Whenever another parent tells me they’ve never been skiing, I recommend they try cross-country skiing. It’s easy to learn and relatively inexpensive. Also called Nordic skiing, it’s said that if you can walk, you can learn to cross-country ski.

The traditional classic style is easiest to learn and has a relaxed pace, making it best for beginners and families with varied fitness levels. Skate skiing is faster, more strenuous, and requires different gear and a different type of groomed trail.

You can become acquainted with the basic technique by watching the 13-minute video on REI’s YouTube channel called “Classic Cross-Country Skiing for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started,” created in collaboration with Professional Ski Instructors of America.

If your family is willing to give it a try, here are four steps to make that happen.

1. Ensure you have proper base layers and outerwear for winter weather.

Every family member needs waterproof outerwear and other winter clothing to stay warm, dry, and comfortable. Visit the Spokane Nordic Ski Association (SNSA) website for a list of essentials.

The key is to dress in layers—you’ll get warm while skiing, but get chilled when you stop and rest. Be fully prepared.

2. Make an easy plan for where to go.

The younger your children, the easier you need your first day to be—meaning less drivetime, maximum fun, and a way to warm-up and get dry. Cold, unhappy kids are an adventure joy-kill.

For max simplicity and ease, I recommend visiting a Nordic ski area that offers rentals on-site.

• 49 DEGREES NORTH NORDIC CENTER: rentals, lessons, and 25K (15 miles) of trails; pass required.
• MT. SPOKANE STATE PARK NORDIC SKI AREA: Fitness Fanatics rental trailer is located near the area’s Selkirk Lodge and trailhead for 60K (37 miles) of trails; Sno-Park Permit and special groomed-trail sticker required.
• SCHWEITZER: rentals from the Demo Center, located in the Village; 32K (20 miles) of trails; pass required.

3. Rent gear in town and ski at a local park.

If there is snow in town and you don’t want to drive to a mountain, rent gear at a local shop and visit a park with (or without) groomed trails. Shop employees can help figure out the sizes you need, and SpokaneNordic.org also has tips for fitting XC ski gear.

• SPOKANE: Daily rental packages are available from Fitness Fanatics and REI. Spokane Parks & Recreation groom trails at city parks (no fee required to use) as well as Riverside State Park—see my.spokanecity.org/recreation/outdoor/groomed-trails. Or head to any local snow-covered field in a park and break your own trail.
• NORTH IDAHO: Ski Shack in Hayden and the Tri-State Outfitters and Vertical Earth stores in Coeur d’Alene rent XC gear. Groomed trails are available at 4^th of July Recreation Area, Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes (start at trailheads in Heyburn State Park or in the cities of Kellogg or Wallace), and Priest Lake.
• PERMITS REQUIRED FOR PUBLIC LANDS: Find out the requirements to park at your chosen trailhead.
• For Washington public lands, in most cases you will need a state parks Discover Pass or Sno-Park Permit and Groomed-Trail Sticker.
• For Idaho, a Park N’ Ski permit is required for the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, Priest Lake State Park, Priest Lake Golf Course, 4th of July Pass Recreation Area, and Palouse Divide (permit also valid in Oregon).

4. Before you leave home…

Prepare a backpack with a stash of hand-warmers, snacks, water bottles, and extra, dry clothes for the trail. Bring a thermos of hot water to make hot cocoa on the go, whether you drink during a rest-stop along the trail or leave in your vehicle to enjoy upon return.

Nordic Ski Lessons

If your family enjoys Nordic skiing and wants more, then consider taking lessons. Spokane Nordic Ski Association (SNSA) offers private and group lessons, a Nordic Kids program, and also partners with City of Spokane Parks & Recreation and Fitness Fanatics to offer weekday evening lessons in town. SNSA also hosts an annual Winterfest, every January, offering inexpensive lessons.

Additionally, Schweitzer and 49 Degrees North offer Nordic ski lessons.

