By Brad Naccarato 

The first snowflakes of the 2025-26 season have already started accumulating at area resorts. Stoke is high, and the general feeling is that this could be another stellar year in the mountains. If you’ve made the decision to finally upgrade your ride or style, local shops stock some of the hottest new gear of the season. These are a few of their season favorites. 

Solnix (Spokane on North Division)     

Solnix (previously Shred Sports) continues to grow both its hard- and soft-good lines offered throughout the store. With a full-service ski and snowboard tech center already in place, they’ve got big plans for next year to add a rental fleet.   

If you’re looking to upgrade your skis this year, take a look at the Armada ARV. “Armada is really killing it this year with their all-mountain ski lineup,” said Solnix sales associate Dax Murrell. “It’s a versatile one-ski quiver with tip and tail rocker that moves easily from groomers to powder.” The ARV is offered in 95, 100, or 106 millimeters at the waist. The men’s ski retails for $699 and the women’s for $599. 

On the snowboard side of things, the patented new FASE step-in binding system is taking the snowboard world by storm. It’s now being utilized by several binding manufacturers for the 25/26 season. One of those leading the pack is the ROME Katana. “It’s like a standard highback, two-buckle binding, but with the added advantage of being able to slide in or out of it super quick,” said Murrell. The Katana uses a hinging high back mechanism that enables the user to step-in without completely disengaging the buckles. “There are no drawbacks like with the old step-in systems of snowboarding’s early days. You still have the great edge control of a standard high-back binding, but now the ease of use that comes with a step-in system.” The Katana retails for $429. 

Need some new goggles? Oakley is charging hard this year with its 50th anniversary collection. “Oakley has what it calls the ‘perfect lens’ with zero distortion and an enhanced field of view,” said Murrell. “They also use Switchlock tech, so you can swap out lenses super quick based on conditions.” The Oakley Line Miner Pro goggles retail for $317 and come with two sets of lenses.  

Alpine Haus (North Spokane and South Hill) 

Alpine Haus is celebrating the one-year anniversary of their new Northside location, in addition to the 10^th anniversary of the current owners taking over and revitalizing the long-standing Alpine Haus shop on the South Hill. Alpine Haus continues its tradition of investing in future skiers and riders with the ever-popular bargain season-lease program for $159 for kids or $259 for adults.  

Looking for a different type of snowboard boot? The Union Reset Pro might scratch the itch. “The Reset is really a revolutionary new boot in that it’s built to last 100 plus days, much like a ski boot, with a durable outer shell and BOA tech for a locked-in fit,” said store manager Chad Ohman. “They’re a higher price-point boot, but they’re handcrafted in Italy and are fully heat moldable,” he added. The Reset Pro comes in at $649.  

On the ski boot front, Armada is making waves with its new AR One freeride boots. “It’s similar to the old Full-Tilt style boots, but it utilizes a ‘slingshot’ buckle across the ankle that operates through a cable pulley at a 45-degree angle, locking you tight into the heel pocket,” said Ohman. “With Salomon and Atomic under the same parent company, Armada was able to lean on a lot of tech from their sibling companies in the development of this boot.” The AR is offered in a 90/100/110/120/130 flex. Prices range from $450-$875.  

Most people overlook socks, but you don’t want to look past Le Bent’s line of Pro-Series socks. “Le Bent uses traditional merino wool, but, instead of blending it with polyester, they use bamboo, which gives them an amazingly soft feel,” Ohman said. “They recently surveyed 120 of the best boot fitters around the country and 100 of them said Le Bent was their go-to sock.” Le Bent offers several cushion levels ranging in price from $42-$44. 

Escape Outdoors (Coeur d’Alene) 

Nestled in the heart of the Village at Riverstone, Escape Outdoors has been supplying Coeur d’Alene’s skiers and riders with stylish, high-end outdoor apparel and accessories for the last 17 years. Founded locally in 2004, Escape also operates a Bellevue, Wash., location.  

As one of the oldest outdoor apparel manufacturers in the world, Helly Hansen has been outfitting adventurers since 1877. They know a thing or two about what works. As one of the region’s only Helly dealers, Escape’s assistant manager, Ashley Taylor, is hyped for their new Legendary Pant for women. “It’s a breathable, lightweight, waterproof pant that’s just a great all-around ski piece for ladies,” said Taylor. “The best part though is the PrimaLoft insulation that gives you that extra bit of warmth on those super chilly days,” she adds. The Legend retails for $205.  

Norrona, a Norwegian-based company, has been a rising star in the American outdoor apparel industry. While they might not be on most American’s radar yet, they’ve been a big player in the Northern European market for decades. “We just started carrying Norrona this year and I’m very excited about their Lofoten Pro Gore-Tex Freeride Jacket,” Taylor said. “It comes in some really unique colorways and it’s also got all the bells and whistles—zip-off powder skirt, pit zips and a helmet-compatible hood.” With an elite level of 3-layer Gore-Tex protection, the Lofoten retails for $899.  

