My family took more trips here in the Inland Northwest, exploring “new” places right under our noses. Attendance at farmers’ markets spiked and local food box subscriptions sold out. We barbecued, gathered around bonfires with friends and neighbors, and talked to strangers in the park down the street.

We remembered how important it is to shop from local businesses, not only to keep money in our community, but because those entrepreneurs are our friends and neighbors. We hunted for used bikes and outdoor gear online and at shops like Rambleraven Gear Trader because the supply chain on many things had gone berserk.

Shop, ski, bike, and adventure locally in the Northwest! PHOTOS (left-right): Rambleraven Gear Trader has gear and provides bike maintenance services. // Photo courtesy Rambleraven Gear Trader; A flannel-lined Spokane Mask for COVID-era skiing. // Photo: Amy McCaffree; Hometown tea towel sold at Atticus Coffee & Gifts. // Photo courtesy Atticus Coffee; We love our Spokane bike shops, like Wheel Sport. // Photo courtesy Wheel Sport Bicycles.

Slowly, many of us really began living local more than ever before. Although it’s yet to be seen, if we manage to hold on to some of those local connections in the years to come, the pandemic, despite its many tragic and terrible outcomes, will have had a silver lining for community involvement.

I, for one, will always look back on life over these past two years with at least some fondness. For the first time in my adult life, I felt connected to my community and neighbors in a deep, meaningful way. The degree to which our successes, failures, and fate have always been linked was made real before my eyes.

When COVID lockdowns first hit and the economy tumbled, many Out There advertisers began to cancel one after another. Who could blame them? People were scared and commerce slowed to a trickle.

We thought for a while that the end of OTO was near and feared for our future. For a week or so, we had a lot of time on our hands. We took long family walks through the neighborhood with our new shelter dog Fernie, named after a favorite place north of the border we could no longer visit. We stockpiled food and cooked elaborate meals, took up long-neglected house projects, and I even dusted off the old banjo.

Then, as suddenly as COVID had smacked us down, we were busier than ever with no time to worry about what would come next. When we couldn’t find a comfortable, quality facemask weeks before they became commonplace, my wife and Out There co-publisher Shallan launched Spokane Masks, selling local, incredibly comfortable hand-made masks in all sorts of stylish fabrics.

Thanks to friends and family who bought them at first, and then, after some great publicity in local media, a broader swath of the community that chose her quality local masks over cheap, mass-produced alternatives, we were living and breathing masks and barely keeping up on orders.            

A year and a half later, some things are getting back to normal and other aspects of life will never be the same. For us, mask sales have slowed to a trickle, but what started as a niche pandemic business has evolved into Spokane Made (spokanemade.com), an online store that sells a wide range of local, hand-made goods, from paperless paper towels to market totes and more.

Out There has bounced back too, and although we are publishing fewer issues these days, this is the biggest issue we have put out in two and a half years. As we go about our lives now, we are more keenly focused on shopping local and supporting local businesses than ever before, and we hope you are too.

In that spirit, this issue features our annual Local Holiday Gift Guide, which highlights nearly 100 gift ideas from local businesses, and other great gift ideas featured in the advertisements that make Out There Venture possible. You know what to do. Give them your love. Our community and the quality of life for all of us depends on it.

The quintessential Northwest outdoor adventurer, Derrick Knowles grew up in the Spokane area, graduated from Eastern Washington University, once worked for Conservation Northwest, and is now Out There Venture co-publisher and editor-in-chief. He co-edited with EWU professor and writer Paul Lindholdt the non-fiction anthology “Holding Common Ground: The Individual and Public Lands in the American West” (EWU Press, 2005).

The post Living Local & Other Silver Linings of the Covid-Era appeared first on Out There Venture.

Less structured eating schedules, more frequent snacking, less supervision at home, greater consumption of processed foods, a more sedentary lifestyle after sports and activities were cancelled, and increased screen-time all contributed.

Chronic stress and emotional and mental health issues, like depression and anxiety, can also cause overeating (or loss of appetite) and decreased energy, which can also lead to excessive weight gain, weight loss, or stagnant growth for children.

Every child is unique, and it’s always best to maintain regular wellness checks with a pediatrician to address any medical concerns. But as a parent who has consulted my children’s pediatrician many times, received guidance from therapists, studied adolescent psychology, and researched plenty, these ideas and strategies, while not intended to be expert advice, may help you work toward better health and wellbeing for your child.

1. Be conscientious about how you talk to kids about their bodies (and your own).

Critical comments often cause kids to internalize negative stereotypes and have lower self-esteem and poor body image. Don’t shame and don’t express excessive worry—even if it’s only an expression of “concern.” Use terms like “growing up” rather than “getting big.” Especially with early puberty beginning at ages 9-11, bodies are changing in ways unexpected for kids.

