Schweitzer Mountain Resort

Schweitzer’s Nice Turns clinic is intended for intermediate and advanced skiers only and lets you improve your skills in a fun environment with the same group of like-minded individuals over a four or six-week period. The six-week clinic begins the week of Jan. 5 and the four-week clinic begins the week of March 2. This program is available to skiers ages 18 and up. For more information visit Schweitzer.com.

Lookout Pass

Lookout offers private ski, snowboard, telemark, and cross-country lessons for every ability level; however, if you prefer to learn with others, Lookout Pass has a couple of programs to choose from. The Senior 55+ Workshop is for both women and men 55 and over. Participants meet at 8:30 a.m. in the Loft Pub on Mondays for a light breakfast before hitting the slopes.

Lookout also offers Downhill Divas, a women’s-only ski program for all skier ability levels with an emphasis on fun and comradery. The Diva’s meet every Friday from 1-3 p.m. starting Jan. 5 through March 9.

Mt. Spokane

For specialty or advanced ski or snowboard lessons, Mt. Spokane suggests signing up for a private lesson. Private lessons are offered Wednesday-Sunday at every hour between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Private lessons are also available at night with a 48-hour advanced reservation.

Alternatively, Mt. Spokane offers a six-week lesson program for all ability levels ages 16 and up. Each lesson is taught by the same instructor, so you can spend more time perfecting new skills. Upon completion of the program you’ll receive a season pass good for the rest of the 2018/2019 season.

49 Degrees North

For the intermediate or advanced skier, 49 offers private lessons or a special Skill Builder lesson for skiers and snowboarders ages 12 and up who want to take their skiing or boarding to the next level. Lessons are available weekends and holidays only.

Silver Mountain Resort

Silver Mountain Resort offers private and group lessons for all ability levels. Silver Mountain also offers a package deal that includes your lift ticket, a one-hour private lesson, and rental at $125 for adults or $100 youth. This is a great deal if you don’t have your own equipment.

If you’re looking to learn something specific, private lessons are a great option, and clinics are also a great way to stay motivated and make new skier or boarder friends. Regardless of ability level or lesson type, sign up for a ski or snowboard lesson this winter, and you are guaranteed to learn something new and have more fun! //

Siobhan is looking forward to building on her skills on the slopes this season. She last wrote about winter gear recommendations in the October issue of Out There.

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Spokane Alpine Haus

Shift bindings are a new product, changing the way we ski. They “transform a downhill, locked-in binding into a touring binding. They’ve never really been able to make anything like it until recently,” says Rachel Harding of Spokane Alpine Haus on the South Hill. Both Salomon and Atomic make shift bindings, and the Alpine Haus will be carrying both brands this winter.

Tri-State Outfitters

Coeur d’Alene store manager Don Grant recommends the new Spot X GPS system for anyone in the outdoors this winter. The Spot X has built in SOS for life threatening situations and has 2-way satellite messaging. It can also be used in conjunction with your cellphone. If you plan on skiing or riding in the sidecountry or backcountry, or snowshoeing off the beaten path, this product may prove invaluable. t-state.com

Sports Outlet

If you’re looking for a new pair of quality-made skis, Henry Tacner, from Spokane’s Sports Outlet, recommends Line Skis. Developed by Jason Levinthal in 1995, Line Skis offers a variety of freeride and freestyle skis for every rider type. For the snowboarder, Tacner recommends Mervin snowboards. “From their entry level boards on up to their premium gold member boards, you’re going to get a good quality, made-in-America product, which is really rad,” says Tacner.

Sports Creel

New this year, Sports Creel in Spokane Valley will be carrying Duckworth base and mid-layers. Duck Worth is the world’s only source-verified, single origin, Merino wool apparel company, and its products are made in the USA. According to Sports Creel’s Micah Genteman, Duckworth “has some of the nicest long underwear and base layers for anyone in the outdoors.” Whether you’re a Nordic, downhill, or backcountry skier, base layers can make the difference between an enjoyable day and a miserable day in the snow.

Fitness Fanatics

If you’ve ever slipped on ice while running in the winter (guilty), you’ll love Due North. Due North is a traction device that goes over your shoes. The spikes provide traction while running or walking on ice or snow. Depending on the product you choose, prices range between $25-$40. “They can go on a regular shoe for going to the mailbox, but most of the people I see put them on their shoes for running,” says Fitness Fanatics owner, Robin DeRuwe. Keep a pair in your car for icy days at the ski hill parking lot.