On the accessory side of things, Autumn’s new winter beanie collection has been a best seller at Escape. “Autumn has a really diverse collection with lots of cool patterns to choose from. They are super comfy and super popular,” said Taylor. Autumn’s new winter collection of beanies retails from $24-$28. 

Ski Shack (Hayden) 

Ski Shack has been serving the Hayden community and well beyond for almost 50 years. A full-service ski and snowboard shop, they also have rental and demo options available. You’ll also find a large assortment of soft goods and accessories packed into their eclectic shop on Government Way. 

Year after year, Nordica always hauls in the ski-test awards with the Enforcer line-up. This year is no exception. “They did a slight re-design on the ski, making it a little lighter and a little more flexible,” said ski tech Carson Dowell. “It’s the most versatile and advanced all-mountain ski that Nordica has ever made, and it continues to dominate the market,” he added. New for this year, the Nordica Enforcer now comes in waist widths of 89/94/99/104. It retails from $849-$899. 

For snowboards, Dowell is pretty high on the new Nitro Alternator. “It’s a lot of value for the money. It’s got an 8 flex, with a big spooned-out nose, so it’s more of an all-mountain board but still rides really good in powder,” he said. As the region’s only Nitro dealer, Ski Shack has the Alternator listed at $579.  

2-Wheeler & Ski Dealer (Hayden) 

2-Wheeler has been a staple in the Nordic gear department for folks over in Hayden for decades. For this upcoming season, the shop is not carrying any new in-line Nordic products, but they still have a great selection of skis, boots and bindings from last season.  

If you’re looking for a whole new setup, it’s hard to beat Rossignol’s BC 65 ski/binding combo. “Rossi’s BC 65 is our bestselling setup because it works great for on-track snow but will go anywhere off-track you’re willing to take it,” said assistant manager Pat Hutchins. “The waxless Positrack base makes it super grippy for small climbs when you need it,” he added. The BC retails for $399 (with Nordic bindings).  

If you’re going to spring for new skis, you might as well go all-in and grab a new pair of boots like the Rossignol BC X5 women’s or BC X6 men’s boot, designed specifically to pair with the BC line of skis. They retail for $199 and $225, respectively.  

Gear Garage (Coeur d’Alene) 

Located in the heart of downtown Coeur d’Alene, Gear Garage has become the go-to place for used ski and snowboard equipment but they also sell and demo new equipment and are the area’s only dealer for Icelantic skis and Never Summer snowboards.  

Owner Matt Dingman is super excited about the shop’s new demo ski packages they now have in stock. “We’ve got a ton of Völkl, Nordica and Blizzard demo skis on the wall this year. These are this year’s models and many of them have only been on snow a handful of times, and some are brand new,” said Dingman. “You’ll save up to 30% off with these models since they are considered used by the manufacturer since they’ve been mounted,” he added. Prices range from $479-$1,039 (price includes a mounted demo binding). 

Alpine Shop (Sandpoint) 

Serving Sandpoint since 1966, Alpine Shop operates both a downtown store and a mountaintop location in Schweitzer Village. Both shops offer full-service ski and snowboard tuning as well as custom boot fitting.  

If you’re looking for that groomed snow, all-star performer, the Stökli Stormrider 88 has been one of the shop’s bestselling skis. “It’s a pure hand-made Swiss ski that’s nimble, versatile, and really knows no speed limit,” said general manager Andre Bircher. “It loves to run on the groomers, but really can be skied anywhere,” he added. The Storm Rider retails at $1,439. 

If battery-powered, heated accessories are your thing, Alpine Shop has several new offerings from Thermic, one of the pioneers of heated footbed technology. “Thermic now has rechargeable, heated base layers, glove liners and socks. These are the kinds of things that really come in handy on those cold January days,” he said. Thermic’s heated gloves retail for $339. 

Outdoor Experience (Sandpoint) 

This downtown Sandpoint shop has always been the city’s primary Nordic ski shop. They also offer a full line of winter apparel from many of the industry’s top manufacturers. On the hard goods side, they are strong believers in the Rossignol BC setups, which have always been big sellers. 

On the soft goods side of things, Outdoor Experience sales associate Hank Graves loves the new Deviator Hoody from Outdoor Research. “It’s a super breathable, fast-drying midlayer, but can be used as an outer layer on nicer days,” he said. “It’s a very versatile soft-shell piece that’s well suited for the aerobic demands of backcountry skiing.”  

If you want to match the bottom with the top, then you’ll want to grab the Deviator Wind Pants as well. “These are athletic, softshell wind pants. Together, these two make for a killer combo that’ll have you covered in all but the most extreme conditions,” Graves added. The Deviator Hoody and Pants retail for $229 and $139, respectively.

