February 2014

2 Out there MOnthly / February 2014

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p.5 / From the editor Snowshoeing Saved My Life By Derrick Knowles

p.6 / hike oF the monthSherman Peak

p.7 / out there news

p.8 / running The Year of the Marathon By Erika Prins

p.9 / the gear room Winter Running Shoe Review It’s a snowshoe, It’s a ski

p.10 / road tripLolo to LochsaBy Aaron Theisen

p.11 / Backcountry The Ultimate Whitewater Ski Trip By Peter G. Williams

p.12 / north id snowshoe guide By S. Michal Bennett

p.14 / winter sports Inland NW Nordic Skiers Represent at 2014 Olympics By Jamie Redman

p.15 / everyday cyclist Valentine’s Gifts for Cyclists By Hank Greer

p.16 / inw outdoor calendar & 6-month training calendar

p.19 / destinations Whitefish in a Weekend By Ammi Midstokke

p.20 / on the mountain Alpine Skiing/Boarding Special Section

p.22 / last page Hunting Pow with Selkirk Powder Co. By Brad Naccarato --------------------------------------------------------------

On the cOver: hailey finding her way arOund nOrth idahO trails // Photo by Gabriella Makena

Out there MOnthly / february 2014

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Okay, I admIt that thIs tItle is prob-ably a bit over the top, but sometimes thinking back 15 years or so ago, it feels that way. Fresh off recovery from a series of snowboarding-related knee injuries, I conferred with our family orthopedic surgeon (apparently bad knees are genetic) about my snowboarding career. “One more injury,” he warned, “and you’ll need major surgery.” Maybe it was a scare tactic, but I seem to remember some reference to a painful procedure that included bolting down my slippage-prone knee cap. Anyway, he was pretty serious and clear with his advice: stop snowboarding. I weighed my options and then reluctantly sold my board before I talked myself out of it. I remember feel-

ing like my youth and the freedom and fun of winter in the mountains that had come to sustain me through many dark, cold Northwest winters was over. It’s not hard to imagine how this could feel like a “my life is over” moment to a rest-less, outdoors-obsessed twenty-something whose basic needs were being met.

It sucked to sell my snowboard, but it hurt worse to admit that I’d likely never slide, jump, and spin around on a surfboard made for snow again. Fast forward to the following year, and I had a new winter best friend: a pair of MSR snowshoes. With very little risk of re-injuring my knee with snowshoes, I was once again free to escape to the mountains in the winter. Snowshoeing is cool like that. The injured, the

budget conscious, anyone who wants an alternative to high-speed wintersports can all strap on a pair of snowshoes and enjoy a peaceful, wintery walk in the woods. Over the next several years, I laid down some serious snowshoe tracks from Sherman Pass to Priest Lake and even southern Utah (that’s a whole other story where snowshoes actually did save my butt).

During those years, snowshoeing helped keep me in decent shape all year long, and gave me something healthier to do with my ample college-student free time in the winter than sleep late and suck down cigarettes and Lucky Lager at Mootsy’s Tavern and the Swamp. Come to think of it, maybe snowshoe-ing really did save my life. While snowshoeing had given me another way to get outside in the winter, at

some point, watching skiers zip past me down the mountain through backcountry powder gardens while I trudged back downhill on shoes became too much to bear. My knee and I took the chance with a backcountry ski touring set-up, and the strength I’d built back in my legs from snowshoeing has kept me injury-free for nearly a decade since. These days, my snowshoes may not get used as much, but they occu-py a place of reverence on my gear room wall where they wait for the day when I need them once again.

-------------------------------------------------------derrIck knOwles, [email protected]

From The Editor: Snowshoeing Saved My Life

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tackle thIs rIgOrOus rOute for incredible views from the summit of 7,011 foot Sherman Peak. From the parking lot, look both ways before crossing Highway 20, then begin your climb through the lodgepole pine forest on Sherman’s flank. At the junction with the Sherman Loop Trail, it’s recommended that hikers turn right (west). Continue around the mountain, crossing into the area burned in the 1988 White Mountain fire. When the loop trail meets the Kettle Crest Trail (leading to the Snow Peak cabin and beyond), leave the trail by turning north towards the peak to hike to the top (there are several steep slopes that could pose avalanche risk, especially on the north side, so educate yourself about the conditions and choose a safe route).

From the summit, views of nearby prominent peaks include Snow Peak, Bald Mountain, Edds Mountain, and Barnaby Buttes to the south, and Columbia Mountain and Jungle Hill to the north. On a clear day, the eastern portion of the Cascades are just visible on the horizon. Retrace your steps for an approxi-mately 6-mile hike with over 1,400 feet of elevation gain.

Check weather and avalanche condition reports before you go (www.idahopanhandleavalanche.org). Open to snowshoers and backcountry skiers. Dog friendly with leash recommended.

Getting there: From Spokane take Highway 395 north through Colville and Kettle Falls. Cross the bridge over the Columbia and turn left on Highway 20 towards Republic. The SnoPark lot is on the north side of Highway 20 at Sherman Pass; the trailhead is on the south side of the highway. SnoPark permit required.

Sherman Peak (Kettle River Range, Northeast WA)HikeOfTheMonth

//HIKE OF THE MONTH AND PHOTO BY HOLLY WEILER


Burke says that the group plans to branch out in the next few years to community outreach and education, including teaching people different ways to preserve their own fruit and nut tree crops. The group also hopes to offer opportuni-ties for people to become “tree care specialists” that can go out to prune and “fix” neglected trees to rehab them back into being productive in the future. You can learn more about the effort, reg-ister your trees or sign up and volunteer to help scout for trees or harvest when the season is right at spokaneedibletreeproject.org.//

the spOkane edIble tree prOject, a new non-profit based off of the Portland Fruit Tree Project, is looking for your help charting and mapping fruit and nut trees in Spokane County that might otherwise go to waste. The plan is to convince as many people who have fruit and nut trees in their yards or on other private prop-erty that are not being harvested to register their trees – that way, an already existing, healthy food source can be salvaged and donated to food banks.

Spokane Edible Tree Project co-founder Kate

SPoKANe edible TRee PRojecT WANTS To helP you hARveST uNWANTed fRuiT foR The huNGRy

KooTeNAy coldSMoKe PoWdeR feSTivAl feb 21-23

tIny chalk-cOvered squares and rect-angles of wood are screwed to the wall in some-thing that looks like a Kandinksy, supposing he’d gone to forestry school. Christian Thompson, gym founder, is standing in the dim light of the room, absorbed by the walls and high ceilings. He’s explaining the usefulness of symmetry in this sort of training tool.

In the bouldering room, a noticeable 10 degrees warmer, the walls are covered with enough routes and problems and randomly donated holds to entertain even the most trained climbers for days. For a non-profit rock gym created for the sake of supporting the climbing community, they’ve done pretty well since opening a few years ago.

“We’re not really trying to grow huge,” Christian says as a climber drops safely off the wall with a thud behind us. The Sandpoint Rock Gym is funded by its membership dues and is the perfect minimalist version of a bouldering gym. No fluff, just a door, a heater, padded floors, and a good time to be had by all. The simplicity of it exudes an air of the commonality shared by those who come: they are here to climb.

The gym is open at all times to all members, and

SANdPoiNT RocK GyM’S ANNuAl Reel RocK filM fuNdRAiSeR feb 7

Out ThereNews

SNoWbiKiNG iN ST. MARieS - NeW TRAilS ANd fAT biKe Ride feb. 2

a wIde varIety Of InternatIOnal and U.S.-produced films featuring breathtaking scen-ery, kayaking, hiking, fishing, biking and even skateboarding will explore the complex relation-ship people have with the natural world that we rely on for basic life services, recreational pur-suits, and our economic survival.The “Wild & Scenic Film Festival” tours the country to inspire greater awareness of our shared environment, individual achievement, cultural diversity and our roles as stewards to keep the planet healthy for the next seven generations. With excellent craft breweries now in Colville (Lost Falls), Kettle Falls (Northern Ales), and Republic (Republic Brewing), and some of the region’s best backcountry skiing and snowshoe-

cOldsmOke started nearly a decade ago as a modest gathering of telemark and backcountry skiers and boarders eager to learn or perfect their turns and beef up their backcountry skills at Whitewater Ski Resort near Nelson, B.C. Since then, the festival has evolved into a diverse and multi-faceted celebration of mountain culture and all forms of skiing, riding, and playing in the legendary Kootenay powder snow.

The 8th annual festival promises the same grass-roots spirit the original event was founded on with an even wider appeal to mountain enthusiasts of all levels, ages and disciplines: locked down, goofy,

ing off of Sherman Pass, the film festival presents a unique opportunity to plan a film festival-brewery-wintersports roadtrip.The March 6 event will be at Alpine Theatre located 112 N. Main Street, Colville. A sec-ond showing March 7 is scheduled at the Elementary School Multi-purpose Room located off Highway 20 east of Republic. Hours for both events are 6:30-9 p.m. Tickets are $6 for 18 and under and $8 for adults and are available at Alpine Theatre, Colville Sign and Ferry County Coop. The events are being sponsored by the Republic-based Kettle Range Conservation Group. Learn more about the festival at wildandscenicfilmfestival.org.//

free-heeled, on lifts, earning turns, beginner or expert. You can expect clinics, competitions, demos, amazing food and parties, adventure films, and a celebratory Kootenay vibe that per-meates the entire weekend. The clinics and many events are held at the Whitewater Ski Resort, while other festivities take place in nearby Nelson (take advantage of shuttles between town and the resort). Check out the festival schedule and sign up for clinics and weekend packages, and reserve lodging in Nelson, before options become limited at coldsmokepowderfest.com//

“Wild ANd SceNic filM feSTivAl” ShoWiNGS iN NoRTheAST WA: TiMe foR A filM feST-bReWeRy-SKi oR SNoWShoe RoAd TRiPon Thursdays it is typically open to the public from

3:30 - 6 p.m. From beginner routes to expert prob-lems, they have just about everything one needs to be ready for the outdoor climbing season or a winter rock getaway.

The Sandpoint Rock Gym also hosts regular climbing related events for the regional climbing community, including a Reel Rock film screening every year to raise funds for the gym and improve-ments. The Reel Rock 8 showing is coming up in Sandpoint on Feb. 7 at the Little Panida Theatre (300 N. First Street). Doors open at 6 p.m and the films start at 7 p.m. Tickets are available in advance at Eichardt’s Pub and the Sandpoint Rock Gym or at the door. Climbers from around the region are encouraged to turn out to support this local climb-ing resource. To find out more about the event, the gym, or the Sandpoint rock climbing community, visit www.sandpointrockgym.com or find them on Facebook as Friends of Sandpoint Rock Gym.