Mountain Gear

Made in the USA, Voile Hypercharger Skis are a lightweight and versatile backcountry ski with a Paulownia core, renowned for its strength to weight ratio. Mountain Gear’s Mark Beattie describes the skis as having “a very high giggle factor.” Beattie said the skis perform well in both choppy crud and deep fluffy powder.

Pistole Boardshop

For the powder lovers out there, the Lib Tech Jamie Lynn Mayhem board is a short, fat pow board. Shorter and lighter, it’s “a go anywhere, do anything board,” says Josh Yandell of Pistole Boardshop in downtown Spokane. Yandell describes it as a “surfboard on snow.”

Escape Outdoors

The Patagonia Nano Puff jacket is a staple piece for the Northwest explorer, says Alexia Deming of Escape Outdoors in Coeur d’Alene. “It stays warm even in the damp Northwest climate.” The Nano Puff jacket is available in men’s, women’s, and kid’s sizes—and a variety of colors. “It’s one of those things that all parts of our crew here at the store have at least one of,” says Deming.

//

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[Feature photo: Chic Burge]

For fall hiking suggestions be sure to check out some of our contributor’s favorite fall hikes.

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Mountain Biking

Summer in the Valley is signaled by the snow melting from the higher elevations, and Silver Mountain Resort’s lift-served bike park opening for the season. Take a gondola ride to 5,700 feet and lap Chair 3 or ride the 3,400 vertical feet to town. It takes about 40 minutes on average to ride down the mountain to Kellogg and is recommended for intermediate or advanced riders only. Trails are rated like ski runs with green being the easiest and double black diamonds being expert only.

Biking Rail-trails

If biking is your preferred method of transportation, there are two world-class rail-trails located in the Silver Valley. The Hiawatha Trail is a 15-mile, fine gravel/dirt surface trail and is open May 26 through Sep. 23. Shuttles provide a ride back to the top, so there’s no climbing involved unless you want a longer ride without a shuttle. The Hiawatha was originally part of the Milwaukee Railroad and has some of the most stunning scenery in the United States. Plan to spend about three hours on the trail. The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes is a 72-mile paved trail beginning in Mullan and following the Coeur d’Alene River to the farmlands of Plummer. With 19 trailheads, it’s a great family-friendly option from spring through fall.

Golfing

Galena Ridge opened for the season on May 4. The unique mountain-style course makes this one of the most stunning nine-hole courses in North Idaho. June is wildflower season and the best time of year to golf at Galena as colorful lupine bloom along the course.

Ziplining

Set in the mountains above Wallace, Silver Streak Zipline Tours allows you to experience what it’s like to fly through the air at speeds up to 60 miles per hour.

Mining History

Wallace, Idaho, is at the center of the Inland Northwest mining history universe. The Northern Pacific Depot Museum, Oasis Bordello Museum, and Wallace Mining Museum are all located within walking distance from each other. During August or July, when the sun is hottest, a tour of the Sierra Silver Mine is the perfect way to keep cool.

Cooling Off in the Water

After a day out on the trails or exploring the region’s mining history, Silver Rapids Indoor Waterpark at Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg enables you to both escape the heat and keep the kids amused for hours. Silver Rapids is North Idaho’s largest indoor waterpark and features a 315-foot lazy river. If splashing outdoors is more your style, take the Kingston exit and head up the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River to find a spot to cool off. //

[Feature photo courtesy of Silver Mountain Bike Park.]

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Also during my first week on skis, I made the mistake of following my friends down a top-to-bottom blue run because they assured me I was ready. Needless to say, I was not ready, and my confidence on skis took a serious hit. While some people may have an unwavering confidence that enables them to strap on a pair of skis and ski black diamonds within their first week on snow, most of us need a little confidence boost from time to time. I got a few pointers from a friend who learned to ski before she could walk, and fortunately my subsequent attempts went a bit better.

Pizza and French fries only gets you so far, and, as I learned, friends don’t always make the best instructors. No matter how patient they may be, there’s only so many times they’ll go down the bunny hill with you. After all, they paid to ski, not babysit. If I was ever going to graduate from greens, I needed to learn some control, so the following season I decided to take a couple of lessons at 49 Degrees North. I chose 49 because it’s close and has plenty of beginner-friendly terrain. It was a good choice, but I’ll admit—

the first ski lesson didn’t exactly go as I envisioned. Instead of skiing black diamonds, I was on the bunny hill using only one ski at a time to descend the mountain. If you need a visual, picture a flamingo on skis flapping their way down the mountain.

