Take your skis and travel the world.
GRAND TOUR OF THE NORTH (USA)
California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada
THE STORY BEHIND
____________________
We are in the second Corona winter, the urge to travel grew strong in the meantime. The Grand Tour of the North was actually already planned for January 2021, and even if the ski resorts in the USA were open this winter - as in Switzerland - the 14-day quarantine on entry was not exactly beneficial to the desire to travel.
In the fall of 2021, the conditions changed, quarantine is no longer applicable and nothing stands in the way of the Grand Tour of the North. First we celebrate Christmas with the Californian part of the family and on New Years Day the trip starts.
It will be a road trip of more than 5000 miles with 34 ski resorts in 7 states, leading through the forests of Oregon, the great valley of the Columbia River, the vastness of Montana, the loneliness of Wyoming and through the deserts of Nevada. The skis in the trunk and the Best Buddy on parts of the way on the passenger seat (he mostly without skis, more about that later). There was not much snow on the trip, the winter 2021/22 was only in Washington and Oregon a good one - but the road conditions were good and I had no problems with the snow chains - the fear to put on snow chains is known to be my constant companion. There were only two stretches of road where chains were probably compulsory (if I understood that correctly, it's not clear to me in each case), but my 4WD, in combination with the driver, coped excellently with these passages. Also the great cold prevailed only until one day before my arrival at the respective place, so I can talk three comfortable more-or-less winter weeks. Honestly, it could have been a bit colder.
THE TOUR
____________________
The tour started and ended in Petaluma, California. The locations on this trip were located from 38° N (Heavenly) and 48° N (Schweitzer Mountain) and 122° W (Mount Ashland) and 109°W, it covered an area of approx. 714’408 square kilometers (275’834 square miles) or two times the size of Germany (or 17 times the size of Switzerland). In total, the trip was 7912 km (4918 miles) long, the average stage was 416 km (259 miles), by far the trip with the longest distances.
Mount Shasta
01/02/2022 - 3 Lifts
Mount Shasta
____________________
It's only a short drive from the village up to the ski resort, where I'm traveling alone at first, until suddenly more and more cars gather and in the end a whole convoy is on the road. I will probably never get rid of the parking paranoia that I earned in 2017. But everything is fine: although it is Sunday and holidays, there are still parking spaces available. It is quite busy in the small lodge, but the lifts are still empty.
The area is an Arena-type, accessed by three lifts that become more and more challenging in a clockwise direction. The Marmot lift takes you to flat runs, the Coyote lift to medium runs, and the Douglas lift opens up steeper runs. A small complete area here. And if also the 4322 meter high volcano Mount Shasta would have shown itself in its splendor, it would have been really perfect, this entry into the Grand Tour.
Lifte 3: Marmot, Coyote, Douglas
Mount Ashland
01/02/2022 - 3 Lifts
Mount Ashland
____________________
I drive an hour further north and am in Oregon for the first time. The access road to the area leads over a good 15 kilometer long snow-covered road further and further up, the view becomes more and more tremendous. However, the wind is also getting stronger and stronger and when I reach the top, my fear that the wind will affect the skiing is confirmed: The highest lift, Ariel, has ceased operation. Since this lift serves about 50% of all slopes in the area, the already small area becomes even smaller. What remains is the fantastic view of various volcanoes here. And the impressive ride through the Rogue Valley, up to the High Desert plateau, to Bend.
Lifte 3: Windsor, Comer, Sonnet
Mount Bachelor
01/03/2022 - 3 Lifts
Mount Bachelor
____________________
A Star-Crossed Ski Day on the Grand Tour of the North
Today felt like a star-crossed kind of day—and sometimes it’s just like that.
Let me explain. The Grand Tour of the North is based around ski resorts that are part of the Indy Pass, a unique type of season pass in North America that gives you two days at each of its member ski areas. It’s a concept that’s especially well-suited to road trippers like me, and frankly, one that Europe would be wise to replicate. (Business idea, anyone?) Other passes in this category include the Mountain Collective, Ikon, and EPIC Pass. I've previously used EPIC and Mountain Collective during my 2016/17 U.S. ski tour, and now I’m exploring the northwest with the Indy Pass, which covers 81 independent and often smaller ski areas.
It seemed like the perfect match—until I ran into a snag I hadn’t anticipated: some smaller resorts aren’t open on weekdays outside peak season, and that information isn’t always clearly stated on their websites. Fortunately, I timed my visits to Mount Shasta and Mount Ashland on a Sunday, when they were open. Lucky me.
Today, Monday, January 3rd, I had planned to visit two more resorts: Willamette Pass and Mount Hoodoo. Both were closed. I considered larger resorts in Oregon, such as those around Mount Hood and Mount Bachelor, but had originally excluded them due to time constraints. Still, with my planned stops closed and a snowstorm on the horizon, Mount Bachelor became the best option.
