There are still plenty of ways to make the most of what’s turning out to be a snowy spring season—March powder dumps and soft spring turns, terrain park sessions, pond skims and the laid-back community vibe that defines our regional ski hills. Even better, spring is when next year’s season passes go on sale at the lowest prices of the year. Locking in a pass now means skipping ticket lines, committing to more time outside and setting yourself up for a full winter of skiing and riding when the snow returns in force. 

We’re fortunate to live near a cluster of resorts where season passes remain affordable. Use your pass just a handful of days and it pays for itself. Here’s a look at the spring pass sales and what each of the four Ski the NW Rockies Association resorts around Spokane has to offer. 

MT. SPOKANE SKI & SNOWBOARD PARK 
Spring Season Pass Sale: Lowest Rates End May 31 
Location: 30 miles from downtown Spokane 
Lifts: 6 chairlifts plus surface lifts 
Vertical: 2,000 feet | Acres: 1,704 | Runs: 52 

The closest ski hill to Spokane continues to be a community hub, offering night skiing, family programs and creative terrain park events. March highlights include the snowboard-focused Getting Down to Vizzness jam session on March 7, the Wild Mike’s Rail Jam on March 14 and Toyota Free Ski Friday on March 20. Youth can also ski free during Spring Break, April 8–12, adding extra value for families already planning mountain time. 

Spring Season Pass Pricing 
Adult (18–59): $579 (renewing, $529) 
Youth (7–17): $399 (renewing, $349) 
Senior (60–69): $449 (renewing, $399) 
College/Military/Veteran: $499 (renewing, $449) 
 

With night skiing perks and programs ranging from homeschool days to the Prime Timers social club, Mt. Spokane remains one of the most accessible and community-driven options in the region. 

49° NORTH MOUNTAIN RESORT 
Spring Season Pass Sale: Typically March to Mid-May 
Location: Chewelah, Wash. 
Lifts: 7 | Vertical: 1,871 feet | Acres: 2,325 | Runs: 90 

Eastern Washington’s largest ski area keeps spring lively with a packed lineup after early March. The Sheimo Cup Race returns March 7, followed by a Seafood Boil with live music on March 14, the always-rowdy Hawaiian Daze & Slush Cup on March 21, and the Out Like a Lion weekend celebration April 4–5. A season pass at 49 includes access to extensive terrain and the resort’s Nordic trail system. With two summits and varied terrain, 49° North offers one of the most diverse riding experiences in the region along with strong family pass options.  

Don’t miss your chance to lock in the lowest rate on a 49° North season pass for the 26/27 season this spring! Combo passes to both 49° North and Silver Mountain are also available. 

SILVER MOUNTAIN RESORT 
Spring Season Pass Sale: Lowest Rates End May 15 
Location: Kellogg, Idaho 
Lifts: 7 | Vertical: 2,200 feet | Acres: 1,600 | Runs: 80 

Silver Mountain’s gondola access and big-mountain feel make it a favorite for both weekend warriors and destination visitors. Spring brings a lively lineup after early March, including the Doug E Fresh Banked Slalom and Ski Bum Prom on March 7, Toyota Free Ski Friday on March 13, Marchi Gras festivities on March 21, the Silver Cup Race March 28–29, the Jackass Rail Jam April 4, and the always-entertaining Pond Skim on April 11. 

Spring Season Pass Pricing (through May 15) 
Renewing passholders save an additional $20 
Adult (24–61): $509  
Youth (7–17): $349  
Young Adult (18–23): $399 
Senior (62–69): $469 

Silver and 49 combo passes and Silver winter and summer passes also on sale. 

LOOKOUT PASS SKI & RECREATION AREA 
Lock in the Lowest Season Pass Price this Spring  
Location: I-90 at the Idaho/Montana stateline 
Lifts: 5 | Vertical: 1,650 feet | Acres: 1,023 | Runs: 51 
Average annual snowfall: 450 inches 

Lookout Pass lives up to its nickname “The Powder Place” with plenty of snow, a welcoming atmosphere, and some fun spring highlights for passholders and prospective season pass buyers alike. Lookout’s spring calendar includes a Season Pass Holder Appreciation Day parking lot party on March 7, complete with BBQ and s’mores, and a Toyota Free Ski Friday day on March 27 where Toyota, Lexus, or Scion drivers receive a complimentary lift ticket for the day. March 29 brings the resort’s annual Rail Jam with divisions for all ages and levels, followed by a free Ski Golf event on April 4 and an Easter Egg Hunt on April 5. These events add community energy and fun to spring skiing and show what’s possible with a pass in your pocket.  

The mountain also hosts regular Prime Timers lunches and offers perks like free birthday skiing and partner discounts with nearby lodging and restaurants. It continues to be one of the most affordable ways for families and frequent skiers in the region to commit to a full winter of days on snow.  

