One of my goals this trip..was to hit “the local favorite” ski areas. Ones you and I probably never heard of. I am finding they have 1) better snow (not skied out) by 11 AM 2) Cooler Ski Karma 3) Super nice people / families who just want to ski. Who cares they don’t have 6 seated, heated express lifts! I love the pace and vibe of a fixed two seater with a liftee that has been working the place for decades — dancing to his Spotify playlist that he promotes w/yellow pull off stickies!

Welcome to Lost Trail Powder Mountain (border with Idaho/MT on the continental divide). Waist deep powder all day…

Besides awesome workers and snow…I love the analog (failsafe) way to communicate open chutes (wall of ski patrol shack) and the little rope tows to help you move around the place!

Nothing technical…just works!

A special shout out to the Dupont family (Greg and Kelly) and friends … treated me to my first parking lot party — Kids, Hot Dogs and a few local refreshments (beer that is!). Awesome vibe!

A few of the party goers! Love this gang…
Send-IT! after an awesome day at Lost Trail Powder Mountain…what is next!?

BTW if you like to support these independent ski resorts…a great way is buy an indypass (about $250 and you get 2 free days at dozens of ski most family owned ski areas…).