This year’s Santa Ski Day at Lookout Pass was filled with laughter from participants and applause from fellow skiers.

While past years have always been lively and entertaining, the recent power outage and wind damage to surrounding trees may have made everyone a little more grateful for the chance to gather and celebrate. Participants come prepared for a day of silliness and holiday cheer.

Thirteen-year-old James Fairbanks was the youngest member of a troupe that drove from Moscow, Idaho. Although he has skied at Lookout before, this was his first Santa Ski Day. 

“I’ll do whatever it takes,” he laughed when asked if he was up for the challenge while struggling with is costume in the parking lot. 

The patriarch of the Fairbanks family, Steve, skied with Santa last year, but this year he donned full regalia to make it official. 

“I’m a big fan of Santa, and I need to be Santa myself,” he grinned. “I expect a few flying reindeer to join us on the slopes, but other than that, I think it’s going to be an epic ski day.”

“I’ve never even been on skis before!” howled Alec Dixon from Bangor, Wales, who confirmed that skiing simply doesn’t exist where he comes from. Dixon is visiting the Fairbanks family for the holidays. Nineteen-year-old Adam Fairbanks is somewhat new to the sport but is considered a veteran of the event. “I did Santa Ski last year, and I like skiing, but I don’t go on any of the hard runs,” he said. 

Cameron Fairbanks, 16, is also new to downhill skiing. 

“It’s always looked really fun, and I finally got to give it a try last year.” 

He added that while riding the chairlift, he planned to think of songs to sing, since he hadn’t prepared any yet. Looking ahead, Cameron said he may invite his girlfriend to join him next year if the experience is as exciting as he expects. 

“I’m here with my three kids and my husband,” laughed Carolee Fairbanks, who was also participating in Santa Ski Day for the first time. “I started skiing in 2013, but Steve is the lifelong skier in the family. We’re making today a special event, and maybe even a family tradition.” 

She noted that they previously lived in Park City, Utah, where she skied often, but her boys were “itty-bitty babies” at the time and too young for the sport.

Inside the lodge, warming up with chili fries from the restaurant, were Superior High School students Ranier Acker, Phin Cataldo, and George Hanson. 

“We’re making the most of our season passes,” Acker said. “I drove up yesterday, and Greg drove today.” The trio plans to ski as often as possible during their Christmas break.

One group of Santas was heard singing "Jingle Bells" where Silver Spur meets Bonanza, a few hundred yards from the lodge. Most of the group were snowboarders, led by skier and Lookout Pass Ski Resort Marketing Director Matt Sawyer.

Sawyer elevated the cherished event eight years ago after arriving at the resort. 

“The $20 fee goes to a nonprofit organization in Wallace that helps buy Christmas presents for kids living in the Silver Valley,” he explained. “Skiers understand that for this price, they can’t just wear a Santa hat; it has to be a full-blown costume with a coat, pants, hat, black belt, and beard to make the cut. And they enjoy the dickens out of dressing up like this,” he beamed.

Sawyer also announced a New Year’s Eve gift for guests and the surrounding communities of St. Regis, Superior, Mullan, Wallace, and the Silver Valley. 

“The mountain will host a Torchlight Parade on Wednesday, Dec. 31. The parade starts at the summit at 4:45 p.m. (PST) and finishes around 5:15. We’ll have food and drink specials, followed by free champagne and cider on the deck. Guests are welcome to come watch, and for those who want to ski, we’ll have special incentives.” 

For more information, visit skilookout.com.

    One group of Santa Skiers arrive at the lodge at Lookout Pass on their annual Santa Ski Day where participants pay $20.00 for the day and the money goes to purchasing presents for kids in the Siver Valley in Idaho. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
  

    The herd of Santas drove 2.5 hours to enjoy Santa Ski Day at Lookout Pass. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)