Cover photo courtesy of Potato Boys

In this little area of the Inland Northwest that we call home, we rarely get recognized on the world scale for our skiing and snowboarding. While many of us who live here know all about the epic terrain right at our fingertips, few take the adventure head-on. With the release of the Potato Boys’ new film “Caution Terrain”—their third ski film based in the backcountry of Idaho—the crew has launched their biggest adventure yet. 

The debut of the new film by Essex Prescott, Blake Bowerman, Stephen Matkin, Kyle Vandever, and Cameron “Hootch” Hotchkiss at the beautiful StanCraft Jet Center at the Coeur d’Alene Airport this past November was an event to behold. It’s inspiring to watch a local ski crew hit the big screen and get recognized by the community and outlets like “Freeskier Magazine” and Newschoolers.com. With more than 700 attendees at the launch and over 285,000 views racked up on YouTube so far, the film has been a huge success. 

For this latest release, the team regrouped and took on a few lines that had given them the slip in years past. With a mandatory plane drop for all the camp supplies, the team was able to enter an area that’s rarely explored, especially in winter. The film follows the crew through it all as they head into this basin and boot-pack 1,000-foot couloirs to ski lines of their dreams—all while living the ski bum lifestyle in their own backyard. The film launch party also raised more than $8,000 for the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center. You can watch “Caution Terrain” on the Potatoboys208 YouTube channel or follow them on Instagram @essexprescott or @potatoboys208.

The post “Famous Potatoes: Caution Terrain” Ski Film Debuts in CDA  appeared first on Out There Venture.

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) 

The post Raising Little Rippers: Tips for Getting Kids Started on Snow  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of Sam Ozanich

For almost 10 years, I have been a beat writer in the snowboard realm for Out There. I’m unbelievably stoked to have the opportunity to represent the crew, be a voice for our local snowboard scene and continue my passion for highlighting others who inspire and create in outdoor spaces. 

This winter, I would like to introduce you to the Wild Cannons. The core of my snowboard-centered crew is Jeff Hall, Ryan Fogarty and me. Through our love of riding powder and the connections built through our Instagram account and podcast, we’ve been able to meet some truly amazing people in our community. But what is a wild cannon? 

Let me take you back a decade ago to Pinky G’s Pizzeria in Jackson Hole, Wyo. One evening after a killer day of riding pow, Jeff was zealously describing someone he knew. In his enthusiasm, he repeatedly kept calling this person a “wild cannon.” I about fell out of my chair laughing the first time he said it and was in tears the second and third time he used it. Collecting myself, I interrupted him to ask if he meant to say “loose cannon,” which Jeff quickly brushed off so he could get back to his story. I couldn’t unhear it: I thought wild cannon in place of loose cannon was absolute gold.  

Jeff’s misuse of loose cannon opened the floodgates for me to mock anything he did or said by adding “That’s what a Wild Cannon would do!” From then on, the term has been used as a nickname for Jeff, a way to describe our friends doing something crazy, and it even became the name of our men’s soccer team.  

The Wild Cannons snowboard crew came to life in the digital space of fall of 2019 on Instagram. In fall 2021, we had our first Wu-Tang-inspired sticker printed, and in spring of 2024 we kicked off the Wild Cannons Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.  

The Instagram account was created as a central place where we could photo-dump all of our snowboard pics and edits while showcasing our love for snowboarding and chasing powder. We thought the platform could be used to inform riders of local events while also spotlighting local riders’ content, potentially being a hub for riders to look toward in the absence of shop talk and curating a space that gives back to the local snowboard community. The podcast emerged as a natural extension of the articles I wrote for Out There and what we were doing on Instagram.  

It’s fun reflecting on the growth of Wild Cannons and our friendship. I think it’s important to share responses from Jeff and Ryan on what the evolution of Wild Cannons means to them. 

Jeff shared, “The true meaning behind Wild Cannons is that everyone is one! Not just one individual makes a Wild Cannon. I see the Wild Cannons as a way to get the snowboarding and outdoor enthusiasts together and a way to share the experience and love for the sport.” 