The post 2025–26 Winter Gear Preview: Local Shop Favorites Across the Inland Northwest appeared first on Out There Venture.

By Brad Naccarato 

With a ton of La Niña optimism surrounding the upcoming 2024-25 season, folks are already chomping at the bit to gear up for what could be an epic winter in the mountains. With so many great shops in our region, offering the latest and greatest gear and accessories, it can be overwhelming as to where to begin if you need to upgrade your kit. Well, we’ve gone ahead and done some of the leg work for you. Below you’ll find a comprehensive list of some of our region’s best shops and their own personal picks for the “must have” gear of the new season.  

Solnix (North Spokane) 

Spokane’s Solnix (previously Shred Sports), recently came under new ownership and with a fresh new look and name. As a full-service ski and snowboard shop, they have a huge selection to choose from and expert technicians who can guide your purchase.  

Fred Nowland, Solnix’s head shop tech (and longtime ski shop legend of Spokane), is very excited about Salomon’s S/Pro Supra Boa 120 ski boot. “They’re now utilizing Boa technology on the outer shell in combination with traditional buckles up top,” says Nowland. “It’s a full custom heat moldable boot, so the fit is fantastic, and you can also get them in three different widths.” The Supra Boa comes in both men’s and women’s styles and ranges in price from $499 up to $749 depending on your desired boot flex.  

The other item that Fred couldn’t stop gleaming over was the new heated boot bag from Head Skis. The bag is made from durable, water-resistant material to keep your boots dry and protected. It retails for $349. “You can plug into a 110 outlet or a car cigarette lighter,” he says. “It’s not just great for keeping your boots dry, but also your helmet, socks, gloves, and anything else.”  

Fred was also quick to point out that their Lib Tech Cold Brew is always a big seller on the snowboard side of things. “It’s a full all-mountain utility board with a floatier nose for those occasional off-piste pow days.” With its patented Magne-Traction serrated edges, the Cold Brew has incredible grip on ice while still delivering the perfect blend of freeride, freestyle, and all-mountain riding capabilities. It retails for $549.  

Alpine Haus (Two locations, South Hill & North Spokane) 

Spokane’s Alpine Haus, a longstanding South Hill place of snow worship, has recently expanded to include a second location on Northwest Blvd. a few miles north of downtown. Traditionally known for some of the best boot fitters in Spokane, Alpine Haus is now ready to serve a broader range of winter sports enthusiasts on the north/central side of town.   

Shane Ruby, the South Hill store manager, is very enthusiastic about the new Kastle MX88 alpine ski. “It’s a ski that’s only 88mm under foot but has a larger tip and tail that give it tons of float and versatility,” says Ruby. This is an all-rounder ski that delivers performance and stability everywhere on the mountain, whether it’s on firm-snow groomers or in choppy backcountry conditions. With a 17m turn radius at 174, the MX88 comes in both men’s and women’s versions and retails for $1,099. 

When it comes to snowboards, with the La Niña year predicted, Ruby is big fan of the Jones Mind Expander. “It uses Skatetech, which gives it a surfier, fun feel. With the directional shape and lots of surface area, it floats nice and high on those big snow days,” he says. The board retails for $569.00, and pairs really nicely with the Jones Meteorite binding for $279.  

Oakley has come out this year with their first two-lens goggle system. Their Line Miner Pro goggles are one accessory that Ruby had to mention. “It comes with two Prism-Tech lenses, one for night skiing or stormy days and a sapphire mirror lens for sunny days,” he says. They retail for $299. 

2-Wheeler/ Ski Dealer (Hayden) 

If you’re looking to get into backcountry skiing, 2-Wheeler/ Ski Dealer over in Hayden has you covered. They’ve been a player in the backcountry ski game now for several seasons, and with a full-service shop they can handle any of your backcountry ski tech needs.  

The Freebird ski collection from Black Crows, is by far the favorite of sales manager Chris Parker. “The Corvus, Navis, and Camox are incredibly popular French touring skis that all have slightly different dimensions based on what you like,” says Parker. “They range in price from $800-1,000 and we offer demos in each version so you can try before you buy.”  

If you need the whole kit, the Freebird lineup plays well with Salomon’s S/Lab Shift series AT bindings that retail from $550-$650. And don’t forget the skins. 2-Wheeler also sells ski-specific mohair skins for the whole Freebird series, so you can start tracking uphill at all your favorite backcountry stashes.  

Sportsman’s Ski Haus (Coeur d’Alene) 

Formerly known as Tri-State Outfitters, Sportsman’s not only re-branded in 2022, but also moved to a new location right off the freeway in Coeur d’ Alene. They still carry all of the same high-end winter sport brands in both their soft and hardgoods departments. They also offer a full-service ski and snowboard shop. 

