LOOKOUT PASS SKI & RECREATION AREA
SKILOOKOUT.COM
PHONE: 208.744.1234
ACRES: 1023
AVERAGE SNOW FALL: 400+
SUMMIT ELEVATION: 6150'
BASE ELEVATION: 4500'
VERTS: 1650'
# OF NAMED RUNS: 52
# OF LIFTS: 5
MILES FROM SPOKANE: 94 MILES
OTHER AMENITIES: ROUTE OF THE HIAWATHA, SCENIC BIKE TRAILS DESCRIBED AS THE MOST SCENIC STRETCH OF RAIL-TO-TRAIL.
PHONE: 208.744.1234
ACRES: 1023
AVERAGE SNOW FALL: 400+
SUMMIT ELEVATION: 6150'
BASE ELEVATION: 4500'
VERTS: 1650'
# OF NAMED RUNS: 52
# OF LIFTS: 5
MILES FROM SPOKANE: 94 MILES
OTHER AMENITIES: ROUTE OF THE HIAWATHA, SCENIC BIKE TRAILS DESCRIBED AS THE MOST SCENIC STRETCH OF RAIL-TO-TRAIL.
DESCRIPTION:
THE HIAWATHA TRAIL
LOOKOUT PASS also operates the ROUTE OF THE HIAWATHA - SCENIC BIKE TRAIL. Described as "The Most Scenic Stretch of Rail-to-Trail Adventure in the Country", Offering 10 Dark Tunnels & 7 Sky-High Trestles. This 15 mile all downhill trail is open daily 8:30a to 5p (PST) May 28 thru Sept. 19, 2021. Learn more: www.RideTheHiawatha.com
LOOKOUT PASS also operates the ROUTE OF THE HIAWATHA - SCENIC BIKE TRAIL. Described as "The Most Scenic Stretch of Rail-to-Trail Adventure in the Country", Offering 10 Dark Tunnels & 7 Sky-High Trestles. This 15 mile all downhill trail is open daily 8:30a to 5p (PST) May 28 thru Sept. 19, 2021. Learn more: www.RideTheHiawatha.com
PHOTO GALLERY
TO CONTRIBUTE, CONTACT CHIC VIA THIS WEBSITE
FUTURE EXPANSION
Lookout’s Long Range Vision
In a timeline spanning the next 20 years, Lookout Pass is hoping to expand lift-served terrain by about 2,000 acres. Our future master plan includes opening two additional 6,200-foot peaks west-southwest of the existing ski area that stand as the gateway to the St. Regis basin. The concept includes a new 20,000 square-foot base lodge on what is currently the back side of the ski area. The existing lodge—the oldest continuously operating ski lodge in Idaho, will continue to offer full services.
Phase I Expansion: HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE USFS (May 19, 2017) and the first trail was cut in Oct. 2017. More development on the 1st Phase is now ongoing.
Lookout’s Long Range Vision
In a timeline spanning the next 20 years, Lookout Pass is hoping to expand lift-served terrain by about 2,000 acres. Our future master plan includes opening two additional 6,200-foot peaks west-southwest of the existing ski area that stand as the gateway to the St. Regis basin. The concept includes a new 20,000 square-foot base lodge on what is currently the back side of the ski area. The existing lodge—the oldest continuously operating ski lodge in Idaho, will continue to offer full services.
Phase I Expansion: HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE USFS (May 19, 2017) and the first trail was cut in Oct. 2017. More development on the 1st Phase is now ongoing.

Phase I of the expansion plan has undergone the process required by the National Environmental Protection Act and the U.S. Forest Service has approved Phase One through a Record of Decision signed by IPNF Forest Supervisor Mary Farnsworth and Lolo NF Supervisor Tim Garcia, during the week of May 15th.
The Phase I expansion increases the special-use permit area by 458 acres (expanding the area from 538 acres currently, to a total of 1,023 acres), and includes two new chairlifts to the summit of Eagle Peak (shown in the photo below) with a top elevation of 6,150'. The two new chairlifts will access 14 runs, plus gladed areas, on the north and east aspects of the new peak. Lookout's vertical drop will increase to 1,650'. An additional base lodge located in Idaho (14,000 square feet from a previous approval) and maintenance facilties are also included in the Phase I Master Development Plan plus 130 additional parking spaces.
The Phase I expansion increases the special-use permit area by 458 acres (expanding the area from 538 acres currently, to a total of 1,023 acres), and includes two new chairlifts to the summit of Eagle Peak (shown in the photo below) with a top elevation of 6,150'. The two new chairlifts will access 14 runs, plus gladed areas, on the north and east aspects of the new peak. Lookout's vertical drop will increase to 1,650'. An additional base lodge located in Idaho (14,000 square feet from a previous approval) and maintenance facilties are also included in the Phase I Master Development Plan plus 130 additional parking spaces.