Ryan explained, “Wild Cannons isn’t a club or crew but more so an open community of people seeking the stoke. That feeling you get when you hear the crew chirp after stomping a nice pow line. Or surfing some glassy waves and not having a single thought or care in the world. Doing something you never thought was even possible. Finding the flow state. That’s what we chase. Spreadin’ the love and keepin’ it real.” 

Whether it’s snowboarding, moto, surfing, paddling or biking, we aim to have the most fun and share those experiences with others. 

T. Ghezzi is a snowboarder who loves riding powder, chips and salsa, traveling and experiencing new cultures. The Spokane native’s passion for riding pow has taken him abroad to the Austrian and Swiss Alps, Hokkaido, Japan, and most recently to the Andes in both Argentina and Chile. This past summer, he solo bikepacked from Spokane to Seattle. Keep up with T. Ghezzi and Wild Cannons at @northwest_raised and @wildcannons. Catch the Wild Cannons Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube.  

The post The Ghostface of Wild Cannons  appeared first on Out There Venture.

What’s more tiring, skiing, or hearing about skiing? Your wife’s been bragging about her Kootenay winter vacations for years … and winter’s here again. She keeps reminding you, “Last year it snowed two feet the week I went to Whitewater Mountain Resort!” Enough already. Next she’ll be on about how they kept the grassroots vibe even though they added a new lift in 2023, boosting to 3,247 skiable acres—and she still never crosses a track until noon on a powder day. 

Then there was the year she decided to start ticking off her “bucket list” and go cat skiing. And then again the next year when she went heli-skiing, because there are more backcountry operations around Kootenay Lake than anywhere else in the world, and the terrain is “unmatched.” This winter she wants to try ski touring, and you just know it’s going to be the same endless gloating at the end of each day. 

But that’s no reason to stay home. Spokane, along with its international airport, is only three hours from Nelson, and a winter vacation poses its own restorative effects, even if you’re not into skiing or snowboarding. Visiting the serene shores of Kootenay Lake is easier than getting to Mexico—plus, you won’t get a sunburn. Not to mention the Canadian peso is an all-time bargain right now. But what does a man of more discerning tastes do to keep occupied? 

Ever been to a hot spring in the winter? It’s the quintessential Kootenay way to unwind: soaking in the contrasting benefits of hot and cold. Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort is just a short trip up the road from Nelson, with developed pools that are a natural delight, and rejuvenating waters that work magic to peel back big-city stresses. 

A walking tour of Nelson is likewise especially storybook in winter, highlighted by Victorian architecture and dozens of curated murals. Getting around by foot is quick and quaint, offering time to escape into one of many warm independent bookstores, or dozens of cafés—many of which roast their own beans and are award winners. Locals here have coffee for blood. 

But maybe breweries are more your thing. There are three in Nelson, and one up in picturesque Kaslo, just an hour up the road. The slow, winding drive along Kootenay Lake is mesmerizing in the winter, with views of snowcapped mountains reflecting off a glassy lake that never fully freezes. You can also take the world’s longest free ferry across the lake to Balfour, for an extra scenic cruise. 

But if you don’t have a rental vehicle, because the frequent shuttles from Spokane are just as quick and easy and Nelson itself is decidedly walkable, you can still keep busy right in town. There are more restaurants per capita in the Queen City of the Kootenays (that’s Nelson) than even San Francisco and Manhattan. It’s a culinary scene that foodies around the world flock to, crammed into four ornate city blocks.

 

Only 30 minutes north of the Washington border, Nelson’s architecture is a throwback to the turn of the century: a mix of American-style Italianate brick façades reminiscent of old Seattle, and granite-blocked civic buildings with distinct Victorian influences. There are over 350 heritage buildings surrounding downtown’s Baker Street, all built between 1895 and 1924—edifices that make the town distinct in the Canadian Mountain West.  

Like the stately Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, which will take you back to the frontier years, as will a visit to the S.S. Moyie Sternwheeler up in Kaslo: the oldest intact passenger vessel of its kind in the world. While you’re up there, Kaslo’s Langham Cultural Centre showcases contemporary and traditional exhibits year-round: a cosmopolitan amenity in an impossibly cute village framed by diamond peaks overlooking a placid lake.  

