Cover photo courtesy of Silver Mountain

Sunny spring conditions and frequent March and April storms often deliver some of the best days of the season, so don’t put your gear in storage just yet. End your season in celebratory fashion with a fun spring event or two and plenty of good mountain vibes. Find details and operation schedule updates online. 

49° North Mountain Resort (Chewelah, Wash.) 

• March 6: One complimentary lift ticket for each Toyota vehicle driver for Toyota Free Ski Friday plus party on the deck.  

• March 8: Chewelah Peak Challenge Fat Tire Bike Race, in partnership with North Division Bicycle, includes demo bike (with registration fee) and 7 k race, conditions permitting. 

• March 14: Seafood Boil family-style lunch.  

• March 21: Annual Hawaiian Daze features a full day of competitions including snow golf, scavenger hunt, poker run, costume contest, Slush Cup and more. Proceeds benefit 49’s volunteer ski patrol and mountain host programs. 
  
  

Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park (Spokane, Wash.) 

• March 7: Getting Down to Vizziness, a terrain park two-hour jam session with host and judge Pro Rider Austin Visintainer.  

• March 14: Final night ski includes Wild Mike’s Rail Jam event—a collaboration with Wild Mike’s Pizza, providing $10 off night-ski pizza-box coupons—and Après After Dark Party. 

• March 20: Toyota Free Ski Friday—one complimentary lift ticket for each Toyota vehicle driver; must arrive before 1 p.m. to receive lift ticket from Toyota reps in parking lot of Lodge 2.  

• April 8-12: Youth ages 17 and younger ski free during spring break.  

Schweitzer Mountain Resort (Sandpoint, Idaho) 

• March 21: Celebrate the first-ever Pride On the Mountain event, in partnership with Sandpoint Alliance for Equality (SAFE). Schedule includes Rainbow Ridge Ski Parade and evening drag show. 

• March 27: Discounted lift tickets for annual Community Day. 

• March 28-29: Snow Ghost Banked Slalom competition, in collab with 7B Boardshop. Fundraiser for Bonner County Skatepark Association. 

• April 4: Hillside Hustle rider-choice grassroots events.  

• April 12: Closing day—details TBA online. 
  
  

Silver Mountain Resort (Kellogg, Idaho) 

• March 7: Doug E. Fresh Banked Slalom for snowboarders—11^th annual fundraiser for the Doug Johnson Memorial Fund. Stick around for Ski Bum Prom (costumes encouraged) with night skiing til 6 p.m. and party at Moguls. 

• March 13: Toyota Free Ski Friday.  

• March 14 and April 18: Hang out with Silver Mountain ski patrollers and their avy dogs during Jackass Apres Club nights, 6:30-9:30 p.m., at The Beanery (446 Railroad Ave), less than a mile from base village. 

• March 21: Marchi Gras (not a typo) is like Mardi Gras but at Silver Mountain—bead necklaces provided at the gondola base and New Orleans-inspired food atop the mountain.  

• March 28-29: Silver Cup Ski Race—register online. 

• April 4: Jackass Rain Jam with free day-of registration at Chair 2 Terrain Park (starting at 11:45 a.m.).  

• April 11: Who doesn’t love a Pond Skim?! Silver’s first and only previous event was in 2019, so this is kinda a big deal. No fee to participate. 

• April 18: Leadman Triathlon, presented by Dave Smith GMC, is the annual charity fundraiser adventure tri—ski, bike, run—for teams and individual racers.  

Lookout Pass Ski Area (Mullan, Idaho) 

• March 7: Season Pass Holder Appreciation Day with a parking lot party, 4-6 p.m. 

• March 27: Toyota drivers ski or ride free for Toyota Free Ski Friday. 

• March 29: Lookout’s annual freestyle Rail Jam (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) includes divisions for all ages and skill levels plus prizes. Great spectator event! 

• April 4: Bring your own club to play nine holes on America’s only snow golf course! Free to play for all ages; course open noon-3 p.m. 

• April 5: Easter Egg Hunt while you ride the slopes—all ages with one-egg limit per person. All eggs include candy and prize-winning number opportunity. 

• April 10: Ski/ride free at Lookout Pass for Parker Subaru Experience the Outdoors Day with a free voucher provided in person at Parker Subaru in Coeur d’Alene (limited availability). Bring voucher to the mountain ticket booth to redeem for a free lift ticket valid only for April 10.  

• April 12: Dress festive for Lookout’s annual Hawaiian Luau day, which includes a Cardboard Box Derby where participants use sleds made entirely of cardboard and duct tape.  
  
  

Whitefish Mountain Resort (Whitefish, Mont.) 

• March 14-15: Two-day event and one of the longest-running of its kind in North America, the 27^th annual Nate Chute Banked Slalom & Boardercross Competition raises funds for the Nate Chute Foundation dedicated to youth suicide prevention. 

• March 21: DREAM Adaptive Shred Fest for all abilities includes vertical or adventure challenge event and fundraiser to support adaptive recreation opportunities in Flathead Valley. 

• March 28: Corn Cup Slopestyle—skier and snowboarder freestyle competition.  

• March 28: Sample regional brews at Spring Brewfest and enjoy music and food trucks in the resort village. 

• March 29: Women-only event for all skill levels (includes trans women and non-binary riders) for the Lady Power Park Hour, noncompetitive slopestyle event to build terrain park confidence and community.  

• April 4: Classic Pond Skim competition with cash prize.  