Find more stories about cross-country skiing in the OTO archives.

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After a two-year hibernation, Spokane Nordic Ski Association’s cross-country skiing celebration, Winterfest, is finally returning to the Mount Spokane State Park Nordic Ski Area on Sunday, January 16, 2022.

This annual event is the only day all year that Spokane Nordic offers its cross-country ski lessons to non-members, so it’s a great opportunity for new skiers to get a taste of what SNSA has to offer while learning a few of the basics. 45-minute lessons for kids and adults are only $10 and a 2-hour skijoring clinic is available for $25.

The event’s title sponsor, Rambleraven Gear Trader, will be on-site offering free waxing to all participants. There will also be a treasure hunt that encourages kids and families to get out on the trails on their own.

To learn more about the event or reserve your spot in a class, visit Spokanenordic.org/Winterfest.

Find stories about Nordic skiing in the OTO archives.

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Spokane, Wash.

Things were quieter than normal in Mt. Spokane State Park’s Nordic Ski Area last year. The trails were still full of skiers seeking a cure for cabin fever, but Spokane Nordic Ski Association’s (SNSA) lessons, races, and gatherings were mostly canceled. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the organization, however, as a year without events gave SNSA time to plan for the future and expand their offerings to members and the Spokane community.

The pandemic presented two pressing needs: the ability to learn virtually and schedule flexibly.

That’s why, for the first time ever, parents will be able to decide if they’d like to enroll their children in the full seven-week Nordic Kids program or select individual lessons a la carte. SNSA has also started building out a virtual learning center for their members, complete with how-to videos, articles, weekly wax advice, and more.

Last year brought on another big change when beloved coach George Bryant retired. SNSA knew it had big shoes to fill, so the group brought in Jason Jablonski.

Jablonski’s background is diverse and impressive. After getting his Bachelor’s degree in Education from Central Washington, he spent three years as a professional triathlete and another five years as a professional mountain biker before starting his coaching career. He’s spent the last 18 years coaching cross-country skiing, in addition to serving 8 years as the coach of team USA’s Junior Mountain Bike Team.

If you or your family are interested in learning more about the programs and teams that Jablonski coaches, or any of SNSA’s other Nordic ski related events, you can learn more at SpokaneNordic.org.

An SNSA Membership ($40 for individuals, $60 for families) is required to sign up for any of the SNSA lessons and teams, including Nordic Kids, Transition Team, Junior Race Team, Adult Lessons, and Master’s Ski Club.

Spokane Nordic Ski Association, Transition Team (left) // Photo: Chris Sharman; Adult Nordic ski lessons (top right) // Photo: Barbara Jackson; Nordic ski race (bottom right) // All photos courtesy Spokane Nordic Ski Association

Find more stories about the Spokane Nordic Ski Association in the OTO archives.

Read “Cross-Country Skiing For Kids” from the Family Winter Sports Guide (Nov.-Dec. 2020 issue).

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If you answered yes to the first two questions and one or more of the following ones, then this winter, when we may be cooped up more than normal, might be the perfect time to get them started on the slopes. If it doesn’t feel like the right time or the financial stars aren’t aligning this winter, getting your child outside to play in the cold and snow as much as possible is a great backup plan. Playing outdoors in the winter will get kids accustomed to having fun in cold, wet conditions and prepared for learning to ski or snowboard next season. Here are a few ideas for having outdoor winter fun.

1. Play in the Snow.

The best way to help distract kids from cold and wet weather is to play with them in it. Have a snowball fight, build a fort or igloo, make a snowman or snow angels, make your own sledding hill out of piled up snow, visit a local sledding hill, or hunt for wildlife tracks in a local park or natural area.

2. Go Snowshoeing.

Hiking in the snow on plastic snowshoes (available in kids and adult sizes at REI and adult sizes for rent at Rambleraven Gear Trader in Spokane) doesn’t require a lift ticket and is easy for just about anyone to learn. Snowshoeing can get the whole family enjoying winter outside together at a minimal cost and is a great start for a family looking to eventually get into alpine skiing and snowboarding.

