Inland Northwest ski race teams will likely be making some changes to their programs to limit pandemic related health risks and keep kids and parents safe. Registration for these ski racing teams should begin as normal this fall but check in early to keep up to date on any COVID-related changes to each mountain’s ski race program.

• Mt. Spokane Ski Race Team: Mssrt.org
• 49 Degrees North FAST Program: Ski49n.com/mountain-services/race-program
• Lookout Pass Race Team: Skilookout.com/race-teams
• Schweitzer Alpine Racing School (SARS): Sars.snowproportal.com
• Silver Mountain Alpine Racing Team (SMART): https://www.silvermt.com/index.php/ski-ride/alpine-race-team

Originally published as “Ski Racing Programs Take Young Skiers to the Next Level” in the Family Winter Sports Guide in the Nov.-Dec. 2020 issue.

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Outerwear coat and snow pants should be both waterproof and windproof—what’s typically referred to as being “weatherproof.” In addition, provide your kids with handwarmers; choose mittens rather than gloves, especially for younger kids; and secure the cuff or mittens or gloves either under or over jacket sleeves-cuffs. “Make sure children drink plenty of water…and use the bathroom right before lessons,” says Pardue. “Eat a good breakfast and have something warm during lunch…to heat up their little bodies.” 

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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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1. Plan ahead

Know visitor policies for your mountain destination. This winter, season-passholders have priority access, which means no day-of ticket sales at the window. Make reservations and purchase lift-tickets online prior to arrival.

2. Pack everything you might need

Your vehicle is your refuge this winter for booting-up and warming up. Save time by packing your own lunch and snacks and eating them at your car. Some lodges may have outdoor seating available. Bring blankets, hand-warmers, and spare clothing for when a dry set is needed. Carry hand-sanitizer.

3. Prepare to have limited indoor access

Most lodges will operate at limited or no capacity, and give priority to guests buying hot meals or grab-and-go food options. Restrooms will also have limited access; some ski areas may have outdoor porta-potties.

Editor’s Note: COVID restrictions, closures, and mandates vary by state, county, and public health district —be sure to check local public health guidelines for your mountain destination. Carefully consider travel to different counties and states, per WA State travel advisories. As of 12/18/20, in Washington State indoor dining is prohibited until at least Jan. 4, 2021; ski lodges are only open for food-service take-out and restrooms.

• Find the latest guidance for Wash. State here; state outdoor recreation guidance.
• For Panhandle Public Health information, which encompasses ski mountains in all of North Idaho, click here.

4. Physical distancing

Whether it’s the chairlift loading area or the lodge, stick close to your family group or those you traveled to the mountain with, and give others a wide berth—even on runs (like always, for safety’s sake). Chairlift-sharing will be restricted to family/friend groups (for most mountains).

5. Protective face coverings

Have a mask for everyone in your family or traveling group and wear it indoors. Check the COVID policies for your destination about whether a ski buff or gaiter can substitute, and the mask guidelines for outdoors.

6. Practice good hygiene

Pre-COVID, when life was carefree, wiping noses with gloved-fingers or a buff and farmer-blows were no big deal—not anymore. Bring facial tissues.

7. Pause your season as needed

Stay home if you or anyone in your household has any COVID-like symptoms, or has had close contact with anyone who recently tested for COVID and is awaiting results, or a close contact was recently been confirmed COVID-positive. Be prudent and quarantine at home; don’t be a potential COVID-spreader. Keep mountain staff and fellow skiers/riders safe and help ski areas to remain open.

Story published in the Family Winter Sports Guide in the Nov.-Dec. 2020 double issue. Special section sponsored by Ski the NW Rockies association.

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Ski racer Libby Collins. // Photos courtesy Jessica Croston.

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Photos: (top) Lookout Pass Alpine Ski Race Team member Kendal Brumet on the slalom course. // Photo: Matt Sawyer, courtesy Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area; (bottom) Completing the Pond Skim; (right) Ready to race. // Photos courtesy Brumet family.