Big White Ski Resort (Kelowna, BC) 

• Tuesdays through March 17: Ski BINGO—Pick up a bingo card from the village and mark off while hitting the slopes, noon-3:30 p.m.  

• Thursdays through March 19: Twinkling Trail in Happy Valley—group walk after paper lantern craft activity.  

• March 21-22: Loose Moose Challenge inspires terrain coverage to find hidden letters to reveal a mystery word for a prize.  

• Fridays through March 27: Tube & Groove at the snow-tubing park and dance party with resort mascot Loose Moose.  

• Saturday nights: Carnivals at Village Centre through March 28 and weekly fireworks shows through April 4. 

• April 5: Easter Egg Hunt throughout the Village on Easter Sunday, 9-10 a.m., with a designated area for kids age 5 and younger. Bigger kids can search for hidden “chicks” to claim for treats.  
  
  

RED Mountain Resort (Rossland, BC) 

• March 14-15: Rattlecat Cup is a two-day banked slalom race, all ages and skill levels. 

• March 22: Park Project Rail Jam is a low-pressure session for all abilities (ages 7+) with a supportive community to promote skill progression. Open to skiers, snowboarders and snowskaters.  

• March 28: Bring your dog to the slopes for the 5^th annual Wiener Take All, a canine race event with prizes. 

• April 4: Slush Cup to go big and win prizes. 

Whitewater Mountain Resort (Nelson, BC) 

• March (every weekend): Spring Music Series—live music performances at the resort village throughout March.  

• March 21-22: Blast Beerfest—celebrate local breweries and cideries with samples in Whitewater’s on-the-snow beer garden; enjoy live music and scenic views of Ymir Peak.  

Former junior high Ski Club member Amy McCaffree now stays on the groomers but still downhill skis with her husband and their two kids, now teenagers, who ski much faster than she ever will again—and she’s okay with that. 

The post Chase the Spring Snow Festivals, Races and Pond Skims Across the Region  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Under Washington law, anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1955, who operates a motorized boat or personal watercraft with an engine of 15 horsepower or more must complete an approved course and carry a Washington State Boater Education Card when underway. The card is valid for life and must be on board. In addition to local classroom options, state-approved online courses are also available. Learn more at Boatered.org. 

The post Free Boater Education Classes Offered   appeared first on Out There Venture.

For the second year in a row, 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort is partnering with three local elementary schools to offer fourth- and fifth-grade students the chance to learn to ski or snowboard. The program, Corey’s Run FIRST TRACKS Ski Academy, was established by David Zalewski, father to Corey, who passed away after being caught in an avalanche in the Idaho Panhandle backcountry in January 2024. 

Around the first anniversary of Corey’s passing, Zalewski had an idea. “I was thinking of some way to honor Corey’s legacy and the things he enjoyed in life,” he says. What Corey loved most was being outdoors. Zalewski remembers the year Corey received his first season pass to Snoqualmie—a winter that brought little snow. Undeterred, Corey convinced his father to drive him to the mountain anyway. For hours, Corey hiked up the hillside, snowboard in hand, just to make that thrilling ride downhill. He carried that insatiable spirit throughout his life, jumping into everything with “both feet,” Zalewski recalls. 

Through Corey’s FIRST TRACKS, students who might not otherwise have the opportunity spend three consecutive Fridays at 49 Degrees North. They leave school shortly after lunch and spend the afternoon on the mountain, with lift tickets, lessons and rentals provided at no cost. The program is designed for beginner skiers and snowboarders, allowing students to build confidence over several weeks rather than through a single-day experience. The resort even keeps the lifts running an extra half hour for participants. 

Henry Holub, one of the instructors involved, says the program’s goals are multifaceted. The first is to honor Corey’s legacy by passing along his love of the outdoors. The second is to create lifelong skiers and snowboarders. Many participating families lack the resources to take their children skiing, with cost and transportation presenting the greatest barriers. Programs like Corey’s FIRST TRACKS offer more than a lesson—they provide an entry into a way of life. 

Holub, who also works as a substitute teacher in Spokane and serves as a PTO president at one of the participating schools, has seen the program’s effects extend beyond the slopes. Students ask if they will be able to ski again, and many families report returning to the mountain together after the program ends. School staff have also noted increased confidence and stronger peer connections, describing the experience as a powerful team-building opportunity. 

Ali Pasino, 49 Degrees North’s snowsports school director, believes outdoor recreation fosters freedom and self-reliance, particularly for youth from more urban environments. With more than twenty years of experience guiding and coaching, Pasino has seen how challenging outdoor settings can transform young people. “If you can conquer a mountain,” Pasino says, “you can conquer anything.” She believes the natural world teaches resilience in ways few other environments can. “The world convinces us in countless ways that we can’t do things. I relish every time someone learns that they can succeed.” 

Zalewski, Holub and Pasino hope to see the program continue to grow. Last year, 44 students participated. With the addition of a third elementary school, that number could exceed one hundred. While Zalewski privately funds student lessons, transportation remains a challenge. Community members can help by supporting transportation costs or providing snacks for students on their way home. Holub also hopes participants will continue into opportunities such as the mountain’s Junior Instructor Program. 

As Corey’s skills grew, backcountry skiing became his true passion, Zalewski recalls about his son. “Any day with snow was a good day.” For Zalewski, it’s more than holding onto Corey’s legacy. “It’s about giving young people, young kids, the opportunity to experience all the beauty and adventure of being on the mountain. Being able to encounter and share in the wonders of god’s creativity, his creation. There was no place Corey would rather be than floating downhill on freshly fallen champagne powder snow making those FIRST TRACKS of the day.” Corey wouldn’t have it any other way.