Art’s also on tap all winter long at Nelson’s Oxygen Art Centre, as well as at a plethora of galleries and artisan studios. As the undisputed cultural capital of the Kootenays, there are always shows at the Capitol Theatre, featuring local and national talent, performing dance, theater and musicals. Music, by the way, pulses winterlong at venues like Bloom Nightclub and Spiritbar; Nelson is also a sleeper hub for electronic artists the world over. 

But if you want to keep it simple, there are, of course, plenty of pubs and that Canadian staple, the good, old hockey game. The Nelson Leafs are a Junior A championship team that seldom disappoints. Which is perfectly in keeping with the area at large. Not everybody loves sliding on snow, and we get that—but everybody loves winning. The wife might have just bagged her best day on snow ever, but visit Nelson and Kootenay Lake along with her and it’s bragging rights for all. 

Traveling to Nelson, BC, This Winter? 

Why Not Take the Shuttle? 

Skip the drive and hop on the Kootenay Charters shuttle servicing Nelson, Castlegar and Rossland direct from the Spokane Airport. For complete details on departure dates and times, just scan here. Book now at Kootenaycharters.com/spokanewintershuttle or reach out with questions at info@kootenayCharters.com or (250) 365-2871. 

The post How To Not Go Skiing in Nelson, BC  appeared first on Out There Venture.

By Barry Campbell 

Cover photo courtesy of Terry Cooper

As the saying goes, it pays to be in the right place at the right time. And sometimes the pay isn’t in the form of income, but life experiences. Terry Cooper, founder of the regional ski-cult hit “Ski Flakes” videos, can tell you all about that.  

Cooper grew up in South Carolina and, like so many others, took a long and winding path to Sandpoint, Idaho. After serving in the Navy during the final years of the Vietnam War—including the evacuation of the country in 1975—he set out on a restless quest for meaning. He crisscrossed the country on a motorcycle, pedaled thousands of miles by bike, and ultimately found his way into the Rocky Mountains. 

By the early 1980s, he and his wife, Brenda, had moved to Sandpoint after a stint in Steamboat Springs, Colo. For Cooper, who had fallen in love with skiing in the low-lying resorts of North Carolina before discovering Colorado’s big mountains, Schweitzer offered a new kind of home, and he was hooked when he saw it. “What I wanted to do was ski,” he said. “That was it.” 

A Big Camera and a Bigger Idea 

Skiing was Cooper’s passion, but making a living in Sandpoint required creativity. He bought fixer-upper houses, tended bar, taught ski lessons, and eventually became a realtor. Still, his eyes were on the slopes. The question was, how could he ski as much as possible and share the stoke with others? 

The seed for “Ski Flakes” was planted in Steamboat when Cooper saw a man shooting ski footage on the mountain and screening it at the bar that night. Patrons loved seeing themselves on screen.  

By 1992 he brought that idea to Schweitzer. Inspired, he invested in one of the earliest pro video camcorders. With a little hustle, he arranged to play his ski footage at a local après-ski bar, The Keg (now the St. Bernard), for $30 a week. People started asking for copies. 

Soon, Cooper was selling VHS tapes, experimenting with editing and eyeing local cable TV airtime. He pitched the idea to Schweitzer’s then-owner, Bobbie Huguenin, who saw the potential to connect the mountain with the town. “Ski Flakes” was born. 

From the start, even though it was partially inspired by the gold standard ski filmmaker Warren Miller, it was clear this was a local/regional production. It was raw, spontaneous, and real. “It was reality TV before reality TV,” Cooper said. “You went out, shot whatever was happening and made a story out of it.” 

Will Work for Free Skiing 

Cooper rarely scripted “Ski Flakes.” He didn’t have to. Armed with an attention-grabbing camera, a crew of local characters and an eye for quirky moments, he turned the slopes, bars and parking lots into his stage. 

In the early years, his crew included journalists and storytellers like Liz Zimmerman and Chris Park, who helped craft narratives from Cooper’s footage. In later years, Scott Rulander joined as a second videographer. Their payment? Ski passes bartered through Schweitzer. “We were poor, but we were skiing,” Cooper laughed. Together, they cranked out 60-minute episodes every week during ski season—13 in a row—each a mashup of ski footage, party scenes, interviews and local history. 