Don’t miss your chance to lock in the lowest rate on a Lookout season pass for the 26/27 season this spring! 

49° NORTH & SILVER MOUNTAIN COMBO PASS 
For skiers and riders who want more mountain access and flexibility, the Combo Pass provides access to both 49° North and Silver Mountain. Combo passes go on sale during the spring pass sale window and represent one of the best values for those planning frequent days on snow. 

Spring season pass sales remain the smartest way to invest in next winter—especially after a lighter snow year. Whether you’re chasing powder days, family ski weekends, or simply more time outside, locking in your pass now ensures you’re ready when the flakes start flying again. 

Sponsored

The post Spring Season Pass Sales Are On Here’s why now is the best time to lock in next winter on the slopes.  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of Aaron Scott

After years of curiosity, this past winter I decided to start working on skills for biathlon, a sport virtually unknown in the United States but eternally popular in Northern Europe. I’ve long been intrigued by the combination of the two opposite sports—heart-thumping, lactic acid-pumping Nordic skiing and calm, focused, in-the-zone rifle marksmanship. 

Regularly combining those two skill sets in the Inland Northwest, however, is no simple task. On the U.S. side of the border, the closest biathlon areas to the Spokane region are Crosscut Mountain Sports Center in Bozeman, Mont., the Methow Valley Trails in Winthrop, Wash., and Stevens Pass Nordic Area. There are multiple opportunities to ski and shoot north of the border in Canada, but unfortunately my passport is expired.  

In September, I attended a beginner biathlon clinic hosted by the Washington Biathlon Association near Ravensdale. The clinic focused on the shooting aspect of biathlon, with instruction on safety and marksmanship. The WBA supplied biathlon rifles for the day, which are specialized .22-caliber rifles with backpack-strap-like harnesses. The event drew a small but varied group, ranging from ages 9 to over 50. Among the dozen or so of us, I was the only one who traveled from east of the Cascades, which made me wonder what it would take to build a biathlon scene and culture on our side of the state. 

Local Love for the Sport  

While fringe in the U.S., the benefits of biathlon are many. Elise Putnam, the program director for Methow Biathlon, paints a supportive picture. “Biathlon is a great way to keep kids engaged in skiing and getting outside,” she says. “It’s a cool way to keep people active and helps build mental fortitude.” 

Aaron Scott, a seasoned biathlete from Spokane, agrees. He describes the sport of biathlon as exciting and addictive for both athletes and fans. While competitions in the U.S. typically draw in friends and family members of the racers, European stadiums boom with die-hard fans and can be wild events. Biathlon ranks as the #1 most popular winter sport in some Northern European countries.  

“Biathlon is really interesting to watch. The field gets reshuffled every 3 to 5 kilometers,” Scott says. For every missed shot, athletes have to ski penalty laps, which means stronger skiers may end up behind better marksmen. “It’s an unbelievably fun sport. Most Nordic skiers are interested in trying biathlon, but the financial barriers prevent them from getting involved.” Scott specifies that quality biathlon rifles start at $3,000 and go up from there. Add the cost of ski equipment and travel, and the biathlon price tag quickly becomes out of reach for many.  

Mike Burns, a Spokane U.S. Ski & Snowboard alpine official, feels the void our missing biathlon program has created. Having three daughters involved in Spokane Nordic over the years has put him adjacent to biathlon when traveling for races. When he had the opportunity to see his girls dabble in biathlon while at Crosscut and in the Methow, he was inspired.  

“I’d like to get this going locally,” Burns says, in addition to mentioning past attempts. There was once a multimillion-dollar master plan that included purchasing Inland Empire Paper land near Mount Spokane State Park for a range, new trails, a lodge and parking. Overall, the plan proved too grandiose and fell apart. Because the current Nordic area lies within state park boundaries, the discharge of firearms is illegal, rendering the addition of a traditional range impossible.  

The Future of Lasers in Biathlon 

Where legalities and logistics pose problems, technology often offers an answer. The introduction of laser rifles and ranges to the biathlon scene significantly reduces costs, space needs and overall barriers to entry. Burns has seen them in action and believes they are just what might work at Mount Spokane. Because the rifles are specific to the range, athletes would not need to supply their own. While the price tag is similar for laser and live-fire rifles, there are grants available to help support the development of laser biathlon programs for Nordic clubs. And, of course, a local opportunity eliminates those travel costs for athletes.  

John Farra, the director of sport development for US Biathlon, has supported efforts just like those that would be needed at Mount Spokane to convert from a Nordic-only ski area to a biathlon area. “Biathlon is part of Nordic, not a separate thing,” he told me over the phone. With US Biathlon’s Laser Biathlon Training Program, Nordic coaches are taught new skills to support their skiers with equipment on loan from US Biathlon. In the three Nordic clubs that hosted the program this past winter, all three are moving forward with efforts to raise funds for a permanent program. 