On March 2, the gym, along with Long Leaf Wilderness Medicine and the American Alpine Club, is sponsoring a Rappelling Best Practices Clinic at noon. E-mail [email protected] for details.// (Ammi Midstokke)

st. marIes In north central Idaho may be off the beaten path a bit, but that hasn’t kept local cycling enthusiasts from creat-ing unique year-round bike events and riding opportunities. Grab a fat bike and get ready to experience (and practice pronouncing) the “Murleltergstagfatfahrradsfest” fat bike ride on the Christmas Hills Trail System.

Event organizer Tom Miller (and the Bike Shop at Hughes Ace Hardware also in St. Maries) explains that the ride is named after a German word for an American holiday at a Mexican restaurant, the holiday being Groundhogs Day, and the restaurant where the ride ends being the Casa de Oro Restaurant in town. The course is a 10-15 mile loop with adventurous side options. It starts at 12 p.m. at the St. Maries Golf Course and includes a $5 entry fee. For more info, call 208-582-0520 or e-mail [email protected].

If this ride caught you by surprise and you still want to check out the fat bike riding potential in the area, the Christmas Hills Recreation Area can be accessed from Christmas Hills Road. In the winter it’s impossible to drive all the way to the parking area used during the rest of the year, but it is easy enough to park off the side at an obvious “Y” as you reach the top of the hill.

There are currently no good maps of the area, but a look at Google Earth reveals that the major trails all work their way back to the warming hut and the main parking area. The terrain is rolling and the roads which cut through the area aren’t steep. A few loops should be groomed with a tracked ATV all winter long. Call 208-245-6544 or stop by the Bike Shop at Hughes Ace Hardware (904 Center Ave in St. Maries) for more informa-tion and a trail report.//


RunningThe yeAR of The MARAThoNStart your Training Now // by erika Prins

Editor’s note: “The Year of the Marathon” is part one in a series on marathon training that will offer practical advice and inspiration to help you complete your long run this year. Look for follow-ups from Erika in the coming months at OutThereMonthly.com, on Facebook, and in print.

sO, yOu’ve claImed 2014 as the year you’ll finally run a marathon. Or, like me, this is the year you’ll get back into marathon shape after a shamefully long hiatus. Either way, it’s time to get going. Allowing yourself extra time to build up your mileage can help prevent injuries – and make the difference between enjoying the process and burning out.

chOOse a traInIng prOgramSome marathon training programs are as short

as 12 weeks. Choose one that’s longer. “I would do 14 – 16 weeks just to really give

yourself a good base,” says Julie Pannell. She and her husband Wade Pannell own Fleet Feet in Spokane and run training programs throughout the year.

Ideally, she says, you’ll be running regularly before beginning your marathon training and will have run a half-marathon before. That’s cer-tainly not a requirement, though, as long as you give yourself ample time to incrementally increase mileage. “If you want to feel successful, and really

achieve in a healthy way and not injure yourself, it’s better to take the time and put in that effort,” she says.

If you’ve never run a marathon before, choose a training program specifically geared toward novices. Pannell recommends that for your first marathon, your longest training run need not be more than 20 miles.

fInd a runnIng grOup“I think there’s definitely safety in numbers

when you run with people,” says Jeff Schuster, who organizes C:\NextIT\Run, a running group that meets at Monterey Café downtown on Tuesday nights. “Groups are more visible to drivers and make running in the dark less risky,” he says.

Whether it’s an organized running group or a friend who’s also trying to get in shape, running with others can help you stay on track and make running more fun – even when it’s cold, rainy or snowy outside. “If I’m meeting five friends, they’re all counting on me,” says Pannell. “That group dynamic can really help. Then you can all get through that together and then be proud of your accomplishment.”

Fleet Feet runs a Winter Warriors program, which incentivizes running through the cold months with competition and prizes. The group runs together four times per week. Anyone can attend runs and join at any time. Beginning

in March, the shop will offer a Windermere Marathon training group.

gear up fOr cOld weather runnIngGetting out there and training sounds daunting

enough. Add in cruddy weather, and you’ve got a great excuse to stay home with fuzzy slippers on. But giving yourself that extra time to ramp up mileage is essential. Winter running also has some added benefits compared to running when it’s warmer out. For one, says Schuster, you’re not fighting overheating – in fact, he thinks the cold is great running weather. “After a warm-up, you really are warm.”

Running in snow or slush can also call atten-tion to your form. “Sometimes if you’re running long, you get kind of tired and lazy, and you start shuffling your feet,” he says. In the snow, you’re forced to pick your feet up. Running on ice, how-ever, is dangerous – just don’t do it.

To stay warm on your run (but not too warm), layer a light, waterproof shell over tight-fitting synthetics. You should feel a little chilly at first. Otherwise, you’ll be roasting after the first mile.

frOnt-lOad the crOss-traInIngWinter offers great cross-training opportuni-

ties – take advantage while you’re logging less running time, advises Pannell. Schuster and Pannell both rely on TRX for core strength train-ing. Pannell also recommends building the leg

muscles you’ll need with lunges and squats. Most importantly, find something you like to

do and do it, she says. “Some people don’t like swimming – maybe they like Zumba – just some-thing that’s going to mix things up and strength-en those muscles that you’re going to be using.” Schuster plays pick-up ultimate Frisbee during lunch breaks a couple of times a week for variety.

be flexIbleIt’s easy to get discouraged the first (and sec-

ond, and third) time you don’t get in your sched-uled run as planned. Staying on track means finding a balance between discipline – doing your runs even when you don’t feel like it – and flexibility, which may mean shifting workouts around when necessary and allowing your pro-cess to be imperfect. Beating yourself up for miss-ing a work-out will only make the next workout seem more daunting. Instead, find another time during the week to fit the run in. Start fresh at the beginning of each week – don’t try to pack in that run you missed last week.

“Plans are great because they’re going to keep you motivated to reach your goal,” says Pannell. “But having flexibility that maybe you have to shift a goal – you have to travel for work or something – is important. You have to be realistic about how life fits into training.”//

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sixteenth AnnuAl FestivAl

January 23–February 1

K2: siren of the himalayas shows the adventure, peril and serenity of a group’s attempt to climb the world’s most challenging mountain. While their summit hangs in the balance, the film examines the risks, rewards and deeply personal nature of exploration. Rare video footage and still images from the 1909 Duke of Abruzzi expedition make this a definitive historical piece on K2, tracing the parallels of high altitude exploration over the last century.

Meet the filmmakers! Filmmaker Dave Ohlson and other members of the K2 crew are scheduled to attend. Live discussion and Q&A after the screening. Saturday, Feb 1 · Magic Lantern · 11:30am

www.spokanefilmfestival.orgtickets · schedule · film details

TheGearRoom

iT’S A SNoWShoe, iT’S A SKiActually, it’s a hok from Altai Skis // by S. Michal bennett

In the mIdst Of advancIng snowshoe technology, Francois Sylvain and Nils Larsen (who calls northeast Washington home) con-ceived of Altai Skis and the Hok, a product that melds the qualities of a snowshoe and a ski.

The Hok combines the maneuverability and ease of use found in snowshoes with a ski’s effi-ciency of sliding forward rather than lifting and stepping with each stride. A synthetic climbing skin is integrated into the base of the ski, and the sustainable paulownia wood core, reinforced with organic natural fibers and fiberglass, makes it lightweight and flexible.

Altai offers two sizes, 145cm and 125cm. Mountain Gear in Spokane sells and rents them for $15 a day. I stopped in recently and picked up a pair of 125cm to take out for a day of “snow-shoeing.”

Mountain Gear also had a choice of bindings 3pin or universal. The 3pin binding required a specific boot, and, since my goal was to see how well the skis did for a recreational user, I chose the universal. I also elected for a set of poles.

The next day, I strapped the Hoks to my snow boots and went out near Lookout Pass with a couple of friends, one on snowshoes and one on a skinned split snowboard. The first part of the

day, we followed groomed and cut trails, but as we got further in, I was able to forge new trail in deep, fresh snow. The Hoks were perfect for this!

On the uphill, they worked admirably. Because I wasn’t used to them, I did experience minimal sliding at first. But after I got the feel, the synthetic skins gripped nicely. Flat out, I was impressed with how well the skis glided along the snow – not too much and not too little. They had the perfect amount of slide and maneuverability to make each step more natural than the last.

The real challenge came with the change in ter-rain. Climbing was easy. Coming back down was more tricky. Due to their short length, Hoks do not respond as a normal ski and make it challeng-ing to slow down on a hill. Their website recom-mends taking a downhill in switchback turns, but when the space you have to work with is narrow, this is problematic. With time and practice, how-ever, I am sure this is a skill that can be developed with ease.

Overall, I found my rental Hoks highly enjoyable and simple to use. Compared to snowshoes, they are smoother and faster. Compared to skis, they are lighter and easier to work with, especially in deep snow. I highly recommend trying them out!//

WiNTeR RuNNiNG Shoe RevieWicebug certo-l buGrip // by Sarah hauge

as an avId wInter runner, I was excited when Swedish company Icebug (icebug.se/en) offered to send a review sample of Certo-L BUGrip shoes. In winter I usually wear my regular running shoes with a pair of traction aids (I’ve used Get a Grip brand for years). I was intrigued by the all-in-one Icebugs, with a water-resistant ripstop nylon upper, and soles that have carbide tip studs.

My first run in the Icebugs was on a gloomy January morn-ing through a mixture of ice, slush, snow, and p u d d l e s . On a sec-ond occa-sion I ran on a thin layer of snow and through a frozen park on thick sheets of ice.

Fit-wise, the shoes felt good – not excep-tionally cushy, but stable and supportive. The toe box seemed a bit roomier than that of my usual Asics, but to me that was a comfort advantage.

Overall, I was impressed with the traction on ice and snow. Though I felt a slight slipping sen-sation on solid sheets of ice, mostly at the end of each stride, it was nothing I’d call an out-of-

control slide. On snow, slush, and combo snow-ice surfaces, I didn’t feel this slipping at all. (Full disclosure: I’m a chicken and couldn’t convince myself to go full speed down icy hills).