Editing was a marathon. Cooper remembers staying up all night on Wednesdays to deliver a finished VHS tape to the cable station Thursday morning. He’d drive tapes to Sandpoint, Coeur d’Alene, Spokane and even ship them to Cranbrook for broadcast. The show aired nearly constantly in Sandpoint and on Schweitzer and on prime time in the other markets, reaching an estimated audience of 100,000 viewers. In the pre-internet 1990s that kind of reach was unheard of for a regional ski program, and it caught the attention of advertisers. 

Powder, Parties, and Pioneers 

What made “Ski Flakes” unique was its mix of content. Half the show might be deep powder turns and tree skiing, the other half might be raucous bar parties or tongue-in-cheek interviews. “I didn’t want it to be sexist, but I did want it to be sexy,” Cooper recalled. “People wanted to see themselves having fun, and they wanted to see the characters of the mountain.” 

But Cooper also had a historian’s eye. He sought out Schweitzer’s early pioneers—Jim Toomey, Bud Moon and Jack Fowler—and wove their stories into the show. He tracked down home movies from Schweitzer’s earliest days in the 1960s and preserved them on television. He spent years interviewing Red Mountain legend Booty Griffiths, who helped found one of the oldest ski schools in North America. 

For Cooper, it was never just about turns. It was about people and place. “My goal was never to tell their story,” he said. “It was to have them tell their story.” Over nearly two decades, “Ski Flakes” became a cultural record: Olympians Nancy Greene and Susie Luby; the Mahre brothers; TV personality Ben Stein; extreme skier Glen Plake; and countless locals found themselves immortalized on tape. 

Though Schweitzer was home, “Ski Flakes” expanded into what Cooper dubbed the Borderline Tour, a circuit of ski areas along the U.S.-Canada border: Red Mountain, Whitewater, Fernie, Kimberley, Panorama and Montana’s Big Mountain (now Whitefish Mountain Resort). Years before it was branded the “Powder Highway,” Cooper and crew were skiing it, cameras rolling. 

They didn’t have the luxury of waiting for perfect conditions like big-budget film crews. If it was storming, they shot. If visibility was bad, they turned it into a skit. That improvisational style gave the show an authenticity and relatability that connected with viewers. 

For a self-described ski bum, “Ski Flakes” opened doors that money couldn’t buy (like tours of the secret-est of stashes). Cooper and his friends were invited heli-skiing, cat-skiing and into backcountry bowls. “I’d say, ‘I need to ski first so I can shoot you coming down,’” he laughed. “So I always got first tracks.” 

He filmed scary moments too: huge sluffs flowing over his skis, sketchy helicopter drop-offs and fogbound adventures. But for every adrenaline spike, there was an equally memorable dinner with a ski legend like Mike Wiegele or a behind-the-scenes story with resort pioneers. 

“It was the American Express camera,” Cooper said. “Carte blanche. You showed up with a big camera and people let you in.” Filming “Ski Flakes” also opened a door for him to travel the world with wealthy clients as their personal videographer, including luxe African safaris, Ferrari shows and Bing Crosby’s Los Angeles estate. 

If all this sounds glamorous, the reality was grittier. Cooper had invested tens of thousands of dollars in cameras, editing decks and music rights at a time when he was making only a fraction of that. Editing was primitive and tedious. He sold ads himself in each market—Sandpoint, Spokane, Coeur d’Alene and Cranbrook—often giving small businesses more airtime than they paid for just to help them succeed.  

Financially, “Ski Flakes” survived, but just barely. What sustained the show, though, was passion, barter and Cooper’s other career in real estate. “I talked to every single business in town, trying to get them to buy an ad on my show. And everybody’s like, ‘Television, what are you talking about? I don’t even own a TV. What the @%$# is that?’ It was pretty funny.”  

“I never made a lot of money,” he admitted. “But I got to do things I never would have in my life otherwise.” 

