Mount Spokane State Park, spanning over 12,444 acres in Spokane County, Washington, is a hub for year-round adventures. As Washington’s largest state park, Mount Spokane has over 100 miles of trails within the dense forest of the Selkirk Mountains. The summit of the mountain reaches 5,883 feet and boasts panoramic views.
The area's beauty is that it offers year-round recreation like nordic skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, camping, horseback riding, biking, hiking trails, berry picking, and much more within just an hour's drive from Downtown Spokane!
When the snow flies, winter sports are a highlight of the mountain. Also, within Mt. Spokane State Park, Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park operates independently, providing exceptional alpine skiing and snowboarding opportunities, from December to April.
Mount Spokane got its official name in 1912 from Spokane resident and businessman, Francis H. Cook. The mountain was previously known as Mount Baldy and Mount Carlton. Cook, also of Manito Park’s fame, purchased the mountain’s summit and began building a road to the top in 1909. The road fell short of the summit by just three miles but it was finished in 1912. Mount Spokane was dedicated in 1912 and given its name by Cook. This event was attended by Governor Marion E. Hay, the first Miss Spokane (Marguerite Motie), Aubrey L.
Later in 1927, 1500 acres became Mount Spokane State Park and was officially dedicated. During this time, Mount Spokane was the first state park east of the Cascades. In the 1930s over 500 acres were purchased by the Spokane Ski Club, the Selkirk Ski Club, and the Spokane Mountaineers to use for the construction of lodges, rope-tows, and ski jump hills.
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These groups advocated for the construction of infrastructure and facilities including a grand lodge that concluded construction in 1940. Unfortunately, the lodge had a short life span due to an electrical fire in 1952. Private contractors constructed the iconic Vista House at the mountain’s summit in 1933. The following year, in 1934, a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp was established in June.
The camp was known as Camp Francis Cook and could be found on Beauty Mountain. It could house 200 young CCC enrollees at a time. The camp only operated six months out of the year due to tough winter conditions. The CCC enrollees worked to build roads, trails, and picnic areas throughout the park and they are still used today. In 1940, the camp was disbanded.
Amazingly enough, the lift was actually a converted ore bucket mining tram, constructed by the Riblet Tramway Company of Spokane. Although it was eventually replaced by the current day Chair #1, the double lift was in service for three seasons. At one point, Chair #1 had the longest vertical rise of any lift in the Pacific Northwest.
Mount Spokane State Park is known as a hub for year-round adventures.
Here is a table with information about the park:
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| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Size | Over 12,444 acres |
| Summit Elevation | 5,883 feet |
| Trails | Over 100 miles |
Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park
Also, within Mt. Spokane State Park, Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park operates independently, providing exceptional alpine skiing and snowboarding opportunities, from December to April.
Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park is the region’s only 501(c)3 nonprofit ski area and independently operates within Mt. Spokane State Park. Gaining traction as one of the premier terrain parks in the West, Mt. Spokane Terrain Park features jumps, hits, rails, and more for freestylers of all levels. The Park typically operates December-April for the winter season. They also offer summer programs and camps.
Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park is a recognized 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization, founded in 1997 by an all-volunteer board of directors, who offer guidance to our professional management staff. The organization exists to provide a family-friendly ski area where customer service is a priority in part by returning all profits to the recreation area.
In 1997, community volunteers again joined to incorporate the ski area as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Since then, Mt. Spokane has been very proud to remain closely involved with many community organizations, donating services, man hours, and in-kind gifts towards education, community programs, at-risk youth, health agencies, and countless other school, church, and non-profit groups.
Voted #1 by readers of The Inlander for over 10 years in a row, Mt. Spokane provides epic skiing and snowboarding for all ages and abilities. There is nothing quite like skiing and snowboarding under the stars and Mt. Spokane provides more night ski terrain than any other mountain around. Local craft beer, fire pits, a fun-loving community, and the beauty of the mountain make for memorable nights.
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Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park is 1,704 acres of skiable area, 2,000 skiable vertical feet, 52 designated runs, six chair lifts, a surface lift and the best terrain park in the region. Night skiing is available most Wednesday-Saturday nights, in the winter season.
Night Skiing Experience
That said, the night skiing is the best thing Mt. Spokane has to offer and what really sets it apart in the Inland NW. However, I think they've figured that out. The cost of a night ticket has gone up each of the last 3 years.
Night skiing is the most beautiful thing in my life. It doesn’t matter where you are along the trail, it doesn’t matter how fast anyone else is going. It's just you and the sound of your heart. I ski along the trail, gliding effortlessly with every step, climb the hills, speed down the other side, never feeling tired.
There is a particular spot, the highest one can get on the trails, where no matter what, it's beautiful. I stand, completely alone for the time being, as I catch my breath. I look up, as I am able to fully look around at the world around me to-night. The stars are out, shining brighter than ever seen from the city, overhead, illuminating the valleys and forests covered in snow around me.
The wind, whistling around me, plays over each branch, each branch changing the pitch, each new tone creating the effect of the forest alive. From where I stand, I hear thousands of conversations, thou-sands of whispers back and forth, as the wind whips up the valleys. The clouds that I passed through now barely reach my feet, swirling around me. Over the valley, the same effect is replicated in the cloud cover, holes in the clouds let the moonlight shine through, striking and reflecting off the snow.
I stand on this ridge, the snow rippling around me, in perfect balance. My breathing is controlled, my internal temperature perfect, I am completely calm. That’s what I take from skiing. It allows me to gain that balance within myself, and at that moment, as the winds converge around me, I am at pure balance to the universe. It’s the story of my life, the swells of the breeze, the balance of the world.
Here, you’re not just a visitor, but a cherished part of a the community. It’s a place that makes you feel at home, regardless of your skills, from beginners to experts to park enthusiasts, all united by a shared love for this unique space.
Mount Spokane Ski Resort Run and Après Tips
Current Conditions and Upcoming Events
Mt. Spokane kicked off the season with a beautiful, sunny opening day and happy faces across the mountain. Blue skies, crisp temps, and great early-season energy made for an unforgettable start. Lets do it again Sunday from 9am4pm, with Illuminator (Chair 2) added to expand terrain and laps. The forecast calls for more cold sunshine and classic winter vibes. Grab your gear, bring your friends, and come enjoy another great day on the mountain.
Special lift ticket pricing is available at the ticket window for $50; this offer is not available online. Food and beverage service will be available with a limited menu in both Lodge 1 and Lodge 2. Snow tubing is sold out for Sunday for the 10:00am, noon, and 2:00pm sessions. Tubing sessions can be purchased online at www.mtspokane.com.
We are open with limited operations focused on beginner and intermediate ski terrain, the Terrain Park, and snow tubing. conditions report for the current operating plan. Night ski is delayed until we receive more snow. Limited Terrain Lift Tickets $50 at ticket window (not available online).Tubing sessions are booking quickly! Book in advance.
New snow (Summit) 48hrs - 7″New snow (Base) 48hrs - 7″Surface Condition - machine groomed CURRENTSNOWDEPTH18" TRAILS OPENED12/52 TRAILS GROOMED12/52 OPERATING LIFTSBeginner's Luck, (Chair 5) Parkway Express (Chair 3), Illuminator (Chair 2) Terrain Park Handle Tow, Magic CarpetSpecial Notes