For newer sports, demand generally leads to supply, such as the increase in local gravel bike rides and races over the past several years. The growth of biathlon has a different genesis, where a few dedicated, die-hard athletes provide opportunities for newbies—usually skiers—to get a taste. Just a few laps on skis with a couple rounds of ‘pew pew’ is all it takes to inspire and cultivate the next generation of biathletes. Laser biathlon is an opportunity to open up that experience in our area.  

Additionally, laser biathlon stands to bridge the gap across the political spectrum. Aaron Scott recognizes that Nordic skiing tends to attract the liberal and environmental types who generally aren’t big on guns, much like the family he grew up in. Laser rifles provide a safe entry point to the sport that’s potentially more attractive to a wider range of views.  

With so many benefits across age groups and backgrounds, laser biathlon will be on my list of up-and-coming sports to watch. And, with a few more ski lessons, compete in. To show support for laser biathlon at Mount Spokane, please reach out to Spokane Nordic at info@spokanenordic.org. 

Sara Kennedy is an elementary school librarian. She plans to take some ski lessons this winter. @saralynnekennedy 

The post A New Era of Possibility for Biathlon in the Inland Northwest  appeared first on Out There Venture.

By Holly Weiler

Cover photo courtesy of Holly Weiler

Mount Spokane State Park transitions to a winter wonderland each December as the alpine ski area opens for the season, grooming begins on the vast Nordic trail system and all of the summer hiking trails not touched by those two systems become snowshoe trails. There are also a couple of bonus trails for winter—trails that do not exist during the summer recreation season.  

Tucked into the back corner of the Lower Selkirk Sno-Park lot is Trail 260, a special, winter-only snowshoe trail. This trail begins in Mount Spokane State Park but crosses onto Inland Empire Paper Company (IEP) land that is only accessible in winter via a special-use agreement with Washington State Parks to allow winter recreation on IEP land. No dirt was moved in the creation of this wooded path, but that’s the beauty of a snowshoe trail—the path is best once the powder becomes deep. 

The trail can be somewhat tricky to navigate in the early season before the snow has piled up. Wait until the snow depth is at least 3 feet, enough to cover alder along the trail, before giving this route a try. The trail begins under a dense tree canopy near the Sno-Park lot, staying parallel to Linder Ridge briefly before intersecting an old logging road that drops down the hill. At the bottom, the trail exits into an old logging area beginning to grow in with a mix of young trees. Western larch will lack needles in winter, but there is also a mix of western white pine, hemlock and grand fir. The route makes a short figure eight on IEP property at the bottom of the descent and is among the quietest snowshoe trails, generally offering solitude not found elsewhere in the park. The only drawback? This is a trail that begins with a downhill trek, which means the return trip is a bit of a climb. Round-trip distance is approximately 3 miles with 600 feet of elevation gain. 

Getting There:  

From Spokane, take State Route 206 (Mount Spokane Highway) to the park entrance. Continue 3.4 miles beyond the park office to the Lower Selkirk Sno-Park lot. The trail begins at the northeast corner of the lot. 

Holly Weiler is the Eastern Washington Region Senior Coordinator for Washington Trails Association. Between Nordic skiing and snowshoe outings, she spends practically all of her free time at Mount Spokane each winter.  

The post Mount Spokane State Park Trail 260 Snowshoe Guide and Winter Access Tips appeared first on Out There Venture.

By Holly Weiler 

Cover photo courtesy of Lara Gricar

Outdoor Reminders 

• Winter conditions can impact access to high-elevation trailheads, so it’s time to double-check your vehicle’s emergency kit to make sure it contains helpful extras for snowy conditions (for instance, a folding snow shovel). It is also a transition time to winter parking permit season, when some high-elevation parking lots have snow removal funded through the purchase of seasonal parking passes. In Washington, Sno-Park season begins Dec. 1 and lasts through March, with over 100 Sno-Park locations across the state, including popular spots like Mount Spokane State Park and Sherman Pass. In North Idaho, a Park N’ Ski permit is required for access to seven maintained winter trailheads, including those at Priest Lake and Fourth of July Pass. Oregon maintains its own Sno-Park system as well but has a reciprocal agreement with Idaho. Purchase a permit for the state you visit the most. 

Free Outdoor-themed Entertainment 

• Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT) is hosting an outdoor clothing and gear exchange Dec. 13 from noon to 3 p.m. (location TBD; check the website). This is a free event; no registration required. Please bring clean, functional outdoor clothing and gear to swap. Those who would like to donate without attending the swap may drop off equipment at the CDLT office during the week before the event. It is not necessary to bring trade items in order to participate the day of the event; if you need outdoor gear, please attend.  