Rex Cosgrove, who has skied at Schweitzer for decades dating back to the mid 70s, recalled that limited channels were available in Sandpoint, and as soon as they arrived in town from their home in Moscow, his kids would turn “Ski Flakes” on—and leave it on—for the weekend. “It was kind of a big deal at the time that you could watch this local skiing culture on TV. And we loved it,” he said. 

Shelf Life 

By 2010 new filming for “Ski Flakes” wound down. Digital editing and internet video were reshaping the media landscape, and the economics of selling ads for a regional ski show no longer worked. But reruns kept it alive—up until 2025, it was still on Sandpoint’s local access cable—and even today, episodes still loop in Pucci’s Pub at Schweitzer.  

Pucci’s owner, Eric Salontai, said that the TV tuned to “Ski Flakes” often gets more viewers than even events like Gonzaga hoops games. “People still will look back toward the Ski Flakes TV. Even we employees still watch because we’re riders and enjoy the mountain scenes,” he said. 

He added that airing footage of Schweitzer’s history, including icons like patrollers Arlene and Ted Cook, and the namesake of his pub, John Pucci, in their prime, complements the pub’s atmosphere. “Ski Flakes just made you feel that you were part of this thing. You’d see familiar faces, and you’d see how much Terry loved the scene he was shooting. And that’s the real telltale of the good that he was doing, because he was super eloquent in his filming. Not derogatory, not vulgar, none of that,” he said. 

These days Cooper doesn’t sit still long, ripping tele-ski and single-track mountain bike lines nearly every day. However, the “Ski Flakes” Worldwide Headquarters (his office) is jam packed with a mountain of epic footage: 7,000 hours of video, only a fraction of which ever aired. He has slowly begun digitizing it, with thoughts of future documentaries or online archives. He also has extensive footage of rock star interviews at the Festival at Sandpoint and other rarities. “It’s history,” he said. “And it has value. You can’t get those stories back once they’re gone.” 

Legacy of a Flake 

In retrospect, “Ski Flakes” was far more than entertainment. It was connective tissue, linking Sandpoint to Schweitzer, Idaho to British Columbia, locals to Olympians. It captured a culture in transition: the rise of snowboarding, the shift from straight 210s to shaped skis, the evolution of après-ski from wild bar parties to today’s typically toned-down and phone-absorbed scenes. Most of all, it preserved the personalities—everyday skiers and mountain characters—who made the Northwest ski scene what it was. 

Today, as GoPros and drones flood social media with instant edits, Cooper’s work reminds us of a different era: one where telling the story took commitment, community and countless late nights with VHS decks and turntables. “Ski Flakes” may not have made Cooper rich, but it gave him—and the Inland Northwest—something even better: a lasting story of the evolution of a sport and a region. 

This winter Barry Campbell plans to chase powder at Schweitzer, soak up some Baja sun and continue building his company, Two Oaks Marketing. 

The post “Ski Flakes,” the O.G. Inland NW Ski Film Pioneers  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of Silver Mountain Resort

Lifts: 7  

Vertical: 2,200 

Skiable Acres: 1,600 

Number of Runs: 80 

Night Skiing: 8 runs for skiing under the lights 

Family Amenities: Indoor water park and new village arcade 

Lodging: Base village with on-mountain lodging 

Operating Schedule: Opening day Nov. 28. Open 7 days a week. 

What’s New on the Mountain 

Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg conducted extensive thinning in new areas of the North Face Glades, yielding additional steep fall-line tree skiing and reducing the need for traversing. It also expanded Sheer Bliss, a run on skier’s left, and installed a permanent rope line for safety and clarity. In addition, the resort trimmed and gladed traverses throughout the mountain to improve flow and access. 

Other mountain improvements include updated signage that provides more accurate run status updates and links to backcountry forecasts at backcountry gates, as well as transceiver park repairs and updates to support avalanche-safety training and practice. Tubing sessions are now extended to seven days per week, and Silver Rapids—Idaho’s largest indoor water park—will boast extended midweek hours. Plus, a new partnership is bringing the Rossignol Experience Center to Silver Mountain Sports, which will offer a wealth of branded hard goods and expanded demo experiences. 

