WINTER SPORTS --
Mount Spokane is gearing up for holiday crowds at the alpine and nordic areas. Here's the latest:
The historic stone Vista House at the mountain summit will open Dec. 26 and stay open daily through the holiday break. After Jan. 5 it will be open weekends and holidays. New this year, canned beer will be served along with the usual soups, snacks and hot chocolate. The Vista House is at the top of Chair 1 and is a popular destination for backcountry snowshoers.
The Mount Spokane Cross-Country Ski Park is scheduled to be groomed tonight even though the groomer normally doesn't operate on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. "We're going to take care of the new snow we got and keep it groomed probably six days a week instead of five through the Christmas break," said Steve Christensen, state park manager.
A snowshoe hike is being organized by the park staff and volunteers for Jan. 1, starting at 10 a.m. from the snowmobile parking lot located before the road drops down to the alpine ski area. Sno-Park permits will be required for vehicles.