Grant Bordner, an action sports associate, is a huge fan of the ever-popular Nordica Enforcer series. “They’ve done a bunch of small upgrades to this tried-and-true legend, making it even more versatile along with updated graphics,” he says. “They come in waist widths of 89/99/104mm, and new for 2025, all the Enforcers now have a full rocker profile instead of just the 104 version, like in previous years,” he adds. 

The Enforcer line-up comes in both men’s and women’s versions and retails for $699-849. Sportsman’s will be offering demos in each of waist widths so you can try before you buy.   

Gear Garage (Coeur d’Alene) 

Gear Garage, located in downtown Coeur d’ Alene, has been quietly selling tons of gently used ski and snowboard gear since 2022. But new for this season, the Gear Garage has now become an exclusive North Idaho dealer for Icelandic skis and Never Summer Snowboards to go along with their huge selection of over 300 used skis and snowboards—as well as a full rental fleet.   

“Everybody is loving the Icelandic Nomad,” says owner Matt Dingman. “It’s an amazing ski that’s got a massive following in places like Utah and Colorado.” The Nomad comes in waist widths 94/100/106mm, and retails for $799-879, depending on width. The Garage is also a Marker binding dealer with a full-service shop to mount those new Nomads up and send you on your way.  

Alpine Shop (Sandpoint) 

Serving Sandpoint since 1966, the Alpine Shop operates both a downtown store and a mountain-top store in the Schweitzer village. Owner Zach Vollmer is super stoked about Rossignol’s long-awaited re-issue of the cult classic Soul 7 ski for 2025, named the Sender Soul. “They basically blended their Black Ops and Sender technology together, making for an even more super versatile, all-mountain ski that’s still effortless, surfy, and predictable,” he says. The new Sender Soul comes in lengths 156-188 with an average of about 102mm under foot, give or take a few mm’s based on length. It retails for $699. 

Outdoor Experience (Sandpoint) 

Downtown Sandpoint’s Outdoor Experience has become a go-to shop for many Nordic ski enthusiasts in the Inland Northwest. Sales associate Hank Graves says the Rossignol BC 80 has been the favorite package for folks who want maximum versatility in their Nordic skiing experience. “With 80mm at the shovel, it’s a ski that doesn’t mind going off groomed trails,” he says. “Its width makes it extremely versatile, and it also has a full-length metal edge for stability.” 

The BC 80 is sold as a package with the Rottefella NNN Backcountry bindings for a total price of $449. If you need the whole kit though, the Rossignol BC X 6 boot works well with this set for $225. 

Brad Naccarato is a North Idaho native who’s been contributing to OTO since 2012. Chasing trout, snow, waves, peaks, and microbrews keeps him sane. 

The post New Winter Gear Preview from Spokane and North Idaho Shops appeared first on Out There Venture.

As a contributor to Out There for the last 12 years, I’ve had the opportunity to write about a wide variety of exciting outdoor pursuits. Some were new adventures and others were lifelong passions that I loved sharing with our community. While I really enjoyed writing every one of those stories, there’s one story, albeit an odd one, that stands out to me in particular. 

Derrick approached me about doing a piece on skier/snowboarder lingo. I guess he thought I was the most qualified since I was, at the time, one of the only younger writers on staff who skied. I’d definitely spent some years ski-bumming it, but, man, those years were pretty far behind me. I wasn’t sure if I could pull it off. 

As with all my writing, I took a deep dive into it and just let the story happen organically. I read it aloud to myself after finishing, and honestly thought it was garbage. I mean, it was funny to me, but I’m weirdly enthralled by niche things. How is anybody outside of the ski bum world going to get this, let alone be entertained by it, I thought to myself. I submitted it anyway, thinking Oh well—they can’t all be winners. 

Fast forward a few years later, in a casual conversation with Derrick, he revealed to me that of all the hundreds of articles they have archived on the website that particular story, “Talk Like a Skier: Gaper’s Guide to Ski Lingo,” remains one of the most read articles on Outthereoutdoors.com of all time.  

This literally had me belly laughing. I couldn’t believe that to be true. But when I stopped to think about it, over the years, I had received a handful of messages through social media from people around the country who had somehow put eyes on the story. That hasn’t happened with regard to any of the other articles I’ve written over the last decade. 

I’m happy that my article provided a laugh to someone. As writers, at the end of the day, I believe that’s all any of us want. To know that someone out there enjoyed what we wrote and found value in it.  

Thank you OTO for the all memories and adventures over the years—with the hope of many more to come!  

Brad Naccarato is a Northwest native who has been contributing to OTO since 2012. Chasing trout, wind, waves, dirt, and IPAs keeps him sane. 

The post My Viral Ski Bum Article   appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of Gwen LeTutour

There hasn’t been a whole lot of evolution in the wind sports industry over the last several decades. The ‘70s and ‘80s saw the emergence of windsurfing, and with it a collective culture of wind-bums who ascended upon legendary towns like Hood River, Ore. 

