A wave of new businesses have taken root in historic Wallace, Idaho, in recent years. From brewpubs and unique lodging to craft eateries and a coffee shop, skiers, snowboarders, and backcountry enthusiasts from the Spokane area now have plenty of reasons (besides excellent skiing and snow) to spend less time driving and more time enjoying an authentic ski getaway. These relatively new businesses, as well as Lookout’s in-the-works terrain expansion, have greatly contributed to Wallace’s ongoing evolution as a ski destination.
- Good Coffee: Not that long ago, if you were headed to ski in the Silver Valley, Coeur d’Alene was your last chance for a quality cup of java. Enter Wallace Coffee House at 6th & Cedar, which has an espresso bar and serves coffee drinks, bagels and baked treats, as well as Bloody Marys and other craft cocktails.
- Casual Fine Dining: The Fainting Goat Wine Bar and Tap Room is worth the drive from Spokane on its own. Choose from an extensive selection of international and regional wines, locally crafted beers, and from-scratch menu options. The Blackboard Café is a new gourmet eatery specializing in homemade grilled sandwiches and salads, Italian dinners, and breakfast on Sundays.
- Brewpubs: The City Limits Brew Pub, home of North Idaho Mountain Brew, serves excellent beer and pub fare, including gluten-free and vegetarian options. Find them on the north edge of town in a historic building near the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. During the winter months, City Limits attracts an outdoorsy crowd and often has ski movies playing on a huge TV. Near the center of town, Wallace Brewing Company brews and serves several styles of beer that honor the town’s notorious past with mining and bordello-inspired monikers. Enjoy a couple pints and play darts, pool, or one of their board games.
- Outdoors Shops: Wallace still needs a ski, board and bike shop, but two new stores selling outdoor gear mean you might not be totally out of luck if you forgot something at home. Fox & Hare Mountain Wear opened this past summer, selling stylish outdoor apparel from Keen, KUHL, Prana, Sanuk, The North Face, and other brands. The shop’s website also says they offer ski tuning and waxing. Also relatively new to town is the Wallace Fly Shop, which sells flies and other fly fishing gear and offers guided trips on the Clark Fork River. //
Read more about the evolution of Wallace, ID, as a ski town.
