Long before a skiing frenzy gripped the winter resorts of the United States, there was the Signal Point Ski Resort in Post Falls, Idaho. From 1950 until almost the end of the decade, Signal Point offered weekend skiing and lessons, providing a total of three runs down the east side of the mountain and, at one point, six rope tows. Only the arrival of the world's first first double chair lift at Mount Spokane could spell the end of the operation. Before then, the closest chairlifts were at Mount Hood or Sun Valley.

Maitland E. Wilkins, and early skier and tugboat operator on Lake Coeur d'Alene, spotted Signal Point from the lake, and having dreamed about a ski run close to home, one day bought 570 acres at the mountain top for only a few dollars per acre.

The lodge was first to be built and was a three-story building, heated by a wood furnace. The lodge was built from trees volunteers felled themselves, skidding them off the hill with a horse. The main floor included a kitchen with a view of Lake Coeur d'Alene, and the city and mountains to the east The third floor contained sleeping quarters for the caretakers.

Volunteers then built towers for the rope tows, and got them installed. Wilkins constructed the snowplows from Army 4x4 and 6x6 trucks. Keeping access open in winter was no easy task, as Signal Point Road from the base to the Lodge was a long one.

Realizing the the operation would require funds, Wilkins started the Signal Point Corporation and sought investors. Most local businesses and clubs contributed something, either in money, equipment or labor.

Many hundreds of volunteer hours went into clearing and grooming the three runs, including much help from Coeur d'Alene High School students. Local teacher Robert Young recalls, "I started teaching in 1950, and my wife and I never went up there without at least a half-dozen or so kids to clear and cut brush and to drag ropes up the hill."

The wives of the founders usually cooked hamburgers for sale, with the meat donated by grocers and the rolls homemade by a Mrs. Young. All proceeds went back into the cost of keeping the enterprise going.

During operation, lift tickets were $1.50 per day. The resort had no ambulance, so instead used a station wagon driven by the lodge staff. The splints were homemade, but the safety record was impressive.

Beginner skiers were challenged by the runs which, at today's ratings, would be considered either intermediate or expert.

The lodge was like a family home. Experienced skiers provided lessons for beginners. There were no "groomers", so skiers would side step down the slope to pack the run.

With the arrival of chairlifts at Mount Spokane and "Schweitzer Ski Basin", there bagan an orreversible decline in attendance. In 1956 the property was sold to Neil Udell, who soon closed it due to a lack of business.

Now that Signal Point's ski facilities are gone, the peak is home to microwave relay towers repeating Spokane radio signals. But athletic activities other than downhill skiing still attract visitors to the mountain. Now the area is used by cross-country skiers, mountain bikers, hikers, cyclists and ATVs. If you didn't know where the ski area was, you would never find it today. Trees have filled in the runs, but the lodge foundation is still barely there, a small reminder of a forgotten era.

In line for the rope tow

The Lodge and line for the rope tow

Inside the Lodge

Signal Point Ski Resort, 1954

"Signal Point" is now officially called "Mica Peak", althought the nickname as well as the road to the top are still called Signal Point. Take West Riverview Drive across the Spokane River in Post Falls, and take a left on Signal Point Road. Park at the end, then hike up the rest of the way.