3. Go Tubing.

Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, Silver Mountain Resort, and Schweitzer Mountain Resort all have tubing hills where tubes and a pull back to the top are included with a ticket. The great thing about tubing at a resort is that kids also get to experience the mountain environment and watch people skiing, snowboarding, and riding chairlifts. Bear Creek Lodge on the way up to Mt. Spokane also offers tubing.

WINTER 2020/21: Due to COVID public health precautions, some tubing hills may not be operating; be sure to check business websites. Mt. Spokane’s tubing hill is not open this year. At Silver Mountain, reservations are strongly recommended for Snow Tubing and Silver’s Mountain House has limited occupancy. Schweitzer’s Hermit’s Hollow Tubing Center opens on Dec. 20, 2020; reservations required. Minimum height and footwear requirements for most tubing hills.

When there is snow in town, visit a local public park or field known for its tubing hills. Learn more here and here.

4. Try Cross-country Skiing.

With simple cross-country ski gear that you can pick up new or used from many shops around the Inland Northwest, including Rambleraven Gear Trader and Fitness Fanatics in Spokane, or rent from shops like REI, a family can get great exercise and have quality time outdoors. It’s also a great way to introduce kids to sliding on boards strapped to their feet.

5. Backcountry Skiing for Kids

If you are concerned about taking your child up to the resorts on busy weekends during the pandemic, consider buying a pair of Balla Hok skis from Curlew, Wash.-based Altai Skis (Altaiskis.com). These ski/snowshoe hybrids for kids have a climbing skin embedded into the bottom of the skis. You can get them with universal, free-heel bindings that work with normal winter boots. Throw in some ski poles and assuming you have your own backcountry gear or a pair of adult Hoks, you and your child can explore safe, mellow slopes well away from any avalanche danger in a local park, resort sidecountry, or snowy forest road or rolling hills.

Originally published as “Playing In the Snow” in the Family Winter Sports Guide special section in the Nov.-Dec. 2020 issue.

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This winter may present more challenges than normal for getting your little ones out on the slopes, but at the same time, it may be the most important winter season ever for you and your family to spend time outdoors together. Out There Venture’ annual Family Winter Sports Guide is the resource for parents looking to get their kids involved in winter sports. Our guide includes inspiration and information to get more kids out developing a lifetime love of skiing, snowboarding, and playing in the snow.

Special thanks to the Ski the Northwest Rockies (SNWR) association and affiliated resorts—49 Degrees North, Mt. Spokane, Silver Mountain, and Lookout Pass. Their partnership with Out There Venture on our shared mission to engage the next generation of skiers and riders here in the Inland Northwest makes this guide possible!

Be Safe & Have Fun Out There This Winter

Guide Contents:

• Advice for Teaching Your Kids to Ski: Tips from a former ski instructor and dad teaching his own two young kids to ski.
• COVID Safety Tips: 7 Ps for the Ski Mountain: Ways to be safe and responsible on the mountain this season.
• Ski Programs for Kids & Families This Winter: Overview of ski school program offerings, both private and small group lessons, from all the Ski the NW Rockies affiliated mountain resorts.
• Cross-Country Skiing for Kids: New COVID-safe instructional options from Spokane Nordic Ski Association (SNSA) for families in lieu of the traditional Nordic Kids program.
• Ski the NW Rockies Association 5^th Grade Ski Free Passport: Program perks and registration information.
• Little Rippers of the Inland NW: Profiles of four young skiers who tear it up at local SNWR mountains.
• 6 Tips for Budget-Friendly Skiing: Ways to make an outdoor winter sport more financially feasible. An investment in outdoor recreation during this hard time of winter 2020-21 is more important than ever for children and adults’ physical and mental wellness and to help cope with the stress of the COVID era.
• 5 Ways for Kids To Play In the Snow: Ideas for having fun outdoors this winter that’s not downhill skiing or snowboarding.
• Tips for Keeping Kids Warm Outside: Expert advice from a local ski school director and instructor.
• Local Youth Ski Racing Programs: Inland NW regional teams help take young skiers to the next level.

