The Altai Balla Hok is short, wide and comes with an integrated climbing skin that provides exceptional traction and stability; it’s the perfect learning ski/snowshoe design for getting kids from ages 5 to early teens into the backcountry and loving the snowy wilds (depending on their size and ability level). Bridging cross-country skis and snowshoes, […]
Altai Balla Hok (Kids Snowshoe/Ski Hybrid) Read More »
“It’s basically a hike with a purpose.” That’s how disc golfer Steven Lambert describes the sport, and he couldn’t have chosen a better metaphor to convince me to give disc golf a try. (As opposed to using, say, a “ball golf” metaphor. More on that later). Our small group meets at High Bridge Park, a
Disc Golf with Winter Gloves Read More »
Everyone knows this essential truth: children enjoy playing outside. “A standard recommendation for well-child visits with my patients is the ‘9-5-3-2-1-zero’ guideline,” says Spokane-based pediatrician Dr. Matt Thompson, regarding a child’s daily needs. “This means at least nine hours of adequate sleep, five servings of fruits and vegetables, three glasses of water, two hours or
Keeping Kids Active Outside All Winter Long Read More »
Why So Many People Love to Ski and Snowboard and Why You Should Learn Last fall we put the call out on Facebook for OTM readers to share a bit of what motivates and inspires them to get out to ski or ride as much as they can each season. With a chance to win
Step One: Have success on a recent outing. In our case, Kevin and I had enjoyed delicious corn skiing on four ski descents the day prior, scoring great skiing conditions throughout the day and linking up turns down the Lena Lake Couloir, Red Crow Peak and Calf Robe Mountain in the seldom-visited southeast corner of
How to Fail in a Satisfactory Manner While Skiing in Glacier National Park Read More »
The Rich History of Rope Tows, Tramways and Ski Lifts on Mt. Spokane The first rope tow was invented in 1908 in Germany’s Black Forest by Robert Winterhalder. It wasn’t until 1933 that Alec Foster installed the first rope tow in North America at Shawbridge near Montreal. In 1934 Bob and Betty Royce built their
Artifacts: Ski Lift Origins Read More »
There are so many good reasons to shop locally for the holidays. Each year we try to make the whole Christmas season shopping experience that much easier for OTM readers with our Local Holiday Gift Guide that features a wide range of diverse, creative and often locally-made gift ideas. Thank you for shopping locally and
Local Holiday Gift Guide Read More »
Long before we met each other, my husband and I were passionate about the outdoors and committed to adventurous recreation. Now, 10 years later and with two children, ages 5 and 4, being an outdoor family comes naturally. But we work hard at being intentional, active and adventurous year-round with our kids. What helps us
Waterproof Kids: Gear to Keep Your Little Ones Playing Dry Outside All Winter Long Read More »
We used to have it so rough. Three years ago, an intrepid snowshoer on Trail 100 in Mount Spokane State Park had three major stream crossings to contend with while venturing out to Smith Gap from the hairpin turn parking lot. One false move meant a wet boot, or worse, for the duration of the
Mount Spokane State Park (Burping Brook—Smith Gap Loop) Read More »
There are quite a few options for introducing your kids to skiing or snowboarding, ranging from teaching them yourself to taking advantage of group or private lessons or other special programs that resorts offer. Out of all of the options, the 5th Grade Passport and the EZ Ski/Ride 123 programs promoted locally by Ski the
Learn to Ski Programs Make It Easy for Kids and Parents Read More »