In the name of research, I ran through some puddles I could easily have avoided. My feet

stayed dry until I totally submerged the laces. Even then I felt only

a couple drops of water. The con of an all-in-one winter runner

is having to deal with the sharp

s t u d s . To avoid dam-aging floors, you’d have t o p u t them on o u t s i d e (less than i d e a l i n

winter), and you’d have to

change shoes post-run to do

errands or go out for coffee. For some,

regular shoes plus trac-tion aids might be simpler to

deal with.Icebugs run $110+ (available online

through Amazon, Sierra Trading Post, etc.). If you run regularly in the winter, the price could be well worth it; infrequent winter runners might be better off shelling out $30 for traction aids.//


Road Triplolo To lochSAWinter Adventure Along the hot Springs highway // by Aaron Theisenthe parkIng lOt at Warm Springs Creek trailhead was empty, unusual for a Friday after-noon, even in the depths of winter. Across Highway 12, the Lochsa River, normally tumul-tuous – its name Nez Perce for “rough water” – lay suspended mid-churn. Meanwhile, just downstream, improbably in the sub-zero chill that flash-froze sweat, Warm Springs Creek poured into the Lochsa. I crossed the pack bridge over the river and followed the trail along Warm Springs Creek, the path hammered smooth by scores of boots. One mile in, a cloud of steam on the downhill side of the path signaled my destination. A quick scramble along the slick edge of a waterfall and I had Jerry Johnson Hot Springs to myself. The pool was bathwater-warm and pleasantly sulphur-free. Around the spring, where cold finally overpowered superheated steam, rime covered everything – cedar sprays, boulders, and eventually my eyebrows. I quickly forgot the record-low cold; there was not a warmer place to be outside in north Idaho at that moment.

Water defines the rugged character of north-central Idaho, none more so than the Lochsa River. Described by Lewis and Clark, who encountered it on their westward journey to the Pacific, as “swift and stony,” the Lochsa was one of the six original rivers protected by the U.S. Congress in the 1968 Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The snowmelt months of spring bring world-class whitewater rafting, with almost continuous rapids

over the 40-mile stretch from its headwaters near Lolo Pass on the Idaho and Montana border to the confluence of the Selway, another Wild and Scenic River.

But it’s the hot springs, products of the Lochsa Geothermal System, the geothermal fault that defines the course of the Lochsa River, that draw travelers year-round. Five named hot springs – Stanley, Weir Creek, Jerry Johnson, Colgate Licks and Lolo – follow the fault line, with numerous other springs hidden in the mountains. Although high summer sees a stream of soakers from Lewiston and Missoula and beyond, winter brings its own quiet charms. Here, six months and sev-eral dozen degrees removed from summertime crowds, it’s easier to appreciate the invigorating heat of a soak and the quiet beauty of a frozen cedar forest.

A winter traveler’s first stop should be Jerry Johnson Hot Springs, 20-miles west of Lolo Pass. The Warm Springs Creek trail to the springs is by far the most popular trail in the Clearwater National Forest; expect to share a pool with col-lege students from Missoula. An almost-level 1-mile hike attains the first and most impressive of eight pools strung out along the east bank of Warm Springs Creek, where a waterfall splashes over a steep rock face into a calf-deep basin.

Spring snowmelt submerges the pool, but in the winter, low creek levels leave the pools relatively warm; hug the rock wall for undiluted, 105-degree water. “Clothing optional” is the custom of the

country here and at Weir Creek Hot Springs, although those with bathing suits will not feel out of place. A party destination in the past, Forest Service restrictions prohibiting overnight use – and locals’ justifiable reverence for the spot – have led to a cleaner, safer experience.

Just over 10 miles west of Jerry Johnson Hot Springs, Weir Creek Hot Springs comes as close to a developed hot spring as one will find in the wild. Where the spring pours out of the hillside, dedi-cated soakers have constructed an engineering marvel, with rock-and-mortar walls mid-thigh high and outflow pipes capped by Coke cans. The pool seats eight comfortably, and a wood plank, well-worn by years of backsides both bare and clothed, provides an elevated view of Weir Creek forty feet below. Soakers can reach the springs via a ¼-mile hike that climbs well above the creek, but treacherously slippery tread, even after a recent Forest Service rebuild, tends to keep winter visi-tors to a trickle – all the better to enjoy the serene, cedar-shaded setting.

After a soak, exercise invigorated muscles on the newly constructed snowshoe trail at Lolo Pass, which provides one of the few winter vistas of the

Lochsa region attainable without aid of a snow-mobile. From the front door of the visitor center, the well-marked 1.5-mile route climbs steeply but briefly through the trees before topping out on a small ridge spiked with snags. To the south stretches the heavily timbered Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, at 1.5-million acres slightly larger than Delaware; the contours of the Lochsa River twist away to the west. The Visitor Center hosts monthly full-moon snowshoe trips through the winter; check the Clearwater-Nez Perce National Forest website for details.

The Lochsa Lodge is also hosting the annual Lolo to Lochsa Nordic Ski Race on March 15. It’s a 22-mile ski race with free registration and bus transport from the lodge. Contact Angela Mallon at [email protected] or call the lodge at (208) 942-3405 for more info.

Getting There: Good directions to Jerry Johnson, Weir, and other Idaho hot springs are available at www.idahohotsprings.com/destinations/jerry_johnson//

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TOP: LOCHSA LODGE ALL LIT UP, BOTTOM: JERRY JOHNSON HOT SPRINGS // PHOTOS: AARON THEISEN


Backcountry The ulTiMATe WhiTeWATeR SKi TRiPResort Runs + backcountry Turns // by Peter G. Williams

well knOwn are the IncredIble ameni-ties and ski terrain offered by Whitewater Ski Resort, located just outside of Nelson, British Columbia. Less appreciated is the amazing backcountry access and unparalleled ski ter-rain that is offered in the out-of-bounds terrain. Experience them both for the ultimate Kootenay ski trip.

whItewater the resOrt Whitewater Ski Resort is a unique resort that

continues to have a small family ski lodge feel while offering some big area ski terrain. In addi-tion, the area has some of the best and deepest snow to be found anywhere in the West. Powder Magazine calls Whitewater “One of the best pow-der mountains on the continent.”

Tucked into a massive bowl on mighty Ymir Peak in the Selkirk Mountains, Whitewater Ski Resort averages 40 feet of light, dry, powder snow every year. While the resort definitely has ter-rain to satisfy the entire family, it is also known for incredible steep terrain, including really fun chutes and bowls. The resort has over 2,000 feet of vertical drop, and ski terrain that covers 1,184 acres and includes 81 runs. At the end of 2010, the Glory Ridge Chair was added, which opened up a significant amount of new terrain, and decreased the lift lines considerably throughout the resort.

One unusual aspect of the resort, as ski areas go, is the incredible food. In 2011 Ski Magazine rated Whitewater No. 2 in the “Top 10 Ski Resort

Cafeterias.” In addition to the fresh homemade food in the lodge, there is also a quality Fresh Tracks Café Express food truck at the base of Glory Chair.

whItewater the backcOuntry shangrI la

For those of you uninitiated, backcountry skiing provides a unique, heavenly experience.

On a quality backcountry ski tour, typically one encounters no crowds, deep powder, the tranquil-ity of nature, and the freedom to explore. The quality of the backcountry terrain that’s acces-sible from Whitewater Ski Resort is unparalleled.

With a base elevation of 5,333 feet, the resort offers “some of the best lift access backcountry on the planet,” according to their own website. Reflecting typical Canadian wisdom and sensi-bilities, Whitewater supports backcountry access wholeheartedly. The resort recommends on their website that all skiers and snowboarders be equipped with a transceiver, probe and shovel, and be educated in backcountry knowledge and up-to-date avalanche conditions. They also ask that you check in with the Snow Safety Patrol before you head into the backcountry.

There are a ton of great access points to the back-country from the top of the lifts. For lift access to the backcountry within the season and during opera-tional hours, single ride lift tickets are available (you will be required to sign a backcountry waiver). One access point is at the top of the Silver King Chair that

leads to several prominent areas known as White Queen and Five Mile. Another, located at the top of the Claim Jumper ski run, accessed via Glory Ridge Chair, takes you, after a short hike, to what the locals call the “Trash Chutes.” From the bot-tom of this region you can ski back to the Glory lift. A third access point is located in the Powder Keg Bowl, which takes you into the Ymir region, offering a vast expanse of quality skiing.

You also have the option of parking and hiking into the backcountry. The Resort offers recom-mended ascent routes outside the ski area boundary. Interestingly, Whitewater Ski Resort offers a beacon/transceiver training area. In addition, they offer a one-day introductory avalanche awareness course.

If you are interested in learning to telemark ski or expand your backcountry skills, the 8th Annual Kootenay Coldsmoke Powder Festival (Feb. 21-23)

offers beginner to intermediate telemark clinics that are perfect for developing skills, gaining confidence, and enhancing your understanding of the magic that is the telemark turn. Half-day sessions are also available throughout the season.

A great resource for planning your trip is the Backcountry Ski Map and Guide to the Whitewater Ski Area, available at backcountryskiingcanada.com. As the classic saying goes, free your heels, and your mind will follow.

Getting There: Whitewater Ski Resort is located 142 miles north of Spokane and just 14 miles south of Nelson, B.C. Don’t forget your passport!//

AARON STEELE OF ESSEx JUNCTION, VT. LOVIN’ THE WHITE-WATER BACKCOUNTRY. // PHOTO: BY PETER G. WILLIAMS

February 21-23, 2014

Phot

o: K

ari M

edig

www.coldsmokepowderfest.com

Clinics for all abilities like Backcountry Basics, Second Step Tour and Steeps with Eric Pehota


befOre wInter Is Over, take a break from the thrills of the slopes and spend some time exploring

a few great snowshoeing areas in the winter wonderland of North Idaho. While lower elevations often

get more rain than snow, or little to no precipitation at all, there is always enough snow in the moun-

tains this time of year for a snowshoe trek. Snowshoeing is one of the most accessible winter activi-

ties, and just about anyone can have fun doing it with minimal gear or experience required. While

snowshoeing is easier on groomed routes like snowmobile trails or other groomed trails designated

for snowshoers, a person with snowshoes on their feet is not limited to designated trails but is free to

wander through the mountains in pursuit of peace and quiet, wildlife sign, or stellar scenery wherever

the snow and their abilities will allow. However, being prepared and aware of your surroundings and

conditions (including the weather and avalanche risk) is vital for your safety anytime you head out in

the winter. This guide gives you basic information on some great places to explore and suggestions

on gear and other safety precautions. Now get out there, have fun and enjoy this enchanting country

surrounding us!

cOeur d’aleneWhen there is enough snow in Coeur d’Alene, the trails on Tubbs Hill downtown and Canfield

Mountain on the northern edge of the town offer some fine snowshoeing options if you don’t have a lot of time. With easy access, short trails and varying terrain, you can get in some spontaneous shoeing without making it a full daytrip.

