Mt Spokane
1,704 acres, 55 runs inside Mount Spokane State Park. Home of the world's first double chairlift.
Season 2025 - 2026
Opens
6 Dec 2025
Closes
5 Apr 2026
Days open
120
Annual snow
19ft
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Mt Spokane's summit reaches 5,889 feet, dropping 1,690 vertical feet to a base at 4,199 feet across 55 runs spread over 1,704 acres within Mount Spokane State Park, Washington. Terrain splits 42 per cent advanced, 33 per cent intermediate, 22 per cent beginner and 3 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 230 inches. The resort operates independently without major multi-resort pass affiliation. Seven lifts, including five double chairs and one quad chair, serve the mountain alongside one surface lift.
Mt Spokane sits within Washington's largest state park, a distinction that shapes both its operations and its identity as Spokane's hometown mountain. The ski area carries a genuine claim to lift history: a Riblet Tramway Company installation using a converted mining ore tramway in 1946 is cited as the birthplace of the world's first double chairlift. Extensive night skiing across the mountain's five distinct terrain areas remains central to its appeal for the nearby Spokane population.
The mountain, previously known as Mount Baldy and Mount Carlton, took its current name in 1912 after businessman Francis H. Cook purchased the summit in 1909 and began building a road to the top. Mount Spokane State Park was officially dedicated in 1927 with 1,500 acres, becoming the first state park established east of the Cascades. The Spokane Ski Club formed in December 1931 under the leadership of Cheney Cowles, building a log clubhouse and installing rope tows, jump hills and night-skiing lights.
Through the 1930s, the Spokane Ski Club, the Selkirk Ski Club and the Spokane Mountaineers together purchased more than 500 acres for lodges, tows and jump hills, while a Civilian Conservation Corps camp established in 1934 built trails, shelters and roads. The historic Vista House, built from native granite as an emergency relief project in 1933, still stands at the summit today. Adult daily tickets run from 55 to 75 US dollars, with a season pass at 479 dollars.
1,690ft
Vertical
55
Runs
1,704 acres
Skiable
19ft
Annual snow
The Terrain
55 runs across 1,704 acres skiable
Mt Spokane spreads 55 runs across 1,704 acres skiable of terrain. It leans advanced at 42%, with 12 beginner runs to find your feet and 25 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
55
runs
55 runs across 4 grades
Beginner12 runs · 22%
Intermediate18 runs · 33%
Advanced23 runs · 42%
Expert2 runs · 3%
Time it right
When to visit Mt Spokane
The 2025-26 season at Mt Spokane ran from 6 December 2025 to 5 April 2026, a roughly seventeen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 230 inches. This snowfall total supports reliable conditions across the mountain's five distinct terrain areas throughout the season. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to the mountain's advanced-weighted terrain. Night skiing is a defining seasonal feature, extending the useful ski day for Spokane-area residents well beyond daylight hours, consistent with the mountain's identity as the city's hometown ski area. Weekday evenings see strong local demand alongside typical weekend patterns.
As an independently operated resort without major pass affiliation, Mt Spokane draws primarily from the Spokane metropolitan area and the broader Inland Northwest rather than national destination traffic. School holiday periods bring increased family visitation given the resort's substantial beginner and intermediate terrain. The mountain's setting within Washington's largest state park adds a distinct four-season recreational dimension beyond winter skiing alone.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations and night skiing is not confirmed in available resort information. The historic Vista House, built in 1933, remains a fixture at the summit throughout the season, connecting today's skiers to the mountain's Depression-era development. Mt Spokane's century-long history as a community-built ski area continues to shape its accessible, locally focused character each winter.
Season 2025 - 2026
6 Dec 2025
Opens
5 Apr 2026
Closes
120
Days open
19 ft
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Mt Spokane, and where to stay
Mt Spokane sits within Mount Spokane State Park in eastern Washington, with a base elevation of 4,199 feet and a summit at 5,889 feet across a 1,690-foot vertical drop over 1,704 acres of skiable terrain within the park's much larger overall footprint. This makes the resort one of relatively few US ski areas operating inside a state park rather than on Forest Service or private land.
