Industry News
Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area, Idaho, offered full-day lift tickets for 91 cents on Thursday to celebrate its 91st year of continuous operation, bringing skiers and snowboarders to the slopes at a price that has not existed anywhere in North America for decades.
The historic ski resort, located on the Idaho-Montana border, dates back to the 1935-36 season when ski enthusiasts built a rope tow using an engine from an abandoned car found on the old Yellowstone Highway. Despite its age, it remains one of the most affordable independently owned ski areas in the West.
Lifts started spinning at 9 a.m., and the resort encouraged guests to make the most of the day beyond the discounted mountain ride. Management asked visitors to support the area by buying food and drinks, visiting the gift shop, and considering ski wax before or during lunch, as spring conditions are typical for late-March skiing at elevation.
The resort noted that conditions were expected to be sunny, advising guests to pack sunscreen alongside their dollar bill.
Lookout Pass’s spring celebration extends to closing day with various events. On Friday, March 27, Toyota, Lexus, and Scion drivers receive a complimentary lift ticket for the day. Season pass holders can enjoy a free lunch at the Snow Globe Day Lodge on Saturday, March 28, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Early April features the Disco Carrot Snowcat from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with local DJs, food, and beer. Ski Golf, a nine-hole course with foam balls, runs from noon to 3 p.m., free with a lift ticket or season pass. Easter Sunday, April 5, includes an on-mountain egg hunt from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a prize reveal on the sun deck from 2 to 3 p.m. The season concludes on Sunday, April 12, with the Hawaiian Luau and Cardboard Box Derby from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (weather permitting).
This season, Lookout Pass has recorded 363 inches of snow at the summit and has a 49″ base, placing it among the better-conditioned resorts remaining open across the West at this point in the season.
Lookout Pass is a gem among independent ski areas in North America, with normal weekend lift tickets still priced at $75, one of the lowest day-ticket rates in the country. The 91-cent promotion follows a similar tradition from last spring, when the resort offered 90-cent lift tickets to mark its 90th season.
