Schweitzer Mountain Resort to open Friday! — No matter what else I write, this is the news item you’ve been waiting for.

Schweitzer will open for limited operations Friday, with only the Basin Express lift running.

There will be no terrain park and no beginner terrain available. They’ve been blowing snow on Midway for two weeks, so expect a good surface.

Encouraging news is the potential for 12 inches of white stuff, starting Thanksgiving. It’s not enough to open the entire hill, but a step in the right direction.

Meanwhile, our racers aren’t waiting for Mother Nature. Both SARS and Independence currently are training in Canada, eh.

World Cup Slaloms in Levi — Our athletes crossed the pond to compete in Sweden last weekend.

Mikaela Shiffrin won the ladies event, and was the only US athlete to qualify for a second run.

The win moved her into the lead for the World Cup overall.

The men didn’t fare as well, with all five athletes failing to qualify.

Marcel Hirsher of Austria continued his domination, taking the Gold.

World Cup completion continues this week for the North American swing.

The men will compete in Downhill and Super G at Lake Louise Nov 21-25, while the women will do Giant Slalom and Slalom at Killington, VT Nov. 24-25.

Junior Race Series sign-up — Fliers for the January Independence Junior Race Series can be found at the local ski shops.

This popular series features free coaching, lots of prizes, lots of kids and lots of fun! Racers meet four Friday evenings in January from 5:30 until 7 p.m. No excuses!

Historically we get an 80 percent participant return rate, so register now.

Forms are at the Alpine Shop and Sandpoint Sports, or can be downloaded at www,independenceracing.com.

Potpourri —­ Pray for lots of snow. Any comments, recommendations or contributions to this column may be sent to Shep Snow by email at [email protected].