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Amy McCaffree is Out There Kids columnist and has been writing for OTO long before motherhood. She learned to ski with her junior high Ski Club, in western Washington. She married a ski patroller and committed to a lifetime of skiing as much as possible, and loves being a Ski Family with their two children.

Photos: (left) Landon at Mt. Spokane with his cousin Matthew Richey. // Photo: Amy McCaffree; (top) Jumping off a rock cliff last ski season. // Photo: Judd McCaffree; (bottom) Landon with his Ski Patrol Dad at the summit of Mt. Spokane during a Friday night sunset. // Photo: Amy McCaffree

Read stories about other Little Rippers from the Inland Northwest.

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Photos courtesy Nate Peck.

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While skiing as a family may be a little more challenging this winter due to the ongoing pandemic, the benefits of getting outside for fun and exercise will be more important than ever this winter. These tips will help you and your kids get out there this season and save money in the process.

1. Lift Ticket & Season Pass Deals

One of the easiest ways to save money if you plan to ski and snowboard several times this winter is to take advantage of discounted season passes. Fall season pass sales typically end by the middle of November or earlier, although you should be able to buy a full-priced pass after sales end. This year many local resorts may restrict lift ticket sales on busy days due to concerns about overcrowding, which means having a season pass that gives you and your family nearly guaranteed access, especially on weekends, will be more worth it than ever. Some resorts offer family season passes, too, with more savings. If you only plan to head to the mountains a couple times, check your local resort’s website for any promotional deals. (Ski the NW Rockies offers a 5th Grade Ski Free Passport program.)

2. Buy Used Gear

Buying used ski and snowboard equipment and apparel is a no-brainer for cash-strapped families. In more normal times, ski swaps have been the place to go for great deals on everything from boards and boots to jackets, ski pants, and gloves. This year Northwest ski swaps have been canceled, so it may take more effort to find quality used gear. Try shops like Spokane’s Rambleraven Gear Trader or Play It Again Sports that sell quality used gear, thrift stores where you can occasionally score incredible deals, and sites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. For more details, check out the article on used gear by Amy McCaffree.

3. Borrow What You Need

If you have friends or family who ski or snowboard with their kids, ask around to see if any of them have old gear they’ve grown out of that you or your kids could borrow. Most people are happy to have a friend use old ski or snowboard equipment that would otherwise be gathering dust in the garage.

4. Lease or Rent

Several ski shops in the Inland Northwest lease or rent ski and snowboard equipment. Spokane Alpine Haus has a popular Jr. Ski/Snowboard Season Lease program that facilitates huge savings on needing to replace equipment that many kids grow out of after a season or two. Local resorts also rent equipment, although having your gear rental or lease lined up as early as possible will be more important than ever this season as more pandemic-weary people flock to the mountains.

5. Ski or Ride with What You’ve Got

Many budgets are tighter this year than they have been in years and buying new or even used gear may be out of the question for some of you. If that sounds familiar, this may be the year of making the old gear you have work. Spruce up old and beat-down boots with a new pair of insoles. Fix old jackets and pants with stick-on gear patches. Let the kids ride on boards that might be a bit too small for them and wear jackets and pants that might need some creative adjustments to fit right. Anything is better than forfeiting all that quality outdoor time a season on the ski hill provides.

6. Brown Bag It

With a fall surge in COVID cases and mask mandates and limits on the number of physically distanced individuals that will be allowed in lodges at one time, packing your own lunches, snacks, and beverages will help you save money and stay healthy. Get creative and think beyond brown bag staples. Bring an ice chest to keep tasty goodies from freezing, hot beverages and soup in insulated bottles, your own utensils and plates, several quarts of drinking water per person, garbage and recycling bags, a gas grill for some quick tailgate BBQ or heating up treats like frozen burritos in foil, and lawn chairs if the parking lot isn’t full and the weather cooperates.

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