At the turn of the century, kiteboarding came next out of Hawaii and significantly cranked up the adrenaline meter. While enticing and exhilarating, kiteboarding’s extreme nature was not as well suited for the masses. The need for multiple lessons and the potential risks involved created a large barrier of entry.  

Windsurfing, while tamer than kiteboarding, had always been very technical and required significant wind to experience enjoyable speeds or the ability to track up-wind (tacking back and forth in a manner that allows you to finish where you started, as opposed to drifting down-wind). The barrier of entry was not as formidable, but unless you lived someplace with lots of wind, you’d spend a lot of days frustrated on the beach.  

In recent years, two new developments have essentially bridged the gap between these two disciplines, and opened up a new world of possibilities for folks who live near less-windy bodies of water.   

The first is the “hand wing.” Constructed in a similar fashion to kites, with an inflatable frame and a nylon canopy, these wings are lightweight, rigid, and collect a respectable amount of pull from the wind for their size. Completely free of any line or board attachment, the wing’s angle and position are controlled by the handles that line the wing’s center strut.  

While these new wings were easier to manage than traditional board sails, and safer than modern kites, the problem of needing big wind still loomed. That’s where the “foil” has come in. Boat foils have been around in various forms for the last 100 years, but it’s only recently that people started to experiment with them in board applications.  

Foils are an engineering marvel that, when given the right mixture of speed and resistance from the water, elevate whatever vessel they are underneath, creating a feeling of flying above the water. It also eliminates almost all of the vessel’s drag on the water, which means very little energy is needed to continue forward propulsion, whether it be the push of a wave or the pull of the wind.  

Getting Into Wing Foiling 

As a person who’s tried both kiteboarding and windsurfing, wing foiling felt much safer to me than kiteboarding and “freer” than windsurfing with the wing being independent of the board. The same wind principles apply, so if you understand where the wind windows are and how to articulate a sail to maximize or minimize pull, the learning curve is rather quick.  

The most challenging piece will come in mastering the foil. The best advise I got was to learn how to foil behind a boat first. Having to manage both the wing and foil at the same time can be difficult for beginners who have no experience with either. Getting on foil doesn’t take much effort or pull from the boat, but staying on foil is where you’ll have to learn how to make constant micro adjustments in weight distribution and foot position to maintain the foil’s flight.  

You can also learn the hand wing skills independently by using a large SUP board instead of a foil board for your first on-water sessions. You won’t break any speed records, but you’ll learn the basics of hand placement and wing positioning, as well as tacking progressions. If you already own a SUP, you’ll only need to purchase a center keel so that you can track up-wind. Slingshot Sports makes a nifty adhesive keel called the “SUP Winder” that works on any rigid board. 

Where To Go Wing Foiling 

Gwen Le Tutour is a Sandpoint City Beach legend. He and a small group of locals have set the tone for the emerging wing foil scene on Lake Pend Orielle. The lake’s sheer size gives it an advantage over other smaller lakes in the region when it comes to wind. The most consistent wind patterns happen in the spring and fall when high- and low-pressure systems are often cycling.  

“I’m blown away with how foiling has made the most unexpected places become fun playgrounds for water sports,” says Le Tutour. “No need to be in Hawaii to have fun—it’s available to anybody, anywhere, even here in North Idaho.”  

In addition to Lake Pend Orielle, many local riders make the journey to Sprague Lake, an hour west of Spokane. Sprague benefits from many of the same thermal weather events that Hood River has, giving it consistent wind year-round.   

Getting the Gear 

If you’re ready to purchase, Gwen owns and operates Wingfoilprocenter.com. There you can find everything you need to get started as well as links to his YouTube page that has tons of valuable information on gear, technique and locations. Gwen offers local lessons for any ability level in the summer at Sandpoint’s City Beach, with the priority of keeping it fun and positive. Additionally, Hood River, 4.5 hours southwest of Spokane, has several shops that can help guide your purchase.    

Brad Naccarato is a Northwest native whose been contributing to OTO since 2012. Chasing trout, wind, waves, dirt, and IPA’s keeps him sane.  

The post On a Wing and a Prayer  appeared first on Out There Venture.

As summer fast approaches, many local anglers are itching to wet a line after being holed up for most of the long winter. When we think of classic freestone river fly-fishing, the Coeur d’ Alene basin, the Spokane River, and the St. Joe River are three tried-and-true local flavors that always come to the front of anglers’ minds. There is one particular drainage in the northern Selkirk/Cabinet basin though that may not be at the top of your list: The Kootenai.

An international watershed encompassing roughly 18,000 square miles of British Columbia, Northwest Montana and Northern Idaho, The Kootenai River originates deep in the Canadian Selkirks and from there flows 485 miles south through Montana and Idaho, eventually returning north to Canada.