The post Honoring a Mountain Legacy at 49 Degrees North  appeared first on Out There Venture.

The Spokane River runs through the heart of our region, fed in large part by the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, a 365-square-mile, unconfined aquifer with an estimated 10 trillion gallons of water flowing through it. While the Spokane area is fortunate to have abundant water resources, challenges remain. Lower-than-average summer flows in the Spokane River complicate efforts to rehabilitate the culturally significant redband trout and salmon. Because the aquifer lacks a protective barrier such as hard rock or clay, surface water and pollutants can infiltrate it, making water quality protection a shared responsibility. Everyday actions, from picking up litter and pet waste to preventing vehicle leaks, properly disposing of hazardous waste and choosing drought-tolerant landscaping, all play a role in safeguarding local waterways. 

To raise awareness of the ways we can protect our water resources, Spokane County and other partners will host the second annual World Water Day Celebration on Saturday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Doris Morrison Learning Center at Saltese Flats Wetlands (1330 S. Henry Road). The free, open-house-style event features a live owl show, Aqua Duck appearance, water-themed student art gallery, guided wetland bird walks, children’s story time and presentations by Spokane County water scientists. Environmental organizations will offer interactive, family-friendly booths. Online registration is encouraged at WorldWaterDay2026.eventbrite.com. 

The post World Water Day Celebration at Saltese Flats Wetlands  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Racing meant a lot to my identity as a high schooler. I was on the track and cross-country teams at my rural high school, and I was never more nervous than the day of a meet. During that teenage time of figuring out who I was, being a runner was an identifier I held onto when other things in my social world shifted. Which was why I took it especially hard the season I sustained a fascia injury in my left calf muscle that left me limping. Nothing seemed worse than being unable to run.  

I think of that injury nearly 20 years later for a few reasons. My cross-country coach asked me to compete in the districts race at the end of the season, hoping I’d score some points for the team, even though I could barely walk. I lined up at the start because I was a high school girl used to doing what I was told. I finished almost dead last, was in a lot of pain when I did, and never told off my coach for treating me like an asset instead of a person.  

By the following season, I had healed and I had a new coach, one who ran marathons as a hobby. “Listen to your body,” she said to our team, which I heard as “you’re the authority on what you can and should do on the course.” It was the first time I’d considered it. The fact that I can still see her on the front lawn of the high school saying this to a circle of runners doing pre-practice stretches is proof of how perspective-shifting it was for me.  

“Listen to your body” reframed my idea of working with my body rather than against it while running, of entering into a partnership with it rather than seeing it as something to tamp into submission. I never ran a race when it didn’t feel right again. 

Since high school, I’ve continued running and racing for pleasure. I enjoy a challenge and I’m competitive. I’m able to run sustainably by respecting my knees when they say I haven’t done enough base training, not hitting the trail if I haven’t adequately fueled and hydrated, and saying no to races that don’t feel right, even if I’ve already paid for them.  

Establishing a good relationship with racing has allowed me to connect with all the other beautiful things that the sport can provide. I love the running community in Spokane, the gear shops and run clubs, and I still love picking up a few races each year. I’ve run through loneliness, frustration, anxiety, sadness and joy. I’ve run alone and with a stroller, on roads and on trails, near rivers and up mountains. Running has been a companion that has helped me through life, more partnership than punishment, and one good coach helped me see it that way long ago. 

In this issue of Out There Venture, we’ve rounded up our Race, Ride and Event Guide, a collection of the races in our region from March through October for runners, cyclists, walkers, triathletes, swimmers and paddlers. It’s an exciting list. I hope it sparks some inspiration to explore our region and the community that comes with racing and outdoor activities. And I hope you race for you. 

• Lisa Laughlin, managing editor  

The post Learning to Race for Good  appeared first on Out There Venture.

The 2026 Big Horn Outdoor Adventure Show returns March 19-22 to the Spokane Fair & Expo Center with a choose-your-own-adventure mix of gear, how-to learning and kid-friendly attractions for anglers, hunters and anyone who prioritizes time outside. Now in its 64th year, the volunteer-powered show is produced by the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council nonprofit organization.

Daily seminars and demonstrations led by local guides and field experts cover skills from casting and fishing techniques to backcountry know-how, with interactive attractions like Fishing World, archery, gem hunting at the Silvermine and a kids’ adventure map offering something for all ages. Fishing World is an event highlight with live-fish pools where little anglers can catch a real fish. There’s also an airsoft rifle range, trophy displays, a lounge for those 21 and older and other live entertainment. Hours run noon-7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 online and $18 at the door for adults, with discounts for youth, seniors, veterans, military and first responders; kids 5 and under are free, and kids under 13 get in free Sunday. Details and tickets are available at Inwc.org/big-horn-show.

The post Big Horn Show 2026 Brings Outdoor Skills and Family Fun appeared first on Out There Venture.

By Ryan Stemkoski

A man does not usually walk into a fly shop expecting his life to change. He comes looking for a rod, a reel, a handful of flies, and perhaps a little advice. Sometimes, he comes with curiosity and uncertainty, hoping someone behind the counter can help make sense of a sport that feels both beautiful and overwhelming. For Kevin Knight, that walk into the House of Fly inside North 40 Outfitters was exactly that. He had no idea it would become the beginning of a friendship, a mentorship, and a turning point that would quietly reshape his life.