• Additionally, Chelan-Douglas Land Trust is hosting a Winter Solstice Walk at Castle Rock in Wenatchee’s Lower Castle Rock Natural Area Dec. 20 from 7 to 9 a.m. Advance registration is required to join this 2-mile round-trip hike. 

• Fee-free days at Washington State Parks are scheduled for Jan. 1 and Jan. 20. Additionally, a variety of free First Day Hikes will be offered at Washington State Parks on New Year’s Day (advance registration is required). Please note that Mount Spokane State Park does not fall under fee-free days during Sno-Park season. If you don’t have a Sno-Park permit, watch for the offerings at Riverside State Park and Columbia Plateau State Park Trail instead, where no Discover Pass will be necessary on the holiday. 

• Free Idaho Park N’ Ski Day is Jan. 3, with a chance to visit Idaho’s Nordic and snowshoeing trails without the usual parking fee. Several areas mark this event with activities, including free lessons and guided snowshoe hikes at Indian Creek State Park near Priest Lake and the Idaho Panhandle Nordic Club’s annual Best Hand Poker XC-Ski and Snowshoe fundraiser. There is a nominal fee to enter the poker competition, because it’s a fundraiser to help support grooming efforts at the Fourth of July Pass trail system; sometimes there are nearly as many raffle prizes as participants! 

• Methow Trails’ Backyard Ski Day is Jan. 30, with free winter trail access across the valley’s vast trail system. There will be free group beginner ski lessons for both classic and skate skiing, free fat bike demos and a free ski wax clinic. A few local businesses are even offering a limited number of free ski rentals for the day. 
  
  

Fundraisers, Contests and Events 

• Inland Northwest Land Conservancy will host its Common Ground annual meeting at CenterPlace Regional Event Center Dec. 9. Registration is required and space is limited. 

• Have you visited a National Recreation Trail this year? It’s time for American Trails’ annual photo contest. Photographers can submit up to 10 photos per trail under categories like trail use, trail management, trail features and artistic merit. Be sure to check the database of National Recreation Trails in our region to ensure the trail you visited qualifies. Photos are due Dec. 15, and winners will be announced in February. 

• The Backcountry Film Festival – Winter Wildlands Alliance offers several regional screenings of festival films highlighting human-powered winter recreation. Each showing serves as a fundraiser for the host organization. Catch it in Spokane Dec. 6, hosted by the Spokane Mountaineers. SOLE will host the film festival in Sandpoint Jan. 9. The University of Idaho Outdoor Program will bring the show to Moscow Jan. 28. On Feb. 3 the film festival will be shown in Whitefish, hosted by Wild Montana. Chewelah Valley Land Trust, Montana Backcountry Alliance (Missoula) and El Sendero Backcountry Ski and Snowshoe Club (Wenatchee) also plan to host the film festival this winter (check online for dates). 

• The Wenatchee River Institute will be the beneficiary of “Benevolent Night” at München House in Leavenworth Jan. 6, with 25% of sales donated to support the nonprofit. The event will run from 4 to 8 p.m.  

• Banff Mountain Film Festival returns to Spokane Jan. 9-11. Saturday night’s VIP ticket sales will benefit the nonprofit of your choice among several worthy local organizations. This event sells out every year, so don’t procrastinate! 

• Spokane Nordic will host Winterfest Jan. 18, featuring $10 Nordic ski lessons for both adults and children, plus a scavenger hunt for kids and a skijor clinic at Selkirk Lodge at Mount Spokane State Park. Additional not-to-be-missed events include the annual Langlauf Nordic ski race Jan. 25 and the BarkerBeiner Skijor Race, tentatively scheduled for Feb. 22. 

Stewardship, Conservation, and Volunteer Opportunities 

• Many of our region’s stewardship and conservation organizations take a short break during the winter season, but those looking for an opportunity to do some winter trail maintenance should watch for offerings from Washington Trails Association. Most of WTA’s winter projects are on snowshoe trails, snow depth permitting. Watch for opportunities within Mount Spokane State Park and on Spokane County Parks’ Conservation Futures properties. A limited number of snowshoes are available to borrow. Contact the crew leader if you’d like to try a project but need to borrow snowshoes. Check the WTA website for the full schedule. 

• Spokane Nordic hosts multiple events throughout the winter and is always seeking volunteer assistance to make those events run smoothly. Tasks may range from helping visitors park safely and efficiently to assisting with event check-in or serving as an on-course race marshal (typically on skis). Check out the Spokane Nordic website for opportunities. 

The post Winter Trail Access, Free Ski Days, Gear Swaps and Inland NW Outdoor Events appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of 49 Degrees North

Want to save hundreds of dollars while getting out on the snow even more next year? How about skipping the ticket window and never again questioning if it’s worth heading up to the mountain on a given day? Get your season pass now at the best price of the season and experience that kind of freedom! 