Spokane, Washington's second-largest city, lies a short drive from the mountain and provides the resort's primary lodging, dining and visitor base, with the ski area functioning as the city's genuine local mountain. The broader Selkirk Mountains region offers additional recreation within the state park beyond winter sports, including extensive summer hiking and mountain biking.
Local roads connect Spokane directly to Mount Spokane State Park, with the drive typically taking under an hour depending on the starting point within the metropolitan area. Winter driving conditions on the approach can include snow and ice, though the well-travelled route reflects the mountain's role as Spokane's primary local ski destination. There is no direct public transport service to the resort.
Spokane International Airport is the nearest airport with substantial commercial service, making Mt Spokane one of the more accessible ski areas covered here for fly-in visitors. Most visitors, however, are Spokane-area locals driving up for day trips or evening night-skiing sessions rather than fly-in destination travellers.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Mt Spokane, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation is looking at a major shake-up to its title events calendar. From 2032, World Championships could run not just in odd-numbered years but in every non-Olympic winter too, effectively putting a global title event on the calendar almost every season. The FIS Council has approved the concept following a feasibility study, though an accelerated rollout as early as 2028 is also under consideration.
4 Sept 2026
Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026
Mount Buller closes out its 2026 season this Sunday, joining Falls Creek, Hotham and Charlotte Pass in a cluster of closures landing almost simultaneously and roughly a month ahead of schedule. The culprit is stark: Spencers Creek's benchmark snow depth hit 31.2cm on 3 September, just 18% of the 73-year average and an all-time low for this point in the season. Six of Victoria and NSW's best-known resorts will have shut their lifts early within a span of about two and a half weeks.
4 Sept 2026
Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
Tremblant has confirmed a major expansion of its Quebec ski area, with a new Timber Summit sector adding 62 acres of terrain, eight trails and a high-speed quad chairlift for winter 2027/28. It's part of a CAD 42.5 million investment that also includes a new beginner learning zone at Versant Soleil opening this coming season. The project has grown considerably since it was first announced back in 2020, when it carried a far smaller budget and an opening date that never eventuated.
2 Sept 2026
Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.
1 Sept 2026
Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
Thredbo Alpine Resort has confirmed plans to replace its 37-year-old Gunbarrel quad chairlift with a new six-seat Doppelmayr D-Line, targeting winter 2028. The AUD 35 million project will keep travel time roughly the same but lift capacity from 2,800 to 3,000 skiers per hour. It's part of a broader investment push that also includes doubled snowmaking capacity at Friday Flat for 2027, with the ageing Kosciuszko Express now flagged as the resort's next major lift replacement after Gunbarrel.
31 Aug 2026
Aerial Tram Collides With Crane at Alpe d'Huez: 23 Injured
An aerial tram carrying around fifty passengers struck the boom of a construction crane on the route to Pic Blanc at Alpe d'Huez on Wednesday morning, injuring 23 people, three seriously. The cabin tipped on impact before the operator reversed it to right the car. Most of the injured were treated on site, with five taken to hospital in Grenoble, including a pregnant woman assessed as a precaution.
28 Aug 2026
Why Glaciers Are Collapsing - And What Happens When They Do
A deadly flood on the Nepal-China border, a decade-old tragedy on Italy's Marmolada, and an unstable glacier right now above a village near Zermatt - three very different mountain ranges, the same underlying story. Warming ice is destabilising terrain that was considered settled for generations, and the results range from catastrophic floods to slow-motion monitoring situations that could go either way.