Aaron Gordon, owner of Long Drift Outfitters out of Sandpoint, Idaho, has been guiding this river since 2017. According to Gordon, Long Drift is the only true local guide service in North Idaho for the Kootenai River. “The Kootenai holds redband rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, bull trout, burbot, a few brown trout, kokanee, and sturgeon,” says Gordon. “It’s really a classic dry-fly fishery, but, with its size, it’s best fished from a drift boat.”

One of the benefits of the Kootenai’s size is that it is less affected by the spring runoff that can put fish down during its peak. As for the best time of year to hit the water, Gordon says it’s now. “Spring and early summer can bring great fishing days. With the Kootenai, we use a variety of techniques to target fish. Spring nymphing can be extremely productive with very aggressive fish and then July and August bring bigger bugs, great dry fly action, and, of course, beautiful days,” he says.  

Aaron Black, fisheries research biologist for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), has been closely monitoring the progress that the Kootenai River has made over the past few years. “Currently, we’re seeing fish counts that are higher than they’ve been in recent years due to the nutrient addition program that we incorporated back in 2005,” says Black.

“Drip stations are set up at strategic locations throughout the watershed. Those stations drip nutrients vital to fish health into the water that are then absorbed by aquatic plants. The bugs absorb the nutrients when they eat the plants and the fish absorb the nutrients when they eat the bugs,” explains Black.

The region’s native redband rainbow trout—prized for its size and fighting spirit, and a local legend amongst Spokane River anglers—has been the river’s fish population that has been most positively impacted by IDFG’s nutrient efforts. When explored a little deeper, these nutrient addition programs truly are a “bottom to the top” operation.

With ample opportunities for three-season, on-the-fly action, the Kootenai has plenty to offer if you’re itching to try some new water without having to spend days on the road to get there. You can reach Long Drift Outfitters at 303-917-2822 or Longdriftoutfitters.com.

Brad Naccarato is a North Idaho native who’s been contributing to Out There since 2012. Chasing trout, waves, snow, dirt, and microbrews keeps him sane. 

The post Find Off-the-Radar Fly Fishing on the Kootenai River appeared first on Out There Venture.

One of former owner Jeff Young’s first hires back in 1997 was an eager 16-year-old snowboarder named, Ben Deakins.  As of December 1, 2023, Deakins and his wife Kacey fulfilled a long-time dream by becoming the newest owners of the shop. “It was my first job as a teenager, and Kacey would often drop me off to work at the shop before we were married,” Deakins says. “My son has worked here, as well as cousins and brothers. It’s really been a family affair all along.” Shred now has a staff with over 100 years of combined experience in outdoor retail, says Deakins. “It’s really amazing to see how far things have come.”

Ben and Kacey Deakins were both born and raised in Spokane and are raising their five children to appreciate the outdoors and everything our region has to offer. “I’ve been snowboarding since I was 12, and if I’m not on the snow I’m probably fly-fishing somewhere,” Deakins says. “We live in such an underrated region for outdoor sports and the community here is so amazing as well.”

Deakins is excited to bring his passion for the outdoors and Spokane community to Shred. “With all the online options available for people today, I want to show people that there’s still nothing better than to walk into a family-owned shop and get that personalized experience. I want Shred to be not only your favorite place to shop, but also a place that gives back and is involved with the community, whether that’s bike rides, ski trips or collaborations with local breweries.” Shred is located at 4505 N Division St. in Spokane and online at Shred-sports.com.

Brad Naccarato

Cover photo courtesy Shallan Knowles

The post Shred Sports Changes Hands appeared first on Out There Venture.

Here’s a look at some of the newest, hottest winter items that are already getting us stoked to see the snow fly at our favorite outdoor venues. Not only do we give you the scoop on the gear, but, more importantly, we’ll tell you where to get it from live humans at a brick-and-mortar outdoor gear store.

Spokane Alpine Haus

Owner Drew Harding has a ton of great skis and snowboards on the wall at his South Hill Spokane shop, but he’s especially excited about this year’s men’s and women’s Rustler and Sheeva 9 from Blizzard Skis.

“It’s got a 96mm waist, making it a great all-mountain ski for the Northwest. They’ve also completely re-designed it this year with a metal frame construction that offers a smoother flex and more versatility in powder and on hard snow. It’s an intermediate/advanced ski, but not super overpowering. It’s approachable, but still burly enough if you want to push it hard.”   

Both skis are also available in a 10 and 11 series that offer wider waist dimensions for more off-piste adventures ($749).

Shred Sports

Shred Sports, located on north Division, is one of Spokane’s premier winter sports outlets. With one of the largest selections of Dragon goggles in the region, shop tech Zane Darrington’s favorite for this year is the new NFX Mag.

“It’s a great all-around goggle that we stock in several color options. They stiffened up the frame and added their Mag design this year, which is an ultra-fast and super-secure Swiftlock Magnetics lens changing system that allows you to switch lenses for changing light conditions.”

All NFX goggles ($269) come with two different Luma lenses. One for overcast/low-light conditions and one for clearer days.

