Skiing and snowboarding may not be for everyone, but who wouldn’t love to sink shoulder deep in mineral-rich hot springs water with an amazing lake and mountain view spread out before you? A road trip to Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort and Nelson, B.C., is a classic Inland Northwest winter getaway. The three-hour-and-change drive from the […]
Nelson, B.C. & Ainsworth Hot Springs Road Trip Read More »
Sledding – the ancient activity of sitting on your butt and getting over the snow far more efficiently than most wheeled vehicles. Today, unless you live in an arctic landscape, sledding or tobogganing is primarily a recreational sport enjoyed by all ages. After a fresh snowfall, who doesn’t relish pulling out their sled and running
Mountain Sledding: Finding Places to Slide on Snow Read More »
Deep in the Canadian Rockies sits Chatter Creek, a cat skiing and heliskiing lodge with such an impressive landscape and remoteness that arriving is like stepping into another world. About 20 years ago, childhood friends Danny Joseph and Dale McKnight, who grew up in this area, opened the doors to Chatter Creek. The huge undertaking
Find Epic, Deep-Winter Powder at Chatter Creek Cat Skiing Read More »
Altai Skis, the guys that make the ski/snowshoe hybrid the “Hok” as well as other snow sliding gear, is having a demo and ski day at Sitzmark Ski Area, probably the smallest most retro ski area in Washington and maybe the whole Northwest. The area is close to the Altai Skis world headquarters near the Canadian border in Curlew,
Altai Skis Demo and Instruction at Sitzmark Ski Area in North Central WA (Feb. 6) Read More »
Just as winter snows shutter many of the region’s outdoor recreation destinations, the Methow Valley, a multi-sport Mecca on the dry side of the Cascades, begins its second peak season. Although the area’s Nordic ski system — the largest in the country — is justifiably acclaimed, snowshoers also have plenty to celebrate. In addition to
Explore the Methow Valley’s Snowshoeing Trails and Vast Backcountry Read More »
Comfort is a relative word to apply to camping. I’m perfectly comfortable spending days at a time in the backcountry, but I recently heard of a couple who planned a summer trip in their RV, powered by generator, to a campsite less than half an hour from their home. They did so in order to
Winter Camping in Comfort—Tips to Stay Warm, Dry and Have Fun Sleeping Out in the Snow Read More »
When last winter failed to develop into anything even resembling winter, I was forced to reconsider my outdoor options. While the skis sat unused in various corners and the snowshoes were tossed carelessly behind the couch, I started sorting through my backpack gear while browsing through guidebooks, looking for something new. I recruited a few
Juniper Dunes Hiking Read More »
If ever I wanted to be adopted by a town, I’d like to be able to call Fernie my home. In fact, in a single weekend visit it already feels like that. It isn’t the way everyone greets you with quaint Canadian charm, eh (they do), or the surrounding mountains in which the town is
Home Sweet Home to the North: Fernie, B.C. Read More »
I’m standing in a snowdrift on Spokane Street in downtown Rossland, British Columbia. As is typical of streets in old mining towns in the mountains, Spokane Street is incredibly steep, and today it’s been made skate-rink slick for the upcoming bobsled competition, the centerpiece of the Rossland Winter Carnival. Next to me, two women discuss,
Celebrate Winter at the Rossland Winter Carnival Read More »