There are many age-appropriate “body books” for kids to read that provide opportunities for discussion with them. My family’s pediatrician recommends “The Body Book for Boys” for age 10-15 and the American Girl series “The Care & Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls” (book 1 for age 8-10, book 2 for age 10-12).

2. Approach weight gain as “something to be curious about, rather than as a problem to solve.”

According to experts on the subject, keep in mind a child’s growth history and mental health. Kids commonly “round out” before a height growth spurt.

Doctors and dietitians interviewed for a New York Times article about children’s weight gain during the pandemic say to not put children on diets or count calories, because this increases the risk of developing disordered eating behaviors.

3. Be more active as a family.

Find new and creative ways to move your bodies and exercise together. Walk to the park, go for a hike at a local conservation area, bike for an errand, learn how to ski this winter.

Experience endorphin highs by playing together—even if its Foursquare—and trying new sports and activities like biking and running. Encourage kids to be active with their friends when they get together, by doing activities such as riding bikes or walking to a playground instead of playing video games.

4. Use nature and public lands as a destination for both mental serenity and recreation.

Get out into nature by visiting a state park, national forest, wildlife refuge, or conservation area. Hike along a river or around a lake. Visit places with more plants and dirt than concrete and people. Nature immersion decreases stress, blood pressure, and anxiety, while improving mood and self-esteem and boosting overall feelings of well-being.

5. Make healthy choices alongside your kids.

When children see their parents change habits and make better food choices, get more exercise, and limit screen-time, they will feel motivated to do the same.

Children are still dealing with chronic stress from the ongoing pandemic. Feeling better can easily start with having them climb more trees and get their clothes dirty outside.

More Tips for Healthier Kids

• Have children do “jobs” (aka chores) or volunteer work that encourage exercise, like raking leaves and shoveling snow, walking dogs at a shelter, or picking up litter while hiking.
• Participate in organized sports or activities. Extra-curricular activities provide physical exercise and social-emotional health. Team sports as well as individual recreation, like horseback riding or ski lessons, provide motivation for children to get outside with other kids in all weather conditions.

Amy McCaffree is Out There Kids columnist and digital editor. She enjoys camping, paddling, skiing, hiking, and biking on public lands around the Northwest with her husband and their two children.

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Make Reservations Early

Many Forest Service, state park, and national park campgrounds get booked up, especially on weekends, months or weeks in advance. If you really want to spend time at a specific place or campground this summer, do your research and make a reservation as soon as possible.

Go Mid-week and Avoid Holidays

Last summer and fall we were still able to find tent sites and even some small RV sites that were plenty big for our camper van only a week in advance, but they were all mid-week. If you want the flexibility to choose your destination based on the weather, smoke, and other personal reasons, skip the weekends.

There are also many primitive Forest Service and other campgrounds around the Inland Northwest that have few to no services other than pit toilets and maybe water that are first-come-first-served. To snag one of these sites for the weekend, take off a day or two early to beat the weekend rush.

Research Your Destination Well

You might be stuck where you’re at without other camping or lodging options once you get where you’re going thanks to increased travel, so do your research before committing. If you’re looking for peace and quiet, you might not want to visit a mountain town the same weekend as a major motorcycle rally. Check local chamber of commerce websites for any planned events you may want to be a part of and others you may want to miss. Doing your research may also turn up other surprises. Last year we found out that a landslide would be blocking visitors from a nearby city for months, making one of our favorite riverside campgrounds less crowded and more appealing than usual.

Stray Off the Beaten Path

If you’re looking to avoid packed campgrounds and mountain towns this summer, explore someplace further off the beaten path that still has some of the amenities you’re looking for. The longer the backroad or rough road drive from a major population center, the better your odds of leaving crowds behind. That strategy may not work, however, if your destination happens to be a Blue-Ribbon trout stream or as a “world class” outdoor destination for one or more outdoor sports.

Know Before You Go

Check things like weather reports, active wildfires, wildfire smoke conditions, possible road construction and/or road closures, river flows, fishing regulations, and COVID restrictions for wherever your road trip may lead you. Adjust your plans or come prepared for the conditions.

Be Flexible

Trying to get into Yellowstone last summer on a last-minute whim heading back from Utah, we experienced startling traffic and packed streets in Jackson, Wyoming, before finding out at the park gate that all campsites in the park were taken.

Plan B: we drove our van around for an hour or so looking for a place outside the park to camp on national forest land and discovered hordes of campers, vans, and car-campers packed into every pullout and dispersed camping area. Most everyone was hiding in their vehicles from the swarms of mosquitos too. Time for plan C. Escape. After a stop at a Jackson grocery store for provisions, we headed up and over Teton Pass and arrived at the pleasantly uncrowded Grand Targhee Resort camping area around midnight.

Being flexible is often better than being miserable. If your trip isn’t turning out like you hoped, come up with a plan B, or C, and D if necessary.

