Introducing kids to skiing or snowboarding starts long before their first chairlift ride. The best way to build excitement is simply to play in the snow together. Gentle snowball fights, building snow forts and snowmen, and sledding and tubing all help kids get comfortable outdoors in winter. These activities also help them learn to love moving in the cold. When the time feels right—usually between ages 3 and 6 for most kids—visit a local ski area just to play and watch other families having fun on the slopes.

Tubing hills like those at Silver Mountain, Mt. Spokane or Schweitzer, are another great way to ease kids into sliding on snow. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing can also help young kids build balance and strength while having fun. And when you finally strap on that first pair of alpine skis or a snowboard, keep sessions short, warm and pressure-free. A positive first experience goes a long way toward a lifetime of winter adventures together. (OTO) 

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By Bri Loveall 

Cover photo courtesy of Bri Loveall

Before teaching my kids to ski, I received a lot of really helpful advice: private lessons, ski school, hula hoops instead of ski harnesses, and even recruiting a grandparent. Last fall, we finally committed and rented season-long skis and boots from our favorite ski shop. The day after Thanksgiving, I packed a bag with more snacks than seemed necessary, loaded the gear into the car, and drove the kids up to the mountain for our first day on the snow.  

By then my children had taken about three lessons (which they seemed to forget the moment they clicked into their skis). I envisioned watching them glide down the bunny hill, laughing and waving as they tipped and then righted themselves. Instead, I found myself chasing after my older child, certain she’d run into someone. My youngest child managed to do a single run (while I held him up) before deciding he’d rather play in the snow instead. 

It’s fine, I told myself. It’s only the first day. As the season progressed, my commitment deepened; we were going to be a ski family and the outdoors would be our teacher. 

So much of what we teach our children is physical—how to tie shoes, tidy a room, catch a ball—that we forget what we are really teaching them is resilience. How to keep going even when they are uncomfortable, even when they fail and fall, when they’re cold and bored and tired. We are teaching them to embrace discomfort.  

Frequently, as a parent, I recognize within myself a limited tolerance for discomfort. The second my children begin whining (a normal childhood behavior that’s actually indicative of healthy emotional maturation), I think I’m causing some irreversible damage to their premature egos, and I want to quit. Children learn best when environments are fun and relaxed, when big tasks are broken down into small ones and when snacks are plentiful. But that doesn’t mean the learning is easy. And last season I learned that there is an art to discomfort.  

Crammed into our car (we have yet to invest in ski racks) with gear wedged into every nook and cranny, each weekend we made the trek up the mountain while the kids bickered in the back seat. It was hot, it was cold, their legs were sore. They were hungry, they were tired, they’d rather be home watching a show.  

In the parking lot, the wind whipped through the open doors and they shouted and shoved at each other as they all tried to dress in the same limited space. And we hadn’t even reached the worst part—ski boots. “You’re breaking my foot!” my youngest hollered, as other ski-ready families walked past. My own fingers were halfway frozen, struggling to hold my son’s boot open while I patiently coaxed him to shove his foot in.  

Once dressed, we still faced the walk from the car to the lift. “Here, kids, carry your own helmets, OK?” I’d say in my best Julie Andrews voice, stuffing extra gear and snacks into my backpack before grabbing their skis (and mine). “It’s too heavy. It’s too cold. It’s hard to walk in boots,” they groaned, lagging behind me. By the time we reached the bunny hill for lessons, I was ready to pass off my children to the instructors and find any excuse to escape into the lodge, where I could try to regain my Julie Andrews voice. 

All of us have a threshold for being uncomfortable, and yet we rarely think of it as a muscle that also needs to be stretched and strengthened. Because, let’s be honest, some days the skiing (or the hiking, camping, swimming, biking) just sucks. The weather is too cold or too hot, too wet or too smoky, and our kids are tired and we’re tired and no one—I mean no one—is having fun. I might argue that those moments are the most important in developing a lifelong commitment to the pursuit of ​​adventure.  