 We are so lucky to live in a place where you can still get a season pass for around as much as a lift ticket or two at other pricey North American resorts. Use your season pass a handful of times and it pays for itself. The catch here is to not miss the best deals offered during the spring season pass sales on now. Check out these bargain pass prices offered by the four Ski the NW Rockies Association resorts around the Spokane area. Then scan the QR code for your resort of choice to lock in your pass. Consider it an investment in fun and mental wellness for the next year! 

MT SPOKANE  

Spring Season Pass Sale: March 1-May 31 

Location: 30-miles from downtown Spokane  

Lifts: 6 chairlifts plus a surface lift and new terrain park handle tow 

Vertical: 2,000 feet 

Acres: 1,704 

Number of Runs: 52 

Being the closest ski area to Spokane means less driving and more time on the snow. New season pass holders also get to ski and snowboard for free this spring with a purchase of a 25/26 pass! With your pass, take advantage of night skiing through mid-March on Wednesdays-Saturdays too. Mt. Spokane also offers a discount for families purchasing passes together. 

2025/2026 Pass Pricing: 

• New Adult Passholder Pass (ages 18-59): $579 

• Renewing Adult Passholder: $529 

• New Youth Pass (ages 7-17): $449 

• Renewing Passholder Youth Pass: $399 

• New Senior Pass (ages 60-69): $449 

• Renewing Passholder Senior Pass: $399 

• New Super Senior Pass (70-79): $399 

• Renewing Super Senior Pass: $349 

• Passes for those ages 80+ are free! 

• New Passholder Midweek Pass: $399 

• Renewing Passholder Midweek Pass: $349 

LOOKOUT PASS

Spring Season Pass Sale: Starts March 4 

Location: I-90 on the ID/MT Stateline 

Lifts: 5 

Vertical: 1,650 

Skiable Acres: 1,023 

Number of Runs: 52 

Terrain Parks: 3 

Annual Snowfall: 450 inches 

Lookout Pass isn’t called “The Powder Place” for nothing. The ski area on the Idaho/Montana stateline gets hit with some pretty epic powder dumps and the spring season this year runs through April 20 (conditions permitting). Get your pass for next year and score free skiing and snowboarding this spring, starting March 10! Lookout also offers great pass deals for families, college students, and winter/summer Hiawatha trail combo passes!  

2025/2026 Pass Pricing: 

• New Adult Passholder Pass (ages 18-64): $399 

• Renewing Adult Passholder: $379 

• New Youth Pass (ages 7-17): $349 

• Renewing Passholder Youth Pass: $329 

• New Senior Pass (ages 65-79): $329 

• Renewing Passholder Senior Pass: $309 

• New Passholder Midweek Pass: $329 

• Renewing Passholder Midweek Pass: $299 

• New Passholder Active Military Pass: $369 

• Renewing Passholder Active Military Pass: $339 

49 DEGREES NORTH

Spring Season Pass Sale: March 1-May 15 

Location: Chewelah, Wash. 

Lifts: 7 

Vertical: 1,851 

Acres: 2,325  

Summits: 2 

Number of Runs: 90 

Ski for free this spring at 49° North when you buy a season pass for the 25/26 season! On top of all of the lift-accessed downhill skiing and snowboarding you can handle, your 49° North season pass comes with unrestricted access to the resort’s awesome Nordic Center trail system. The mountain is also home to the only high-speed lift in Eastern Washington and is the eastern side of the state’s largest ski area. 49 has great deals on family passes too! 

2025/2026 Pass Pricing: 

• Adult Passholder Pass (ages 24-61): $499 

• Youth Pass (ages 7-17): $299 

• Young Adult Pass (ages 18-23): $369 

• Senior Pass (ages 62-69): $369 

• Super Senior Pass (ages 70-79): $249 

• Military/EMS Pass (w/ valid ID): $399 

• College Student Pass (w/ valid ID): $369 

SILVER MOUNTAIN

Spring Season Pass Sale: March 1-May 15 

Lifts: 7  

Vertical: 2,200 

Skiable Acres: 1,600 

Number of Runs: 80 

Enjoy a chill trip to Silver without the white-knuckle driving to the lifts courtesy of Silver Mountain’s gondola! Silver Mountain is also part of the Powder Alliance that gets you three free lift tickets at 19 other resorts. Silver has great deals on family passes and even a season pass add-on for the tubing hill!  