Be Aware of COVID-Related Restrictions or Lack-there-of

COVID restrictions, policies, and cultural norms will likely continue to vary across state lines in the Northwest this summer. Follow each state or community’s rules and be prepared for different mask requirements that may range from people being required to wear masks at an outdoor event in one state and no mask requirement for a packed pub in a neighboring state. Be safe, follow the rules, and know your own personal comfort level with the COVID policies where you’re headed.

Know the Trail Conditions and What Activities Are Allowed

Before taking your mountain bikes on a four-hour drive, make sure the trails you plan to ride are both open to bikes (Wilderness Areas and some other public lands trails don’t allow bikes) and that they’ve been maintained recently. Lugging your bike over endless downed trees can get old really quick. Accurate trail information can be difficult to find online for many areas, especially if you’re venturing into more remote places. Checking with local trail clubs, if they exist, and asking questions on those groups’ social media pages can turn up valuable beta.

Otherwise, calling days or weeks in advance to reach someone at the public lands agency that manages the trails you’re interested can be very helpful. Be sure to speak with someone who works in recreation or trails and has recent information on trail conditions. Even after doing your homework, you may find some surprises once you get out there.

Case in point, two summers back, in preparation for a 75-mile hike across an infrequently-visited section of the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness, I got ahold of a knowledgeable person from the local Forest Service ranger district who told me he was pretty sure the long list of trail numbers I had just rattled off had mostly been cleared in the past five years or so. Two days into the hike, after completely losing the trail for an hour or more and then climbing over hundreds of downed trees through the most intense thunderstorms I’ve ever walked in, we determined there were some miscommunications. Likely my bad. Oops.

To add insult to injury, our backup, backup plan of hitching a ride to our car from someone on what had been a popular sightseeing and berry picking road a decade back didn’t pan out. After walking another 20 miles on that road without seeing a soul, we found out why: the road had been gated and closed for several years due to a massive washout. At least it was only a few more miles of walking on the Selway River back to our car!

Know Your Limits and Those of Your Travel Mates

Choosing a destination for a weekend adventure getaway or longer trip should always take into consideration the abilities and tolerance to any unique environmental conditions you’re likely to encounter. For instance, camping out in the shade-and-water-scarce eastern Oregon desert might not be the best destination for a group that includes children or other heat-sensitive individuals.

Picking reasonable outdoor recreation activities that will be enjoyed by your adventure pod is also critical for a successful trip. Your idea of a mostly-flat, easy hike might seem insane to the rest of your crew after a few miles.

Book Activities in Advance

If you’re planning to participate in an activity, whether it’s a zip line tour, gondola ride, Route of the Hiawatha pass, riding at a bike park, river rafting trip, mine tour, or other guided, supported, or bookable activity, look online or call in advance to see if you can reserve your adventure.

Originally published as “Adventure & Travel Planning Guide – Summer 2021” in the March-April 2021 issue.

[Feature photo: View of Peewee Falls while kayaking the Pend Oreille River, photo by Carol Corbin.]

The post 10 Travel Planning Tips for Summer 2021 appeared first on Out There Venture.

Après Ski Beverages

Nothing, and I mean nothing, completes a great day on snow like throwing back a few adult beverages with your crew in the bar, especially if they are buying. Mix in a little karaoke of Pearl Jam’s Even Flow, and you got yourself one hell of a day. This year, however, was different. The bars were closed, though you could still purchase liquid courage for consumption in controlled areas outside.

That said, I quickly discovered that the walk from the bar across a slick deck in ski boots can be challenging while carrying shots. This certainly had nothing to do with the fact that my balance ain’t what it used to be as I approach the big 50. As a side note, nothing really gets the smell of spilled Jagermeister out of your pants.

Lodge Table Combat

During a “normal” season, one of my favorite people-watching venues is the lodge at lunch time. Few places so poignantly depict the true horror of humanity like a steamy lodge packed with sweaty teenagers, crying kids, and semi-intoxicated middle-aged adults who still think they are in their twenties.

As bad as that may sound, I really missed seeing it. I missed watching little Billy chucking a full Cup-O-Noodles at his sister while mom just gazed longingly at the peaceful slopes just beyond her reach. I missed watching the game the table lurkers played, waiting in the periphery to pounce on an open table the second it became available.

And I really missed the poor dads who got stuck in the lodge babysitting on a powder day, greeting every grinning, snow-encrusted skier who entered with a 1,000 yard stare that seemingly looked right through their souls. I feel ya bro—I’ve been there.

Strangers on the Chair

I really didn’t think I would miss the idle chatter with strangers on the chairlift, but, and I hate to admit it, I did on those days this year when I ventured to the hill alone. I really missed being told how I should look into getting new skis cuz mine are “too skinny,” or being enlightened on the location of the best powder runs, even though I know the mountain like the back of my hand.

I missed the smell of my unknown chairlift partner’s cigarette smoke that always seemed to drift right into me no matter which way the wind was blowing. Though the stench of an unfiltered Marlboro does work wonderfully to cover up the sickly smell of Kentucky sour mash whiskey breath.

