The relatively recent explosion in snowshoe use has been incredible to watch. I feel like an old curmudgeon relating the stories of my early snowshoe years. In those days, I could go to Mount Spokane State Park and Nordic ski for a couple hours, then switch to the snowshoe trails and still have first tracks. […]
Where to Go Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing Near Spokane Read More »
“Nordic skiing is a great option anytime but especially now when people are looking for opportunities to get outdoors during the pandemic. Nordic skiing is a good option because it tends to be something you can do as a family or independently and has social distancing already a part of it,” says Matt Halloran, Spokane
Cross-Country Skiing for Kids Read More »
Since high school I had been a snowboarder, but until recently, I had never skied. Snowboarding just came easily, and my friends were ditching their skis for boards. Mostly, I liked that my legs couldn’t go in opposite directions. But after 20 years of boarding, I was a little bored. So when my wife asked
Cross-Country Skiing: A Beginner’s Tale Read More »
A Day in the Life of a Cross-Country Ski Family It never fails: we drive the twisty road up to Mt. Spokane, complete the final hairpin turn, get our first glimpse of the rustic Selkirk Lodge and the kids burst with anticipation. We park, pile out of the car and manage to carry 10 pairs
Cross-Country Skiing: Inspiration, Resources and Nordic Ski Trip Ideas! Read More »
In recent years, a growing contingent of people in the Inland Northwest have embraced snow sports besides downhill skiing – particularly snowshoeing and Nordic (cross-country) skiing. And while we live within easy reach of one of the premier Nordic ski areas in the Northwest, the Mt. Spokane Cross-Country Ski Park, it can be challenging to
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The Methow Valley, on the sunny east slope of the North Cascades, grew up in relative isolation—the paved North Cascades Highway was only completed in 1972—and seems to have developed its own pace of life. It could have been different. In the 1970s, the Aspen Ski Corporation came to the Methow to investigate an alpine
Families with young children can plan a first-time cross-country ski outing using these 4 easy steps, including gear rentals and where to go.
Cross-Country Ski Beginner Guide for Families Read More »
By March, the urgency of the ski season has passed. First chairs, perfect lines, shin-deep tree runs have been scored. But the season is not done by any means. The mountains are still calling, and there are many ways that spring takes skiing and snowboarding to a higher level of bliss. 1. Powder Dumps: Sometimes
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Gear Rentals: Fitness Fanatics (rent in store or on site at Mt. Spokane’s Selkirk Lodge); Mountain Gear; REI Spokane; 49 Degrees North Nordic Center; Vertical Earth (Coeur d’Alene). Lessons: Find lessons for all ages with one of these programs—Spokane Nordic Ski Association, Spokane Parks & Recreation, 49 Degrees North Nordic Center, Sandpoint Nordic Club.
Gear, Lessons, and Permits to Cross-Country Ski in Spokane and North Idaho Read More »
“Any kid is suited to cross-country skiing. You can go as hard and as fast as you want,” says Brad Thiessen, director of engagement for Spokane Nordic Ski Association (SNSA). “But it depends on the parent and child—what’s the child’s patience level, tolerance level being in the cold and trying a new sport. How patient
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