2025/2026 Pass Pricing: 

• Adult Passholder Pass (ages 24-61): $509 

• Youth Pass (ages 7-17): $349 

• Young Adult (ages 18-23): $399 

• Senior Pass (ages 62-69): $469 

• Super Senior Pass (ages 70+): $339 

• Military/911 Pass (w/ valid ID): $459 

• Midweek Pass: $349 

• College Student Pass (w/ valid ID): $399 

49° North & Silver Mountain Combo Pass 

(Sale Runs through May 15)    

When one ski area just isn’t enough, step up to the best value in the region and get yourself a Combo Pass! You’ll get unrestricted access to both 49° North and Silver Mountain, plus all the perks that come with each. Get yours before the spring pas sales ends May 15! Visit the website for 49 or Silver or scan one of the resort’s codes to get yours. 

2025/2026 Pass Pricing: 

• Adult Combo Pass (ages 24-61): $659 

• Youth Combo Pass (ages 7-17): $469 

• Young Adult Combo Pass (ages 18-23): $529 

• Senior Combo Pass (ages 62-69): $579 

• Super Senior Combo Pass (ages 70+): $469 

• Military Combo Pass (w/ valid ID): $599 

• College Combo Pass (w/ valid ID): $399

Sponsored by SNWR

The post Spring Season Pass Sales Are On  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of Rebecca Hurlen-Patano

By Chris Maccini 

Heated rooms have been enjoyed by cultures around the world for thousands of years, but the modern sauna was developed in Finland, where the word sauna originates. In fact, saunas are such an integral part of Finnish society that in 2020, sauna culture was added to the UNESCO list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.  

And the Finns may have figured something out, because for the sixth year in a row Finland ranked as the happiest country in the world in the 2024 World Happiness Index. The warm embrace of a sauna can certainly raise your spirits—especially on a dark winter day—but scientific research suggests that saunas can be good for your physical health as well. 

One of the most often-cited sauna studies was published in 2015 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers followed over 2,000 Finnish men for two decades and concluded that increased use of saunas correlated with reduced risk of sudden cardiac death, fatal coronary heart disease, fatal cardiovascular disease, and all causes of death.  

Using a sauna can have short-term health benefits as well, according to Trey Nichols, a Doctor of Physical Therapy at NW Movement Co. in Spokane, who has used saunas in treating his patients. “The sauna is so beneficial because the stress of the heat can release hormones and do a lot of different work physiologically,” Nichols says. “You get some bang for your buck without having to do a whole lot. You’re just sitting there and letting your heart rate crank up with the heat.” 

Short term benefits can include relaxation, pain relief, and increased cardiovascular endurance. But, like any exercise or treatment, a sauna can be intense for those not used to it. For that reason, Nichols says it’s best to start with short intervals and work up to longer sessions: “Ease into it, you know, five or 10 minutes. How do you feel after it? If you feel good, then keep hydrated, and go a little bit longer. But the more consistent and the more often we’re in it, the more benefit there is.” 

Finding or Building a Sauna 

For those interested in starting their sauna journey, several area gyms and fitness studios include saunas which are available for members’ use. The YMCA of the Inland Northwest has saunas at all four of their Spokane-area locations as well as the Litehouse YMCA in Sandpoint. Saunas are also available at many wellness spas, including La Rive Spa at Northern Quest Casino and Sanctuary Spokane in West Central. 

But for hardcore sauna enthusiasts, nothing beats having a sauna at home. Rebecca Hurlen Patano built an outdoor sauna—and a cold plunge—in her yard in North Idaho. “They’re a significant investment,” Hurlen Patano says. “But we had the opportunity to kind of do some deferred maintenance on our health. I use it as a great place to just focus on my breath and meditate.” 

At 63 years old, Hurlen Patano credits her personal outdoor spa for keeping her healthy. “For me, being exposed in the outdoors has really given me a lot of immune boosting properties,” she says. “I go from the sauna to the cold plunge and then I take an outdoor shower. I’m outdoors and I’m walking on the rocks and I towel off in the wind and I think it has really helped my immune system.” 

Whether it’s at home or at the gym, a sauna could help you stay warm, happy and healthy this winter and bring surprising long-term benefits.  

Chris Maccini is a writer and audio producer from Spokane. When he’s not in a sauna this winter, you can find him on his snowboard or his Nordic skis at various Inland Northwest mountains. 

The post Can Sitting In a Sauna Make You Healthier?  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Wintersportsfest at 49 Degrees North Jan. 15 

Après Ski Outdoor Bar at Silver Mt. Jan. 18-20 & Feb. 15-17 

Martin Luther King Day at Mt. Spokane: Free hot cocoa in the Vista house Jan. 20 

Women of Winter Ski & Snowboard Clinic at 49 Degrees North Jan. 24, Feb. 28, & March 14 

Kids Snow Bowling & MTN Brewfest at Lookout Jan. 26 

Nordic Family Weekend at 49 Degrees North Feb. 1-2 

Skijoring Race Event at 49 Degrees North Feb. 1-2 

Ladies’ Day at Mt. Spokane Feb. 7 & March 7 

Chewelah Winter Fest & 49 Rail Jam at 49 Degrees North Feb. 8 

Skijoring with Dogs at the Nordic Center at 49 Degrees North March 1 

Doug E Fresh Banked Slalom and Ski Bum Prom Night Skiing at Silver Mountain March 1 

