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    Washington, USA · Indy

    49 Degrees North

    2,325 acres, 89 runs near Chewelah. Uncrowded eastern Washington powder, Indy Pass access.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    Opens
    6 Dec 2025
    Closes
    13 Apr 2026
    Days open
    128
    Annual snow
    19ft
    The Overview
    MF
    Michael Fulton
    Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

    49 Degrees North's summit reaches 5,774 feet, dropping 1,850 vertical feet to a base at 3,924 feet across 89 runs spread over 2,325 acres near Chewelah, Washington. Terrain splits 40 per cent intermediate, 30 per cent beginner, 26 per cent advanced and 4 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 229 inches. The resort carries Indy Pass affiliation. Seven lifts, including one quad chair and five triple chairs, serve the mountain alongside one surface lift.

    The resort's substantial acreage relative to its lift count gives skiers plenty of room to spread out, a hallmark of eastern Washington's less crowded resorts compared with the busier Cascade mountains closer to Seattle. Its light, dry powder and extensive tree skiing have built a loyal regional following. The mountain sits within the Colville National Forest, offering a genuinely rural setting relative to Spokane, its nearest city.

    Winter recreation on Chewelah Peak began in 1935 when the Forest Service issued a permit, with Cy's Hut completed the following year and a rope tow installed in 1939. A two-story Chewelah Mountain Lodge and a double chairlift followed in 1950 and 1951, driving a surge in visitors, but by 1968 the original area closed due to an obsolete chairlift and deteriorating facilities. On 6 May 1970, the newly formed Chewelah Basin Ski Corporation won approval to develop a resort in a basin roughly two miles east of the old site, opening for public use in late 1972.

    The ski area filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 1990. Local resident John Eminger purchased the resort in June 1996 and operated it for the next 23 years, before selling in spring 2019 to CMR Lands LLC, led by Seattle-area businessman Tryg Fortun, whose group also owns Silver Mountain in Kellogg, Idaho, purchased three years earlier. Adult daily tickets run from 79 to 99 US dollars, with season passes from 699 dollars.

    1,850ft
    Vertical
    89
    Runs
    2,325 acres
    Skiable
    19ft
    Annual snow
    Indy
    Pass
    The Terrain

    89 runs across 2,325 acres skiable

    49 Degrees North spreads 89 runs across 2,325 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 40%, with 27 beginner runs to find your feet and 27 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.

    Terrain split
    89
    runs
    89 runs across 4 grades
    Beginner27 runs · 30%
    Intermediate36 runs · 40%
    Advanced23 runs · 26%
    Expert4 runs · 4%
    Time it right

    When to visit 49 Degrees North

    The 2025-26 season at 49 Degrees North ran from 6 December 2025 to 13 April 2026, a roughly nineteen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 229 inches. This snowfall total, combined with the resort's substantial acreage, supports a comfortably long season without excessive crowding even during peak periods. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather.

    Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to the resort's varied terrain. Given its location roughly 50 miles from Spokane, 49 Degrees North draws primarily from eastern Washington and the Inland Northwest rather than national destination traffic, keeping crowds notably lighter than Cascade resorts closer to Seattle.

    As an Indy Pass resort, 49 Degrees North draws some visiting skiers holding that multi-resort pass in addition to its core regional base. Nordic trails are included as part of the resort's broader offering beyond alpine skiing. School holiday periods bring increased family visitation given the resort's substantial beginner and intermediate terrain.

    Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Since CMR Lands LLC's 2019 purchase, investment has continued to build on the foundation established during John Eminger's 23 years of ownership from 1996. The resort's spacious, uncrowded character remains its clearest point of differentiation from busier Washington resorts.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    6 Dec 2025
    Opens
    13 Apr 2026
    Closes
    128
    Days open
    19 ft
    Annual snow
    Getting there

    Getting to 49 Degrees North, and where to stay

    49 Degrees North sits in the Colville National Forest near Chewelah, Washington, with a base elevation of 3,924 feet and a summit at 5,774 feet across a 1,850-foot vertical drop over 2,325 acres. This eastern Washington location places the resort within the Selkirk Mountains, distinct from the Cascade Range that hosts most of the state's other ski areas.