Silver Mountain/49° North Combo Pass 

A combo pass gives you unlimited access to both ski areas. That’s a combined 3,925 acres, 14 lifts, 170 trails, 4 summits, and 4,051 feet of vertical to ski or ride all season long for only a couple hundred dollars more! 

Splash, Ski and Save 

Enjoy 1,600 acres and 2,200 vertical feet of light, dry powder on Silver Mountain! With over 70 trails with everything from perfectly groomed runs to steep, gladed powder skiing, there is really something for everyone. After a fu-filled day on the slopes, what could be better than enjoying the endless summer at Silver Rapids Indoor Waterpark, where it’s always a tropical 84 degrees. After perfecting your surf moves on the FlowRider®, have a relaxing float in the Lazy River or play a game of basketball in Hoop Lagoon. Packages start at $106.57 per person per night based on 4-person occupancy in a family studio and include two days of access to Silver Rapids Waterpark and one day of lift tickets. 

Snow Tubing at Silver 

Not a skier or boarder? Grab your snow tube and get ready for nonstop fun at Silver Mountain’s tubing hill! The resort’s magic carpet lift whisks you and your tube effortlessly back to the top so you can keep the fun going run after run. With four lanes at 640 feet long, there’s excitement for the whole family. 

Tubing sessions are two hours long and run daily throughout the winter season. Be sure to check out the Hours of Operation for the latest hourly schedule. Included in your booking is a gondola ride and a tube rental; all you need to bring is weather-appropriate clothing, such as snow boots, insulated pants and a winter jacket. 

Signature Events at Silver Mountain 

Mark your calendar and don’t miss your favorite Silver Mountain events. Be a part of the passionate community of skiers and snowboarders who approach these events with a lot of spirit and revelry. 

• Christmas and New Year’s on the Mountain! Bring the whole family and celebrate Christmas at Silver Mountain. They will have the lifts turning and the water park flowing to make this Christmas one to remember. Santa may even make some turns on the ski hill after a long night delivering presents. Then, on New Year’s Eve, bring your snazziest bathing suit and join in at Silver Rapids Indoor Waterpark. Then the resort is hosting a balloon drop to send off 2025 and welcome 2026. The balloons will be falling at 9 p.m. from the second-floor balcony by the Flowrider. The mountain is also hosting a prime rib dinner from 3-9 p.m. Call 208-783-2440 for reservations. 

• Jackass Day: Jan. 8 
  This annual birthday celebration for Silver includes $20 vintage-priced lift tickets and free birthday cake up at Moguls. 

• Doug E Fresh Banked Slalom and Ski Bum Prom Night Skiing: March 7  
  The banked slalom race is held annually in honor of the life of Doug Johnson, followed by night skiing and dancing with vintage ski attire at the Ski Bum Prom. 

• Toyota Ski Free Friday at Silver: March 13 
  Drive any Toyota vehicle up to Silver and the driver receives a lift ticket voucher for free. 

• Silver Cup Ski Race: March 28-29 
  The 2026 Silver Cup is March 28 and 29! Stay tuned for more information and a registration link.  

• Leadman Triathlon: April 18  
  Ski, mountain bike and run the mountain at this popular annual charity fundraiser. 

Sponsored

The post Your Complete Winter Guide to Silver Mountain Resort appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park

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

Vertical: 2,000 feet 

Acres: 1,704 

Number of Runs: 52 

Night Skiing: 16 night skiing runs starting Dec. 18 (Wednesdays-Saturdays) 

Operating Schedule: Open Dec. 7 through the first week of April, operating 7 days a week Dec. 16-March 16 (as conditions allow).  

Just a short drive from Spokane, Mt. Spokane feels like the city’s own backyard mountain. Every dollar Mt. Spokane earns is reinvested into the hill: into lift service, trail upkeep and programs that strengthen connections among local skiers and riders. Mt. Spokane is also the only ski area in the region to light up 16 runs from Wednesday through Sunday, 3 to 9 p.m. And for those who want to squeeze every minute of winter fun out of the season, weekend and holiday ski days stretch from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

What’s New on the Mountain 

Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park is excited to welcome Thomas Hammer Coffee to the mountain experience. Guests can now start their day on the slopes with expertly crafted coffee while enjoying the same warm, community-focused vibe that has made Mt. Spokane a local favorite. Whether fueling up for a day of skiing or snowboarding, or simply enjoying a cup with friends, Thomas Hammer Coffee brings its signature quality and local charm to the heart of the mountain. 

