WINTERSPORTS -- Schweitzer Mountain spokesmen say the ski resort is committed to staying open daily through April 5 despite a meager snow pack that's forced Mt. Spokane ski area to temporarily close.

That's good news for locals who are kicking off the annual Sandpoint Winter Carnival today through Feb. 21. Schweitzer is the venue for on-mountain events.

"As we all are well aware, this winter hasn’t been up to normal standards for the Pacific Northwest -- or anywhere in the West it seems," says Sean Mirus, Schweitzer spokesman. He posted a media release to answer rumors that the resort may be closing.

• Related: Lack of snow closes yet another B.C. ski resort

"Schweitzer is committed to staying open and running as much of our operation as weather allows," he said. While some portions of the mountain have been closed for safety reasons, "during the most recent rain events, the rain-snow line was around the top of the Basin Express and the conditions up high were surprisingly good," he added.

"As conditions improve, we will reopen as much terrain as possible.  Temperatures look to be decreasing after this weekend, and if that happens, we plan to restart snow making operations.  Conditions on the mountain may not be ideal, but the majority of the feedback from folks that are making the effort to get out on the mountain is positive.  The snow is soft and spring like, making it easy to turn."

Tom Chasse, Schweitzer CEO, said in an email that the company is “committed to daily operations thru Sunday, April 5^th even if we’ve got limited open terrain.”

Mirus said it's been 10 years since Schweitzer put up with a winter like this.  "In that 2004-2005 season, the mountain saw well over 100 inches of snow in March so we remain positive that the season will end on a good note."