Now, Mount Bachelor touts itself as the 6th largest ski area in North America, based on terrain. But today, due to the incoming storm, only one of its nine main lifts—Sunrise—was operating. The rest were shut down. Unfortunately, the terrain served by Sunrise is mostly flat and ill-suited for deep powder—today saw over 20 inches of fresh snow. Add in the beginner lifts at the base, and you're looking at a $119 day pass for terrain barely worth skiing. That breaks down to about $40 per functional lift—more expensive than Stowe ($30) or Mt. Rose ($29). If memory serves, that’s a record.
Still, I found some bright spots in the day. First, I did technically ski Mount Bachelor, satisfying §3, number c of the World Council of Skitistics (a humorous nod—check the rules here). Second, the drive on US Highway 97 was spectacular, especially the snow-covered Satus Pass on my way to my third destination: Yakima, Washington.
Despite the frustrations, there were highlights. And next time I pass through, I hope to experience Mount Bachelor in its full glory—with all lifts running and its vast terrain open.
Mission Ridge
01/03/2022 - 3 Lifts
Mission Ridge
01/04/2022 4 Lifts
Mission Ridge
At Wenatchee (278 m), the road climbs quickly and steadily to the lodge at 1,380 m, where the small but impressive Mission Ridge ski area begins. With 4 lifts and nearly 700 meters of vertical drop, it's a clear step up from yesterday's experience. Even better—Mission Ridge is included in the Indy Pass!
The ski area sits in a natural basin. Three of the lifts serve the surrounding slopes, while Chair 1 acts as a feeder to the Midway station and also provides access to the area's only beginner run. The terrain offers a great mix: wide-open slopes, tighter forested corridors, and a variety of runs that keep things interesting.
And then—the Snow Ghosts appear. Haunting and beautiful, they give the landscape a magical, otherworldly feel.
Adding to the surprise: among the three chairlifts (none of which have safety bars), there's a rare sight in North America—a bubble chairlift. These are uncommon here, and it makes the experience feel just a bit more special.
I make a few runs and am absolutely thrilled. Mission Ridge is a hidden gem: playful, varied, and—at least in my perception—remarkably remote. A true discovery!
Lookout Pass
01/05/2022 3 Lifts
Silver Mountain
01/05/2022 5 Lifts
Mount Spokane
01/05/2022 3 Lifts
3 Ski Resorts – 3 States – 3 Time Zones in a Single Day!
____________________
Lookout Pass • Silver Mountain • Mt. Spokane
What started as a regular ski day turned into something truly memorable: three ski resorts, in three U.S. states, three time zones—all in just one day. It wasn’t planned to be historic, but sometimes the best days come with surprises.
I was based in Spokane, Washington, for two nights—more of a strategic stop than a destination—before heading north on my Grand Tour of the North. Conveniently, all three ski areas I hit today lie along Interstate 90, heading east from Spokane.
1. Lookout Pass – Two States, Two Time Zones
Idaho (Pacific Time) and Montana (Mountain Time)
My first stop was the most distant of the day: Lookout Pass, a modest but fascinating ski area nestled on the state line. Despite its size, the day began with a bang—15 inches of powder made every turn a dream.
The terrain spans three faces of a small summit, served by three lifts—although one was closed during my visit. But what makes Lookout truly unique is geographical: one lift lies in Montana, and the other two in Idaho, meaning I skied in two states and crossed two time zones within a single resort. Where else can you do that before lunch?
2. Silver Mountain – Riding North America’s Longest Gondola
Kellogg, Idaho – Pacific Time - Daytime
About 30 minutes back toward Spokane lies the town of Kellogg, home to the Silver Mountain Resort. Getting to the slopes is an experience in itself—the resort base is in the valley, and a gondola (the longest in North America) takes you from town up to the ski area.
Once at the top, I was pleasantly surprised by the terrain:
-
Two large bowls accessed via Lifts 2 and 4
-
Steep blues and single-black runs that kept things fun and flowing
-
A double-diamond freeride zone (Glades) that looked tempting—but I passed on it this time
Silver had a lot more to offer than expected - definitely worth the ride up.
3. Mt. Spokane
Pacific Time – Night Time
To finish the day, I drove just under an hour back to Mt. Spokane, the local mountain for the city. I arrived just in time for night skiing, which runs across three lit-up lifts. The slopes were alive with energy—plenty of recreational skiers, and even junior racers training under the floodlights.
Night skiing always has its own unique atmosphere, and Mt. Spokane delivered. A fitting and fun way to cap off a long, action-packed day.
At the end of the day, I drive to Spokane International Airport to pick up the travel companion. Hi arrives - but without skis! Alaska Airlines, you are in trouble now.