If the snow in the city is scarce, Fourth of July Ski and Snowshoe Area is just a few minutes east off I-90, with 12 miles of groomed ski trails, 5 miles of snowshoe trails and a Snowshoe Warming Hut about 2 miles down the Twisted Klister Trail. If you are up for a longer trek, consider making a night of it by shoeing six miles in to the Ian’s Eagle Warming Hut off the Eagle Run Trail. The Panhandle Nordic Cross-Country Ski and Snowshoe Club maintains much of the Fourth of July area, and it’s website (panhandlenordicclub.com) and Facebook page are a wealth of information, including maps, snow conditions, and warming hut and Park-N-Ski Permit information (permit stickers are $25 for a year or $7.50 for a 3-day pass).

sIlver valleyBoth Silver Mountain Resort and Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area rent snowshoes and provide

groomed trails for snowshoers. In fact, at Silver, you can purchase a round trip gondola ride for just $17, spend the day on the back mountain trails and then ride back down to the lodge. The gondola is also pet-friendly, so your dogs can tag along in the snow with you!

One of the best views in the area on a clear winter day is from the top of the mountain across I-90 (north side) from Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area. An increasingly popular launching spot for snowshoers and backcountry skiers, this area doesn’t have a dedicated snowshoe trail, but there are roads and hillside routes for direct climbs up through the for-est, and there are often ski or snowshoe tracks to follow up the mountain. Getting to the top for the best views could range from easy to difficult depending on snow depth and the route you choose. If you go out after a fresh snowfall, you may just get to forge your own trail through the snow-laden trees. Just be careful and informed – many places in the Silver Valley (especially the St. Regis Basin and Stevens Peak area on the south side of I-90) can pose significant avalanche risk. Parking in this area is limited on the north side of I-90, but you can also park at the ski area and walk back across the overpass.

sandpOIntLake Pend Oreille and the surrounding mountains comprise some of the most picturesque

scenery in North Idaho and offer some excellent snowshoeing options right out of Sandpoint. In town, the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail follows the waterfront for about 2 miles, stretching from Sandpoint’s City Beach to Black Rock and Ponder Point. Easily accessible and effortless to shoe, it is also dog friendly and lined with spectacular views (pobtrail.org). Depending on the snow level, the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail may be a winter hike instead of a snowshoe trek.

The McKinnick Trail just north of Sandpoint is a little more challenging, boasting an elevation of 4,300 feet for a total elevation gain of 2,150 feet. A popular scenic trail with excellent views of the lake and snowcapped peaks, it traverses 3.5 miles of trail (one-way) through 160 acres of rock outcroppings, snowy meadows and forest. Once private property, the land was donated to the U.S. Forest Service in 1997. More info and directions at cityofsandpoint.com.

Finally, Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort (schweitzer.com) rents snowshoes and offers groomed

trails just for snowshoers and Nordic skiers. While there is a $6 trail fee per person, these fun and relatively easy trails lead to dazzling views. Some popular routes include the old growth

forest of Hermit’s Hollow and Schweitzer Ridge. Schweitzer also offers hosted snowshoe outings with knowledgeable guides on the weekends. Stop in at the Activity Center (or call 208-255-3081) for trail and route details. There is both free and paid parking, depending on how far you’re willing to walk to the trails.

prIest lakeA little off the beaten path, Priest Lake is a hidden gem with plenty of snowshoeing

possibilities along the lake and in the surrounding Selkirk Mountains. For starters, Elkins Resort (www.elkinsresort.com) and Hill’s Resort (www.hillsresort.com), both on the west side of the lake, offer cabins for rent and have snowshoeing routes and trails of varying difficulty right out their resort doors. Both Hills and Elkins also rent snowshoes and poles and can offer advice on the best routes to explore. There are easy routes along the lake, more challenging hills to climb for views, and at the nearby Hanna Flats Nordic trail system, several gentle loop options (and reportedly some old growth cedar trees too). More info on Priest Lake area Nordic trails and snowshoe routes at: parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/priest-lake

snOwshOe gear: buy, rent, bOrrOw – just get Out there!If you aren’t already geared up, I would suggest renting a few times first to see if it’s

something you want to invest in. All the major North Idaho ski resorts rent snowshoes with poles for typically $15 a day. Some have hourly or multi-day rates as well. In addition to selling snowshoes and gear, these outdoor gear shops also rent snowshoes: Mountain

Gear in Spokane ($15/day), Tri-State Outfitters in Coeur d’Alene ($15/day) and Sandpoint Sports in Sandpoint ($25/day).

What you wear matters. Wear synthetic clothing, not cotton, which, when it gets wet, stays

North Idaho Snowshoeing Guide: Find Your Freedom in the Hills this Winter

By S. Michal Bennett

LAYING DOWN TRACKS IN THE SILVER VALLEY BACKCOUNTRY. PHOTO // CRICKET STAFFORD


wet and can put you in danger of hypothermia. Several thin layers are better than one thick layer and are better for ease of motion. Waterproof pants, jacket and gloves (ski or wet weather hiking clothing) are important, especially if you take a fall or it begins to snow. Breathable gear, like Gore-Tex, as well as wool, will help keep you warm (but not too hot) and dry. Finally, bring along a small backpack to carry your water, food, extra clothing, and other gear.

weather and safetyAvalanche risk can be high in the Silver Valley and Selkirk Mountains around Sandpoint and Priest

Lake, so make sure you check for avalanche alerts and information through the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center and have the proper training and avalanche safety equipment if you venture into any questionable terrain. The center also offers affordable and valuable avalanche safety and survival classes for all skill levels: idahopanhandleavalanche.org

When looking for a place to snowshoe, everyone wants to know how much snow there is. Depending on the terrain, 1.5 to 2 feet of snow is sufficient to embark on a good shoe trek. All the ski resorts in North Idaho update websites and phone recordings with the current snow reports for their areas. Another resource is The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), offering comprehensive, up-to-date weather reports at www.noaa.gov.

When going out on the trails, it is always a good idea to map it out beforehand. This way, even if you do take a wrong turn, you have a decent sense of where you are going. To be extra safe, carry a compass or GPS with you and input your starting point and destination. And don’t shoe alone. Having someone with you is vital in case of an emergency.

Snowshoeing is exercise, so hydrating is important. Pack water, tea, protein snacks and other small items for refueling breaks along the trail. Packets of air activated hand warmers (like HotHands) and compact survival blankets (like Heatsheets) are small and lightweight and could make the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. A headlamp is also a useful item to have. You never know if the beauty of the great white outdoors is going to lure you too far to make it back before the sun sets.//

Evolution of The Snowshoe the Oldest knOwn recOrd Of snOwshOeIng dates back 6,000 years in regions of modern day Asia. Early snowshoeing was born out of necessity, for survival, trade or travel. Snowshoes were typically modified slabs of wood, but quickly evolved into the wood framed shoes with raw hide laces that we commonly associate with snowshoeing today.

The transition of snowshoeing from survival necessity to recreational use has propelled snowshoe manufacturing into the realms of neoprene, aluminum, hypolon, plastic and an ever evolving develop-

Post Snowshoe Grub – Where to Go

cOeur d’aleneFire Artisan Pizza and Moon Time are my two top picks in Coeur d’Alene for post snowshoeing food

and drink. Fire’s wood oven pizzas, high quality beer taps and impeccable wine selection make for a warm and comforting meal. Moon Time tap options are more extensive, but you can’t beat their Moon Burger, 74th St. Gumbo or Chicken Caesar Soft Taco.

sIlver valleyAlthough both resorts have limited food choices that will do in a pinch, the best food spot in the

Silver Valley is Wallace. I have two favorites: The Fainting Goat Wine Bar & Eatery and City Limits Pub. The Goat is a new addition to Wallace, but its affordable menu is pure comfort food, with a gourmet twist. Their cozy space features an Enomatic Wine Dispenser, and its beer and cider bottle selection is excellent. City Limits Pub is home to North Idaho Mountain Brewery and serves up exceptional pub fare, including Scotch Eggs and juicy burgers. I recommend their Loft Honey Pale Ale!

sandpOIntSchweitzer Mountain Resort is home to several eateries, and the accommodations are also stellar.

However, I prefer to stop off in Sandpoint for a drink and a bite. While Idaho Pour Authority on Cedar is a great place to grab a pint or growler, Eichardt’s Pub across the street has a comprehensive menu and a lineup of outstanding local and regional taps. For a delectable pizza experience, stop in at Bab’s Pizzeria, just up from City Beach.

prIest lakePriest Lake is a bit of a drive, so I like to stop off on the way in Priest River and grab a cup of DOMA

coffee at the Beardmore Bistro on Main Street. On Priest Lake, both Elkins Resort and Hill’s Resort are home to gourmet, award-winning restaurants. For simpler fare, try the Nickelplate Restaurant in Nordman for home cooking and famous ribs, or Ardy’s Bakery & Café in Coolin. Although only open for breakfast and lunch during the week in the winter, Ardy’s also serves up some fabulous Thai food for dinner on the weekends. //

ment of comfort, ease and lightness. Today, snowshoes are technical and specialized, and there is even a whole magazine dedicated to all things snow and shoe, Snowshoe Magazine. And if you want to know the top snowshoes for 2014, Outside Magazine lists three: Tubbs Xpedition ($240 – best for backcountry excursions), Faber Sommet ($230 – best for doing it all!), and TSL Symboiz ($259 – best for day trips on technical terrain). Regardless of what snowshoes or trail skis you have strapped to your feet, this winter pastime is all about leaving the main pack, setting a pace and reveling in the quiet white of the trail.//

PHOTO COURTESY FIRE ARTISAN PIzzA


SUNDAY MARCH 2, 2014 MT. SPOKANE CROSS-COUNTRY SKI PARK

learn more at spokanenordic.org/challenge

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Winter SportsiNlANd NW NoRdic SKieRS RePReSeNT AT 2014 olyMPicS // by jamie Redman

wIth all the excItement surrounding the 2014 Winter Olympics, I can’t help but remem-ber my own short-lived dreams to become a Winter Olympian. It was back in 2001, and I was a 15-year-old Nordic skier, racing at a high-school competition in the Methow Valley. I was feeling pretty cocky, and I was confident (in a way that only teenagers are) that I had raced fast enough for a podium finish. I strutted up to the results board, only to be served a large slice of humble pie. First, the fastest skier in the high-school race was only 12 years old. Second, this 5th grade upstart didn’t win by a few seconds, she beat all the teenagers by a significant margin! Ladies and gentle-men, meet Sadie Bjornsen. She’s been triumph-ing over older, bigger, more-experienced skiers since elementary school, and her talent has car-ried her all the way to the 2014 Olympics.