The advice I would give to parents is this: acknowledge the sensations your child is experiencing (cold, wet, fatigue, boredom) and then encourage them to keep going. When we mirror a tempered version of our child’s emotions, we validate them, and in doing so, create a safe space for them to practice navigating their discomfort.  

One Saturday last year, my youngest had a full-on meltdown in the middle of the crowded lodge. While onlookers tried not to stare as I began gathering our wet hats, lunch trash and helmets, one mom at the table nearest to me met my eye. “It gets better,” she said, gesturing to the teens situated around her. “Eventually, they learn to love it.”  

The post The Art of Discomfort  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of Amy McCaffree

By Amy McCaffree  

Nothing against carrots, but spending two hours outside every day is a better way to protect children’s eyesight. With screentime at record highs, the rate of children in the U.S. developing myopia, more commonly known as nearsightedness, has increased by 25% since the 1970s, according to a Sept. 2024 NPR news story by Maria Godoy, published by NPR.  

Optometrists and myopia researchers, backed by studies, conclude that spending one to two hours outside every day significantly decreases the risk of children developing myopia. Bright outdoor light stimulates healthy eye development, and activities that don’t require close-up focus allow eyes to relax. Although myopia can be inherited, lifestyle habits like too much screentime and not enough outdoor time increase the risk. The earlier someone develops myopia, the greater the lifetime risk of macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal detachment and other conditions.  

Outdoor recreation provides breaks from near-focus tasks and helps young, developing eyes practice distance viewing—whether it’s looking far across a lake or at a horizon view. The natural light combined with focusing on faraway distances slows down eye elongation, thereby preventing the rapid eye growth that leads to myopia. 

So, take your kids hiking this summer to destinations with horizon vistas. Because not only is it good for their eyes, but the views also reveal how big and beautiful our Inland Northwest landscape is. Here are 12 destinations, hiking trails and summits to choose from. A few are easy, but many are best suited for ages 10 and up, depending on fitness level and tolerance for hiking. 

SPOKANE COUNTY 

Dishman Hills Conservation Area 

• The Cliffs Trail (Glenrose Unit): Hike Glenrose Trail to The Cliffs Trail and continue on for overlook views of Spokane Valley, Mica Peak and Mount Spokane. 

• Blue Bunch Loop (Glenrose): 0.9-mile trail (doable for preschoolers) with overlook of Moran Prairie and downtown Spokane to the northwest.  

• Nimbus Knob Loop (Camp Caro): Ascends to rocky overlook of Spokane Valley; 3 miles roundtrip. 

• Rocks of Sharon (Iller Creek Unit): 3.3 miles roundtrip from Stevens Creek Trailhead; view of Palouse farmland and faraway Steptoe Butte. 

Antoine Peak Conservation Area: Emerald Necklace Trail is for older youth and strong hikers; 5.7 miles, 780 feet of elevation gain for views of Spokane Valley and surrounding landmarks. 

Mount Spokane State Park: During summer and fall, you can drive the North Summit Road to the historic Vista House, which is the true summit (5,853’).  

THE PALOUSE 

Steptoe Butte: At Steptoe Butte State Park Heritage Site, drive to the 3,612-foot summit and hike around.  

Kamiak Butte: Pine Ridge Trail at Kamiak Butte County Park ascends 900 feet to the 3,641-foot summit; 3.5-miles roundtrip. 

EASTERN WASHINGTON 

Steamboat Rock: Panoramic views from the butte’s 2,250-foot summit via a steep, 6-mile round-trip hike; located at Steamboat Rock State Park. 

NORTH IDAHO 

Schweitzer Mountain Resort: Ride the Great Escape quad-chairlift to the summit ridge for 360-degree views. Return to the village via a round-trip chairlift ride (or you can hike down).  

Mineral Ridge National Recreation Trail: Trailhead at Beauty Bay on Lake Coeur d’Alene’s east side; 3.3 miles roundtrip, 700 feet of elevation gain. 

