday it stays open 9 a.m.–9 p.m., and night skiing runs 3–9 p.m. through March 14. Sixteen runs are lit (Ski NW Rockies · Mt. Spokane). For a lot of Valley families, that means you can ski after school or after work without taking a day off.

What should you know before driving to the mountains?

  • Studded tires: In Washington, studs are legal only from Nov 1 through March 31. That applies to every vehicle, out-of-state ones included, while stud-free winter tires are legal year-round (WSDOT). Idaho allows studs from Oct 1 through April 30 (Idaho Code 49-948).
  • Check conditions first. Look at the mountain's conditions and webcams, plus WSDOT pass reports if you're heading east on I-90.
  • Get your house ready too. If you'll be gone all day, our Spokane Valley winter prep checklist covers the furnace, drafts and how the city handles snow.

Watch & follow

This post is the deep dive. Our Shorts and Reels give you the quick version, and they all point back here. Watch today's ski-season video on your favorite app:

Follow us for the next local guide:

More from the blog: until the snow sticks, try hiking near Spokane Valley in November, browse free family activities, or catch up on our November market check-in. Thinking about selling before the holidays? Read how Clique Offers cash offers work in Spokane Valley.

This Week in Spokane Valley (Nov 11–18, 2026)

Here's what's happening around the Valley and greater Spokane this week. Please confirm times and tickets with each organizer before you go.

Veterans Day (today, Wed, Nov 11)

  • 10 a.m.: Veterans Day Ceremony, Resource Fair & Food Distribution at Numerica Veterans Arena, 720 W Mallon Ave (Numerica Veterans Arena)
  • 11 a.m.–5 p.m.: Free Looff Carrousel rides for active and former military, plus one companion, at Riverfront Park (Riverfront Spokane)
  • Closures: Spokane County Library District branches, including Spokane Valley, and Spokane County offices are closed today (SCLD hours · Spokane County).

Community & city

  • Thu, Nov 12, 8:30 a.m.: 2027 Economic Forecast at the Spokane Convention Center, listed on the city's economic-development calendar (City of Spokane Valley calendar)
  • Sat, Nov 14, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.: Fall First Look Bridal Show at CenterPlace Regional Event Center, 2426 N Discovery Pl (City calendar)
  • Sat, Nov 14, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.: Spokane Farmers' Market at 2nd & Chestnut in Browne's Addition, on November hours through Nov 21 (Spokane Farmers' Market)
  • Tue, Nov 17: Spokane Valley City Council's third and final public hearing on the 2027 budget, with adoption expected that night (Council recaps)
  • Wed, Nov 18, 5:30–8 p.m.: free Homebuyer Education Seminar at the North Spokane Library, taught by SNAP instructors certified by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission. Attendees get a certificate they can use to apply for down payment assistance. Registration is required (SCLD).

Sports

  • Fri, Nov 13, 6:05 p.m.: Spokane Chiefs vs. Everett Silvertips (Native American Heritage Night) at Numerica Veterans Arena (Numerica)
  • Sat, Nov 14, 12:30 p.m.: Gonzaga men vs. LSU at Numerica Veterans Arena (GoZags)
  • Tue, Nov 17, 8 p.m.: Gonzaga men vs. Montana State at McCarthey Athletic Center (GoZags)
  • Wed, Nov 18, 6 p.m.: Gonzaga women vs. Montana at McCarthey Athletic Center (GoZags)

Music, theater & movies

  • Thu, Nov 12: Young Artists Celebration Concert. The Spokane Symphony performs with youth orchestras and MusicFest Northwest winners at The Fox, 1001 W Sprague Ave (Fox Theater).
  • Sat, Nov 14: "Clouds in My Coffee," the music of Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Carly Simon, with the Spokane Symphony at The Fox (Fox Theater)
  • Sat–Sun, Nov 14–15: "The Music Man" at the First Interstate Center for the Arts (Broadway Spokane)
  • Sun, Nov 15, 7 p.m.: Three Days Grace, Alienation Tour, at Numerica Veterans Arena (Numerica)
  • Mon, Nov 16: Whitworth Orchestra Celebrates America's 250th at The Fox (Fox Theater)
  • Movies: See current showtimes at Regal Spokane Valley (14760 E Indiana Ave).