Additionally, Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park is excited to announce a new partnership with Wild Mike’s Pizza! Skiers and snowboarders can now enjoy a delicious twist before hitting the slopes—purchase a frozen Wild Mike’s pizza at your local store and tear off a $10 night ski coupon. But the fun doesn’t stop there! Wild Mike’s will be making appearances all season at terrain park events and contests, handing out prizes and celebrating Wild Mike Wednesdays with guests of all ages. 

Snow Tubing at Mt. Spokane  

Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park will once again be offering snow tubing at Lodge 1. Snow tubing is perfect for families looking for accessible fun in the snow for all ages and abilities and will open this December in time for the holiday season. Snow tubing sessions run for 90 minutes, with each run supported by a tow back to the top. Tubing sessions will be available throughout the holiday season as well as on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays all winter long. Sessions can be booked online and must be booked in advance (no tubing on ski race event days). More info at Mtspokane.com. 

Learn to Ski or Snowboard 
From multi-week programs to camps, private or group lessons, and specialty clinics, Mt. Spokane Ski & Ride School makes learning to ski or ride fun and flexible while building confidence. With the EZ Ski 1-2-3 Package, guests receive three 2-hour lessons, rentals and lift tickets for just $299. It’s the easiest way for the kids and adults (ages 7 and up) to start skiing or riding. This awesome package is offered weekends and holidays at 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Make the most of Christmas and Mid-Winter break with Mt. Spokane’s Ski and Ride School.  

Club Shred—Fridays Starting Dec. 18 
Club Shred is back for another amazing season of teaching the youngest riders the skills they need to be successful on the slopes. This program features lessons for kiddos ages 4-13 and includes kid-friendly dinner, activities and fun from some of the coolest ski instructors. Level up Club Shred with the family option that includes two adult night tickets for $99, and you’ve got the ultimate date night package.  

Terrain Park  

With the completion of the only handle-tow-served terrain park in the region last year, Mt. Spokane skiers and boarders can continue shredding the terrain park this coming season without long lift rides. The addition of the handle tow means more laps, faster progression on skills and less congestion on the lifts for those non-terrain skiers and boarders.  

Galentine’s Day Ladies Clinic—Feb. 13 
Calling all women who love the slopes! Treat yourself to a full day of skiing or snowboarding designed just for ladies. Led by expert instructors, you’ll be grouped by skill level to get personalized guidance, improve your technique, and challenge yourself—all while having a blast ($139 a person). Add a lift ticket for $39 (if you don’t have a season pass) or add ski or snowboard rentals for $32. 

The day includes: 

• Four hours of guided instruction 

• Delicious lunch and happy hour 

• Fun prizes and giveaways 

• Après-ski celebration with friends, music and mountain magic until 9 p.m. 

Come solo or bring a friend—either way, it’s a day to celebrate women, connect and ski into an unforgettable Galentine’s Day! 

Cadet Leadership Program 

Do you have kids who want to improve their skiing or snowboarding as well as build their leadership skills? This program takes our top young skiers and snowboarders (ages 11-15) and prepares them to be future instructors! During the season, they will learn the leadership and teaching skills it takes to be a future instructor. They will make friends and get time on the slopes. The program kicks off with a two-day Orientation/Leadership Training Program. Kids will be scheduled for shifts throughout the season and assist in ski school classes under the guidance of their ski school group mentor. At the completion of the initial training and commitment to a minimum of six volunteer days, cadets will earn their season pass. Find more information at Mtspokane.com.  

Sponsored
 

The post Your Complete Winter Guide to Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park appeared first on Out There Venture.

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Gearing up for a season of skiing or snowboarding can be affordable, especially if you know where to look. By mid-winter, with ski swaps behind us, your best bet for finding deals on all the equipment and outerwear necessary to get out in the mountains with your family is to check out the region’s two used-gear shops or to rent or lease an entire ski setup. You can spend hours on Facebook Marketplace, but with options like these, you no longer have to. 