Behind the counter stood Chip O’Brien, wearing his familiar scally cap, calm and unassuming. Kevin asked the question nearly every beginner asks. “I am on a budget. Where do I start?”

In a retail world that often equates the value of a customer with the bottom line, Chip responded differently. He did not point Kevin toward premium rods or showcase the most expensive reels. He did not overwhelm him with jargon or pressure. He listened. Then he guided him toward a modest rod-and-reel setup, something honest, affordable, and appropriate for someone just beginning.

It was a simple exchange. Professional. Respectful. The kind of interaction that feels refreshing but not yet remarkable.

What Kevin did not realize at the time was that he was standing before a fly-fishing icon. Not a casual enthusiast. Not simply a seasoned angler. Chip O’Brien had written hundreds of articles and several books. His work had appeared in respected national publications such as American Fly Fishing and Active NorCal, as well as a long list of fly-fishing magazines that anglers trust for education and truth on the water. He was, in many ways, a celebrity in the fly fishing world, a man whose words had already shaped how countless anglers understood rivers, insects, and fish. Yet there was not a trace of ego in how Chip approached Kevin. Chip genuinely wanted to help a beginner get into the sport.

To Kevin, Chip was simply a kind man behind a counter who took his question seriously.

That alone would have made the encounter positive. But what made it unforgettable came later.

A month or two passed. Kevin took his new rod-and-reel combo to the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River. He was still learning. Still fumbling. Still unsure of himself. But that day, he landed his first Westslope Cutthroat trout. The moment carried weight far beyond the fish. It marked a shift from curiosity to connection, from interest to belonging.

He returned to the House of Fly and held up his phone. Chip leaned in, studied the image, smiled, and said, “What a beaut.”

Three simple words.

For Kevin, they carried the gravity of affirmation. Those words felt like recognition. He now felt welcomed into the fly-fishing fraternity. 

They talked that day for nearly two hours, interrupted only by customers coming in for flies, leaders, and advice for the coming season. During that conversation, Kevin learned that Chip was not just knowledgeable. He was a writer. An author. A former guide. A retired school teacher. A man whose life had been built around teaching others to understand both water and words.

What Kevin could not have known then was how deeply that conversation would echo into his life.

At the time, Kevin was stepping into one of the darkest seasons he had ever known. A divorce after seventeen years of marriage had fractured his sense of identity and stability. The future felt loud, uncertain, and heavy. Fly fishing at first became an escape. Then it became something far more powerful. It became a rhythm. A place of stillness. A way to breathe again.

And Chip was his guide on that journey.

Not through dramatic gestures. Not through speeches or prescriptions. He was there through time, conversation, and shared experience. Through showing Kevin not only how to cast, but also how to slow down. How to pay attention. How to let the river become a place of restoration rather than distraction.

Fly fishing gave Kevin peace. Chip gave it structure and possibility.

Kevin would later say that Chip saved his life. More than once.

That is not a statement made lightly. It is one that reveals how deeply mentorship can shape a person when it is grounded in care and compassion. Chip never positioned himself as a hero. He simply showed up consistently, with patience and respect. With genuine care and support.

And that is the thing about Chip. He affords every person he meets the same opportunity.

Customer after customer, he smiles and offers help. He learns names. He remembers stories. He treats beginners and experts with equal dignity. In a world shaped by speed and transaction, Chip practices presence. He understands that people rarely walk into fly shops carrying only fishing questions. They carry stories. Longings. Grief. Hope. Uncertainty.

The House of Fly inside North 40 Outfitters becomes a perfect reflection of that philosophy. North 40 is a store built for work and practicality. It serves farmers, hunters, gardeners, homesteaders, and families. It sells feed, boots, tools, and equipment. And tucked inside it is a fly shop that feels entirely different in pace and tone. It is slower. Quieter. Thoughtful. It feels like a classroom and a gathering place at the same time.

Here, one of the most experienced fly fishing writers and educators in the country chooses to spend his days helping people find their footing.

To understand why that matters, you have to understand who Chip has been long before Spokane ever knew his name.

Chip grew up in the Midwest, moving between Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois. His introduction to fly fishing came almost accidentally. After his father passed away, an old bamboo fly rod was left behind in the garage. It was not a cherished heirloom yet. Just an object waiting for meaning.

That meaning came when the family moved to eighty acres outside of West Bend, Wisconsin, with their own private lake. Chip tied on a bass popper that was already attached to the line and cast it out. A bass inhaled it almost immediately. Years later, he would reflect on that moment and wonder who had really been hooked.

Around the same time, his mother planted another seed. After a strong grade on a piece of writing, she said, “Maybe you should be a writer when you grow up.” Those words ignited a spark. 

There were no fly fishing magazines then. Chip read Outdoor Life, Field and Stream, and Sports Afield, eagerly waiting for the one fly fishing article each issue might contain. He decided that someday, he would write those stories himself.

So he pursued journalism, earning a bachelor’s degree and later a graduate degree in writing. Like many young adults with clear passions, he detoured into something that promised stability. Corporate sales in Los Angeles. A good income. A predictable future.

Then one morning, he told his wife, “All I really want to do is fish.”

That sentence changed everything. It altered finances. It strained relationships. It reshaped priorities. And it led him north to Northern California, where wild trout water and possibility ran side by side.

There he began writing seriously. Fishing seriously. Learning deeply. He worked with California Trout and later guided for Clearwater House, where he met Dick Galland. It was Galland who would give him the sentence that would define his life:

“I am not looking for people who are expert fly fishers. I can teach you that. I am looking for people who love people.”