Scotchman Peak Trail: For teens and adults who can endure a physical challenge, this strenuous 8-mile round-trip hike ascends 3,700 feet of elevation to the highest point in Bonner County.  

(Note: This article isn’t meant to replace medical advice from a certified optometrist or ophthalmologist. Annual pediatric eye exams are recommended to promote lifelong eye health.) 

Amy McCaffree recommends enticing kids and teens to go hiking by bringing along “fun” snacks. For young kids, this could mean motivating with candy, like Skittles or M&Ms, at each switchback—which is how she got her son, then three years old, to hike the trail to Avalanche Lake at Glacier National Park. 

The post Viewpoint Hikes for Kids  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Discover nature’s theme park this summer on the Route of the Hiawatha! Forget the roller coasters—this is a ride you’ll actually remember. Coast gently downhill through 15 miles of jaw-dropping scenery in the Bitterroot Mountains, crossing 7 sky-high trestles, and pedaling through 10 dark, historic tunnels, including the legendary 1.66-mile Taft Tunnel.

The Route of the Hiawatha delivers pure adventure—no loops, no drops, just the exhilaration of wide-open mountain views, cool tunnel breezes, and the excitement of riding one of America’s most scenic rail trails. Interpretive signs along the way share the fascinating history of this “Hall of Fame” trail, once a vital railroad route, now a family-friendly adventure.

Start your journey at Lookout Pass Ski Area, just off I-90 at the Idaho-Montana state line. Trail passes, shuttle tickets and mountain bike rentals (with lights and helmets) are available on-site. After driving to the start of the trail, enjoy the gentle downhill ride and get a lift back to the top on one of the Lookout Pass shuttle busses—so you can focus on the fun, not the climb.

Whether you’re seeking a family outing, a memorable date or a unique day trip from Spokane, the Route of the Hiawatha is your ticket to nature’s ultimate ride. Plan your trip today at www.RideTheHiawatha.com.

(Sponsored Article)

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Cover photo courtesy of Amy McCaffree

Most kids really don’t mind how cold the weather is as long as they’re staying dry and warm enough—and they should be able to withstand at least 30 minutes of outdoor activity when dressed appropriately for winter. But there are still a few tricks to creating a lasting positive impression of outdoor winter play and sports.  

“If you want your kids to be outdoorsy, the best way is if you’re out there leading by example,” says Sam Russell, Spokane father of two, ages 8 and 6. He shreds the slopes with his young son and daughter, who both learned to ski starting as toddlers, and he’s a volunteer ski patroller at Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park. He also worked 13 years as a ski and snowboard instructor. “The older I got, the more fair-weather I became. But as a parent, I had to kick that habit because my kids don’t care how cold it is outside—I was like that, too, as a kid.”   

Russell’s second advice tip: “Always try to make it fun. If kids are not having fun, they won’t want to learn (how to ski)”—or do much else when it comes to spending time outdoors. Fun is made easier with these winter wear must-haves: warm base layers, mid-layer, and socks—made from synthetic fabrics or wool (no cotton, which remains cold when wet); waterproof (or water-resistant) coat and boots; and gloves, hat and snow-boots. 

My son, Landon, who learned to ski 12 years ago when he was age 2, says what made it fun for him was “having good equipment and a good teacher.” Also, he says, “I remember you and dad giving me a fruit snack after every run. And I’d want to do it again so I could get another fruit snack.”  

Landon also recalls liking how the Edgie Wedgie (ski tip connector) and safety-harness made it easier to learn and increased his confidence. As for the “good teacher,” my patient husband gets most of that credit; I was the assistant and in charge of fun—packing desirable snacks and hot cocoa. Never feel guilty for enticing kids with a sugary treat—it’s not bribery; it’s essential for everyone’s emotional wellbeing. 

 Russell also advises, “Quit while they’re still having fun. Make the kids leave while they’re still wanting more rather than crying because they’re cold and tired.” You never want an outdoor experience to end with a negative vibe or, worse, misery. This could discourage kids from going again.  