Conceptual Phase II
The conceptual Phase II of the long-range plan includes a new lodge and parking at the base of a second additional peak in an area covering about 30 acres. The new base area will continue to be accessed by Exit 0 on I-90, but instead of taking a right turn into the existing parking lot, visitors will take a left and drive down old Highway 10 – the route over Lookout Pass before the interstate was built. About a mile down the road the new base area will take shape, when and if the plan is ever accepted for NEPA review by the USFS. No real estate development is planned.
Phase I projects were initiated starting the summer of 2017 with the construction of the Tamarack Trail and will continue this summer and fall. Specific projects are subject to logging bids, road engineering approvals and contracts plus additional ski lift and building plan review. We will announce the proposed projects timeline, as soon as possible.
The conceptual Phase II of the long-range plan includes a new lodge and parking at the base of a second additional peak in an area covering about 30 acres. The new base area will continue to be accessed by Exit 0 on I-90, but instead of taking a right turn into the existing parking lot, visitors will take a left and drive down old Highway 10 – the route over Lookout Pass before the interstate was built. About a mile down the road the new base area will take shape, when and if the plan is ever accepted for NEPA review by the USFS. No real estate development is planned.
Phase I projects were initiated starting the summer of 2017 with the construction of the Tamarack Trail and will continue this summer and fall. Specific projects are subject to logging bids, road engineering approvals and contracts plus additional ski lift and building plan review. We will announce the proposed projects timeline, as soon as possible.
THE HISTORY OF LOOKOUT PASS SKI AREA
INFO SIGN TELLING OF LOOKOUT'S HISTORY
THE ORIGINAL LODGE AT LOOKOUT PASS SKIN AREA
A POSTCARD FROM BEFORE THE SKI AREA
A POSTCARD FROM THE 60'S
EARLY SKIING AT LOOKOUT. THAT'S A ROPETOW
PARKING NEXT TO HWY 10 (NOW I-90) IN THE 40'S
LOOKOUTS LODGE IN THE 40'S
PART OF SKIING IS STANDING IN LIFT LINES
THE BOTTOM OF A VERY LONG ROPE TOW
A SKIER IS HAULED UP THE SLOPE ON A ROPE TOW
NOTICE THE LINE OF PARKED CARS ON HWY 10
HISTORY OF LOOKOUT PASS
Lookout’s original historic base lodge is the second-oldest ski lodge in the northwest - here are a few key chapters from Lookout's rich past.
Winter 1935-36
Lookout’s original historic base lodge is the second-oldest ski lodge in the northwest - here are a few key chapters from Lookout's rich past.
Winter 1935-36
- The Idaho Ski Club is born. A few ardent ski pioneers built a rope tow powered by the engine from an abandoned car they found on the old Yellowstone Highway, which is now I-90. They used a highway maintenance shed on Lookout Pass as a warming hut.
- Lookout’s Famous Free Ski School founded. Over 80 years, volunteer instructors have introduced more than 75,000 kids to the world of skiing and riding.
- Lookout’s historic lodge built. The U.S. Forest Service commissioned the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to build the original phase of the expanded lodge still in use today, the second-oldest ski lodge in the Pacific Northwest next to the Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood in Oregon.
- The Idaho Ski Club, the group of volunteers that operated Lookout Pass, sold lift tickets for 50 cents.
- Lookout’s first chairlift – Chair One, was financed with contributions from local mining companies to provide winter recreation for their employees.
- Idaho Ski Club sells out. With the mining industry in decline, Lookout’s volunteer staff dwindled. A group of locals who wanted to keep Lookout open takes over.
- Lookout Associates LLC acquires the mountain. Lookout’s current owners launch a new era of expanding terrain and improved services for greater numbers of skiers and riders.
- Timber Wolf double chairlift installed. The addition of Timber Wolf (chair 2) on the Montana side of the mountain added five named runs and glades, boosted vertical drop to 1,150 feet and opened spectacular views to the St. Regis and Copper basins.
- Lodge expansion. A three-story, 6,000 square foot addition greatly expands food service seating and includes a retail shop, more restrooms, locker rooms, the Loft pub and grub lounge on the top level and panoramic slopeside views.
- North Star double chairlift installed. North Star opens access to expert terrain on the prime north aspect of the mountain with expert terrain and a bird’s eye view of the Coeur d’Alene River Valley.
- Phase One of new expansion accepted. In April the U.S. Forest Service accepted the first phase of a long-range plan to expand Lookout Pass.
- Phase One of new expansion officially approved by the U.S. Forest Service. Trails remarked in July by Phil Edholm so the forest service can perform a lumber survey. Lumber survey will take place in the fall of 2017. It is our hope that we can get two new trails cut & cleared and open for winter 2017-18. The other trails we hope will come on board the followng year or soon thereafter. In addition to the new trails there will be two new chairlifts and an additional Base Lodge with seperate road access and parking to serve the new and higher Eagle Peak area. This is the first phase of a long-range plan to expand Lookout Pass to two additional peaks encompassing a total of 2,000 acres. New roof added to Rentals Shop.
- Finish the season with 503 inches of snow! Though not a record, it is a very strong season. Our summer attraction, The Route of the Hiawatha has set a new record for summer attendance!