Lookout Pass Race Team ready to shred
Lookout Pass Race Team members cheering each other on after the awards ceremony at Schweitzer Mountain.
Photo by MARK PEDERSON
MULLAN — The Lookout Pass Race Team (LPRT) is back in action after seeing a late start to the December ski season. The team reported that they are making up for lost time and taking full advantage of the heavy snowfall that hit the mountains late last month.
The Youth Ski League (12 and under) competed at their first event at Schweitzer Mountain earlier this month with several racers placing with top 15 finishes.
The team is comprised of skiers from all over the Pacific Northwest, ages 8 and up, with team members joining from all over Montana, Idaho and Washington.
Wallace resident Mark Pederson is a third year ski dad of two members of the team and said that LPRT attracts families from such a widespread area due to Lookout being able to offer what the big resort competitors can't.
“We’re an affordable option compared to other places out there, and then location as well,” Pederson said. “We’ve got the best snow in the area. I know I’m biased, but it’s sunny and we’ve got more powder than anyone else, so families are choosing Lookout for those reasons.”
Pederson added that the coaches are primarily volunteers and have created a community atmosphere that is second to none.
“We’ve got a bunch of really awesome coaches and parents too,” he said. “We’re outside exercising and spending all weekend as a family, and it’s 100 percent become our favorite part of the year.”
Next up for the younger age group will be the Gary Peck Memorial Race at Mt. Spokane, Feb. 5 and 6. Junior Races (age 12 and up) kick off this weekend at the Northwest Cup at Schweitzer.
Top 15 finishers from the Schweitzer races include:
SATURDAY — GIRLS
U8 — none from LPRT
U10 — 1st — Ocoee Kaplan (3 overall)
U12 — 8th — Ada Pederson (12 overall)
U12 — 13th — Ava White (23 overall)
SATURDAY — BOYS
U8 — 2nd — Beau Pederson (25 overall)
U8 — 9th — Thatcher Lechleitner (55 overall)
U10 — none from LPRT
U12 — 4th — Andy Rau (5 overall)
U12 — 12th — Riley Lechleitner (16 overall)
SUNDAY — GIRLS
U8 — none from LPRT
U10 — 4th — Ocoee Kaplan (14 overall)
U12 — 11th — Ava White (15 overall)
U12 — 14th — Ada Pederson (19 overall)
SUNDAY — BOYS
U8 — 2nd — Beau Pederson (20 overall)
U8 — 8th — Thatcher Lechleitner (58 overall)
U8 — 10th — Lincoln Sawyer (66 overall)
U10 — 15th — Ari Rau (44 overall)
U12 — 7th — Andy Rau (10 overall)
U8 — Ages 8 and under
U10 — Ages 10 and under
U12 — Ages 12 and under