Chip carried that sentence into every role he ever held.

He spent fourteen years guiding the best waters in Northern California. He taught fly-fishing classes for beginners, intermediates, and experts. He wrote prolifically. He discovered that while teaching others brought great fulfillment, it left little time for fishing. So he pivoted again.

He became a school teacher, teaching writing during the year and guiding and fishing during the summer. He lived a life built on curiosity and service. He wrote hundreds of articles. He authored several books. He wrote about technique, entomology, equipment, conservation, history, and the fragile places that should be protected through silence.

Life took him to Oregon through love and marriage. Then, eventually, to Spokane, drawn by the powerful bond between a grandmother and her grandchildren. After retirement, he fished throughout the West. And then restlessness returned.

He began searching for fly fishing opportunities in Spokane.

That search led him to the House of Fly inside North 40 Outfitters.

Much like guiding and teaching before it, Chip discovered that working in a fly shop suited him perfectly. Fly shops are places of conversation and connection. People come for flies but stay for stories. One day, it is carp tactics. The next day, it might be Hemingway. Then entomology. Then life.

Chip writes for the House of Fly blog. He fishes weekly, year-round. His articles continue to appear in national publications. Yet he chooses to spend his days helping beginners build confidence and veterans sharpen their understanding.

Spokane’s fly fishing culture is rich, and Chip is at the center of it. He is involved with Spokane Fly Fishers, Inland Empire Fly Fishers, and Spokane Women on the Fly. He helped organize the first annual Spokane Fly Fishing Showdown, bringing clubs together in friendly competition built on community rather than money. No prize purses. Only a trophy, pride, and a year of lighthearted rivalry. Again, none of it is about ego; it is about true love for the sport.

Through it all, Chip remains the same man behind the counter. The same scally cap. The same smile. The same willingness to listen. To guide. To help. The same love for people that Dick Galland saw in him decades before.

Kevin did not walk into the House of Fly looking for healing. He walked in looking for a rod. What he found was a man who understood that fly fishing is rarely about fish alone. It is about patience. Belonging. Learning how to be present again. Fly fishing is a community, and Chip welcomed Kevin in.

Chip has spent sixty years fly fishing. But his greatest craft has never been casting or tying flies. It has been loving people well, one honest conversation at a time.

And the Spokane outdoor community is better because he has chosen to do it here!

The post Outdoor Profiles: Chip O’Brien Writer, Guide, & Fly-Fishing Expert at North 40 Outfitters appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of Potato Boys

In this little area of the Inland Northwest that we call home, we rarely get recognized on the world scale for our skiing and snowboarding. While many of us who live here know all about the epic terrain right at our fingertips, few take the adventure head-on. With the release of the Potato Boys’ new film “Caution Terrain”—their third ski film based in the backcountry of Idaho—the crew has launched their biggest adventure yet. 

The debut of the new film by Essex Prescott, Blake Bowerman, Stephen Matkin, Kyle Vandever, and Cameron “Hootch” Hotchkiss at the beautiful StanCraft Jet Center at the Coeur d’Alene Airport this past November was an event to behold. It’s inspiring to watch a local ski crew hit the big screen and get recognized by the community and outlets like “Freeskier Magazine” and Newschoolers.com. With more than 700 attendees at the launch and over 285,000 views racked up on YouTube so far, the film has been a huge success. 

For this latest release, the team regrouped and took on a few lines that had given them the slip in years past. With a mandatory plane drop for all the camp supplies, the team was able to enter an area that’s rarely explored, especially in winter. The film follows the crew through it all as they head into this basin and boot-pack 1,000-foot couloirs to ski lines of their dreams—all while living the ski bum lifestyle in their own backyard. The film launch party also raised more than $8,000 for the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center. You can watch “Caution Terrain” on the Potatoboys208 YouTube channel or follow them on Instagram @essexprescott or @potatoboys208.

The post “Famous Potatoes: Caution Terrain” Ski Film Debuts in CDA  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Finishers get a bag of leftover gear from past Negative Split races—shirts, hoodies and other swag—plus raffle tickets for additional prizes or future race entries. On top of that, registration includes a free wristband for entry to the Spokane Great Outdoors Expo right at the finish line, where there are over 70 outdoor recreation exhibitors, live music and entertainment, a full bar and more. For anyone craving a bit of outdoor community during the late-winter lull, the Swag Run hits the spot. Lace up your shoes, bring a few friends and enjoy an easygoing morning run that rewards you with fitness, fun and a pile of quality swag. 

The post Swag Run Mixes Miles and Free Gear  appeared first on Out There Venture.

A major land conservation effort has added 2,135 acres of sagebrush steppe and Columbia River shoreline to Washington’s Big Bend Wildlife Area in Douglas County. Western Rivers Conservancy (WRC) recently transferred Big Bend Ranch—a property featuring 1.5 miles of river frontage—to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) for permanent protection and public access. Located 14 miles northwest of Grand Coulee, the ranch’s basalt cliffs, rolling hills and wetland spring habitat support a variety of wildlife, including the Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, one of Washington’s most imperiled bird species. The property also fronts Rufus Woods Lake, a 51-mile reservoir between Grand Coulee and Chief Joseph dams that retains flowing current and supports kokanee and rainbow trout. 