27 Aug 2026
Pitztal Glacier Set to Reopen for the 2026/27 Ski Season on 26 September
Tyrol's highest ski area is gearing up to open a full month ahead of most of the Alps. The Pitztal Glacier is scheduled to start its 2026/27 season on Saturday 26 September, running through to 2 May 2027, with the lower-altitude Rifflsee area following in December. High-altitude terrain up to 3,440 metres gives the glacier a head start on snow, though as always, the actual opening extent will depend on how September's weather plays out. Early online ski pass bookings can save up to 30%.
26 Aug 2026
Mt Spokane Webcams
6 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Mt Spokane's live webcams
Check live conditions across Mt Spokane with 6 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- Snow Stake5,299ft
- Track precise snowfall accumulation through this essential Mt Spokane webcam focused on the official snow stake at 1615 meters elevation. This Mt Spokane live snow cam provides real-time snow depth measurements throughout the day, crucial for powder hunters monitoring Eastern Washington's legendary snowfall. Essential for planning your visit to this Inland Northwest skiing destination, this live cam delivers accurate snow data needed to time your approach for optimal conditions, helping skiers track fresh powder at this strategic Mt Spokane web cam location.
- Lodge 24,199ft
- Monitor base area activity through this welcoming Mt Spokane webcam at Lodge 2 at 1280 meters elevation. This Mt Spokane live cam captures guest arrivals, parking conditions, and current weather at one of the main base facilities. Perfect for checking crowd levels before your Eastern Washington mountain adventure, this live snow cam provides real-time visibility into conditions at this family-friendly destination, offering essential updates at this Mt Spokane web cam location where your ski day begins.
- Vista Cruiser Summit5,397ft
- Experience summit perspectives through this commanding Mt Spokane webcam at Vista Cruiser Summit at 1645 meters elevation. This Mt Spokane live cam offers sweeping panoramic views across the Inland Northwest and monitors upper mountain terrain conditions. Perfect for assessing visibility and weather patterns, this live snow cam showcases the diverse terrain and spectacular vistas that define Washington's premier Eastern ski destination, providing crucial real-time updates at this elevated Mt Spokane web cam location.
- Northwood Chair 65,200ft
- Monitor advanced terrain through this strategic Mt Spokane webcam at Northwood Chair 6 at 1585 meters elevation. This Mt Spokane live cam provides real-time views of expert runs and challenging tree skiing areas. Essential for advanced skiers assessing snow conditions in the resort's steeper zones, this live snow cam helps plan your route through Eastern Washington's most varied terrain, offering instant visibility into powder quality at this crucial Mt Spokane web cam location in the Northwood zone.
- Parkway Express Chair 34,800ft
- Discover mid-mountain action through this perfectly positioned Mt Spokane webcam at Parkway Express Chair 3 at 1463 meters elevation. This Mt Spokane live cam captures lift operations and intermediate terrain conditions in the resort's main corridor. Perfect for families assessing trail difficulty and grooming quality, this live snow cam provides essential real-time updates for navigating Washington's most accessible Eastern ski area, helping guests plan their day at this strategic Mt Spokane web cam location.
- Lodge One | Hourglass4,199ft
- Experience the heart of operations through this essential Mt Spokane webcam at Lodge One and the Hourglass area at 1280 meters elevation. This Mt Spokane live cam monitors base facilities and the iconic Hourglass terrain connecting different mountain zones. Ideal for checking conditions and crowd levels, this live snow cam provides comprehensive views of guest services and trail access at this Inland Northwest skiing destination, offering crucial updates at this central Mt Spokane web cam location.
Mt Spokane snow cams FAQ
How often do Mt Spokane snow cams update?
All Mt Spokane snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Mt Spokane.
Which Mt Spokane webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Vista Cruiser Summit webcam at 1,645m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Mt Spokane webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Mt Spokane lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Mt Spokane snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Mt Spokane snow cams?
Check Mt Spokane webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Mt Spokane lift tickets?
Use our Mt Spokane webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Mt Spokane webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Mt Spokane snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Mt Spokane intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.