Washington — A state park that’s home to a popular ski area could see some changes in the years ahead.
This year, Mt. Spokane State Park has been working on a revised master plan. This includes the entire state park, which is home to Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, as well as various offseason activities around the over 12,000 acre park. According to the Spokesman-Review, Washington State Parks intends to improve the four-season experience across the land, including at the ski area.
In the first phase, plans include replacing the Bear Creek Lodge, removing the existing Maintenance shop, replacing the Vista chairlift, adding new trails (multi-use and biking), and improving signage. The master plan’s biggest project is the Bear Creek Lodge, which serves as the park’s entry point. The plan to remove and replace appears to be cheaper than renovating it. In its place would be a new visitor’s center.
The second phase includes modernizing Sellkirk Lodge, developing a trailhead at Day Road, upgrading various ski area facilities, adding more summer trails, and installing new signage.
The third phase includes enhancements to the Bald Knob Day Use & Campground, removal of Jerry’s House, addition of five small cabins around Jerry’s, expansion of the Upper Kit Carson Trailhead, additional ski area upgrades, and more offseason trails.
Mt. Spokane Ski Area
In terms of the ski area itself, it’s a big part of the plan. In particular, the master plan calls for the replacement of the Vista, Parkway Express, Hidden Treasure, and Beginner’s Luck lifts. Other referenced projects include expanding the beginner area, expanding the parking lot, and constructing a new maintenance building (which will include storage for snowcats). These replacements would follow the Backside expansion, which opened in 2018. It’s run by a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, so they would fund their improvements rather than the state.
The new Vista chairlift could be used in the summer. However, summer usage is expected to remain fairly minimal, as is currently the case.
Image/Video Credits: Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, Washington State Parks