Yeah, I’m hoping we get back to normal next year.

Brad Northrup is a former ski racer, coach, and ski bum. The CDC has recommended that you should stay as far away from him as possible.

[Feature photo by Aaron Theisen.]

The post Ski Bum Advice: Stuff I Missed This Season appeared first on Out There Venture.

A neck gaiter has always been one of my ski-gear staples, so a mask for the mountain was not a high priority at first. I figured a simple, washable cotton one for the lodge would be all I needed. I was wrong.

Opening day at Mt. Spokane in early December 2020 was a surprisingly mild, bluebird day. After a couple runs, I was already feeling too warm for the fleece gaiter around my neck. So I swapped my gaiter for a cotton mask to wear in the lift line. But before too long, that thin cotton mask, from Old Navy, was too wet and cold to be comfortable, much less functional.

Condensation from aerobic breathing quickly made my mask damp after only a few runs. In a mountain environment, cold cotton kills; in this case, it was “killing” my ski vibe with its yucky, sticky, coldness on my nose, mouth, and chin. I went through a few different masks that first Covid-era ski-day, replacing a wet one for a dry one until it was time to leave.

The solution to outdoor winter comfort is the double-layer flannel-lined mask, professionally hand sewn in Spokane, by Spokane Masks. I tried the “Black Diamond + Flannel” style ($12.50, SpokaneMasks.com). High-quality quilters 100% cotton comprises the outer layer, and the inner layer is cotton flannel. The unique design provides a nice, comfortable breathing pocket, along with a good seal along the bridge of my nose and upper cheeks. (Note: There isn’t a nose-bridge piece inside the mask.)

The flannel fabric doesn’t feel cold like regular cotton when damp. The breathing pocket traps warm air, which I found comforting against my face as I stood in lift lines. I was pleased that it easily could be pulled over my nose and tucked under my ski goggles—something my ski gaiter definitely can’t do.

Spokane Masks’ spandex ear loops are soft, never irritating, and can be adjusted with a little tugging to stretch as needed for a proper fit. My hook earrings have never been snagged or tangled by the ear loops. I advise putting on a mask before your ski helmet.

On ski runs, I would pull the mask under my chin whenever I needed to take deeper breaths or a water-bottle break. When the back of my neck started to chill, I put on my North Face fleece gaiter, kept on my flannel-lined Spokane Mask, and used my gaiter as an outer layer.

Now, I’ve gone skiing a few times wearing my flannel-lined Spokane Mask, both solo and under my gaiter while skiing, as well as for going inside the ski lodge. I especially like being able to pull the mask over my nose, in a snug yet comfortable way that doesn’t fog up my goggles—a fit that my gaiter is unable to provide.

Spokane Masks’ small size fits me well, as it does for my son, who’s almost 11 years old—which means we can interchangeably wear all our Spokane Masks inventory. My 9-year-old daughter’s face best fits into the kids size, and my husband wears a large.

I have a few flannel-lined Spokane Masks so I can always have a clean, dry one ready to wear, whether I’m on the ski mountain or walking my dog around my neighborhood. And come spring skiing, I’ll be even more happy that I have flannel-lined Spokane Masks and can leave my gaiter in the car.

After nearly a year of masking, it’s second nature for my family and me. Wearing a high-quality cloth mask that’s also comfortable and stylish makes the routine easier and enjoyable. Which is what we all need, because the reality is: we’ll be needing masks for years to come in our post-Covid world.

Spokane Masks are available for purchase online or at local retail locations in Spokane: Kizuri, Rocket Market, and REI’s Spokane store.

Amy McCaffree has been writing for Out There since 2006, and is the Out There Kids columnist. She enjoys alpine skiing, hiking, camping, biking, kayaking, and stand-up paddling.

The post Gear Review: Flannel Spokane Masks appeared first on Out There Venture.

There is no one “guide” to getting through what will likely be the darkest months of this ordeal either. There are, however, plenty of things we can do to take the edge off. We checked in with many of the outdoors experts who contributed to this feature for their own COVID coping tips and strategies. I hope you find some inspiration and solace, along with a few practical ideas from their thoughtful and honest words and that they help make your next few months that much better.

Take It Easy

“The pandemic has been a phenomenal strain on many of us. If we aren’t suffering economically, or from the disease itself, then it’s the emotional toil (or all of it). I think it’s really important for us to practice self-compassion and breathe in the reality that this will pass in time,” says Ammi Midstokke, nutritionist and OTO contributor based in Sandpoint, Idaho.

In normal years, Midstokke says she starts building training into the winter months for spring and summer races. “This year I know that I just don’t have the emotional stamina (and I’m recovering from COVID). I’ve decided to just do things I love with no particular rhyme or reason. If the snow is good, I’ll ski. If I want something slower-paced, I’ll roll out on the fatty. If I need a socially distanced activity with friends, we’ll strap on our snowshoes.”