“Conserving these places is critical for upland game birds and other wildlife, and it gives people more opportunity to experience what remains of the Columbia Plateau’s sagebrush-steppe,” said Jessica Inwood, Washington project manager for WRC. With the addition of Big Bend Ranch, the Big Bend Wildlife Area now totals about 24,000 acres of protected public land. The expansion opens new opportunities for hunting, hiking, mountain biking and wildlife viewing on one of the Upper Columbia’s most scenic and ecologically significant stretches. 

The post Big Bend Wildlife Area Expands Along Columbia River  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Whether you pedal solo or join a team under the “Corporate Cup,” you’ll be riding for more than just mountain views—all entry fees go to support cancer research at the DanaFarber Cancer Institute. Born from the legacy of Wendy Ramsey and her battle with a rare form of blood cancer, the event brings together community, riders and cause—a chance to help push forward vital funding for cancer research. Climb for the Cure founder Duane Ramsey said there are other upgrades planned for this year’s ride, from prizes, a water station addition near the summit and more food options to adjustments to the two route start times to synchronize when riders roll back in. “It’s always a goal to make the rider experience a little better every year,” said Ramsey. 

The post Climb for the Cure Keeps Growing  appeared first on Out There Venture.

A steep, sketchy gully on Spokane’s South Hill just became a gateway to adventure. The new Rocket Gulch Stairs now connect neighborhood streets to the High Drive Bluff trail system, turning what was once a loose, hazardous slope into a sturdy, city-approved access point. Built by Washington Trails Association crews over the summer, the 82-step staircase (complete with retaining walls and handrails) links the end of the public right-of-way just south of 43rd Street and Hatch Road directly into the Bluff. The project was spearheaded by Friends of the Bluff, a volunteer-led nonprofit that’s spent years improving access to the 500-acre natural area above Latah Creek. 

The $65,000 project drew support from city parks, the Spokane Parks Foundation, Bartlett Tree Experts and dozens of community donors but also required about $30,000 from the group’s reserves to finish. High Drive Bluff’s 20-plus miles of trails have long been a magnet for hikers, runners and mountain bikers, yet safe neighborhood access points were limited. The new stairs change that, offering a direct, walk-in route for locals who’d rather skip the car and head straight into the pines. Friends of the Bluff plans to continue improving trail connections as funding allows. Learn more or support their work at Friendsofthebluff.org. 

The post New Rocket Gulch Stairs Expand Bluff Trails Access  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Free entertainment all weekend at the Spokane Convention Center includes live traditional Americana music, extreme skateboarding demos on an indoor halfpipe, live snake and other reptile and wild animal presentations, marshmallow roasting in an indoor “campground,” magic shows, a kid-friendly archery activity, crosscut log sawing, arts and crafts, hourly prize drawings, and a Kids’ Adventure Passport activity, where kids get to complete various challenges for an outdoors expo swag bag. Presentations on a variety of outdoor recreation, conservation, and natural history topics happen throughout the weekend. With a ticket purchase, attendees also get into the Spokane Golf Show, which is connected to the outdoor expo. More info at Spokaneoutdoorexpo.com. 

The post Spokane Great Outdoors Expo Feb. 21-22  appeared first on Out There Venture.

For more than three decades, the Lilac Century Bike Ride has marked the start of cycling season around Spokane with scenic miles, good food and a welcoming vibe for riders of all abilities. The 33rd annual event rolls out Sunday, May 17 from Big Barn Brewing on Green Bluff, where all routes start and finish. Riders can choose from paved 25-, 50- and 66-mile (metric century) routes, a full 100-mile century, or a 35-mile gravel option that explores the backroads of Green Bluff and Peone Prairie.

The ride is fully supported with monitored courses, SAG vehicles and mechanical help from North Division Bicycle Shop. E-bikes are welcome, although e-bike mechanical support may be limited. Each route includes well-stocked food stops and a food truck at the finish serves up a hearty post-ride meal included with registration. Participants can relax afterward at Big Barn Brewing with a pint or cider. Hosted by the Spokane Aurora Northwest Rotary Club, the Lilac Century is the group’s main fundraiser, supporting community service projects ranging from local youth programs to veterans’ assistance and global health initiatives. Registration opens Jan. 1, 2026, at Lilaccentury.com. 

The post Lilac Century Bike Ride Returns May 17 for 33rd Year  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Washington Wild announced in September that longtime Spokane conservation advocate Jeff Lambert was named the 2025 recipient of the Karen M. Fant Conservation Award. The annual honor recognizes volunteers who demonstrate exceptional grassroots leadership in protecting Washington’s wild lands and waters. For more than three decades, Lambert has worked to conserve open spaces and natural areas across the Spokane region through groups such as the Spokane Mountaineers, Friends of the Bluff and Dishman Hills Conservancy.

His work has advanced roadless-area protections, watershed restoration and the safeguarding of state forest lands. Most recently, Lambert helped lead the campaign to protect the 200-acre Thorpe property in west Spokane, a Washington Department of Natural Resources parcel once slated for housing development. His coalition-building efforts—alongside nearly 100 statewide partners—helped halt the proposed sale and reopen the path to preserving the land as a future city park. “Jeff embodies the spirit of grassroots conservation leadership that the Karen M. Fant Award was created to honor,” said Washington Wild executive director Tom Uniack. 

The post Spokane Conservation Leader Honored with Statewide Award Spokane, Wash.  appeared first on Out There Venture.

There’s no better way to honor the changing season than with a batch of homemade apple butter, especially when you’re working with fruit that’s just beginning to soften. This simple, slow-cooked recipe transforms humble apples into a rich, velvety spread infused with gentle warming spices. Spread it over hot biscuits, swirl it into a bowl of oatmeal or pair it with a thick slice of sourdough for an easy winter treat. 