Sadie Bjornsen, 24, is a blonde, blue-eyed cross-country skier from Winthrop, and she’s been training and racing on local ski trails for the past two decades. “The Methow Valley has a

large amount of talent that has come from it, and I know that will only continue,” Bjornsen writes on her blog. “With some of the best skiing in the world, and many enthusiastic athletes, it’s hard to not grow up loving the sport.”

Her enthusiasm has served her well: She was a national champion in high school, an All-American in college, and for the past three years, has been racing for Team USA on the interna-

tional stage. In a sport dominated by Swedes and Norwegians, Sadie has held her own among her elite competitors. Her stellar 2013-2014 racing season garnered enough World Cup points to merit a Top-25 World ranking, which guaranteed her a plane ticket to Sochi. And an Olympic medal could now be within reach: at last year’s World Championships, she helped the U.S. women’s 4x5k

relay to a record 4th-place finish. Sadie won’t be the only Washingtonian in Team

USA gear: in fact, five of the 14 Nordic Olympians grew up on Washington’s ski trails. Sadie’s little brother, Erik, has also been making waves in the international racing scene. At only 21 years old, Erik is already a national champion, an All-American, and the youngest member of the 2013 World Championship Team. The Bjornsen sib-

lings are joined by fellow Winthrop skier, Brian Gregg, on his first Olympic team. Holly Brooks, before making her second Olympic team, raced for Snoqualmie’s Junior Ski Team. Finally, veteran Torin Koos, a native of Leavenworth, will be com-peting in his fourth Olympics.

So when the American athletes march across the stadium during the Opening Ceremonies,

keep your eyes peeled for some familiar local faces. “I can’t even wait to see what it will feel like to walk into my first opening ceremonies, compete in the Olympic suit, hear our National Anthem when a medal is won; the whole thing!!”, writes Bjornsen. “I have been dreaming about making the Olympics since I was a young girl, so it is so awesome to have it finally come true.”

The cross-country skiing Olympic competi-tion will begin Feb. 8, the day after the Opening Ceremony. Follow Sadie Bjornsen’s journey on her blog: www.sadiebjornsen.blogspot.com//

Sadie won’t be the only Washingtonian in Team uSA gear: in fact, five of the 14 Nordic olympians grew up on Washington’s ski trails.

LOOKOUT SOCHI, HERE WE COME!


Everyday CyclistvAleNTiNe’S dAy GifT ideAS foR cycliSTS // by hank GreervalentIne’s day Is cOmIng up. How would you like some help finding a gift for your biking beau? Here are some ideas to help bring on the smiles.

A bike. Cycling Rule No. 12 states: “The cor-rect number of bikes to own is N+1.” N is how many bikes you currently own. Your loved one would love an Elephant Bike, custom built right here in Spokane by Glen Copus (www.elephant-bikes.com). Save money on a card because the bike would say it all. Your sweetie will make every excuse to go riding, but that’s the point, right? A commuter can run anywhere from $2,100-$4,000 depending on the components you choose.

That special someone can use a cool head covering even when they’re not on a bike. The Spokane bike cap can be had at Cool Waters Bike Shop at 224 South Howard Street in Spokane. Act quickly because they are in limited supply. ($20).

Do you ever wonder how awesome you look while you’re riding with your significant other? Well, now you can see for yourself. Get them an HD Slayer camera. Based in Coeur d’Alene, Reel Cameras developed a sports camera that comes with a helmet mount, handlebar mount, a water-proof case, and much more. On the back is an LCD monitor, so your sweetheart can make sure you are in the frame. Or not. Order online at www.reelcameras.com or pick one up at Coeur d’Alene Powersports, 2745 West Seltice Way. ($299.99).

You can’t have too many cycling t-shirts. Blue Button Apparel, a non-profit screen-printing shop that helps at-risk youth, prints these shirts locally. The proceeds benefit operations and pro-grams of Pedals2People (www.pedals2people.org) located at 1527 East 16th Avenue in Spokane, where you can pick one up for $15.

Cyclists look forward to a recovery drink after the ride. River City Brewing (rivercityred.blogspot.com) not only sponsors a cycling team, but brews excellent beer, too. Pick up a beer growler and get it filled for $12 ($10 on Tuesdays) at the tap room located at 121 South Cedar Street downtown Spokane. And ride responsibly.

You and your sweetheart can use an ener-gy boost while you’re out on your bikes, and Spokane-based Bumble Bars (www.bumblebar.com/) can help you with that. You can order a dozen online for $18.88. Wrap them up and add a card, and maybe they’ll share one with you.

Have a happy Valentine’s Day.//

ELEPHANT BIKES: MADE IN SPOKANE


CliMBing

(ongoing) vertical introduction. When: Tuesdays and Thursdays 6 – 8 p.m., Saturdays 4 – 6 p.m. Where: Wild Walls 202 W. 2nd Ave. Learn the fundamentals to climb indoors: fitting the harness, knot tying, and proper belay technique. This class (or previous experience and passing belay test) is a prerequisite for top roping. Ages 12+, $35. Info: 509-455-9596.

(ongoing) introduction to lead climbing. When: Last two Tuesdays of the month 4 - 6 p.m. Where: Wild Walls For climbers looking to further their climbing ability and increase the options available to them, lead climbing class will prepare you for the world of sport climbing! With an emphasis on safety, you will learn proper technique for both lead belaying and lead climbing, as well as helpful strategies for efficient sport climbing. Experience required, $75. Info: 509-455-9596

(ongoing Mondays & Wednesdays) Spider Monkeys climbing club. When: 5 – 7 p.m. Where: Wild Walls, 202 W. 2nd Ave. For kids ages 4 – 10 years. Please call ahead. Come climb and meet new friends! Info: 509-455-9596.

BiKing

(ongoing) belles and baskets. Whatever style your cycle, join other Spokane women for no-drop rides, treats, and friendship. Info: 509-951-4090, facebook.com/bellesandbaskets.

(ongoing) boMb Mountain bike Rides. When: Varies. Where: Spokane Area. Spokane BOMB (Believers On Mountain Bikes) is a non-denomina-tional Christian group leading rides in the Spokane area April-October. Everyone welcome, helmets required. Info: www.spokanebomb.com

(first Wednesday-each Month) bike fights. When: 8 p.m. Where: Soulful Soups & Spirits. 60 seconds to ride your heart out on a bike trainer. $10 to enter. Prizes! Info: 509-459-1190.

CheCK out your loCal BiKe shoP For WeeKly rides!

(ongoing Saturdays) indoor bike Group Ride. Where: Terra Sports Bike Shop, Coeur d’Alene. Bring your bike and trainer or rent either. Great opportunity to meet new cyclists in the area. This is a casual group of bike enthusiasts that want to keep the tires rolling thru the winter! Road, Mountain, Hybrid. Everyone welcome. Info: 208-765-5446

(February 2) Die Murleltergstagfatfahrradsfest. When: Noon. Where: St. Maries, ID Golf Course. A fat bike ride on the Christmas Hills trail system in to celebrate the weather prognosticating abilities of a large rodent. Start at the St. Maries Golf Course, finish at Casa de Oro restaurant. A 10-15 mile loop with an additional 3-5 miles of tech-nical adventures. A German name for an American holiday at a Mexican restaurant. Only $5 entry fee. Info: 208-582-0520 or [email protected]

(february 27) bike Maintenance basics. When: 7 - 8:30 p.m. Where: REI. Routine maintenance on

running

(March 23) Mead Marching Madness 5K. When: 10 a.m. to noon. A 5K run/walk for all ages and abilities. The race starts at Mead High School and loops through the neighborhood and finishes back at the high school. Medals will be awarded to the top three male and top three female finishers as well as ribbons for top three finishers in each age group. Info: MeadMarchingMadness.com or [email protected].

(April 27) Spokane River Run. When: 7:45 a.m. Ranging from 50K to 5K. Whether you are considering trail racing for the first time or are an experienced runner, you’ll have a rewarding race in a beautiful environment. Right in the midst of Riverside State Park and minutes from downtown Spokane, is a small piece of trail running paradise. Info: www.spokaneriverrun.com

(May 4) bloomsday. When: 9 a.m. Lilac Bloomsday Run held in Spokane, features over 50,000 runners, joggers, and walkers. Info: www.bloomsdayrun.org org.

(May 31) Purplestride. When: 9 a.m. - noon. Where: Coeur d’Alene City Park. 5k Fundraising run and walk to fight pancreatic cancer and create awareness. Cost: $25. Info: purplestride.org/inlandnw or 509-990-9919

(june 1) Gran fondo leavenworth. When: 8 a.m. Where: Cascade High School. The Gran Fondo Leavenworth course is the perfect mix of pave-ment, Forest Service roads, and mega mountain passes (3!) Info: rideviciouscycle.com

(june 7-8) The Riverside 24 hour Relay. Teams of 1 – 12 runners will take turns completing a beautiful, 6-mile loop through Riverside State Park to cover as many laps as possible in 24 hours. Live music through the night, great awards and swag, food, beverages and so much more. Athletes can set up their own RV/Tent city. Info: r24relay.com or 208-664-0135.

(june 8) Red devil challenge Trail Run. When: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Where: Wenatchee National Forest. The running trails dissect beautiful glades of Ponderosa pine and grasses; cuts through cooler, darker stands of Douglas Fir with views of the Enchantments, Mission Ridge and other views in the Cascades. Info: runwenatchee.com or 509-378-0051

Marathons

(April 27) Spokane River Run. When: 7:45 a.m. Where: Riverside State Park, Spokane. 5K, 10K, 25K and 50K, age divisions. Register online or find more info: www.SpokaneRiverRun.com

(May 10) horse lake half Marathon. When: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Where: Horse Lake Reserve in the Wenatchee Foothills. The reserve is known for its wildflowers and stunning views of the North Cascades and the Wenatchee River. Info: run-wenatchee.com or 509-387-0051

(May 25) coeur d’Alene Marathon. The Coeur d’Alene Marathon, Half Marathon, and MyHealth 5k fun run. Info: http://www.cdamarathon.com/

(june 1) Windermere Marathon. When: 7 a.m. Full or Half Marathon. Info: http://windermer-emarathon.wordpress.com/

CyCling

(April 12-13) Spokane bike Swap & expo. When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Used bikes and accessories are consigned, donated and sold to the public in our Bike Corral; 600 bicycles in 2013! A wide variety of exhibitors sell new bicycles, accessories and promote their products and services – includ-ing cycling events, health and wellness programs and recreational non-profits. A wide variety of bicycles are sure to please everyone – including kids, racing, mountain, road, commuter, bmx, tandem, recumbent, cruiser, trailer bikes, buggies and more! Info: SpokaneBikeSwap.com or 509-475-7674

(April 26) lilac century bike Ride. Where: Spokane Falls Community College. 100-mile ride and 50-mile ride along the west slope of the Spokane River, the Long Lake area, and through the West Plains of Spokane. Start, finish and packet pick-up. Info: www.teamfischbach.com

(May 17) Tour de cure to Stop diabetes. Where: Northern Quest Resort and Casino. You will recieve great support out on the routes and enjoy all the food, beverages and entertain-ment the resort has to offer.