    Chewelah is the nearest town, offering local lodging and dining, while Spokane, roughly 50 miles to the south, provides more extensive services and supplies much of the resort's weekend visitor base. The broader Colville National Forest offers additional outdoor recreation beyond skiing throughout the year.

    US Route 395 connects Spokane to Chewelah, with local roads then leading the final distance into the Colville National Forest to the resort. Winter driving conditions on these routes can include snow and ice, though the route is well used given the resort's role as the region's primary ski destination. There is no direct public transport service to the mountain.

    Spokane International Airport is the nearest airport with substantial commercial service, roughly an hour's drive from the resort. This makes 49 Degrees North reasonably accessible for visitors flying into the Inland Northwest, though most skiers are regional locals driving from Spokane, Chewelah or the surrounding communities.

    Where to stay

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    Hotels and lodges near 49 Degrees North, powered by Stay22.

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    26 Aug 2026

    49 Degrees North Lift Tickets

    49 Degrees North lift tickets & passes

    The 2025 - 2026 season at 49 Degrees North closed on Apr 13, 2026. Check back for next season's opening date and ticket pricing.

    Day passes start from US$59, with peak rates up to US$99.

    Indy6 pass options
    Buy passes ↗

    Single-day passes

    Adult 22–61

    Adult Daily Ticket

    US$79up to US$99 peak

    Experience 49 Degrees North's 90 trails with Eastern Washington's only high-speed quad chairlift and desert dried powder. Located 50 miles north of Spokane with wide open groomed runs, moguls, and legendary tree skiing.

    Buy pass
    Youth 13–21

    Youth Daily Ticket

    US$69up to US$89 peak

    Youth lift tickets at 49 Degrees North provide access to 90 trails with high-speed quad and excellent youth programs. Perfect for young skiers experiencing desert powder and wide open terrain with tree skiing opportunities.

    Buy pass
    Child 6–12

    Child Daily Ticket

    US$59up to US$79 peak

    Children's lift tickets at 49 Degrees North offer access to family-friendly skiing with excellent learning terrain and ski school programs. Experience Eastern Washington's premier mountain with wide groomed runs.

    Buy pass
    Adult 18–99

    Military/Student Discount

    US$69up to US$89 peak

    Active duty military, reserves, disabled veterans, and college students receive discounted lift tickets at 49 Degrees North with valid ID. Experience Eastern Washington's premier mountain with desert powder and high-speed quad.

    Buy pass

    Half-day passes

    Adult 13–99

    Late Arrival Ticket

    US$59up to US$79 peak

    49 Degrees North late arrival tickets provide access from 12:30 PM to closing with savings on afternoon skiing. Experience high-speed quad access and desert powder at reduced rates for shorter mountain sessions.

    Buy pass

    Season passes

    Adult 13–99

    49 Degrees North Season Pass

    US$699up to US$799 peak

    49 Degrees North season passes provide unlimited access to 90 trails plus Nordic Center trail system. Experience Eastern Washington's only high-speed quad with desert powder and tree skiing plus 7-day operations.

    Buy pass

    Lift tickets FAQ

    How much does a 49 Degrees North day pass cost?+
    49 Degrees North day passes range from US$59 to US$99 depending on the date and advance booking.
    Can I buy 49 Degrees North lift tickets online?+
    Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
    Are there discounts for multi-day passes?+
    Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
    What is included with a 49 Degrees North lift ticket?+
    Full access to all lifts and trails at 49 Degrees North, including mountain safety and patrol services.
    What is the difference between 49 Degrees North lift tickets and ski passes?+
    "Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at 49 Degrees North - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
    When should I buy 49 Degrees North lift tickets for the best price?+
    Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
    Does 49 Degrees North offer group discounts on lift tickets?+
    Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact 49 Degrees North directly for group booking information and rates.
    How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?+
    Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at 49 Degrees North.

    More 49 Degrees North intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.