Magazine taps Spokane as ‘Next American Ski Town’

The December issue of Powder Magazine lists Spokane as one of four up and coming ‘Ski Towns’ as opposed to the storied locales of Jackson, Telluride, Mammoth and Sun Valley.

The reason: A Spokane skier doesn’t have to be filthy rich in order to live and ski.

In the story “The Next American Ski Towns,” Powder writers list Spokane among Reno, Nevada; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Waterbury, Vermont, as satellite ski communities emerging on relocation radars because traditional ski towns are no longer affordable options for most skiers and riders.

Even in Whitefish, Montana, has median listed home prices of $519,000. In Jackson Hole, it’s $1.4 million. Spokane fits more skier budgets with a median home price of $175,900.

Powder writer John Stifter points out some of Spokane’s other attributes, including being close enough to Mount Spokane to skin up for a sunrise run before work while being in easy shot of Canada.

But even for this story, the magazine can’t quite let go of downhill skiing’s link to big spending. The two photos about Spokane feature Schweitzer Mountain Resort, which has great skiing terrain but also the highest lift ticket prices in the region.

And it’s probably good to point out that Spokane has upscaled to the point of providing ceviche for those who crave raw marinated fish after shredding the slopes all day. It just seems strange in a story about being affordable.

Thanks to Powder for recognizing what we know. But really, shhh.