(May 24-25) 24 hour Round the clock Race. The 24-hour event is a team relay mountain bike race, beginning at noon on Saturday and end-ing at noon on Sunday. Teams compete for medals, prizes and bragging rights. Info: roun-dandround.com

triathlons

(March 9) Walla Walla dirty duathlon. When: 10 a.m. Where: Bennington Lake. The Walla Walla Dirty Duathlon is a fun winter/spring event con-sisting of a 2.7 mile trail run on each end of a chal-lenging 15.4 mile mountain bike ride. The event is open to both individuals and teams

(May 31) Troika Triathlon. When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Medical Lake Park. Sprint Triathlon (1/4 mile swim, 10 mile bike, 3 mile run) Half Triathlon (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile

run). Info: TroikaTriathlon.com.

(june 29) ironman coeur d’Alene. A challenging Pacific Northwest race set in the lush timberland of Idaho. Info: Ironman.com

(july 13) valley Girl Triathlon. When: 7:45 a.m. Where: Liberty Lake. Women’s Only Sprint Distance Triathlon. Individual entry or teams. Volunteers are always welcome. Info: ValleyGirlTri.com

(july 26) Race the River. When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: Riverstone, CDA. Race the River is a sprint-distance triathlon. Info: racetheriver.com

(August 9) coeur d’Alene Triathlon. The Coeur d’Alene Triathlon and Duathlon has been one of the most scenic races in the Northwest since 1984, hence the nickname, “The Scenic Challenge.” This year marks the 31th anniver-sary of the race. New last year: Sprint Distance that will take off right after the Olympic race begins. Info: cdatriathlon.com or 877-782-9232

Winter sPorts

(March 8) KPNd bash at 49 degrees North. When: all day. Where: 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort. Bring back the classic looks of spandex and one pieces. Shine down the mountian in your flourescent gear and be prepared to win great prizes with a costume contest. Info: ski49n.com

(March 1-2) Girls do Ski. When: all day. Where: Whitewater Ski Resort, Nelson, Canada. Girls Do Ski is Canada’s leading freeski camp provider for women, specializing in both resort and backcoun-try camps. Some of the many benefits include empowerment, confidence building, and instruc-tion from certified coaches. Info: SkiWhitewater.com or 250-354-4944

(March 1) Slopes for hope Ski-A-Thon. When: all day. Where: Whitewater Ski Resort, Nelson, Canada. An “Everest-style” ski-a-thon; individuals and teams attempt to ski/snowboard the verti-cal of Mt. Everest in one day at Whitewater Ski Resort. Teams can come up with names, wear costumes, and challenge their friends to add a bit more excitement. Info: SkiWhitewater.com or 250-354-4944

other

(Register by March 21) Spokane Mountaineers backpacking School. When: 7 Classes between March 28 and Memorail Day Weekend. Where: Mountain Gear Corporate Headquarters. This course will cover everything from clothing and boots to major equipment, meal prepara-tion and leave-no-trace practices. Registration is open to all Spokane Mountaineers. Info: SpokaneMountaineers.org or 509-838-4974

Please visit www.outtheremonthly.com and click “Add Event” under the “Outdoor Calendar” tab to get your events listed online and considered for the monthly print magazine calendar. To be considered for the print calendar, events MUST be entered by the 20th of the month to be listed in the following month’s issue. Please follow the instructions for submitting an event using the web form.

Have an Event You Would Like to List? //

siXmonthtrainingcalendarOutdoorCalendar Full events calendar at www.outtheremonthly.com


your bike can keep you riding smoothly and pro-long the life of your bike. Join an introductory class designed to help you take care of your bike. Info: REI.com/Spokane or 509-328-9900

hiKing / WalKing

(on-Going) Wed & Sun hobnailer hikes. When: Varies. Where: Varies. Join Hobnailer hiking club for weekly 6-8 mile hikes in the Spokane area. Info: [email protected] or 509-456-0250

running

(ongoing) Winter Warrior. When: Tuesdays at 5:45 p.m. and Wednesdays at 6:30 a.m. Where: Monterey Cafe (Tuesday) and Method Juice (Wednesday). Winter Warrior is a winter incentive program for all running levels to help motivate you to stay active in the winter months. Join the program for $20 and attend the group runs, themed runs and seminars. You’ll earn points along the way. Based on the num-ber of points you’ve earned at the end of the program you will receive various running items (socks, shirts, etc). Your points will be tracked and posted at the end of the program. Info: fleetfeetspokane.com or 509-328-4786.

(february 9) Partners in Pain 5K. When: 10 a.m. Where: West Central Community Center. Info: www.brrc.net

(february 22) Third Annual Tri cities half Marathon. When: 8 a.m. Where: Jon Dam Plaza. Located in the heart of wine country this half mara-thon has accurate timing, t-shirts, post race celebra-tion and live music. Info: usrahalf.sportngin.com

yoga

(ongoing) intro to flow yoga. When: Mondays 8 p.m. Where: Wild Walls Climbing Gym. Classes are included with membership, or drop in for for single or pass rates.

(ongoing) yoga for back care. When: 9 a.m. Friday or noon on Monday. Where: North Pines Yoga. A yoga class focused on balance and core work to deliver endurance to your spine. Info www.north-pinesyogapilates.com or 509-928-1400.

(february 20) yoga for outdoor fitness. When: 7-8:30 p.m. Where: REI. Would you like to become a better climber, paddler, backpacker, skier or snow-boarder? It starts from within. Join REI to learn the yoga basics and how to develop your balance, endurance and strength. Info: REI.com/Spokane or 509-328-9900

sKiing, snoWshoeing and Winter eVents

(ongoing) Riverfront ice Palace. Open: 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Adult and homeschool lessons. Lessons for all ages start Nov 2. Registration required.

(february 1) Western Snowshoe Roundup. When: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Where: Western Pleasure Guest Ranch, Sandpoint. Sanctioned as a Western Regional Qualifier for the 2014 United States Snowshoe Association National Championships in Vermont. 5k and 10k distances, competitive and noncompeti-tive divisions–open to everyone. On line, mail in, or

race day registration. Info: westernpleasureranch.com or 208-946-1455.

(february 2) Souper bowl. When: 8:30 am to 1 p.m. Where: Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park.Spend the day playing in the snow, while support-ing the Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant. REI is hosting a Sasquatch Search Poker Snowshoe. Lunch is included in your registration fee of $30. Info:SouperBowlSpokane.org or 509-328-9900

(february 7-9) Kan jam freestyle festival. When: all day. Where: Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park. Rail jam, Slopestyle, and Big Air contests. Skiers and snowboarders of all ages and skill level are encour-aged to compete for prizes and bragging rights. Info: MtSpokane.com.

(february 8) Winthrop Ski derby. A new race organized by MVNC at the Sun Mountain trail sys-tem, Chickadee Trailhead. Skiers can choose either 16 or 32 km distance, both classic technique. The significant elevation changes of the 32 km race will give the event a very different flavor from most ski loppets. Info: methowvalleynordic.com

(february 8) Whitefish Winter carnival. When: all weekend. Where: Whitefish Mont. Rail Jam, Fireworks, Torchlight Parade, Ski and Snow Comptition, Torchlight Parade and Fireworks. Info: SkiWhitefish.com.

(february 9) langlauf cross country Ski Race. Where: Mount Spokane State Park. 10K Nordic ski race. Costumes welcome! Info: spokanelanglauf.org

(february 10) family day at Red Mountain Resort. When: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: Red Mountain Resort. Celebrate BC family day with family fun activities. Info: RedResort.com or 250-362-7384.

(february 14) Sandpoint Winter carnival. When: all day. Where: Sandpoint, ID. Family-friendly events to celebrate winter in Sandpoint including Taste of Sandpoint, Ski joring, k9 keg pull, rail jam and more! Info: schweitzer.com.

(february 15) Keen Rippin chix Steeps and Powder camp. When: all day. Where: Whitewater Ski Resort, Nelson, Canada. Alison Gannett will be hosting this event. Shred with the ladies for a week-end and improve your confidence and skills. Info: SkiWhitewater.com or 250-354-4944.

(february 16) doggie dash. When: 9:15 a.m. Where: Winthrop Town Trailhead. This hugely fun, spectator-favorite race involves dog-owner pairs ski-ing together in costume with a leash around a short loop at the Winthrop Town Trailhead. All proceeds benefit dogs and cats in need. Info: methowvalley-nordic.com

(february 21 -23) 8th Annual Kootenay coldsmoke Powder fest. When: all day. Where: Whitewater Ski & Resort, Nelson, Canada. This festival is the perfect way to get into backcountry touring, work on per-fecting your backcountry skills, or learn new tricks while cruising in-bounds terrain with coaches and instructors. This festival is for all ability levels, and there are plenty of in-bounds workshops for both snowboarders and skiers. Info: SkiWhitewater.com or 250-354-4944 and find on facebook.

(february 22) Winter Mountain festival and freestyle event. When: all day. Where: 49 Degrees Mountain Resort. Enjoy spring skiing at its finest. A festival to celebrate all that sking and riding under blue bird skies and through perfect corn snow has to offer. Live music in the Boom Town Bar and barbe-cue on the deck. Info: ski49n.com or 509-935-6649.

(february 22) first Turns Mountain Top breakfast. When: 7:05 a.m.. Where: Silver Mountain Resort. Unique opportunity to enjoy early access and a hot buffet breakfast. Must be purchased the day before. Info: SilverMt.com or 866.344.2675.

(february 22) Special olympics Polar Plunge liberty lake. When: TBD. Take a dip in the icy waters across Washington State and be a part of the “coolest” event of the year! Help raise funds and win prizes in support of Special Olympics Washington. Info: www.specialolympicswashington.org.

(february 26) 95,3 KPNd Ski & Snowboard Party. When: 5 to 9 p.m. Where: Foggy Bottom at Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park. Laughing Dog drink specials, and prizes from Mt. Spokane, Escape Outdoors, Mountain Gear, Tri-State Outfitters and more! Info: www.MtSpokane.com

other

(february 7) Reel Rock 8 film Tour. When: 6 p.m. Where: Little Panida Theater, Sandpoint. The American Alpine Club and the North Idaho climbing community at the Sandpoint Rock Gym host the film festival, share stories of recent adven-tures and plans for the upcoming season. Info: SandpointRockGym.com.