In general, Midstokke says she’s had to take a softer approach to life and her typical goals, asking herself often: “What is the kindest thing I can do for myself right now? Sometimes it’s knitting and tea. Other times it’s scheduling more damn therapy. And almost always, it involves taking my vitamins and snuggling those I love.”

Go Outside Every Day

“I have stayed plenty sane and busy this COVID season,” says Daniel Shaw, co-owner of Coeur Climbing Company, who attributes his relatively positive experience to the ease of recreating in North Idaho. 

“A day doesn’t go by without going outside to recreate and exercise,” he says. “Running is definitely the easiest and quickest to participate in, but I prefer the longer activities like biking, ice climbing, and skiing.

Getting outdoors definitely takes your mind off the challenges of this year…and we are blessed to have so much wilderness to explore here and we can usually avoid the crowds doing it.” 

Seek Words of Inspiration

“COVID has hit a lot of people very hard—losing their loved ones or being really, really sick themselves—and I’ve been incredibly lucky so far,” says Dig Chrismer, marketing manager for Schweitzer Mountain Resort.

“With that in mind, I try to focus on the simple things right now. My family is healthy, I live in an amazing place where I can escape outside, and I am acutely aware how fast things can change. I try not to take anything for granted and savor the good moments. Yes, COVID has changed some of the routines in my daily life, but the things that matter most to me are still rock solid. I hold on to that and am grateful every day.”

For others who may not be so fortunate, Chrismer turns to a motivational text that has helped her in the past. “When I was going through a really dark time in my life several years ago, I kept a copy of ‘Invictus’ by William Ernest Henley within easy reach. The poem reminds me time and time again that we are the ones who make our own destiny. ‘I am the master of my fate. The captain of my soul.’

Living isn’t easy but it’s up to me how I react to the challenges placed before me.  Sometimes, I don’t like how hard things are. That’s ok. Recognize that things are tough, but you know what? I can survive it. You can too. It’s your ship. Sail it.”

Keep Busy Even If Things Don’t Go Your Way

“I’m feeling barely sane right now,” admits Holly Weiler, OTO contributor & regional trail advocate for Washington Trails Association, when I emailed her some questions for this article before the holidays. “Especially with this weird warm weather of the last week or so. Trail work was helping while that was still happening, but we’re on winter break. I should be skiing but even the mountain has been above freezing.”

While waiting for winter to return, Weiler says she’s been “digging into the backlog of gear repair, trying to mend all of the things I put holes in over the summer and didn’t have time to fix at the time, and that’s been rather meditative and also useful.”

Find Your Stress Outlet

“This fall the toll COVID has taken on my household began to show. Like many of us who enjoy the outdoors my summer was inconvenienced rather than dismantled. But fall came in like a wrecking ball and started messing with everything,” says Zach McCall, an Inland Northwest fishing fanatic.

First in-person school got canceled, followed by fall sports, and then travelling to see family, he says. “Thankfully in this time of chaos fishing has been an outlet that has remained constant. When I am feeling down or need a break to relieve stress, I can find peace and relaxation on the water. Nature has a calming effect on my soul. It allows me to get centered and focus. Nothing helps tune out the noise of the world like spending time on the water.”

Dress for Success

“This pandemic has been so hard mentally. When your brain isn’t in the game it’s hard to motivate yourself. Getting outside as much as possible is what helps me,” says Brenda Christensen, co-owner of Two Wheeler Dealer in Hayden, Idaho.

And the hardest part of getting outside in the winter, she adds, is “actually getting ready and getting out the door, especially the first few times. Not knowing how to dress or what the elements will be like once you get out in them is really hard, as is leaving your nice warm cozy house.” The benefits of persevering and getting out the door are real though, she says. “I can honestly say that I don’t remember a time when I forced myself to go outside that I regretted my decision regardless of the temperature or the weather.”  

Set Goals & Prepare for Success

“Setting goals for the following day in the evening and assembling gear—putting running shoes by the door, yoga clothes on the mat, or kayak on the car reduces the number of excuses I can make in the morning,” says Carol Corbin, a freelance OTO contributor and staff member of Inland NW Land Conservancy.

She also recommends finding the right people to get outdoors with. “Reach out to other outdoor friends who also struggle with winter and darkness. Schedule time with them during the workday to do something outside and get what sunlight there is.”

PHOTOS: (top row) OTO co-publisher Derrick Knowles. // Photo: Shallan Knowles (left) | January-February 2021 cover page (right) | (bottom row): Winter urban running. (left) // Photo: Shallan Knowles | Gear by the door, ready to run. (middle) // Photo: Carol Corbin.| Groomed Nordic trail at Mt. Spokane. (right) // Photo courtesy Spokane Nordic Ski Association.

The post COVID Winter Survival Guide appeared first on Out There Venture.