So, to recap how to motivate your kids to spend more time outdoors this winter: Be a role model for your kids. Make it fun. And end the activity while kids are still enjoying themselves—don’t wait until things turn bad.  

3 Ideas to Start Introducing Kids to Winter Outdoor Adventures 

• Snow Tubing: Whether sledding at local hills or at an official tubing hill at a ski mountain, kids of all ages can enjoy this thrilling winter pastime. Mt. Spokane, Silver Mountain, and Schweitzer all offer tubing.   

• Outdoor Ice Skating: Numerica Skate Ribbon at Riverfront Park, Spokane; The Pond presented by STCU, a newly-constructed, nonprofit organization-led, community skating rink just outside of Sandpoint, in Ponderay, Idaho (Skatethepond.com, Niicearena.com); and CDA on Ice, in Coeur d’Alene (open through January 20, 2025; cdaonice.com). 

• Downhill Skiing/Snowboarding: Visit a ski area that has a “surface lift” or “Magic Carpet” (think conveyor belt) for littles just starting out on skis or a snowboard. Easier, and less scary, than a chairlift, this is a great way to introduce downhill fundamentals. Parents can ski, walk or run beside or behind their child as they make their way down a short, gentle slope and back to the lift loading area. 

Amy McCaffree looks forward to lots of snowfall and downhill skiing with her family and would like to introduce her 1-year-old dog to snowshoeing and/or XC skiing this winter. 

The post How to Motivate Your Kids to Love Snow Sports  appeared first on Out There Venture.

For many, the Pacific Northwest is synonymous with adventure. Its rugged coastlines, snow-capped peaks, and dense forests have long called to those with a spirit of exploration. For students at Annie Wright Schools in Tacoma, Washington, this landscape isn’t just a backdrop — it’s an essential part of their education. Through the Great Outdoor Adventure Team (GOAT) program, students in Grades 9-12 experience a unique blend of academic rigor and outdoor adventure.

A Classroom Without Walls

At Annie Wright, students aren’t confined to the walls of a classroom. The GOAT program integrates the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma with hands-on learning experiences in some of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic settings. From kayaking alongside porpoises in Commencement Bay to summiting the glaciers of Mt. Baker, the program offers a diverse range of outdoor challenges designed to build resilience, leadership, and a lifelong love for the outdoors.

Each year, the journey deepens. Ninth graders start by mastering basic skills like land navigation, campcraft, and environmental stewardship. By senior year, they’re climbing Mt. St. Helens and learning glacier travel techniques, all while reflecting on their growth over four years of adventure.

These experiences aren’t just about physical challenges; they’re a key part of Annie Wright’s holistic approach to education. Each trip encourages students to push beyond their limits, gain new perspectives, and discover the strength that comes from facing the unknown.

Building Skills for Life — Not Just for the Outdoors

“What I love about the outdoors is that it often pushes people outside of their comfort zone,” says Betta Hanson, GOAT Co-Director and Residential Faculty at Annie Wright Schools. “And then — when students are ‘comfortably uncomfortable’ — that is when the learning happens. It’s about equipping students with life skills and confidence that will serve them well beyond their time here.”

The GOAT program’s focus on leadership, adaptability, and problem-solving aligns with the values of the International Baccalaureate curriculum, which emphasizes critical thinking and global citizenship. The result is students who are not only academically prepared but also equipped to navigate the complexities of the world with confidence.

A Community of Adventurers

The community at Annie Wright is another cornerstone of the GOAT experience. As a boarding school, Annie Wright brings together students from around the world, creating a tight-knit environment where friendships are formed around campfires and on mountain trails. This sense of camaraderie extends beyond graduation, as GOAT alumni carry with them memories of shared adventures and the lessons learned along the way.