Toyota Free Ski Friday at 49 Degrees North March 7 

Toyota Free Ski Friday at Silver Mt. March 14 

Marchi Gras at Silver Mt. March 15 

Telebration Telemark Skiing Event at 49 Degrees North March 16 

Toyota Free Ski Friday at Mt. Spokane March 21 

Toyota Free Ski Friday at Lookout Pass March 28 

Kids Cardboard Box Derby Day at Lookout Pass April 13 

Leadman Triathlon at Silver Mt. April 19 

Sponsored by SNWR

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Frater Lake SnoPark is a day-use only trail system maintained for winter access via the SnoPark system (permit required) and easily accessible from Highway 20 just west of Tiger/east of Colville. The main trail system consists of 16 kilometers of trails that are groomed for Nordic ski access as conditions allow. Since this SnoPark sits at 3,180’ elevation, sometimes there is not sufficient snow to allow for grooming. It’s best to watch weather conditions or bring extra equipment to best match the snow level. Sometimes the trails are hardpacked and icy under the trees, best-suited for traction devices on boots or riding fat bikes. When conditions do allow for grooming, snowshoe (and fat bike) users are asked to stay off the groomed trail but can set a snowshoe trail alongside the groomed path.  

The parking area is located on the north side of Highway 20, and the majority of the trail distance and most challenging trails are also on this side of the system. The trail’s maximum elevation is at Coyote Rock at 3,483’. A small warming hut is located next to Frater Lake. Bring a headlamp, as it can be dark inside. On the south side of the highway there is a smaller interconnected loop trail system. The trails here lack big climbs but have many short ups and downs that can be very fun on skis when conditions are good.  

For a more challenging snowshoe hike or backcountry ski tour requiring navigation skills and understanding of avalanche conditions, it’s also possible to follow the summer trail to Granite Peak. This route is not marked or maintained for winter access, so map and compass skills are necessary.    

Getting There:  

Frater Lake SnoPark is located on the north side of Highway 20 in Northeast Washington: 6.8 miles west of the township of Tiger, or 29.4 miles east of Colville north of Spokane. 

Holly Weiler is the Eastern Washington Region Senior Coordinator for Washington Trails Association and is pretty sure this will finally be the winter to successfully summit Granite Peak on either snowshoes or skis, after turning around a bit shy of the top on the last two trips. 

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• Washington State Parks will hold a fee-free day (no Discover Pass required) on both Jan. 1 and Jan. 20. Note that SnoParks on Washington State Park property are not included in fee-free days. 

• Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness will be offering several fun winter outings! Advance registration is required and some trips may fill up, so check calendars and sign up right away. Offerings include Regal Creek on Jan. 11, Dry Creek Wildlife ID and Tracking on Feb. 8, a full moon snowshoe in coordination with Kaniksu Land Trust on Feb. 12, and a Ross Creek Cedars Snowshoe on Feb. 22. 

• Spokane Nordic’s Winterfest is on Jan. 19, with a mix of free events along with some reduced-cost ski lessons. Among the free activities will be a kid’s treasure hunt (ages 4 & up), adaptive equipment demos, and a chance to meet Captain Ginge, Mount Spokane’s jolly Nordic groomer operator! 

• Methow Trails Association is holding its annual Backyard Ski Day on Jan. 31. The usual daily pass fees will be waived for trail use this day, and there will be limited Nordic ski and fat bike demos, along with free cross-country ski lessons. 

Film Festivals 

• Banff Mountain Film Festival returns to Spokane Jan. 10-12. A limited number of VIP event tickets are available as a fundraiser for several area nonprofits as well as regular festival passes. 

• Winter Wildlands Alliance’s Backcountry Ski Film Festival has several upcoming showings in our region! Selkirk Outdoor Leadership & Education (SOLE), Inc. will host a showing in Sandpoint on Jan. 10. Montana Backcountry Alliance will host the film festival on Jan. 16. University of Idaho Outdoor Program will host one in Moscow Jan. 29, and Wild Montana—Flathead Kootenai Chapter, will host a showing on Feb. 6. 

Fundraisers 

• Idaho Panhandle Nordic Club will host its annual Best Hand Poker Ski and Snowshoe fundraiser on Jan. 4. For a nominal donation to the ski club, enter either the ski or snowshoe category and follow the marked route to collect playing cards. Best poker hands get top choice of prizes, but sometimes even the poor poker hands earn swag, as local businesses sponsor many prizes for this fun event! 

