Washington Ski Area Details Future After Not Operating This Past Winter
Okanogan County, Washington — If you are a Western U.S. ski area that doesn’t have snowmaking capabilities, you probably had a bad time last winter.
Various ski resorts in the Western U.S. didn’t open last winter, including Magic Mountain in Idaho, Cooper Spur in Oregon, and Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley in Arizona (the USA’s southernmost ski area). Perhaps the most notable closure was Loup Loup Ski Bowl in Washington, which had typically had no issues opening in the past.
Typically needing around 12 to 16 inches of snowpack to open, the non-profit ski hill never got close to that tally this past winter. In response, they were unable to operate for the first time since 1976.
In response to their closure, Loup Loup released a statement this past weekend that details their strategy moving forward.
Loup’s statement is below:
“A Season of Change: Loup Loup Ski Bowl Reflects on a Low Snow Winter, Financial Realities, and Long-Term Sustainability
Nestled in the heart of Okanogan County, Washington, the nonprofit-led Loup Loup Ski Bowl did not open this season for the first time since 1976 due to a severe lack of snow that prevented the hill from operating safely and sustainably. This unprecedented closure underscores the growing volatility of winter conditions in the region. It also reflects broader challenges facing nonprofit ski areas, as climate variability increasingly affects winter reliability and the financial structures that sustain community-based ski operations.
The ability for Loup Loup Ski Bowl to operate depends first and foremost on consistent seasonal snowfall and conditions that allow for safe and sustainable lift and terrain access. For this hill, the threshold is an all-over packed base of approximately 12 to 16 inches of snow, which is necessary to safely groom the terrain and operate chairlift loading and unloading areas. This season, a prolonged lack of adequate snowpack made opening operations impossible.
Although snow ultimately determines whether the mountain can operate in any given season, the financial foundation of a ski hill is built long before the first snowfall. Season passes are a key part of that structure. At Loup Loup Ski Bowl, pass sales provide essential early-season revenue that helps cover the fixed costs of operating the hill, including staffing, maintenance, infrastructure, and insurance. These expenses exist regardless of whether the hill is ultimately able to open, and in a nonprofit model, sustaining them depends directly on community support, especially in years shaped by uncertainty.
Among the largest of these fixed costs is insurance, which is required to maintain lift operations and provide safe public access to the mountain. Like many small and nonprofit ski areas, Loup Loup Ski Bowl carries this expense regardless of snowfall totals or operating days. This season, revenue generated through season pass sales was approximately equal to the cost of maintaining insurance coverage alone, underscoring both the financial realities of operating a community ski hill and the vital role passholders play in sustaining its future over the long term.
The financial impacts of this season extend beyond a single winter. Like many nonprofit ski areas operating in increasingly unpredictable conditions, Loup Loup Ski Bowl is now evaluating how to balance long-term sustainability with its mission of providing accessible, community-centered outdoor recreation. In response, the organization has begun implementing operational and financial adjustments aimed at stabilizing the hill while preserving its future viability.
These efforts include reevaluating staffing structures, prioritizing critical infrastructure maintenance over nonessential projects, and focusing available resources on maintaining core operational readiness for future seasons. As part of this restructuring effort, Executive Director Jon Brown stepped down from the role, and the organization began restructuring its management team in an effort to reduce operational costs and strengthen the organization’s long-term sustainability.
The Loup Loup Ski Bowl is also exploring additional strategies to strengthen long-term sustainability, including expanded year-round programming, community partnerships, and efforts to diversify revenue beyond winter operations alone.
Despite these efforts, community support remains essential to the future of the hill. As a nonprofit organization, the Loup Loup Ski Bowl depends not only on snowfall but also on the continued investment of passholders, donors, volunteers, and local supporters who believe in maintaining affordable and community-centered access to winter recreation in Okanogan County.
Loup Loup Ski Bowl’s experience this season reflects a broader shift occurring across the winter recreation industry. Small and nonprofit ski areas throughout the West are increasingly navigating inconsistent snowfall, rising operational costs, and growing winter season variability. For many community ski hills, long-term sustainability will depend not only on adaptation but also on continued local support and recognition of the role these spaces play in rural communities.
While this season has presented significant challenges, Loup Loup Ski Bowl remains committed to its mission of providing accessible, community-centered winter recreation in North Central Washington. The future of the hill depends not only on snow but on the continued support of those who value it. Season pass purchases, donations, and community involvement all play a direct role in ensuring the ski area can operate in future seasons and continue serving generations to come. With that support, the hill can continue to serve as a community asset and remain prepared for future winter seasons when conditions allow.”
If you’re looking to help Loup Loup, you can donate here.
Image/Video Credits: Steve Nelson, Loup Loup Ski Bowl
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