Embrace the Wild, Elevate Your Education

For those who see the world as their classroom and believe that true growth happens outside of comfort zones, Annie Wright Schools’ GOAT program offers a high school experience like no other. Here, adventure isn’t an extracurricular — it’s an integral part of a journey that prepares students for whatever challenges lie ahead. To learn more about the GOAT program and how it shapes future leaders, click here.

(Sponsored)

The post Adrenaline & Personal Growth: The School You Always Wanted  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of Olivia Dugenet

By Olivia Dugenet 

“Caprice” was a 25-foot boat with a cockpit, engine room and just enough space to sleep Muriel Wylie Blanchet and her five children. They spent entire summers on “Caprice” back in the 1920s and ‘30s, exploring the waters and wild shores of British Columbia. 

Blanchet’s book “The Curve of Time” has become a classic adventure/travel memoir. A widow and independent woman exploring the wild world alone with five children in the early part of the century—this took a sort of subversiveness that shines in her writing. She was both stern and playful, adventuring like a wild young spirit herself while also taking up the role of serious leader and parent. Her stories show how she simultaneously learned from and taught her children how to understand the world.  

These five core outdoor parenting ideas embedded within the book offer valuable insights: 

1. Everyone contributes. Even young children had real responsibilities, and life on “Caprice” depended on everyone pitching in. While older kids were reading charts, watching the compass and scanning for reefs, the youngest boy was given a whistle to blow in the heavy fog—sounding for echoes and helping steer clear of cliffs.  

2. Courage coexists alongside vulnerability. They didn’t seek out adventure or aim to conquer anything, and they intentionally practiced what the explorers of old called “exercising due care.” Still, adventure found them. They encountered bears and cougars, near falls, near crashes, extreme cold and dangerous rapids. After one particularly challenging moment, one of the older children said, “You were scared, too, weren’t you, mummy?” Neither denying her fear nor giving in to it, Blanchet winked at him. “Weren’t we sillies!” she said.  
    

3. Everyone plays. Blanchet took youthful delight in having fun. She rocketed down slippery granite slides with her kids and splashed into crystal lukewarm pools—this is how they took baths and washed their clothes.  
    

4. Curiosity is a virtue. For Blanchet and her children, the world was a fascinating place full of mystery and discovery. The group regularly paused, pivoted, or changed plans to follow the thread of someone’s curiosity. When they found some strange new wonder, they explored it, wrote about it in their journals, and looked it up in the Encyclopedia Brittanica when they returned home in the fall.  
    

5. Community is important. On their travels, Blanchet and her children met people from all backgrounds and perspectives, built lasting friendships, learned to ask for help when necessary, and gave help whenever they could.   
    

6. Ponder big ideas. As suggested by the book’s title, Blanchet studied theories about time and other complex ideas. She continually sought wisdom and understanding, bringing depth and beauty to her life and writing. 

These ideas are woven through my own experience of parenting in the outdoors. I let the kids make and break camp in the backcountry, even when they pitch the tents a little crooked or don’t pack up precisely the way I showed them. If they take their inflatable sleeping pads into an alpine lake, I am more likely to join them for a float than to scold. So long as the kids show they’re practicing required safety strategies, I let them get out ahead of me and lead, even when it makes me nervous. We talk about how being outdoors away from devices changes our experience of time and being in the world, and we carry those conversations back to the city and into our everyday lives. Blanchet’s stories showed me, years before I even became a mom, how time spent together outside fosters wisdom and strong connections between children, their parents, and the wider world. // 

Olivia Dugenet is a Spokane writer and mom who has learned a lot from exploring the outdoors with her children. She and her teenagers are excited to backpack routes in Washington and Canada this summer. 

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By James P. Johnson

Unless you commute by ferry, it’s a special occasion to ride one. We took the Anacortes to Orcas Island ferry and enjoyed island vibes and the summit of Mt. Constitution, the highest point in the San Juan Islands, where a stone tower with a lookout gives great views of the Salish Sea and its many islands. You can drive there or do a 7-mile round trip hike.