Photos:

• (top row, left-right) Playing in the Snow // Photo: Shallan Knowles; Tubing // Photo: Amy McCaffree.
• (second row) Skiing at Mt. Spokane; Little Ripper Landon McCaffree. // Photos: Amy McCaffree
• (third row) Little Ripper Kendal Brumet (left) // Photo: Courtesy Brumet family; Little Ripper Oliver Peck (middle) // Photo courtesy Nate Peck; Drinking hot cocoa at Mt. Spokane’s summit Vista House (left). // Photo: Amy McCaffree
• (bottom row) Little Ripper Libby Collins (left) // Photo courtesy Jessica Crosten; First turns for Little Ripper Landon at age 2 ( right). // Photo: Amy McCaffree.

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This winter, SNSA’s traditional Nordic Kids program isn’t available because Selkirk Lodge is unavailable as a warm refuge for groups. There are two alternative options, however, and Halloran encourages Nordic families to sign-up for both at SpokaneNordic.org.

• Option 1: SNSA-generated weekly emails on how to get your child out on snow, includes videos and tips and recommendations for you as a parent ($15).
• Option 2: Scheduled 2-hour lessons, with one instructor, for groups of 5 or fewer; available every Saturday in January and February ($10 per person).

Though lessons begin outside of Selkirk Lodge, Halloran says, “Plan to have zero access to the lodge.” Be prepared to warm-up in your vehicle, bring your own hot cocoa in a thermos, and use the state park’s vault toilets. The lodge will be mainly available for the Nordic ski patrol.

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Once kids get familiar with the basics of Nordic (cross-country) skiing, they move beyond the flat learning area to the rolling trails. After a few sessions, many groups will venture off-track to explore the forest or head out as far as the Nova Hut for a break in front of the warm glow of the wood stove. The season is capped off with a Snow Carnival of games and food. The cost for the program is $80 per child with financial aid available. More details are available at Spokanenordic.org. 

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Yet, outdoor adventures can help a family to better endure cold, snowy winter days. Spending time in nature provides positive mental health benefits, and outdoor winter sports are fun ways to exercise and maintain fitness habits year-round. “It’s something we can all do together,” says snowboarder Jami Ostby-Marsh, who lives in Colbert, Wash. “There aren’t many other sports like that, with no age restrictions.”

But which sport to choose and invest your family’s time and money? All provide outdoor adventure opportunities. Mom and Dad, and even grandparents, aren’t standing on the sidelines or sitting in bleachers—these are multi-generational sports. 

Cross-Country Skiing

Cost-efficient and easy to learn, cross-country or Nordic skiing is a great option for families just getting into winter sports. Gentler on the body than alpine skiing, one “lesson” from a friend or professional is really all it takes to learn classic XC-ski skills. A parent can ski with an infant secured in a front-chest carrier and older babies and toddlers can be carried in a sturdy, internal-frame backpack-carrier. If children can walk, they can learn to cross-country ski. Children younger than 5 years old can also be towed in a sled like the Thule Chariot.

Spokane mom Heather Easterling Ritchie grew up cross-country skiing with her parents and sister in New England. “My family didn’t have the money for downhill skiing. Nordic skiing was a fun and inexpensive way for us to enjoy winter together,” she says. Today, she skis with her husband, Gordon, and their 10-year-old daughter, Gemma—who has been cross-country skiing since age 6. (Gordon and Gemma also downhill ski, starting when she was a toddler.) With so many destinations in the Northwest, including the famed Methow Valley Trails in northcentral Washington—the largest cross-country ski trail system in North America—Easterling-Ritchie says, “We really live in a wonderland for Nordic.” And when there is enough snow outside your front door, cross-country skiing is even more convenient.