Kids still need outdoor playtime for sure, but with virtual learning, some breaks are only 5-10 minutes long, which leaves little time for bundling up for outdoor play during winter. Some kids may also be eating more often, with frequent snacks. To compensate, families need to be intentional about children getting sufficient daily exercise. 

Healthy Habits

Spokane-based pediatrician Dr. Matt Thompson says there are five essential daily needs. (Disclosure: My kids are patients at his Kids Clinic.) “A standard recommendation for well-child visits with my patients is the ‘9-5-3-2-1-0’ guideline,” he says. “This means at least nine hours of adequate sleep, five servings of fruits and vegetables, three glasses of water, two hours or less of non-educational screen time, at least one hour of physical activity—any combination of recess, P.E., and playtime at home—and zero time spent eating in front of screens and no sweetened drinks.” 

Being “physically active,” as defined by Spokane Regional Health District’s (SRHD) Active Living program, is having at least 60 minutes of exercise on five or more days per week. SRHD surveyed local teenagers in 2014, and the results showed alarming rates of youth more likely to be overweight or obese, diabetic, and depressed.  

Spokane mom Michelle Jones, whose 12-year-old son, Justus, is in 6th grade at Spokane International Academy, says he “likes to run in between his classes, weather permitting. He knows exactly how far he can go to get back to his next class.” Additionally, Justus uses an indoor mini trampoline for exercise. “I’m proud of him for finding things that work. He listens to music on a low level and it helps him, and he uses ‘fidgets’ [with his hands during class].”  

Indoor Recess

Having a fun variety of activities will motivate a commitment to routine. Here are five ways for kids of all ages to get physical activity during short class breaks on virtual schooldays. 

1. Doorway pull-up bar: Kids can hang, arm-swing, and exercise their shoulder, arm, back, and abdominal muscles. Maxi brand has a double-locking system and foam-padded bar. Kids can use it each time they go in and out of a room, whether hopping up to swing or do a chin-up or pull-up.  

2. Indoor mini trampoline: Quick cardio that’s more efficient than running. Some models are foldable for easy stow-away storage and include a balance bar.  

3. Sensory bag: Snug, stretch-fabric, rectangle body-sized “socks” provide sensory, tactile input through resistance and pressure on joints and muscle. While wearing one, kids can do yoga poses, calisthenics, jump on a trampoline, or dance.  

4. Folding gym mat: Use for tumbling moves or as a boost pad for a pull-up bar. (Examples of kids’ gymnastics mats, and IKEA also makes one.)

5. Bike trainer: Set-up a youth bike on a stationary trainer.  

More Ideas

Parents have also told me about their kids using boxing bags, practicing parkour moves on furniture, in-line or roller skating in the kitchen or garage, or playing spike ball indoors. When it’s not quick and easy to get outside, challenge kids to think creatively about how to get their bodies moving, with eyes off a screen, to maintain fitness and wellness year-round. 

Out There Kids columnist Amy McCaffree works from home while her two children attend virtual school during the COVID-19 pandemic. She enjoys alpine skiing, camping, paddling, biking, and walking with her dog.

The post Virtual Learning Recess Activities appeared first on Out There Venture.

Sweet Mid-Week Deals

49 Degrees North is offering two mid-week discount specials this winter. The “Mega Mondays” deal gets you a half-priced lift ticket by visiting a participating McDonald’s location where you’ll need to scan a QR code that allows you to pre-purchase the half-off ticket online.

On Tuesdays, 49 is partnering with iHeart Radio for “Twofer Tuesdays,” which means you can get two lift tickets for the price of one. Details for both of these promotions are available on 49’s new website.

Follow COVID Rules to Keep Resorts Open

While Washington and Idaho have some different COVID-19 related requirements for ski resorts this winter, masking up in lift lines and lodges, social distancing, and hand washing are standard practices that will help keep everyone healthy and the mountains operating. (See: “COVID Safety Tips: 7 P’s for the Ski Mountain.”)

“We all want to be open all season,” says Mt. Spokane’s general manager Jim van Loben Sels, who adds that following the rules will help keep Mt. Spokane and other ski areas from getting shut down early.

“I feel really encouraged so far that we are doing the right thing,” he says, noting that in addition to signs reminding people of the mask policy that Mt. Spokane has added extra staff in the lift lines to remind skiers and snowboarders to mask up.

Emily McDaniel at 49 Degrees North also affirms that most guests have been good about wearing masks and says that the resort has them available for anyone who forgets to bring one to the mountain.

More Ways to Eat & Drink Outside

Mt. Spokane has a pretty cool new outdoor food and beverage spot at Lodge 2 that was built out of a 20-foot shipping container with windows for hungry and thirsty skiers and riders to purchase beer and other drinks and select food items. This new outdoor hangout spot helps limit the need for too many people to enter the lodge.

The mountain has also added a mountain-top watering hole, a yurt at the top of Chair 3. Mountain patrons can grab a bite or beverage outside with mountain views. Outdoor food and beverage service has also been added to the deck at Lodge 1.

