49 degrees north

Probably one of the lowest number of skier per acre ratios in the U.S. (2,300 acres) That means, no lines, private slopes, fast skiing, untouched glades and non burned out/happy employees to serve you. Reasonable costs all around, bargain season passes. A classic family/brown bag resort where powder lasts for days. Good eats & brews is you want them. Head to Chair 4 for the most vertical, Chair 5 if you want sun. Pacific NW skiing is about northern exposure mountains like 49. Lot's of weather systems, gaurenteed to be open and hold snow long. Once a decade we have a bad season like 2015, 2004,1984, but that's OK because the other 9 years are phenomenal. My kids have no idea what man made snow is. If you are lucky enough to live with one hour of 49, you are blessed. Don't expect resort glitz, it's about the mountain, well cut fall lines/glades and average snowfall. I'm banking big on 15'-16' season.

We ski 49 every time we're back visiting family. This year the snow was disappointing, but the resort remained a great place to visit. We were there shortly before Christmas with a limited number of runs opened, but they had done a good job grooming what snow there was. It was an atypical Christmas ski day with very few people on the slopes, but it brought out in relief the charm of the place: lift attendants who greet you with a genuine smile; fast order cooks who joke with you while grilling your freshly made burger and training a newbie; staff who go the extra mile to find scissors to cut off last year's lift passes. The small, intimate lodge, ease of access, variety of terrain (normally) and reasonable cost keep us coming back. I hear the bar is great, but we're always driving home over a pass so don't partake. If you're looking for nightlife, the beautiful people and the latest in ski technology...head to Colorado. Otherwise, relax and enjoy, even when the snow is thin and you're dodging rocks by the end of the day!

Even though the ski area wasn't open yet, it is a very beautiful place right in the forest with a great view of the whole area!

49 North is a mid-sized winter resort just outside of the small town of Chewelah, Washington. It is not well known outside of the eastern Washington area but is one of the largest ski resorts in the state (ski-able acreage). It has wonderful snow, short lift lines, a great variety of runs, and the best powder snow imaginable. The area is about 1 hour north of Spokane and is an easy drive. The employees are very friendly and accommodating and there is a free mountain host program at the hill. These mountain hosts will take anyone on a tour of the mountain to aquatint them with whatever type of runs that are of interest to them. All in all this is a wonderful place to take the family for a fun mountain experience.

Not actually too bad, just limited in nightlife, terrain, etc. Would be a good place to teach your kids to ski - not too crowded.

Every Terrain is represented here. The Beginners slope is out of the way so fast skiers do not ski through it like some other local mountains. Trees and powder off Chair 4 and fewer sliers is nice, Klondike under the main chair for the show boats and the new Chair to Angels Peak is Bitter Sweet. I used to ski what we called the East Basin when there were only a handful of Skiers that had the skill to ski it. Parking is abundant, Great Lodge, although small, and Maria in the Bar is a Shining Light with an awesome attitude and friendly smile. The Owner keeps putting in improvements and the Newer Road is wonderful.

I've taught people to ski on the excellent bunny slope here. They even offer free ski days in the spring sometimes. Very good runs and lots of them. It's quite a drive north of Spokane to get there and the drive to the resort is often snowy but OK to drive. Mount Spokane in contrast is a very dangerous drive to the resort although it's much closer to Spokane.

Spent part of the day at 49 Degree N Ski area with the owner and his wife and GM. It was a winter wonderland with lots of new snow ...a very nice rustic feel like how skiing was 20 years ago. It is an undiscovered gem in US Forest Service lands a few hours outside of Spokane, WA. While no high speed detachable lifts, there wwere a number of fixed grip chairs that took you to some amazing skiing terrain and runs in the Northwest. Ski and snowboarding were the events of the day with this abundance of new natural snow.

If you like long walks to the lodge and lifts, waiting in lift lines, unfriendly people, no variety in trails . . . definitely don't come here!

Amazing family ski- snowboarding area. Some of the best powder conditions ever imaginable with a very friendly and helpful staff. Oh, did I mention the great (free) mountain hosts that will take you on a tour of the hill?

The skiing is great and the lodge is nice. They could provide electrical outlets for people to use for computers, etc. This is my biggest complaint.

We love this mountain! The trails are easy to figure out, so the whole family can enjoy skiing without worries of getting lost. New lifts going in will open up even more terrain.

Seems like in disrepair... or no interest in keeping up with the times.

I love this resort. No lift lines, none, no waiting. I skied the west side on a lovely run with absolutely no one else on the run. I actually stopped for a few minutes to see how long it would take for someone else to use my "private" run, there wasn't another skier on this run for over 5 minutes. Great grooming and good tree skiing. Happy polite staff and a real family feel. Lift tickets are reasonable and the season tickets are a steal. Great little resort and keep up the good work. The lodge is getting a bit tired looking but there are major renovation plans and photos hanging on the walls of the lodge.

Love it, what can I say! No long standing in line waiting to ski. Makes one want to get to the top just to observe the most beautiful scenery ever. Lots of runs from beginners to difficult. Constantly renovating. Lodge & food the best. Great outdoor dining area for sunny days! Family atmosphere within, and you will love the bar! A step back in time. Great people that work there!