Stewardship, Conservation, & Volunteer Opportunities 

• Join Okanogan Highlands Alliance on Jan. 24 for an in-person presentation on Whitebark Pine: Ecology and Conservation at the Community Cultural Center of Tonasket. The event starts with a dinner benefitting the Community Cultural Center from 5 p.m.-6:15 p.m. The presentation starts at 6:30 p.m. and is free to the public.  

• Washington Trails Association will host several snowshoe work parties through the winter months at Spokane County Parks and Mount Spokane State Park. Winter trailwork tasks consist of trimming encroaching vegetation, trimming low tree branches, removing downfall trees from popular snowshoe routes, and shoveling trail bridges. Gear requirements vary based on current snow conditions for each trail, from boots with micro spikes sufficient to snowshoes necessary. Please contact the event leader with any questions about gear.  

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Winter Trailhead Passes 

It’s transition season for trails! Many popular trailheads in outlying areas are not maintained for winter access, so be sure to check weather reports before planning a late-fall outing. In Idaho, Park N’ Ski passes are required at many winter-maintained trailheads beginning Nov. 15 (e.g. Chipmunk Rapids and 4^th of July Pass); in Washington, SnoPark permits are required starting Dec. 1 (e.g. Mount Spokane State Park and the Kettle Crest). Check requirements for your favorite trailhead. Be aware that the best winter access locations will likely require a special parking pass to help defray the costs associated with routine snow removal in parking lots.  

Free Outdoor-themed Entertainment 

• Washington Native Plant Society will be hosting a thought-provoking Zoom meeting on “Fire Ecology in the Shrub Steppe” on Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. Advance registration is required for this free event. 

• To mark Veterans’ Day on Nov. 11, both National Parks and Washington State Parks are waiving entrance/parking fees. Washington State Parks will additionally celebrate Autumn Day on Nov. 29 as a fee-free day. 

• The Lands Council will be hosting a Campfire Stories event at Wildland Cooperative in Greenbluff on Nov. 14 starting at 6:30 p.m. Come enjoy the cozy indoor setting while listening to excellent stories on the theme of “Lost and Found” as it relates to our region’s public lands. 

• Wenatchee Outdoors and Chelan Douglas Land Trust are teaming up for a free Ugly Sweater Stroll at Jacobson Preserve on Nov. 20 at 4 p.m. Ugly or holiday sweaters are encouraged! 

• Methow Trails will be hosting a free Methow Trails Film Festival on Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. Advance registration is required to ensure seating availability. All of the films will be locally made and related to the Methow Valley and the local trails community. A panel of judges will work with the audience to determine awards for best films! 

• While the event is actually on New Year’s Day, advance registration is required, so be sure to watch for First Day Hike offerings with Washington State Parks! The full event list will be available in mid-December. Mount Spokane State Park in partnership with its friends group will host both a beginner-friendly snowshoe hike to the Snowshoe Warming Hut and a moderately-difficult hike to the summit and Vista House. A SnoPark permit will be required for these events. Riverside State Park will host a beginner-friendly event that may be a hike or a snowshoe outing, depending on snow conditions. Jan. 1 is a fee-free day for the Discover Pass, so no parking permit is necessary. For those who don’t already own a pair of snowshoes, don’t forget to plan ahead by using your Spokane library card to check out a pair to try this winter! Snowshoes are available via the Library of Things in both Spokane and Spokane County. 

Fundraisers & Contests! 

• Methow Valley Nordic is hosting a fundraiser Nordic ski swap on Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Winthrop Barn. A nominal entry fee raises funds for Nordic programming. Stick around town after the ski swap for the Winter Kick-off Party at the same venue that evening. 

• American Trails sponsors an annual photography contest specific to National Recreation Trails (NRT) across the U.S., with a deadline of Dec. 15. Photos must be taken on a designated NRT (full list available via the American Trails website), and entrants can submit up to 10 photographs per trail in a wide variety of categories. A few examples of NRTs in our region include Spokane’s Centennial Trail, the Kettle Crest, Sullivan Lakeshore, Priest Lake’s Lakeshore Trail, and English Point at Hayden Lake, and there’s plenty of time to explore these or others before the contest deadline!  

Conservation, Stewardship & Volunteer Opportunities 

The season is beginning to wind down, but a few of our local nonprofits will continue to host events into the colder months! Inland Northwest Land Conservancy, Friends of Palisades Park, and Washington Trails Association will be teaming up in November to host a fall project day at the new Palisades North trail segment. WTA will also offer a handful of events on lower elevation trails within Spokane County Parks and at Indian Creek Community Forest before transitioning to snowshoe work parties in December. Please see each organization’s website for full registration information. 

Check out Holly’s Hike of the Month for Nov/Dec 2024 at the Indian Creek Community Forest in Northeast Washington!

The post The Trailhead: Inland NW Trail & Outdoor News Nov-Dec 2024 appeared first on Out There Venture.