Rambleraven Gear Trader

Rambleraven on Spokane’s Division Street hill is not only a great place to source used winter gear, but a great place to find new ski and snowboard equipment including backcountry options when you’re ready to venture outside the resort. Manager Wes Porter thinks that the Voile Revelator splitboard is a great place to start if you’re considering getting into backcountry snowboarding.

“It has some really awesome graphics. But, more importantly, it’s also an extremely light-weight board with universal binding mounts. The shape and sidecut are very user friendly and they are also manufactured at Voile’s environmentally friendly warehouse just outside of Salt Lake City.”

The Revelator series is offered in five different sizes ranging from 154-169cm ($749.00). Add a pair of skins and avalanche safety gear (beacon, shovel, and probe), and you’re ready to get after it.

Fitness Fanatics

Mark Beattie, shop manager for Fitness Fanatics, has been settling in with his crew at the shop’s relatively new location in Millwood (Spokane Valley) after decades on Trent Ave. As Spokane’s premiere cross-country ski supplier, he’s most thrilled with the new Solomon Escape 51 package.

“This is an entry level package that includes the Escape boot, Prolink bindings, and it also includes poles. It’s a great place to start if you want to get into the sport at a reasonable cost. They are wax-less skis, meaning that no grip wax is needed. Spray-on wax is all you will ever need.”

The Escape 51 ($350) is available in five different sizes ranging from 174-206cm. Check out the cool line up of toasty-warm retro Swix sweaters to complete the package while you’re there.

Two Wheeler & Ski Dealer
Living up to their name, Two Wheeler & Ski Dealer in Hayden, largely shifts from a bike to a backcountry and cross-country ski focus this time of year. In addition to Black Crow backcountry skis, Two Wheeler is primarily a supplier of Rossignol Nordic (trackless cross-country) equipment, which ski shop manager Pat Hutchins says changed the game with the introduction of its Nordic/backcountry Evo Off Trail-65 Positrack skis.

“These blue and red beauties offer a more new-school look that’s a little more akin to a hipper alpine ski,” adds Hutchins. It’s perfect for groomed Nordic tracks but is also built for off-track touring. The Evos also come with Control Step-in bindings that are field adjustable without tools to get more grip or more glide.

A set of Rossignol Evo OT-65 Positrack Nordic skis with the Control-Step-in bindings ($320) can be purchased as a package with boots and poles too. Total package pricing with added boots and poles varies depending on product choice.

Sportsman’s Ski Haus

Formerly Tri-State Outfitters, Sportsman’s in Coeur d’ Alene still offers all the same great brands and selection that Tri-State had. The snowshoe segment has grown in popularity in recent years, and Sportsman’s is leading the way with several options from industry leader Tubbs. Grant Bordner, action sport sales associate, is really hyped for the new Flex RDG.  

“It’s a collaboration between Tubbs and Boa, bringing the well-known Boa technology to snowshoe bindings. Those micro adjustments make the fit so much better and getting in and out has never been easier. Tubbs has been around forever and they are always our top selling brand.”

The Flex RDG ($199.95) comes in either a 22” or 24” to suit a variety of user weights. The shop also carries a full range of Helly Hanson soft goods, guaranteed to keep you warm on the trail.

Ski Shack

Hayden’s Ski Shack has been a staple of the region’s ski and snowboard scene since 1976. It’s hard to find a better selection or more knowledgeable staff in all of North Idaho. Of all the hardgoods they sell, helmets are perhaps one of the most important investments a consumer can make. The one standing out this year to shop tech Robert Hoskinson is the Smith Icon.

“Full hard plastic helmets (plastic covered ears) are seeing a resurgence amongst recreational skiers, where in the past they were primarily used in racing. The advantage is greater overall protection. Add to that MIPS technology (protection against rotational impacts), and you have the greatest level of protection you can get for your head.”

The Icon ($360) is available in small, medium or large. Ski Shack carries a full line of Smith helmets that now all feature the industry leading MIPS technology.  //

Brad Naccarato is a Spokane-based freelance writer and has been an Out There Venture contributor for over a decade. Watching his children learn to play in the snow is his greatest reward of the season. 

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“We’re essentially doubling in size with the addition of 500 more acres,” says Brian Bressel, Lookout’s General Manager. “We have a little bit more timber to remove, but other than that, we’re on schedule to begin lift installation this summer.”

I got a sneak-peek of what’s to come on Eagle Peak on a late February trip with the resort’s cat skiing program, which will end with the close of the 2021-2022 season. We were fortunate to have timed it within a few days of some significant storm activity, and Eagle Peak did not disappoint!

Weaving fresh tracks through deep snow is always pure bliss, but what really stood out about the new expansion were the clean fall-lines and the diversity of terrain. Advanced skiers and snowboarders will delight in the steeper, gladed areas that book-end the main runs, while more novice riders will enjoy the large, rolling intermediate runs that span from top to bottom.