Photos: (Left) Mt. Spokane’s concession yurt; (right) shipping container beverage bar. // Photos courtesy Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park.

With the lodge at 49 Degrees North only open for brief 15-minute warm ups as well as food and beverage pickup, the new Yard Sale Grab & Go that offers food and drinks from a pickup window on the deck is a welcome addition. 49 has also added tents and more outdoor seating for guests purchasing provisions from the resort. Like at other resorts, anyone who is brown bagging it is asked to eat in their vehicle.

New 49 Degrees North Website Offers Better Grooming Info

Given this season’s online-only ticket sales and the potential for last minute resort updates and changes, the new 49 Degrees North website is kind of a big deal. Emily McDaniel, Director of Marketing & Communication, says 49 created and implemented a dynamic trail map as part of their Mountain Status/Grooming Report.

The map has a toggle function that provides a visual of all the trails that are open, closed, and groomed, as well as if they are green, blue or black. 49 also added a lot of info to the mountain’s snow reporting page that explains how the mountain’s snow reporting process works. Pretty much any questions someone might have about the mountain that may have warranted a phone call or in-person query in the past is now posted on the new website, says McDaniel.

Lookout Pass Announces 2021 Events

Events like the wife carrying contest and kids snow bowling have earned Lookout a reputation of offering fun, creative, and competitive ways for skiers and snowboarders to celebrate the season together. While events this year will include COVID safety precautions, Lookout Pass is still planning several sure-to-be popular events this season.

Highlights include “Mtn. Brewfest & Kids Bowling” Jan. 31, “Fat Tuesday on a Sunday” with beads, gumbo, barbeque, and drinks on the deck Feb. 21; “St. Patrick’s Day Wear Green & Kids’ Treasure Hunt” on March 17; and the “Cardboard Box Derby” April 11. Find the full event schedule at Skilookout.com/events.

Silver Mountain Reminds Guests to Book in Advance

“All chairs are spinning at Silver Mountain Resort, and we’re continuing to stack up fresh snow,” says Silver Mountain’s Siobhan Ebel. However, Ebel reminds guests that “This year, lift tickets, lessons, and rentals must be booked 24 hours in advance on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.” Advanced purchasing can all be done online at Silvermt.com.

“Season passholders will continue to be able to access the mountain without reservations,” adds Ebel. Most other local resorts also require reservations for lift tickets and other guest service and many weekend days and holidays. Big power days any day of the week might also sell out in advance, so plan ahead before driving to your favorite mountain.

Ladies Only Clinics Return to Mt. Spokane

Mt. Spokane is offering three different ladies only clinics again this year: Jan. 8, Feb. 12, and March 12 for women 21 years and older. These popular clinics for skiers and snowboarders run by the mountain’s best women instructors sell out each year. Participants can expect a fun day of skiing and riding and learning new skills in a group of women of similar abilities. Each clinic includes lunch and end-of-the-day door prizes and drinks.

Lookout Delivers Deep Powder & Smooth Groomers

Many Lookout Pass season pass holders keep coming back each year to take advantage of the mountain’s legendary deep snow and epic powder days. Lookout regularly boasts some of the biggest powder dumps in Idaho, and the resort proudly proclaims its status as the #1 powder place with the most snow in the state.

But the inter-state ski area that straddles the Idaho and Montana border has also earned a loyal following for its impeccable grooming, says Lookout’s director of marketing Matt Sawyer. The most affordable ticket and season pass prices in the region are also a draw, he says.

Win Prizes with the Rad Photo Contest

Like taking photos with your pals at your favorite local resort? The “Keep It: Safe. Distanced. Rad Photo Contest,” sponsored by the resort-connected GPS tracking app Snowledge and the Ski the NW Rockies Resorts (Mt. Spokane, 49, Lookout, and Silver) gives you the chance to win prizes from J Skis and Spyder.

The grand prize is a $500 Spyder gift card, plus one $75 Spyder gift card will go to one lucky winner from each of the four resorts. Entering is simple. Download the free Snowledge app, enter the contest from the Explore/Contests link, and post photos of you and your friends on the mountain to earn entries. The contest runs through February.

Silver’s Ski & Stay Deal Is a Steal

Lift tickets are guaranteed when you book your stay with Silver Mountain Lodging, so if you’re planning a ski trip, make it a ski and stay at Silver to make sure lift tickets don’t sell out for your trip dates. When you make a reservation, please note how many lift tickets are needed and front desk agents will have them ready when you arrive.

This is Silver’s best offer of the season for lift tickets, lodging, and waterpark access. Prices start as low as $63 per person per night based on quad occupancy in a deluxe studio. For more information, including by-date booking, visit Silvermt.com/plan-trip/lodging/savebig. 