(february 19) GoPro editing basics. When: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Where: REI. Now that you have your GoPro, how do you edit and share your videos? GoPro Studio video editing software can help you get there. Get an inside look at GoPro’s revamped video editing software and get ready to make your videos “POP”. Small class size guarantees indi-vidualized instruction. Info: REI.com/Spokane or 509-328-9900

(february 21) Winter Waters. When: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Where: Patsy Clark Mansion. The annual celebration of water will focus on the international effort to modernize the Cloumbia River Treaty to return salmon home to the Spokane River and other ancestral spawning waters in the upper Columbia Basin. Info: [email protected] or 509-939-1290.

(february 22- March 1) Wilderness first Responder. When: all day. Where: Naples, Idaho. This course builds on the fundamental medical training of a Wilderness First Aid course. This course delves into the “why” and “how” behind the injuries and illnesses that happen in the backcoun-try. The breadth of information and skills gained during the course prepare participants to take on challenging medical conditions in remote locations. Info: www.longleafmedical.com/22214-wfr-course-registration.html or 208-274-3596.

OutdoorCalendar feb 2014ouTdooRcAleNdAR


DestinationsWhiTefiSh iN A WeeKeNdone More Place i Want to live // by Ammi Midstokke

I’ll be hOnest. I didn’t even know where Whitefish was when I considered going there. Somewhere on the Montana side of the border for this geographically inept traveler. I live on a scale of forestry maps, apparently. But on a Friday night, with my Outback loaded full of ski gear, almonds, and a weekend staple of coconut cream, I was headed up Highway 2 with the ste-

reo cranked and my spirits high.Rumor had it, Whitefish had better snow than...

well, pretty much everywhere else this season. And legend had it that Whitefish was chock full of good restaurants, neat shops, and downright world-class skiing. Just a few hours away from home, it was a perfect weekend trip.

Whitefish is historically a railroad town, but when some local skiers partnered with some busi-nessmen to create the Whitefish Mountain Resort (aka Big Mountain) in 1947 with a rope tow, they laid the foundation for a thriving economy and a great ski mountain.

When I pull into Whitefish, I can tell it is not your typical tourist town. There’s something authentic about the place. History, soul, the smell of fresh powder, and a palpable feeling that every-one is welcome.

I rolled into the Hibernation House – what one might call Whitefish Mountain Resort’s budget lodging solution. To me, it felt like a home away from home, and not just because I could knit in front of the fireplace while sipping wine and plan-ning my slaughter of the slopes. By that I mean tumbling down them mostly, of course.

Families came in from dinners, young skiers walked by steaming from the hot tub soak they’d just had, and everyone smiled or stopped to offer beta on the routes. There were retired couples, teenagers, little kids, all living in this sort of

community of skiing brethren. If they’d had an espresso machine, I would have called it utopia.

On Saturday I met with Whitefish Mountain Encyclopedia, Riley Polumbus. I think she was born with telemark skis on her legs instead of feet. She’s skied everywhere, but this is the place she calls home, and it’s pretty clear why. With over 3,000 acres of snow, 14 lifts including 3 high-

speed quads, and an 8 minute ride from base to summit, not to mention the view from the top, it doesn’t really get any better than this. Except for maybe in the summer if you’re a mountain biker.

I skied until they kicked me off the mountain. Both days. I heard mention of crowds, but I never waited more than about three minutes for a lift. And when I went to the back side, the skiers were few and far between. What I loved most about this mountain was the spread in difficulty of runs. A skier of any ability (and trust me, I mean ANY ability – I probably should still be wearing a leash connected to an instructor) can take just about any lift and know they’ll have a selection of easy to expert runs to choose from. This alone dissipates the weekend crowds and makes for an amazing ski experience.

Good Eats: Latitude 48. Holy butter-soaked filet with gorgonzola, because the combination of awesomeness creates universal synergy. Their wine list makes you wish you’d read it before you tried to sample the entire martini menu. Alternatively, try Pescado Blanco, quaintly labelled as “Mountain Mexican.” Their chef is a foodie at heart, combining the most basic and complex flavors to deliver a meal that will dazzle your eyes and provide good karma: Almost all goods are sourced local, organic, and possibly sung to by a whispering Mariachi band when harvested.

Happy Hour: Crush Lounge. There’s a nameless bartender there who is some sort of whiskey chemist. I believe the concoction I consumed was called Beets ‘n Ass. I saw him pour the beet juice in, but the latter part escaped my watchful eye. The drink was worth the mystery.

Where to Sleep: If you’re there to ski, sleep on the hill. If you’re on a budget, the Hibernation House has great packages, and it’s a walk out/ski in location. The fireplace is great for late night cribbage. The resort literally has a plethora of ski packages and bargain deals for all sorts that make a weekend getaway possible for family, friends, or single ski junkies on any budget.

Recommended Runs: Every damn inch of that blessed mountain. Their classic summit-down run, Inspiration, was just rated 20th in the CNN feature, “World’s Best 100 Ski Runs.” Known for incredible tree skiing, you can skip the groomers and make your way down a wonderland of snow ghosts, or pick any sweet spot and do laps. My favorites: Goat Haunt on the North Side, and Toni Matt on the front. Then try Glory Hole, because it looks like radness if rad was white.

oTM Picks: Whitefish Weekender

While I’ve heard Whitefish has fog, it cleared both days and left us with sunshine and blue skies until the lifts stood still. After that last ride on Sunday afternoon, I took one last look past the snow ghosts, over the great valley and toward the towering mountains of Glacier National Park. Then with the same smile I’d been wearing all weekend, I skied all the way to my car. And thanks to that hour time difference, I was home by dinner.

getting there: amtrak from Portland, seattle,

spokane, and sandpoint. the train arrives just

in time for the morning bell and leaves just

after the evening bell. take the snow bus to

and from town. all day. for free. for real. Oh

yeah, and if you’re hitting the bar scene after

the bus driver’s gone to sleep, call the ride

guy – whitefish’s free don’t-drink-and-drive taxi

service: 406-250-7573. he’ll take you all the way

back to the base, so you can ski off your hang-

over in the morning.//

FROM LEFT: AMMI AND RILEY // PHOTO: MIDSTOKKE. // WHITEFISH MTN. CRUISING, THE TREES ARE WHERE IT’S AT. // PHOTOS COURTESY OF WHITEFISH MOUNTAIN RESORT

FLYING HIGH OVER WHITEFISH. //PHOTO

COURTESY OF WHITEFISH MOUNTAIN RESORT

R

Show her the Snow Report and the Seahawks

aren’t your only obsessions.

509.838.7037 • 301 W. 2nd Ave, Spokane • Easy downtown parking

Valentines flowers that will last a lifetime.find us on facebook • handmadepaperflowers.com


On The MOunTain | sponsored by

as skIers and rIders, we are Often drawn to a particular area that holds a special place in our hearts. It may not have the deepest snow, steepest terrain or the most vertical, but that mountain seems to have something else that’s somewhat undefinable, something soulful that calls us back every season. For many here in the Inland Northwest, that place is Mt. Spokane.

The southernmost mountain in the Selkirk Range, Mt. Spokane, overall, is the largest of all Washington state parks. It began as a small privately owned parcel of land on the flank of the 5,889 foot mountain in northeast Spokane County. The mountain, with its rounded dome easily visible for miles around, is only about an hour’s drive northeast of its namesake city.

Over the years, through purchases and donations, the property that became the park has been expanded to nearly 14,000 acres, 1,500 of which are now within the skiable boundaries of the ski and snowboard park. The very first Spokane Ski Club was formed in December 1931. Driven by their passion for skiing and an adventurous spirit, they built the first log clubhouse and installed two rope tows. Today, that intense drive to ski and spirit for being up on the mountain is alive and well in many of Mt. Spokane’s faithful skiers and riders. Talk to any Spokane native who loves to ski or ride, and they’ll tell you all about their first lesson or day up at the “Kan.”

One of Mt. Spokane’s most faithful cheerleaders is perhaps longtime mountain employee Kristin Whitaker. Like many before her, the spirit of this mountain has its hooks set deep in her heart. I caught up with Kristen to ask her a few questions to help try to define that enduring spirit that lives on with each new generation of first-time skiers and riders who grow up to call this place their local mountain.

OTM: Mt. Spokane usually hits No.1 on the local polls every year. Why do you think that is? KW: I believe that Mt. Spokane offers one of the best values in the region. This mountain has so much added value to skiers and riders in Spokane in terms of location, Ski School, night skiing, a tubing hill, free parking and shuttles, facilities, terrain options, and most especially, that ‘family-mode’ of the guest services team.

OTM: So what exactly is it about this place that you love so much? KW: Hands down, it’s the family atmosphere – the mountain staff is a giant family, which extends to our philosophy of what guest service should be. By the third time most folks ride a chair, the ‘lifties’ know your name. But I feel that the family atmosphere combined with the value is what really makes this place so special – and what really defines the spirit of Mt. Spokane.

OTM: What are all the different roles you have played at Mt. Spokane over the years? KW: I walked onto the ‘Kan’ as a snowboard instructor 9 years ago. From there, I became the Ski School On-Snow Supervisor, then I transitioned to Marketing Director, and now I oversee both Marketing & Guest Services for the resort.

OTM: Where is your favorite spot to ride? KW: The ‘Lost Woods’ off of Chair 1 on a powder day offers challenging terrain, it holds the snow for several days, and is typically untracked even late in the day after a storm.

OTM: Who is your favorite local who best represents the spirit of the mountain? KW: We call her ‘Mountain Momma’ – Maxine McIntyre. Max has been teaching at Mt. Spokane for 20 years and is the current Ski School Director. Need a hug? Find Max. Lost your gloves? She’s got em. Need an attitude adjustment? She can handle that too. We attribute a lot of the Ski School’s current success to Max’s passion for teaching, people, and Mt. Spokane.

