What’s a skier or snowboarder to do when the snowflakes finally stop falling and things on the hill get slushy? Pond skimming may be the greatest spring ski tradition you’ve never heard of. Less sport than spectacle, it’s composed of a few simple elements: a man-made pond on a mountain slope, a few folks who […]
Spring Traditions at Local Ski Resorts Read More »
Adorned with a single olive or stuffed with enough garnishes to serve as a ski-bum snack bar, the Bloody Mary has long been a ski-resort après staple. It is a drink from the golden era of cocktails—and, coincidentally, the golden era of skiing—which means it pairs well with wood-paneled lounges and retro ski posters. Lauded
Ski Resort Bloody Mary Showdown Read More »
Where Did Everybody Go? If I could only ski one month of the year, it would be March. The crowds thin, the weather improves, and my two favorite snow conditions, powder and spring corn, can dominate the slopes. There are also some excellent deals, like free skiing and snowboarding for the rest of the season
Get Out & Ride a Fatty Although I am an avid commuter and recreational cyclist, I have only ridden a fat bike once—and it wasn’t in the snow. So, my biggest question is: with all the winter sports available to us here in the Inland Northwest, why ride a fat bike when the snow flies?
Learn to Ride a Fat Bike Read More »
All five of Spokane’s local resorts have multiple terrain parks that suit different levels of riders—thanks to behind-the-scenes “park crews” who hustle to make it happen. Park crews dedicate many hours to planning, building, shaping, and constant maintaining of these features. While others are off slashing fresh powder in the early mornings, the park crews
Local Resort Terrain Park Shake Down Read More »
Does this sound familiar? It snowed all week, with storm after storm pounding the local mountains and dumping well over a foot of fresh snow. Come Saturday morning, there will be little in the way of groomed runs, and you are still a relative rookie when it comes to skiing in new snow. But, you
Local Resorts Make It Easy to Learn to Ski or Snowboard January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, and local resorts are offering great resources to get started. From 3-step instructed programs to “graduation” deals like discounted season passes, this month is the time to play in the mountains. “We want people
It’s a Good Month to Be a Ski Newbie Read More »
In the winter there is no better way to earn your beers than a day on the slopes. Our local ski areas have some great places on and off the mountain to rest your quads and work on those twelve-ounce curls. Mount Spokane’s Foggy Bottom Lounge has excellent views down mountain where you can watch
Earn Your Beers on the Slopes Read More »
49° North Mountain Resort Chewelah Peak Ski Club, founded in 1935, was the first to install a cable tow on the mountain, with permission from the U.S. Forest Service. The two-story lodge was completed in 1950, followed by a double chairlift a year later. By 1968, however, the ski area had closed down, only to
Historical Roots of Local Ski Resorts Read More »
Learning to ski at any age can be intimidating, but kids often have an easier time of it due to their inability to fear the consequences of failure. Nonetheless, about three seasons ago, I decided that I was going to learn to ski. After an unsuccessful first attempt that included bombing down the bunny hill
Ski & Snowboard Lessons Are for Everyone Read More »
