49 Degrees North Ski Area in northeastern Washington developed into a major Chewelah Mountain resort after opening in late 1972 with three chairlifts. Set within Colville National Forest, it has north-facing slopes, a substantial vertical drop, and six lifts. Skiing in the area reaches back much earlier through the Chewelah Peak operation, which began in 1936 and later added a chairlift and lodge. After bankruptcy in June 1990, the resort was bought in 1996 by local owner John Eminger, who operated it for 23 years. Tree thinning in the 1990s helped establish its notable tree skiing, and a new high-speed lift was added in 2021 under later ownership.