|
| |
49 Degrees North ski area, Washington PAGE 2
<<< Back to 49 Degrees North ski area main page
|
| | 49 Degrees North ski area Management Says:
Consistently voted the region's best family resort, 49øNorth Mountain Resort (just ''49'' to the regulars) truly offers adventures for everyone. Wide-open groomed runs, moguls, desert-dry powder, and hundreds of acres of legendary tree skiing. The summit of Chewelah Peak offers breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and ranges, and nearly 1,900 vertical feet to the base area and lodge facilities. Located on 2,325 acres within the 1.3 million acres of the beautiful Colville |
National Forest, 49ø North is a genuine winter wonderland.
The natural beauty of the area attracts visitors on a year-round basis, to enjoy a variety of recreational opportunities available on plentiful National Forest, State or private lands in the surrounding
| area.
Location
49ø North Mountain Resort is located in the Newport Ranger District, of the Colville National Forest, on the slopes of Chewelah Peak. 49ø North is located approximately 50 miles North of Spokane via US Highway 395 or via US Highway 2. The greater Spokane/Coeur d?Alene metropolitan area has a population of approximately 1,125,000 (the largest metropolitan area in Eastern Washington). Hightway 395 serves as the primary corridor to eastern British Columbia, Canada (approximately 55 miles north of | |
|
Chewelah), while Flowery Trail Road is considered an important transportation conduit from the Colville Valley to the Pend Oreille River Valley. 49ø North is accessed via Flowery Trail Road approximately 10 miles East of the town of Chewelah, and 16 miles west
of the town of Usk. Flowery Trail Road from the town of Chewelah is a paved, two-lane road that underwent an extensive face-lift courtesy of the Federal Highways Department. Flowery Trail Road from Usk was also re-aligned and paved offering a beautiful new route
to our parking lot. The project was completed prior to the 2006/2007 winter season.
Climate
The climate at 49ø North Mountain Resort is similar to other higher altitude mountain settings; however, due to its geographical location, the ski area experiences
different weather patterns than other Pacific Northwest ski areas. Situated in the southern Selkirk Mountains, the ski area has a unique climate due to its location one mile east of Flowery Trail Pass (4,046 ft) that produces moderate temperatures with consistent
snow pack at higher elevations. The total snowfall at the ski area averages 300 inches or more, while the total average annual precipitation at the ski area is 36.10 inches, with 69 percent of the precipitation coming as snow between November to April.
During
the winter, nearly all precipitation in the vicinity of the ski area falls as snow. In the town of Chewelah and the surrounding lower elevations west of Flowery Trial Pass the snow pack is limited; however, in the towns of Usk and Cusick, and the surrounding
lower elevations east of Flowery Trail Pass, the snow pack is greater than the west side. Snow begins to accumulate in November and usually reaches its greatest depth and water content sometime during March.
Ski Area History
The town of Chewelah (est. 1883)
has long been a gateway for a myriad of outdoor recreational activities especially skiing. Skiing at Chewelah Peak (elev. 5,773 ft) has attracted numerous year-round recreational users since before the Flowery Trail Road was opened to motorized traffic in the
early 1930?s. The Colville National Forest formally recognized the winter use of Chewelah Peak in approximately 1935. A permit was issued for development of a site approximately two miles west of the present site of 49ø North Mountain Resort. The completion
of Cy?s Hut in 1936 and a rope tow in 1939 firmly established winter recreation on Chewelah Peak. Cy?s Hut burned in 1949. After the completion of the two story Chewelah Mountain Lodge in 1950 and installation of a double chair lift in 1951, the area experienced
an increased volume of recreational users and tourists. Over a period of years, obsolescence of the lift and lack of revenue due to a gradual decline in the condition of the facilities, culminating in closure in early 1968.
On May 6, 1970, the Chewelah Basin
Ski Corporation was formed and submitted a bid to develop and operate a ski resort in a basin approximately two miles east of the old area. Development commenced in late 1970 and continued during the summers of 1971 and 1972. Construction of three lifts, runs
and a day lodge was completed and the area first operated for public use in late 1972. In 1976, the U.S. Forest Service approved a master plan allowing for continued upgrading and expansion within the existing Special Use Permit. A fourth lift was added in 1980
and new runs to support the lift have continued to attract an increasing number of visitors. In June of 1996 Chewelah Basin Ski Corporation was sold to the Eminger Family.
The ski area currently operates a full winter and limited summer schedule. The USFS
permit area offers skiing on 905 acres with an additional 320 private acres of base and slope area for a total area of 1,225 acres. There are nearly 60 miles of groomed snowmobile trails adjacent to the ski area courtesy of the Washington State Department of Parks
& Recreation. From November to April, five ski lifts serve a 541.7 acre trail network with a lift capacity of 1,888 skiers. Skiers and visitors are provided support in the day lodge on a year-round basis and parking is presently available for approximately 595
vehicles. The Chewelah Basin Ski Corporation under a US Forest Service Special Use Permit operates all facilities.
49ø North Mountain Resort remains a local family oriented facility, with a growing emphasis as a small regional resort, supported by the amenities
and accommodations available in the town of Chewelah. The ski area is well known for its special events and contributions to the welfare of the community. The area provides a variety of year-round recreational opportunities enjoyed by both residents and tourists alike.
|
|
| |
|
| These outdoors activities are available near 49 Degrees North ski area. |
| | Ski Areas Near 49 Degrees North ski area:
 |
Mt. Spokane, Washington
, 37 miles away
2000 vertical feet
44 runs - 5 lifts
45% Expert & Adv.
32% Intermediate
23% Beginner |
|
Red Mountain, British Columbia
, 41 miles away
2919 vertical feet
runs - lifts
0% Expert & Adv.
0% Intermediate
0% Beginner |
|
Whitewater, British Columbia
, 60 miles away
1300 vertical feet
runs - lifts
0% Expert & Adv.
0% Intermediate
0% Beginner |
|
Schweitzer, Idaho
, 65 miles away
2400 vertical feet
59 runs - 8 lifts
40% Expert & Adv.
40% Intermediate
20% Beginner |
|
| | Whitewater Near 49 Degrees North ski area:
 |
Spokane River, Spokane
County
, 28 miles away, Class II-III+ - 6.5 miles long (T.Highway Menach Bridge in Spokane to Plese Flats) |
|
Sullivan River, Pend Oreille
County
, 30 miles away, Class V - 1.7 miles long (North Fork Sullivan to Highway 31) |
|
|
|
 |
|