Crawford State Park near Metaline Falls has the longest limestone cave in Washington. On the warm July day we visited, it was refreshing entering Gardner cave, which is a chilly 39° to 42° year-round. Coming out at tour’s end was a refreshing change in reverse. Tours are given Thursdays through Mondays, May 16 to Sept. 15.

If you’re doing a tour of Washington, you’d be negligent skipping Mt. Rainier National Park. We hiked, camped, spent a day stopping at roadside attractions and features, and got lots of good looks at the massive mountain that’s the biggest volcano in the contiguous U.S.

Where to camp was a challenge when we visited Seattle. A hostel on Vashon Island met the need. A short ferry ride from downtown, we got to interact with fellow travelers and sleep in a teepee. The hostel has since been sold and converted into an Old West-themed camping and lodging facility called AYH Ranch. The teepees are still available for camping May 1 to September 30.

We spent a night at Fort Worden State Park near Port Townsend. An army base from 1902 to 1953, my children explored the interiors of the concrete gun batteries. We visited the Port Townsend Marine Science Center and Aquarium, also on state park grounds. To plan a stop at a state park on your Washington road trip, visit parks.wa.gov and bring a Discover Pass.

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By James P. Johnson

“Daddy, I don’t think I want plastic surgery,” my 8-year-old daughter Tricia stated as we drove through Central Washington. An interview about the topic I’d tuned into on the radio earlier apparently caused her to contemplate it. Her thoughtful expression produced a follow-up statement. “But I think witches need it.” Tricia, my 6-year-old son, Eric, and I were on an epic 34-day road/camping trip.

Now adults, we still chat occasionally about incidents. Early into my career as an elementary school teacher and married at the time, my wife was taking summer classes. I’d be watching the kids anyway, so I envisioned some adventure to know our state better. Labeling it the “See Washington Tour,” my wife wasn’t happy about not seeing our children for so long. I still have the journal I kept detailing what we did each day.

With little route planning, yet a goal to hit all regions of the state, just two of 33 nights were spent at a motel. My young ones became proficient at putting up and taking down our 8-person, fair weather tent, tall enough to stand in, but requiring tarps in case of rain. They also helped unload supplies and pack them back into the car. I prepared meals using an old Coleman stove as they explored the surroundings or involved themselves in an activity, this before the age of personal electronic gadgets.

Tenting had a downside: High winds caused a broken pole and a one-night motel stay. A store-bought sprinkler riser substituted perfectly. At an oceanside campground, a tall tree next to the tent compelled me to carry the kids to sleep in the car when a thunderstorm struck in the middle of the night, and a heavy, nightlong rain in the Olympic rainforest caused water to pool on the tent roof, which grew and sagged so low I could push and empty it with my legs. I had to do this repeatedly to prevent collapse and slept very little. The kids had a restful night.

We would stop at a park in the towns we visited, and I’d often prepare lunch as the kids took to the play equipment. Sometimes I joined them. Small town museums were a frequent stop. The two-headed calf at the Douglas County Museum in Waterville was a memorable exhibit.

I’ve always had an affinity for hiking; my young ones had resistance. I tried packing treats with a promise to serve mid-hike and again at hike’s end. It brought only a slight improvement. Yet, while visiting Artist Point near Mt. Baker, an alpine environment with paved trails and rocks lining the edges, they didn’t just hike—they ran with glee.

Our trip was enjoyable enough that the following summer we did another, covering Montana. It’s been stated that traveling is inherently educational. I can’t say precisely the impact our trip had on their intellectual development, but I corrected a misconception Eric had, who commented time to time about very large or especially fancy CDs. Not knowing what he was talking about, I let it slide until about the third or fourth time.

“Eric, what is a CD?” I finally asked.

He pointed at the road ahead. In the opposite lane, coming toward us, was an RV.

After much analysis and experimentation, James P. Johnson learned that grabbing the end of the sleeping bag and shaking was the best way to get kids up and going.

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