This apple butter is light on the spices, allowing the bright, orchard-fresh flavor of our local apples to take center stage. If you’re craving a more traditional, deeply spiced apple butter, simply double the seasoning and let it cook a little longer to coax out those caramel-rich notes. For best results, reach for a combination of Honeycrisp, Gala, Cameo, Crimson Crisp, or Fuji apples harvested by Luke and Amanda at Tonnemaker Hill Farm. Their high-quality, organic fruit lends a natural sweetness and complexity that makes every jar a true celebration of our regional orchards. 

INGREDIENTS: 6 CUPS apples from Tonnemaker Hill Farm, cored and chopped into half-inch pieces // 1 CUP water // ½ CUP brown sugar // ½ TSP salt // ½ TSP cinnamon // ¼ TSP nutmeg // ¼ TSP ginger // 1 DASH cloves 

DIRECTIONS: 1. Place the chopped apples into a large pot over medium heat. Add the water, brown sugar, salt and spices. 2. Cover and let cook for 30-40 minutes until the apples are soft, stirring occasionally. 3. Using an upright blender or immersion blender, blend until smooth. 4. Place in airtight containers and store in the fridge. Use within three weeks. Enjoy! (Courtesy of LINC Foods.) 

The post Homemade Apple butter appeared first on Out There Venture.

By Bri Loveall 

Cover photo courtesy of Bri Loveall

Here’s how I learned to ski: when I was 10, I took a weeklong ski class. Five years later, I told my best friend I was good enough to ski with her family. I wasn’t. I spent the next few years trailing (and falling) behind my friend, trying to match her fluid movements as she expertly planted around moguls and glided in between trees. I learned to ski by doing, and 20 years later, think of myself as an advanced rider; I can easily navigate black diamond runs, and, if the conditions are right (read: extra soft and fluffy), can manage double black diamonds.  

In my mind, lessons and clinics were for people who had never skied or needed a refresher. So last winter when I had the opportunity to participate in the Mt. Spokane ladies ski clinic, aside from a glorious day of skiing without my children, I wasn’t sure what to expect.   

Any lingering doubts I had dissipated the moment I stepped into the Mt. Spokane “garage.” Women arrived by the dozens, stomping boots and chatting excitedly, stopping by heavily loaded tables to grab coffee, pastries and fruit. The energy was infectious. Sunlight shone through the large windows and the day promised to be warm and bright.  

After quick introductory remarks were made, everyone clambered outside for a brief warm-up stretch, which mostly consisted of laughter and accidentally bumping into one’s neighbor.  

I had assigned myself to the advanced group, and my instructor—the former Mt. Spokane Ski School director—was an older woman named Maxine. She was a force, the type of woman whose voice carried down the hill. Our small group of women, about eight in all, rode to the top of chair three and awaited her instructions. After a brief conversation about what we hoped to work on (most of us said “form”), Maxine asked each of us in the group to ski one at a time so she could assess and give us feedback.  

“It is not enough to make it to the bottom of the hill if you can’t do it safely,” she said after watching the whole group. I hadn’t considered that before. Just because I could navigate harder runs didn’t automatically make me a good skier. What I really wanted was the ability to keep skiing well into an older age; something that couldn’t happen if I didn’t spend the energy practicing better (and safer) form.   

When Maxine asked us what our ski poles were for, we all looked around at each other. I actually had no idea. I knew they were supposed to involve planting and turning, but I honestly held onto them like they were emotional support sticks. It was one more thing I hadn’t realized I was hungry to know. We spent the morning following Maxine like a line of baby ducklings following their mother, while she shouted at us to bend our knees and rotate our torsos so we faced downhill.  

At lunch, the entire clinic met back at the garage for pasta and sandwiches. Raffles were held and guests won snowboards, helmets, skis, lift tickets and other sweet prizes. The women at my table, all total strangers to me, gushed as several of us won prizes. We found a camaraderie together simply for our love of skiing, something I hadn’t realized I was missing.  

As the day moved on, I heard many women speaking of their families. “This is the first time I’ve skied without my kids this season,” I overheard one woman say to another. It seemed to be true for a lot of women. I heard statements like, “I feel like a new person,” and “I’ve never felt like a part of a team until today.” 

It wasn’t that this type of environment couldn’t happen in a regular coed lesson. But there is something unique about the way that women relate to other women. All day I watched as participants shared their struggles with one another: from navigating a complicated run or slushy snow to navigating relationships with children, parents, friends and spouses.  

Who has not heard the phrase “You cannot pour from an empty cup”? But women especially know this is not true; you can and will continue to give even when you’re running on empty. Women’s clinics are about more than just a daylong ski lesson. They are about finding a place in the ski community to build a confidence that spills over from the mountain slopes to our everyday lives.  

Find more information and sign up for this awesome event here.

Bri Loveall lives in the Inland Northwest with her family, a growing pile of mismatched ski gloves, and a deep appreciation for well-timed snacks. 

The post More Than a Lesson  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Introducing kids to skiing or snowboarding starts long before their first chairlift ride. The best way to build excitement is simply to play in the snow together. Gentle snowball fights, building snow forts and snowmen, and sledding and tubing all help kids get comfortable outdoors in winter. These activities also help them learn to love moving in the cold. When the time feels right—usually between ages 3 and 6 for most kids—visit a local ski area just to play and watch other families having fun on the slopes.