For Parents & Kids

  • Thu, Nov 12, 9:30–10:30 a.m.: Toddler Play & Learn Storytime (18–36 months) at the Spokane Valley Library (SCLD)
  • Thu, Nov 12, 3:30–4:30 p.m.: STEAM-Themed Thursdays at the Spokane Valley Library (SCLD)
  • Sat, Nov 14, 10 a.m.–noon: LEGO Free Play at the Argonne Library and the Otis Orchards Library (SCLD)
  • Sun, Nov 15: Spokane Youth Symphony, "Rhythms Without Borders," at The Fox (Fox Theater)
  • Tue, Nov 17, 9:30–10:30 a.m.: Family Play & Learn Storytime (ages 2–5) at the Spokane Valley Library (SCLD)
  • Wed, Nov 18, 4–5:30 p.m.: Mini Comic Zines (ages 10–14) at the Spokane Valley Library, with all supplies provided (SCLD)
  • Family pick: Broadway Spokane recommends "The Music Man" for ages 6 and up. For a family movie night, check Regal Spokane Valley showtimes.
  • Ski-season prep: If you have a 5th grader, get the $29 passport (see above) before your first mountain day.

FAQ: Ski season near Spokane Valley

When does Mt. Spokane open for the 2026–27 season?

Mt. Spokane is targeting Saturday, Dec 5, 2026, or earlier if snow allows. Starting Dec 16 it plans to run seven days a week, with night skiing Wednesday through Saturday until 9 p.m. Last season's opening slipped to Dec 27 because of warm weather, so check conditions before you go.

Which ski area near Spokane opens first this year?

Schweitzer has the earliest scheduled opening, Friday, Nov 27, weather dependent. Lookout Pass usually targets Thanksgiving weekend, and OnTheSnow projects Silver Mountain for Nov 28.

When is the Schweitzer season pass deadline?

Schweitzer's season pass sale ends Sunday, Nov 15, 2026, and prices go up after that. Schweitzer 3-Packs are $249 while limited quantities last.

Can 5th graders ski free near Spokane?

Yes. The Ski NW Rockies 5th Grade Ski & Ride Passport costs $29 plus a $1.27 fee. It covers three free full-day lift tickets at each of 49° North, Lookout Pass, Mt. Spokane and Silver Mountain. A parent or guardian must be present, and holiday blackout dates apply.

Do kids ski free at Mt. Spokane?

Kids 6 and under ski free at Mt. Spokane, and so do skiers 80 and older. You pick up the ticket at the window with age verification.

When can I use studded tires in Washington?

Studded tires are legal in Washington only from Nov 1 through March 31. In Idaho they're legal from Oct 1 through April 30. Stud-free winter tires are legal year-round.

Work with Noah & Jill

Jill Larsen and I work as a team at Spokane Best Home Living, powered by Epique Realty. We focus on Spokane Valley and help buyers and sellers across Spokane County. Maybe you want a garage big enough for the ski gear, or a shorter drive to the mountain. Either way, here's where to start:

Buying

Selling

Talk with us: Book a free strategy call · (509) 903-5114 · team@spokanebesthomesearch.com

Think snow, and see you around the Valley,
Noah Ullah, Spokane Best Home Living

Opening dates, prices and programs come from each resort, Ski NW Rockies, the Inlander, KHQ and OnTheSnow as of Nov 11, 2026. Opening dates depend on snow and can change, and prices may not include tax. Check each mountain's site before you buy or drive up. Event details come from the linked organizers.

Spokane Best Home Living, powered by Epique Realty, a subsidiary of Phoenix Realty LLC

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