I won’t lie and say I didn’t question what on earth I’d gotten myself into, but for whatever reason, I decided to stick with it. More lessons followed, and some of them seemed ridiculous at the time; but, ultimately, these lessons made me a better skier. While I still wasn’t skiing black diamonds, I did graduate from pizza and French fries. It turns out the thing I needed most was a few pointers and a large dose of confidence.

Like any sport, you will eventually reach a point where you seem to plateau with no forward progress regardless of your skill level. Sometimes this is because you don’t have the skills or you haven’t developed the necessary muscles to progress, but in my experience, it’s usually due to a lack of confidence. And the best way to get over a lack of confidence is skiing with someone who’s paid to tell you how great you’re doing. I firmly believe that lessons are beneficial regardless of your experience level. After all, even the best skiers have coaches. //

Improve Your Skills—Take a Lesson This Winter

49 Degrees North offers private lessons for any ability level. If you purchase four lessons at once, you receive the fifth for free. If you’re learning with a group of friends at the same level, you can add up to four people to the lesson for $39 per person. In addition to private lessons, Mt. Spokane offers ladies only lessons on January 12, February 9 and March 2. These lessons include lift tickets, rentals, and a continental breakfast and lunch all for just $89.

Lookout Pass is well known for its beginner-friendly terrain. Their private lessons are suitable for all skill levels, whether you’re a skier, snowboarder, telemark skier, or cross-country skier. Lookout also offers senior workshops for those 55+. Silver Mountain offers both group and private adult lessons with the convenience of a gondola to take you from car to slope without having to travel slippery mountain roads. //

January is Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month

Get on the Slopes with These Sweet Deals!

Each January, resorts around North America celebrate Learn to Ski and Snowboard month. Local resorts are once again offering amazing deals to help entice people of all ages, kids to adults, who have never given skiing or snowboarding a try to make this year the year they are going to finally learn. Check out these great learn-to-ski or snowboard deals from the four local Ski the Northwest Rockies resorts (49, Lookout, Mt. Spokane and Silver).

EZ Ski-Ride 1-2-3

All four Ski the Northwest Rockies resorts participate in an EZ 1-2-3 program designed for first-time skiers and snowboarders. This program includes three lessons, three lift tickets, and rentals for those three days. It’s a great opportunity for anyone at any age to learn to ski or snowboard for the first time with others at the same skill level. Many of the resorts also offer either a free or discounted season pass for the rest of the season once you complete the program. Learn more at Skinwrockies.com/ez-ski-ride-1-2-3.

Introduce a Friend to Skiing or Snowboarding & Win Prizes

If you are a loyal skier or rider at one of the four Ski the Northwest Rockies resorts (49, Lookout, Mt. Spokane and Silver), bring a friend to your favorite resort for lessons from a pro and enter to win a ton of great winter-sports prizes all while helping spread your passion for your sport.

Presented by Snocru, the Bring a Friend Challenge starts during Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month on the weekend of January 5 – 7, 2018, and runs through February 18, 2018. Enter to win some great prizes from HEAD, Rossignol, Lange, Seirus, Polarmax, Krimson Klover, Never Summer, and Zeal Optics. And you get a free membership to the Mountain Sports Club, which offers members awesome lift ticket deals at resorts around the Inland NW and North America, with your Challenge entry.

The contest is open to anyone 13 years of age or older who wants to bring a friend up to the mountain who has never skied or snowboarded before to try it out and take a paid ski or snowboard lesson from a pro (proof that the newcomer took a beginner lesson is required to enter). You can enter as many newbies as you want for more chances to spread the stoke and increase your odds of winning prizes. Find the complete set of rules and the contest application form at Skinwrockies.com/learn-a-snowsport-month. //

Siobhan Ebel can’t wait to hit the slopes this season. She most recently wrote about fall hiking in the October issue.

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The Route of the Hiawatha
The Route of the Hiawatha is a fifteen-mile long, non-motorized rail trail with ten train tunnels and seven sky-high trestles. The most famous of which is the 1.6 mile Taft Tunnel, which travels underneath the Bitterroot Mountains. This family-friendly trail offers stunning scenery and an easy downhill ride with shuttle access back uphill. Trail passes and mountain bike rentals are available at the Lookout Pass Ski Area located off of I-90 at the Idaho-Montana state line. The Route of the Hiawatha is open daily through September 24. For more information visit http://www.ridethehiawatha.com/.

