I was raised by a pair of ski addicts in the Inland Northwest. This meant I grew up skiing at small ski areas with home-spun lifts: Bogus Basin, Bluewood, Spout Springs, Anthony Lakes, Mt. Spokane, and 49 Degrees North. Schweitzer was the big time for us. To me, these areas were huge, super fun, and foundational. Early on, my parents were lower middle class, and later on, middle class. So, it wasn't like we had a lot of money to spend on lift tickets and gear, but they made it work, and I wouldn't have been the wiser. To me, it was the good life, the best life.

I am realizing that being brought up as a skier like this, isn't so obtainable anymore. Smaller, affordable ski areas are having a hard time competing with giant corporations and incorporated ski passes. This is not to say I haven't taken advantage of the great deals some of the conglomerated ski passes offer, as epic powder and deep turns are the true end game for any skier. But, the memories of these hills, bound with local community in a sport that should be shared by all, are slowly falling away. I don't want them to only exist in the past. Support your local ski area whenever possible. "It's not the size of the hill; it's the feel of your favorite turn." -pbb