WINTERSPORTS -- Skiers are thinking ahead, looking to the slopes and ski trails and imagining what fun they'll have when they're covered with snow.

Volunteers are showing up for work parties to clear brush to improve early season ski conditions.

Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park had more than 80 volunteers on the mountain last weekend cutting brush, painting, and doing other chores.  The resort says volunteers donate more than 2,550 man (and woman)-hours every fall.

"We couldn't get the mountain open without you!"  resort owners said today on Facebook.

Spokane Nordic members also are looking ahead.

The group has been working on the Mount Spokane Cross-Country Ski Park trails, clearing brush and blowdowns and stacking firewood since July.

The next work party is Saturday, Oct. 10.

• Meet the group at 9 a.m. at  Selkirk lodge for another effort to clear the trails of obstructions and split wood for winter warming stoves until 3 p.m.
• Volunteers with open bed trucks for moving firewood are needed.
• Parking passes are provided for all the volunteers who don't have a current Discover Pass.

Contact: Brian Hawkins at brianthawkins@hotmail.com or (509) 710-5701.