From a light drizzle to a mix of rain and snow, the weather on I-90 can shift by the minute. Then, almost magically, during the last 2 miles before the Montana-Idaho border, this time of year, it transforms into giant, drifting snowflakes.

 By the time you reach Lookout Pass Ski Resort, straddling the line between the two states, you might find a foggy mountain pass, but the snowscape that emerges from what was slush and wet pavement just moments before is nothing short of stunning. 

“It’s kind of interesting. We’re right here in the snow belt, and it’s partly elevation driven but also shaped by the way the mountains sit,” explained Lookout Pass Marketing Director Matt Sawyer, who has held the position for several years. “Weather systems have to stall here whether they’re coming west to east or east to west, and we benefit from that extra precipitation those systems carry.” 

Sawyer, originally from Pittsburgh, always dreamed of living and skiing in the West. After working at several large ski resorts, he eventually moved to Wallace, Idaho, to take on his current role. With nearly 50 years in the ski industry, his enthusiasm for the sport is unmistakable.

Lookout Pass Ski Resort is owned by two brothers in San Diego, though their hands-off approach leaves most day-to-day decisions to the local management team — including oversight of the Route of the Hiawatha. Since Oct. 15, the resort has seen 87 inches of snowfall come and go, and by the time of this visit, a couple of feet rested at the summit as more accumulated.

The resort typically employs between 70 and 100 people, depending on daily need. A group of J-1 visa students are expected to arrive soon to help staff the busy season. 

“J-1 is a temporary visa, usually for college students. Most of the time it’s to help them develop their language skills, learn American culture and travel a bit,” Sawyer clarified. “Each year we try to bring in about 12 to 14 international students to work and enjoy the environment. They’ll stay through the end of April or early March as employees.” 

He added that, given global travel uncertainties, they weren’t sure this year’s group would be able to come, but the first students are expected to arrive this week. 

“Some resorts, like Vail in Colorado, will have thousands; a huge workforce doing jobs that maybe others won’t do.” 

At Lookout Pass, the resort provides both housing and transportation to the resort for its J-1 workers.

Last Saturday morning, 21 of the resort’s 59 trails were open, with more expected to become accessible that afternoon. Two of its five lifts were running at full capacity. Skiers could choose from a comfortable mix of green (easy), blue (intermediate), and black (difficult) terrain.

Registration is now open for the resort’s famous free ski and snowboard school for children, founded in 1942. Classes begin Saturday, Jan. 3, coinciding with the free bus service organized by the Missoula Rec Club, which picks up riders from Superior to Saltese. More information can be found at skilookout.com, including fun offerings like “Dress Like Santa and Ski for $20” on Monday, Dec. 22, the free birthday ski day, and the annual New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade.