With five ski mountains close to Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, and Sandpoint, there is no shortage of snow happenings to choose from. Here are a few of our picks this winter.  49° North Kicking off the new year January 6-7, Winter Sports Fest sponsored by Mountain Gear and Spokane Parks and Recreation includes Nordic and […]
15 Favorite Mountain Events Read More »
Our annual gift guide leans heavily towards things and experiences you can buy here locally from a real person at a real shop. We include gift ideas for the gear geeks that are inevitably on your list, as well as a wide range of cool and unique items for the less outdoorsy people you’ll no
Inland NW Local Holiday Gift Guide Read More »
The Spokane area is ringed by enough destination ski resorts (not to mention the dozens of cool, out-of-the-way mom and pop ski hills) to keep local skiers and snowboarders busy exploring new places for years. SilverStar Ski Resort, a few hours north of the border near Vernon, British Columbia, is one of those amazing destinations
Outdoor Groups Spokane Bicycle Club This is a recreational club offering multiple scheduled group rides each week, March – November. Their rides are designed to accommodate all skill levels. This is a membership organization that costs $15 individual $20 family. Evergreen East Mountain Bike Alliance This is a non-profit for people who love to bike that costs $35/year
Outdoor Clubs / Organizations Read More »
December reminded us just how good winter can be here in the Inland Northwest: knee-deep resort days; cross-country skiing and sledding in city parks; urban fat biking; backcountry ski conditions that get you looking for camper vans on Craigslist; and the silent, white beauty of snow as it piles up in feet across the region.
Reimagining Winter Read More »
Snowshoeing has existed for a long time as a means for humans to get around in snow country, either out of necessity or for recreation, or occasionally both. The idea of snowshoeing for most people generally conjures up images of large wooden and leather snowshoes that are heavy, difficult to handle, and awkward to use.
Western Pleasure Snowshoe Roundup: Feb. 1, Sandpoint, Idaho Read More »
I remember the first time I saw a fat bike at a bike shop in Spokane about two and a half years ago. I asked about it and was told it was great for riding on sand at a beach. I looked at the price: $1,700. I picked it up and felt how heavy it
Fat Biking 101: Your Guide to Snowbiking in the Inland Northwest Read More »
Amy McCaffree Amy (Silbernagel) McCaffree enjoys paddling, camping, biking, hiking, alpine skiing, and gardening. She is the Out There Kids columnist and has been writing for OTO since 2006. Amy has a MFA in Creative Writing from Eastern Washington University and lives in Spokane with her husband and their two children. View Articles Connect Carol
Development Of The City With the opening ceremonies just days away, Vancouver seems well positioned to declare the games a success: all of the competition venues have been built on schedule, most of them completed two years in advance, allowing ample time for practice and other events to serve as testing for the venues. Not
R U Ready To Rock?: Our Winter Olympics Guide With NW Athletes On Team USA Read More »
GET YOUR MOUNTAIN CULTURE FIX IN ROSSLAND, B.C. Just north of the border, about three hours from Spokane, Rossland, B.C. is a laid back mountain town with an amazing stream of cultural events and offerings. Sure, many who visit Rossland tend to come for the renowned mountain biking trails or the legendary powder dumps up
Don’t Wait For Snow – 10 Ideas for Planning Your Winter Adventure Now Read More »