Gear: Rent or purchase from local ski gear shops, such as Fitness Fanatics, which offers rentals in-store and on-site at Mt. Spokane’s Selkirk Lodge; rent gear at the Nordic Centers at 49° North or Schweitzer Mountain Resort; and find deals at local ski swaps.

Lessons: City of Spokane Parks & Recreation; 49° Degrees North Nordic Center; Sandpoint Nordic Club; and Mt. Spokane Nordic Ski Association, which offers lessons for adults and has a Nordic Kids program for ages 5-15. 

Groomed Trails for Beginners: Mt. Spokane Nordic Ski Park; 49° North; Lookout Pass Nordic Area; Schweitzer Mountain Resort; Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes between Kellogg and Wallace; Riverside State Park; Indian Canyon Golf Course and Dwight Merkel Sports Complex in the City of Spokane (no-fee groomed trails when there’s enough snow); Methow Valley Trails.

Trail Permits: Requirements vary by location. Some type of day-pass is required for most groomed trails, whether at a mountain resort or state park. For Washington State, a one-day or seasonal Sno-Park Permit, Special-Groomed Trail Permit, and/or state park Discover Pass are required depending on location. All three are needed for Mt. Spokane State Park’s Nordic trails. For Idaho, requirements may include a Park-N-Ski Permit and/or state park pass. 

Downhill Skiing

Want summit views and thrilling speeds? “There’s more adventure with downhill skiing. You get to see more, and don’t have to work as hard because you’re going downhill. For kids, I think it’s more fun,” says Courtney Yarber, who lives in south Spokane with her husband and their two daughters. Growing up in northeast Utah, she didn’t learn to ski until she was 19 and had moved to Park City. Her husband, Chris, grew up in St. Maries, Idaho, and started skiing as a kid. Once their girls were preschool-age and in lessons, Yarber says, “I got to ski all day while my girls were in lessons. Getting them into it was getting me back into it.” The girls are now age 9 and nearly 7, and this winter will be the family’s second with season passes at Silver Mountain Resort. “To be up there in the winter is peaceful. It’s magical,” she says. 

If you feel intimidated to learn as an adult, you’re not alone. Local resort ski schools offer adult group and private lessons—there’s no shame in grown-ups snowplowing down the bunny hill. What matters is that you’re out there. You can even schedule a private group lesson for your family and receive personalized coaching altogether.

Snowboarding

Perhaps you’ve heard a variation of the adage, “Skiing is easier to learn but harder to master, while snowboarding is harder to learn but easier to master.” Don’t worry. Many snowboarders say learning how to downhill ski first provides a good skill base. It’s not until about age 7 that a child is physically ready to learn fundamental snowboarding skills. To learn how to ride requires stamina and core-body strength for proper balance and turning, according to Snowskool.com (“Skiing vs. Snowboarding for Beginners”).

After being a ski kid for 10 years, Jami Ostby-Marsh switched to snowboarding at age 16. More than 30 years later, she’s still riding, along with her husband, Jordan Marsh—who has 23 years of snowboarding experience. Their two children started ski lessons when each was 3 years old. Jordan snowboarded behind his little snow-plowing kid while holding the training reigns—a challenging feat. The Marsh kids are now 14 and 11 years old and still prefer skiing. “Snowboarding is kind of a way to life—there’s a different vibe to it. So maybe when my kids are older it will be something they do,” says Ostby-Marsh.             

Some families are the opposite—kid wants to ride, parent wants to ski. “You have to be open to whatever your kid is passionate about and find ways to support it,” says Ostby-Marsh. “We’re mostly ‘blue’ people and my husband loves trees, so we choose runs that have variety…[And] it’s nice that skiers and snowboarders can all be together in the terrain park…It’s a joy seeing my kids learn something and be proficient at it.” 

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