Ski Under the Stars Even Longer

Night skiing is back at Mt. Spokane, with a new, earlier start time that means you can ski from 3-9 p.m. for only $27. Night skiing is offered most Wednesdays–Saturdays through March 13, but check the operations calendar for updates and be sure to purchase your tickets online in advance.

Lookout’s Free Ski School Starts Jan. 9

Over the past 80 seasons, the Lookout Pass Free Ski School has introduced an estimated 78,000 kids to skiing and snowboarding. Registration for this year’s free kids’ lesson program opens Jan. 9 and runs every Saturday through March 6.

Participants must register within the first three weeks of the program, and lift tickets and equipment are not included, although a lift ticket isn’t required for the lessons. Purchasing one, however, allows kids to keep practicing their new skills all day. Kids ages 6-17 of all ability levels can participate in skiing or snowboarding lessons (snowboarders must be at least age 7).

To ensure rental equipment is available, pre-order from Lookout’s rental shop. More info at Skilookout.com/famous-free-ski-school.

The post What’s Happening at Your Local Ski Hill appeared first on Out There Venture.

COVID proved to be ruinous for many races in 2020. Some ended up canceling all together, others switched to virtual events, and a few Northwest organizers made adjustments and ended up holding modified live versions of their traditional events.

Negative Split

Negative Split, which produces a number of its own races and events and helps other smaller events with timing and other services, managed to produce five live races and time eight live races across two states in 2020.

The Negative Split team instituted safe racing strategies, and the races they took on went well, says Negative Split’s Ryan Hite. “I think people were nervous at first and probably thought they would more or less be running a virtual run, but our survey results post race came back really positive,” says Hite.

“Even though the masses of people were not there, the races were still live races with start lines, finish lines, aid stations, finisher food, medals, and shirts. People I think felt really safe and were just excited to be able to run a live race. Many people were actually interested in running these ‘socially distant’ races in the future since they are less stressful than mass starts.”

To keep racers safe in 2020 and at 2021 races, Hite says his team rigorously incorporates physical distancing in all of their live events with staggered start times, offers curbside packet pickup options, limits after-race interactions, pre-packages aid station food and beverages, and promotes runner tracking apps and online video for spectators since they have not been allowed at the start and finish lines since the pandemic began.

Hite says the Negative Split Races had just under 5,000 combined live runners in all of the 2020 post-COVID races they hosted, and to their knowledge, there were zero COVID-19 incidents connected to their events.

For 2021, Hite has two virtual events (during the snowy season) and 10 live ones planned. “We hope to be back to timing over 100 events in 2021 again. Our Run the PNW series will be a highlight during the spring months, and we are adding a new back to nature series focusing on scenic courses and some trail debuting in fall and summer 2021.”

Priest Lake Multisports

Across the border in Idaho, Priest Lake Multisports race director Ken Eldore says they were able to safely hold several of their events in 2020, including the Priest Lake Marathon and 50K and the Smokechaser trail race thanks to those events happening on national forest land where runners had plenty of room to spread out.

To increase the safety, says Eldore, “we had chip-timed open starting lines to allow runners to start over an extended time window and be in control of their own personal space. Once they were in the woods and running, they are pretty spread out. As a race director, seeing smiling faces cross a finish line during the tough year of 2020 created some hope and inspiration for more great race days.” 

Looking ahead to the new year, Eldore says he has five events scheduled for 2021, including the Priest Lake 50K and Marathon, The Priest Lake Triathlon, Smokechaser Trail Race, and Race the Wolf. Eldore says COVID safety mitigation this year will include limited the number of participants, some kind of modified start procedure to space runners out, and reduced contact points at aid stations. “One of the benefits of being in the North Idaho forest is we have lots of space!” adds Eldore.

SNAP

Many smaller non-profit races and fun runs are also hoping to safely hold their events this year one way or another. Nicole Bishop with SNAP says they are confident that the Dad’s Day Dash, a fundraising event traditionally held on Fathers’ Day in Spokane’s Manito Park, will happen June 20, 2021. “If it is not safe to have our event in person, we will continue with our virtual format, as we did last year,” says Bishop.

Last year SNAP had participants from across the country and over a dozen states run the Dad’s Day Dash virtually. “We take COVID safety very seriously, so we will not move forward with an in-person race if it does not seem abundantly safe to do so,” explains Bishop. “As we get closer to the date, we will assess guidance from state and local health officials regarding safety measures we should take. If it is safe to congregate at Manito Park, we will still include a virtual element so we can have broader reach and a more customizable experience.”

Eldore emphasizes that more than ever, this coming year will be important for the endurance sports community to support their local races. “All the local races work on tight budget margins and depend on sponsorships, civic groups, and volunteers. A great asset in the Inland Northwest is that we have so many great events to choose from, and I fear we will lose some of them this year.”

Eldore urges racers to step up and support local races however they can. “A few hours volunteering at your local 5k, becoming a shirt sponsor, or some emails of encouragement to your local race organization go a long way.”

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