Take your skis and travel the world.
PROJECT 101 – FROM COAST TO COAST
79 ski areas · 19 states · 41 ski days · 7,560 miles
THE STORY BEHIND
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Why Project 101? Because the idea was to ski 101 ski areas on one journey across the United States.
Starting in Petaluma, California, I headed east with my skis, a car and a deliberately ambitious plan. I wanted to experience American skiing in all its diversity – not only the famous resorts, but also the small local hills, the unexpected places and the ski areas you would normally never cross an ocean to visit.
But the winter had other plans. Early in the journey, a lack of snow in the West made it clear that 101 would be difficult to reach. I had to change the route and skip entire regions, such as the San Bernardino Mountains, as well as several planned ski areas in New Mexico.
Then, in Wisconsin, came another surprise. I discovered that my Indy Pass could only be used at one ski area per day. My original planning had included days with as many as four Indy Pass ski areas. Suddenly, another part of the carefully planned itinerary had to be rewritten.
Project 101 became a journey of adapting, improvising and making the most of whatever the snow, the passes and the road allowed. After 41 ski days, 19 states, 7,560 miles and 79 ski areas, Mountain Creek in New Jersey was the final ski stop before the journey ended in Jersey City.
The number 101 remained the idea behind the project, but it was never what ultimately defined the journey. What mattered was the skiing, the places, the people and the enormous variety of ski culture I discovered along the way. Project 101 had become exactly what Ski the World is about: taking your skis, following your curiosity and discovering the world one ski area at a time.
THE TOUR
From California to New Jersey, Project 101 was constantly on the move. Some days meant one major ski area, others several small hills and hundreds of miles on the road. Plans changed with snow conditions, opening hours, weather – and occasionally the rules of a ski pass.
This is how the journey unfolded.
Mount Shasta
01/02/2022 - 3 Lifts
Mount Shasta
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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
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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
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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!
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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:
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Two large bowls accessed via Lifts 2 and 4
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Steep blues and single-black runs that kept things fun and flowing
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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.