All downhill from here

LOOKOUT PASS, Idaho – In skier logic, even a thin layer of snow on the slopes is better than no snow at all.

Hundreds of people showed up at Lookout Pass Ski Area Saturday, toasting the launch of the Inland Northwest’s ski season.

Lookout was the first of the region’s five ski hills to open. Snow was scant but sufficient on opening day, with 24 inches at the mountain’s summit, and 8 inches at the base.

“I’ve been waiting every day … wearing my snow pants to the bar,” said 21-year-old Cole Gollen, as he buckled his boots in the parking lot.

The Sandpoint man grooms runs at Schweitzer Mountain Resort, where he has a season pass. But Gollen and three friends decided they needed a day on the slopes before their local ski hill opened. At 6 a.m. Saturday, they packed snowboards and skis into a Subaru, and drove nearly two hours to Lookout.

“We’ll probably be skiing on 6 inches of fresh brush,” quipped Tyler Barrett-Fox.

A few trees poked through the groomed runs. But gung-ho skiers didn’t seem to mind. One lift, the rope tow and nine runs were open. The resort offered discounted lift tickets for $20.

Unpacked snow was knee deep at Lookout’s summit. “There are branches and twigs, but no rocks,” said Dick Zollars, ski patrol director.

Located on the Idaho-Montana border, Lookout usually catches the brunt of storms passing through the region, said Jim Schreiber, the resort’s marketing director.

This year, however, warm, wet weather hindered snow accumulation. Last year, Lookout opened on Nov. 15.

The region got a dusting of snow Friday night, and more was expected Saturday night.

“We were hoping for more snow last night. But it’s coming,” Schreiber said. “The first skiers coming down the mountain were whooping and hollering. They said it was great.”

The snow falling Saturday was fine and grainy, like frozen particles of fog.

“We haven’t got a single, big dump yet this year,” said Hans Reifer, one of Lookout’s owners. “We’ll have to pray for snow.”

As impatient as he gets for opening day, Reifer said mild fall weather benefited the construction of Lookout’s two-story lodge addition. The addition, which adds eating space and a bar, is scheduled to open in three weeks.

Corrinne Van Zandt had no complaints about snow conditions Saturday.

“As far as I’m concerned Lookout has the best snow. We’ve been waiting for three weeks,” the Rathdrum woman said, as she prepared for the inaugural run of the 2004-2005 ski season.

On Friday, Van Zandt made her husband and 15-year-old son an offer. If they got the Christmas lights up, the family would go skiing Saturday. The lights went up in record time.

Against a backdrop of skiers gliding down the mountain, Lezlie Aano snapped pictures of six pals posing with snowboards. The friends, Hawaiians attending Whitworth College and Gonzaga, were snowboarding for the first time.

The ski area at Exit 0 on Interstate 90 wasn’t hard to find, Aano added.

“We just followed the cars with the ski racks,” she said.