Ride the Gondola
Silver Mountain’s scenic 3.1 mile gondola ride is the longest in North America. Cabins comfortably fit six and travel over the town of Wardner before gaining 3,400 feet to Kellogg Peak. From the gondola bay you can hike to the Kellogg Peak Fire Lookout, a replica of the original 1934 fire tower built by the Forest Service. This 1.85-mile one way trail offers spectacular 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains. http://www.silvermt.com/Summer/Scenic-Gondola-Rides.

Downhill Mountain Biking at Silver Mountain
Silver Mountain’s bike park is rated the best in the Northwest three years running and offers trails for everyone with wide doubletrack, mellow singletrack, and plenty of jumps for the bold. Choose between 800 feet of lift-served biking or bike the 3,400 feet to the base of the mountain. Bike rentals are available through the Sport’s Shop located in the Gondola Village. After spending the day on the trails, stop by Kellogg’s newest brewery, Radio Brewing. Combining beer and old-time radio, this brewery has received high praise from locals.  http://www.silvermt.com/Summer/Mountain-Biking.

Mine Tour
Unsurprisingly, the Silver Valley gets its name from the mining industry the town was built upon. Experience this history first-hand with a tour through a hard rock mine. Choose between the Sierra Silver Mine, downtown Wallace, or the Crystal Gold Mine, just east of Kellogg. Learn the difference between hard rock mines, coal mines and shaft, drift and slope mining. Mines are a cool 64 degrees, so be sure to wear appropriate clothing. After visiting the mines consider taking a trip to the nearby Sunshine Mine Memorial. The memorial commemorates the 91 miners who lost their lives in the 1972 Sunshine Mine disaster that devastated the Silver Valley’s mining industry.

Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes
The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes is a 73-mile paved bike trail between Mullan and Plummer. The trail passes by Silver Mountain Resort and Lake Coeur d’Alene before heading south through farmland. There are twenty trailheads and plenty of areas to stop and picnic, making this trail ideal for families. https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/trail-coeur-d-alenes.

Fishing the North Fork of the CDA
The North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River offers easy access, stunning emerald green water and a healthy population of cutthroat trout from Memorial Day weekend through October. In addition to trout, moose, elk and hawks are frequently seen in the area. https://outthereventure.com/a-small-slice-of-fly-fishing-heaven-the-north-fork-of-the-cda-river/.

Hiking
Because the majority of the Silver Valley is comprised of forested land, there are plenty of great hikes in the area. Local favorites include the Shadow Falls Trail, Crystal Lake and the historic Pulaski Tunnel Trail. Shadow Falls is a 20-25 foot waterfall near Kingston. A rustic, split log footbridge provides hikers access behind the waterfall. At only 1.2 miles roundtrip, this out-and-back trail sees heavy foot traffic. On the other hand, the lesser-known 3-mile round-trip hike to Crystal Lake provides stunning views of the valley and nearby mountains. The trail begins at the Sheep Springs camping area near St Maries, south of Cataldo, and looses approximately 200 feet in elevation.  Located in Wallace, the four-mile roundtrip Pulaski Tunnel Trail follows the escape route taken by Pulaski and his men during the 1910 fires. The trail ends at an overlook across from the Nicholson mine adit, also known as the Pulaski Tunnel.

Downtown Wallace
Downtown Wallace is the self-described “center of the universe,” and is known for its museums, which include the Northern Pacific Depot Museum, Oasis Bordello Museum and Wallace District Mining Museum. Visit the museums before grabbing a bite to eat or a beer from the Wallace Brewing Company or City Limits Grill.

Scenic drive over Moon Pass
Moon Pass connects Wallace to the small town of Avery and follows the original Route of the Hiawatha. The road is narrow and passes through a number of old railroad tunnels. While the road is open to vehicular traffic, it is a popular cycling route, so if you’re driving, please be aware of bikers.

Silver Streak Zipline Tours
Set in the mountains above Wallace, Silver Streak Zipline Tours offers a thrilling ride with ten zips ranging from 325 feet to 1,800 feet in length. Experience the adrenaline rush while watching nature speed by at up to 60 miles per hour. http://www.silverstreakziplinetours.com. //

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