“What I really came to recognize is that skiing can be an expensive sport, but it doesn’t have to be.” Gear Garage owner Matt Dingman 

The Making of a Used-Gear Peddler 

Growing up, Lake City local Matt Dingman worked with his family in the antique business and was accustomed to bargain hunting at garage and estate sales. So it was a natural fit for him to found Coeur d’Alene’s only shop that specializes in used ski and snowboard equipment and other outdoor gear.  

It all started when Dingman heard through his sons’ ski race team that another family was selling a bunch of kids’ gear. They met in the Silver Mountain parking lot, and Dingman came home with more than he’d bargained for. “I bought everything they had. I kept what I needed for my kids and threw the rest on Craigslist.” Dingman sold it all in one weekend and realized he was onto something. He went back to his antique hounding, but now with an eye for picking up ski gear. 

At first, Dingman says he made enough selling online to offset the cost of his kids’ ski racing and family gear and passes. Dingman gained a reputation around town as the guy who sold gear out of his garage. His operation quickly snowballed, and he started buying larger quantities of rental and demo ski and snowboard equipment. Then, one day, a company he’d been working with in Jackson Hole offered up their entire inventory. “I picked up the biggest U-Haul I could and drove it all back to Coeur d’Alene.” He soon grew out of his own garage and chanced upon the ideal spot for his now 3,200-square-foot shop in downtown Coeur d’Alene in November 2022.  

The Gear Garage specializes in used winter sports gear but also has a large selection of new equipment. You can find new and used skis, snowboards, boots, bindings and poles as well as new and used goggles, new gloves, new helmets, some used jackets and ski pants and many other new accessories. Gear Garage also buys quality used equipment and takes trade-ins. “Families love it,” Dingman said. “Every year they come in and trade out gear as the kids grow and get credit toward another pair.” The shop’s new inventory includes the full 2025–26 lineup from Blizzard, Völkl, Nordica, Icelantic, Never Summer and other top brands. They also have a great deal on full-season ski or snowboard rentals with sizes from youth to adult, starting at $129. Geargaragecda.com 

Save Big at Spokane’s Evergreen Gear Exchange 

Spokane’s Evergreen Gear Exchange, which opened in the spring of 2025, specializes in quality used outdoor gear, including ski and snowboard equipment, accessories and outerwear. Located just off I-90 near downtown Spokane (1003 E. Trent Ave.), the shop operates under the same consignment model as Spokane’s previous used-gear shop, Rambleraven. New gear gets consigned daily, and a budget-minded family would be wise to make the shop their first stop when gearing up for winter sports for adults and kids. 

If you have gently used gear collecting dust in your garage, take it down to the shop. “We know there is a huge demand for ski and snowboard equipment, especially kids’ stuff,” said co-owner James Nisbet. “If you have ski or snowboard gear, we encourage you to bring it down. We want to help you get it out of storage and into the hands of someone who can use it.” As an outdoor family with three kids, the Nisbets have experienced firsthand how challenging it can be to outfit a family for outdoor sports and are proud to offer the Spokane community affordable gear options that let more people enjoy the outdoors. Evergreengearexchange.com 

Lease Kids’ Ski Equipment at Spokane Alpine Haus and Save 

One of the simplest and most affordable ways to get kids set up with ski gear is to lease it for the whole season. Kids grow fast, making buying and selling new ski gear each year a hassle and a drain on your wallet. Leasing also allows your child to use the same gear all winter long without having to rent and adapt to different skis and boots each outing. Spokane Alpine Haus offers the only kids’ ski-equipment season-lease program in Spokane, with more new equipment added this season. Starting at $160 for a complete setup, the lease ensures a comfortable, safe fit. Stop by either the South Hill or North Spokane Alpine Haus location to get your child fitted for their skis, boots, bindings and poles. Reserve your leased ski gear early for best selection. Thespokanealpinehaus.com 

The post Where to Find Affordable Family Ski and Snowboard Gear in the Inland Northwest appeared first on Out There Venture.

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.

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