All the mid-size ski areas in the region are looking to solidify their financial position to some extent... it's a tough business. One of the nuggets of info buried in Mission Ridge's expansion proposal with the Forest Service is that it has
never turned an annual profit. I guarantee you that this COVID-19-shortened season didn't change that. And spots like Chewelah and Kellogg are pretty economically depressed, so there's a real need for decently-paying year-round employment. From what I've been able to tell, Tryg Fortun is definitely interested in the long-term development potential of both resorts--not in a long-term charity/money sink.
From what I've seen, Selkirks snow seems pretty comparable to Utah's... wetter but more plentiful than Colorado's, significantly drier than the Cascades (or at least West-of-the-Crest Cascades).
I haven't been to Whitewater yet, but from what I can tell Red, 49North, Silver, and Lookout are all in a position where they'll be pursuing additional growth throw various avenues. None of them is going to turn into Northstar or Deer Valley overnight, or even in the next couple decades. But don't expect any of them to stay exactly as-is, either. If the thought of a high-speed quad, a paved parking lot, or paid tubing sends you running, then avoid committing to these spots.
Mt. Spokane, Salmo, Baldy, Loup Loup, and Bluewood seem like better bets to stay
very old-school. But of course, most people will be happy with a few upgrades here and there... and Silver, 49North, Lookout, and Red are all great mountains now that will likely keep getting better in most skiers' opinions