OTM: What do you see for the future at Mt. Spokane? KW: As a local, non-profit ski area, the resort works really hard to serve the community by answering the Spokane region’s needs for winter recreation. The terrain expansion project, which will increase Mt. Spokane’s existing terrain by a third and bring a new chairlift to the backside of the mountain, is obviously a big part of that future. I also see continued upgrades to facilities and terrain to suit skiers’ and riders’ needs. //

By Brad Naccarato

Spirit of a Mountain: Mt. Spokane

SICK DAY AT THE KAN. // PHOTO GARY PETERSON

COURTSEY: FREE RIDE MEDIAPHOTO: GARY PETERSON


| On The MOunTain Alpine skiing /boArding speciAl section

RetRo Ski PaSS ConteSt

DON CLARIDGE, 1972-1973 BRIDGER BOWL

RONALD AYERS, 1987-1988 VAIL

THIS MONTH’S RETRO SKI PASS CONTEST WINNERS SCORED LIFT TICKETS COURTESY OF MT. SPOKANE SKI AND SNOWBOARD PARK

there are three thIngs that I really lOve abOut skIIng. The first is taking my boots off. The second is taking my boots off. The third is enjoying some adult bever-ages with friends in the lodge bar. Over the years, I will admit that I have frequented more than a few of the region’s alpine watering holes and have noticed something very interesting in all of them. The types of people that roll into the bar are the same, no matter where you go. If you want to have some fun people watching, keep your eye out for the following characters.

the pOserHard not to notice this guy, since he (it’s always a guy) just strutted in wearing the most obnoxious out-fit imaginable. Dude, lime green pants and a white jacket might have looked good in that GQ article about Vail, but not here. Hair perfectly styled with gel residue evident. No scuff marks on boots or helmet, price tags still attached to both. Usually orders expensive scotch or bourbon and brags about how he “shredded” tons of untracked powder that morning. It hasn’t snowed in 3 weeks.

the barflyYou will hear her before you see her due to her unmistakable and highly annoying laugh. Think nails on a chalkboard or that girl from that one show. Usually drinks Lemon Drops, Long Island Iced Teas, or whatever the guy next to her is buying. Talks loud enough to be heard across the room, with fre-quent use of such phrases as, “Oh My Gawd, Really?”, “Me Too!”, and “Sure, I’d Love Another One!” Can be found sitting next to The Poser at the bar or bumming smokes from some poor guy outside. No one has seen her make a turn since 1994.

the drInkerIf liquid courage actually worked on the mountain, this dude would be the Audie Murphy of skiing. (If you get this reference, your history teacher thanks you). Can be found shaking the bar entrance gate at 9:05 a.m. shouting “You guys open?” Frequently incoherent by noon, thanks to multiple shots of Jagermeister. Falls down easily in the lift line. Ski Patrol knows him by his first name as they have found him more than a few times upside down in a tree well with his pants around his ankles.

the lOcalYou won’t see this guy or gal until the end of the day, though you caught a fleeting glimpse of them earlier as they exited that one tree run that you have always wondered about. Typically occupies a back corner table, and micro brews materialize with only a head nod to the bartender. Boots may be adorned with mismatched buckles and duct tape. Goggle tan is very apparent, and it’s only November. Deep down, you want to be like them.//

Brad Northrup spent nearly a decade working in the ski industry. He is currently confined to a cubicle 40 hours a week. It’s for his own good.

Ski Bum Advice: 4 People you might meet in a lodge bar.

If there’s One thIng I learned cat skiing, it’s this: before you head out, make sure your wax job is fresh and appropriate for the temperature, because you don’t want to hit heavy powder under the noon sun and be unable to get your snowboard to move an inch without inadvertently doing a back-flip down a 50-degree slope. Not when you’re stuck in the backcountry the whole day, sans wax, with the snow you’ve stuffed into your pants during that backflip slowly melting in uncomfortable ways.

On this particular day, Schweitzer had gone through a week-long series of freezing and warming cycles without any new snow, but there were some north-facing exposures in Selkirk Powder territory that had kept well. Sure, they were in some fairly tight trees, but everyone in the group was experi-enced enough to handle that. Well, okay, I was marginally experienced enough, and I was the lone snowboarder/female, but whatever – I could totally hang unless the underbrush got nasty. I mean, I could still hang, but digging myself out of tree wells and alders tended to slow me down a tad.

We got to prime territory right around noon, when the temperature climbed above freezing. I found beautiful steep open powder below me, but there was a problem: someone had apparently

“I found beautiful steep open powder below

me, but there was a problem: someone had

apparently glued sandpaper to the bottom of

my board when I wasn’t looking. I would get

upright, inch forward, flip downhill, repeat.”

Wax On, Wax Off: Lessons from the BackcountryBy Katie Botkin

glued sandpaper to the bottom of my board when I wasn’t looking. I would get upright, inch forward, flip downhill, repeat. I started congratulating myself on my ability to do a somersault-slide-arrest combo. It was like having an ice axe attached to your feet. Not very good for boarding, per se, but pretty good for putting the brakes on. Meanwhile, the rest of the group waited at the bottom of the hill, looking up at me flail, wondering, no doubt, how I’d managed to hide my apparently crippling ineptitude up until this point.

Verbally restraining myself, I slid down in a seated position on a pillow of snow, noting how perfect and loose it was, and how absurd it was that I was not barreling elegant arcs through it. Instead, I was ruining it for everyone else at no benefit to myself. Our guide, jovial and resourceful through the entire episode, tried scraping my board at the bottom of the steep bit, sheering off a layer of crusty ice. I actually got some good turns in briefly, but the board was icing over and sticking again in short order.

After talking to various waxing experts about what might have happened, I have learned that you should check the temperature range of your wax job, and you should always make sure it hasn’t been eroded by use even if you haven’t actually gone out all that much. You can feel the bottom of your snowboard or skis to check this, noting if the surface feels porous or smooth. A porous surface means that moisture can find traction and freeze in place, creating a sandpaper affect. Either way, consider taking a bit of rub-on wax and a scraper into the backcountry with you if you’re not sure. Lesson learned.//

PHOTO: KATIE BOTKIN


<sur·prIse> tr.verb sur·prised, sur·pris·ing, sur·pris·es To encounter suddenly or unexpectedly; to attack or capture suddenly and without warning; to cause to feel wonder, astonishment or amaze-ment at something unanticipated.

The ache in my quads has reached a burning crescendo as I make my final turns through the soft, boot-deep snow, stopping just short of the group waiting below me. “Dang what an amaz-ing surprise this was today,” I say out loud. Our lead guide, Ken Barrett, owner of Selkirk Powder Company (SPC), looks back at me and smiles: “And there’s the title for your story my friend.”

I’m not gonna lie, writing for an outdoor magazine does occasionally have its perks. So when Ken Barrett invited OTM to come out and experience his backcountry brand of cat skiing, we jumped at the opportunity. In all honesty, the invitation was met with a little apprehension given that our region was enduring one of its typical mid-January, high-pressure lulls with the resorts begging for anything from the clouds above to help cover their bulletproof snowpack.

As I strap on my avalanche beacon, I ask the SPC check-in clerk how the conditions have been. He quickly smirks back at me: “riding in the back-country is always better than not riding in the backcountry,” he says. Okay, obviously a dumb question. For those who don’t know, cat skiing is

essentially backcountry skiing with the use of a snowcat to return you to the summit. Snowcats are like snowmobiles on steroids with large, heat-ed cabs that can seat up to 10 people.

Unloading from the top of Schweitzer’s Great Escape quad, we work our way over to SPC’s launch point, which is the northwest facing backside (out of bounds) region of Schweitzer Peak. After reviewing all final safety protocols, we slowly slither our way into our first glade and begin our descent to the valley. All of my appre-hensions are immediately resolved as the velvety, untouched snow gives way under my skis. Diving deeper into the trees, the snow seems to be get-ting lighter and fluffier with each turn. I stop for a moment to catch my breath and look around. I look left and right, and I can’t see a single track anywhere – just blankets and pillows of pure, white, untouched snow for as far as I can see. At that moment I realize I am living every skier’s dream come true.

“We essentially have 3,000 plus acres of open bowls and glades spanning a 3-mile long ridge that we work with. Finding fresh snow is never a problem,” Barrett says as we finish up our first run of the day. “You’ll notice that the snow is espe-cially good here in the trees where it gets a lot of protection from the elements,” he says. SPC’s designated backcountry is located roughly 30 miles from one of the wettest areas in the Rocky

Mountains, making snow quality excellent and very dependable. “An average season for us is 300 plus inches,” he says. “But more importantly we retain a base with ridge depths that are commonly 10 to 12 feet, with drifts up to 20 feet.”

Riding the cat back to the summit for round 2, we’re all sporting perma-grins with the anticipa-tion of the moment having met reality. “This is a huge bucket-list thing for us. We’ve all been ski-ing up in Canada, but have never been cat-skiing before,” says John Holland, a SPC guest on our trip who is part of a 3 man crew that drove over from Bellingham the night before. “We heard great things about the snow over here and the cat operation. It’s my buddy’s birthday, so we just decided to go for it,” he says.

Selkirk Powder Company operates on a con-cessionaire’s contract with Schweitzer Mountain Resort, while working in cooperation with the Idaho Department of Lands. “We have a mutual aid agreement that makes this operation benefi-cial to all three groups,” says Barrett. “It’s enabled us to operate successfully for the last 10 years.”

It’s important to emphasize here that backcoun-try cat skiing and riding is not the same as resort skiing and riding. There are no patrolled areas, avalanche control operations, hazard removal or groomed runs. It’s just you, the natural environ-ment, and all of the inherent risks that go along with that. SPC does everything they can to help

manage those risks and assure that their clients’ experiences are positive. All of SPC’s guides are fully certified and maintain annual proficiency ratings for medical and avalanche procedures.

Gathering in the cat for our final ride back to the lodge, Brian Kamin, one of SPC’s co-found-ers, reels off our stats for the day from his trusty IPhone app: “8 runs and a little over 10 miles of vertical today,” he announces to the spent group of powder hounds who are all looking barely coher-ent with glazed over eyes and heads drenched in sweat. I’m definitely stoked to hear these numbers; I just don’t have the energy to show it. The great snow, the beautiful backcountry, and the amazing service of SPC all made for one very incredible (and surprising) day in the Idaho wilderness.

SPC operates from mid-December to mid-April (snow permitting). The terrain is moder-ately difficult with several steep pitches and some densely treed areas. It’s recommended that you be a strong skier before attempting cat skiing. Costs vary depending on the size of the group and the number of days you ski. For more information, visit www.selkirkpowder.com.

To learn more about cat skiing and backcoun-try skiing and riding in Idaho, check out: www.visitidaho.org/backcountry-skiing//

by brad Naccarato Watch video from the trip on OTM’s Facebook Page

huNTiNG PoW WiTh SelKiRK PoWdeR coMPANy: SchWeiTzeR’S bAcKcouNTRy SuRPRiSe

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Coeur d’Alene 208.664.2175 | Post Falls 208.262.0156www.ossmidaho.com

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Randy Evans, photo by Doug Marshall

LEFT: UNLOAD-WATCH FOR POWDER-RELOAD. RIGHT: NACCARATO GOING DEEP. PHOTOS: SMILEY’S MOUNTAIN PHOTO


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