Sitting at 6,150 feet, Eagle Peak’s runs will be accessed by a C-Tech fixed-grip quad chair that the resort has already purchased. The new chair will load near the bottom of the eastern slope (Montana side), where Timberwolf (Chair 2) currently loads.

An additional chair is also in the master plan, giving skilled skiers and riders access to the glades and open bowls that populate the northwest edge of Eagle Peak’s ski boundary.

Located on public lands, in the Idaho Panhandle and Lolo National Forests, a U.S. National Forest special-use permit allows Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area to operate, according to Abigail Matalavage, Lookout’s Snow Sports Director. And Lookout owns all the owning all lifts and facilities.

“We were approved for expansion in 2017, and the land was added to the permit. But it took about six years of planning before that to get approval,” she says. “The terrain has blue and black runs, glades, a few natural areas, and plenty of groomed areas. Once the new chair 5 is in place, it will offer 1,350 vertical feet for skiers and riders.”

It’s no secret that Lookout Pass consistently boasts the highest annual snowfall in the region. With totals averaging around 400 inches each winter, Lookout seemingly resides in its own weather belt that virtually guarantees consistent dumps throughout the season.

Lookout’s reputation has reached well beyond the Inland Northwest, as evidenced by the crowd we shared the cat with that day. With us were a father and son from Utah, which is currently experiencing an unprecedented snow drought; a man from Pennsylvania who was powder hunting out West; and two men from Peru, who were cat skiing for the first time.

With a propensity for big snow and an expansion that doubles the total lift-accessed terrain to over 1,000 acres, the future is bright at the top of Mullan pass. And while Lookout’s popularity continues to grow, there are still a few secrets that Abigail Matalavage hopes will remain.

“I’ve really enjoyed all of the new terrain over on Eagle, but my absolute favorite would have to be a secret (yet to be named) tree-run, right off the very top,” she says. “Shhh, don’t tell anybody.”

Originally published as “A Sneak Peek Of Lookout’s Expansion Terrain” in the March-April 2022 print issue.

Brad Naccarato is a Spokane-based freelance writer and Out There contributor since 2012. Chasing snow, waves, trout, sun, dogs, and microbrews keeps him sane.

Find more stories about Lookout Pass in the OTO archives.

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“Tackling a run that has untracked powder mixed with areas of packed snow doesn’t require big changes in technique,” said Gary Forrest, Interim Director of Snow Sports at Lookout Pass. “You just need to understand that different snow types offer varying levels of resistance below your feet. Making adjustments to your balance points both laterally and fore and aft are also important to understand.”

Powder has light and fluffy consistency that feels much like floating on air as you glide through it. This consistency, however, also creates more resistance against the ski, which is different from the instant glide you feel on firmer snow. That resistance will slow you down considerably when transitioning from an area of packed snow to pocket of untouched powder.

“I always ask my students to find what I call the ‘golden spot’ under their feet,” Forrest says. “This sweet spot is a balance point between the ball and heel of the foot that allows the skier to maintain constant balance, where they can better handle those changes in speed.”

When executing a turn on any type of terrain, a skier focuses on three aspects to properly execute the turn: weight distribution, rolling the skis onto their edges, and actively steering the skis through the turn. The snow type largely dictates the level to which each of those comes into play. Skiers rely predominantly on weighting the ski and utilizing the ski’s edges to initiate turns on firmer snow. The game changes significantly in powder as the skier must transition to using steering as a predominant way of initiating turns.

“On packed snow, you’re more weighted on your outside ski and it’s inside edge, pushing against snow and utilizing the ski the way it was designed. When things switch over to powder, you must adjust your weight more evenly between both feet, in order to keep one ski from sinking,” he adds.

While powder can require you to change your balance point laterally, it can also require you to make adjustments fore and aft.

“When a skier finds their golden balance point, they can also easily make fore and aft adjustments on the fly. Bringing your tips up is crucial in deeper powder, but then adjusting to a more neutral balance point is needed when you transition out to firmer snow,” Forrest explains.

While all of this sounds great in theory, Forrest, a Level III PSIA instructor, who’s been teaching since 1970, recognizes that, for many people, applying these theories is much better accomplished in a lesson.

“For anyone who is struggling with any type of snow conditions, I would encourage them to come by and check out Lookout’s world-famous snow sports program, offering beginner, intermediate, and advanced level lessons for the whole family.”//

Brad Naccarato is a Spokane-based freelance writer and a contributor to OTO since 2012. Chasing snow, waves, trout, sun, dogs, and microbrews keeps him sane.

Originally published in the March 2017 print edition of the Out There Venture under the title “Skiing in Mixed Conditions.”

Feature photo: Deep deep powder at Big White Ski Resort. // Shallan Knowles

Sponsored by Ski the NW Rockies

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