Tubing hills like those at Silver Mountain, Mt. Spokane or Schweitzer, are another great way to ease kids into sliding on snow. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing can also help young kids build balance and strength while having fun. And when you finally strap on that first pair of alpine skis or a snowboard, keep sessions short, warm and pressure-free. A positive first experience goes a long way toward a lifetime of winter adventures together. (OTO) 

The post Raising Little Rippers: Tips for Getting Kids Started on Snow  appeared first on Out There Venture.

By Bri Loveall 

Cover photo courtesy of Bri Loveall

Before teaching my kids to ski, I received a lot of really helpful advice: private lessons, ski school, hula hoops instead of ski harnesses, and even recruiting a grandparent. Last fall, we finally committed and rented season-long skis and boots from our favorite ski shop. The day after Thanksgiving, I packed a bag with more snacks than seemed necessary, loaded the gear into the car, and drove the kids up to the mountain for our first day on the snow.  

By then my children had taken about three lessons (which they seemed to forget the moment they clicked into their skis). I envisioned watching them glide down the bunny hill, laughing and waving as they tipped and then righted themselves. Instead, I found myself chasing after my older child, certain she’d run into someone. My youngest child managed to do a single run (while I held him up) before deciding he’d rather play in the snow instead. 

It’s fine, I told myself. It’s only the first day. As the season progressed, my commitment deepened; we were going to be a ski family and the outdoors would be our teacher. 

So much of what we teach our children is physical—how to tie shoes, tidy a room, catch a ball—that we forget what we are really teaching them is resilience. How to keep going even when they are uncomfortable, even when they fail and fall, when they’re cold and bored and tired. We are teaching them to embrace discomfort.  

Frequently, as a parent, I recognize within myself a limited tolerance for discomfort. The second my children begin whining (a normal childhood behavior that’s actually indicative of healthy emotional maturation), I think I’m causing some irreversible damage to their premature egos, and I want to quit. Children learn best when environments are fun and relaxed, when big tasks are broken down into small ones and when snacks are plentiful. But that doesn’t mean the learning is easy. And last season I learned that there is an art to discomfort.  

Crammed into our car (we have yet to invest in ski racks) with gear wedged into every nook and cranny, each weekend we made the trek up the mountain while the kids bickered in the back seat. It was hot, it was cold, their legs were sore. They were hungry, they were tired, they’d rather be home watching a show.  

In the parking lot, the wind whipped through the open doors and they shouted and shoved at each other as they all tried to dress in the same limited space. And we hadn’t even reached the worst part—ski boots. “You’re breaking my foot!” my youngest hollered, as other ski-ready families walked past. My own fingers were halfway frozen, struggling to hold my son’s boot open while I patiently coaxed him to shove his foot in.  

Once dressed, we still faced the walk from the car to the lift. “Here, kids, carry your own helmets, OK?” I’d say in my best Julie Andrews voice, stuffing extra gear and snacks into my backpack before grabbing their skis (and mine). “It’s too heavy. It’s too cold. It’s hard to walk in boots,” they groaned, lagging behind me. By the time we reached the bunny hill for lessons, I was ready to pass off my children to the instructors and find any excuse to escape into the lodge, where I could try to regain my Julie Andrews voice. 

All of us have a threshold for being uncomfortable, and yet we rarely think of it as a muscle that also needs to be stretched and strengthened. Because, let’s be honest, some days the skiing (or the hiking, camping, swimming, biking) just sucks. The weather is too cold or too hot, too wet or too smoky, and our kids are tired and we’re tired and no one—I mean no one—is having fun. I might argue that those moments are the most important in developing a lifelong commitment to the pursuit of ​​adventure.  

The advice I would give to parents is this: acknowledge the sensations your child is experiencing (cold, wet, fatigue, boredom) and then encourage them to keep going. When we mirror a tempered version of our child’s emotions, we validate them, and in doing so, create a safe space for them to practice navigating their discomfort.  

One Saturday last year, my youngest had a full-on meltdown in the middle of the crowded lodge. While onlookers tried not to stare as I began gathering our wet hats, lunch trash and helmets, one mom at the table nearest to me met my eye. “It gets better,” she said, gesturing to the teens situated around her. “Eventually, they learn to love it.”  

The post The Art of Discomfort  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of Sara Kennedy

With most farmers’ markets shuttered for the season, it might seem reasonable to take a pass from local eating until warm weather comes around again. Imported foods play an important role in our modern lives, but there are many great reasons to offset a portion of those, even in the winter months. Here are some of my favorite strategies for keeping it local until spring. 

Prioritize animal foods—Not only are animal-based foods available year-round, but there is so much variety. Pork from Ramstead Ranch, beef from Lone Crow Ranch, and lamb from Sundog Sheep Co. provide convenient options to pick up a frozen animal side and have nutritious options available in the freezer for months. Rose Hill Farm delivers raw milk all year to local grocery stores like Yoke’s, and I pick up eggs through my LINC Box subscription.  

Plan and preserve—In the imaginary world where I have ample time for canning, I load up my pantry with my garden tomatoes and Green Bluff peaches. In the real world, I’ll be leaning on my frozen huckleberries for tastes of summer in muffins and pancakes through the new year. 

Embrace winter squash—These are my favorite for so many reasons. I love to sow a mystery mix of winter squash seeds in spring for the whimsical surprise of seeing what the vines will produce. These hard-skinned fruits—classic butternut, silky kuri, hefty hubbard—will keep all winter long, are delightful as decorations and are ready to turn into a myriad of recipes at any moment. Check out the year-round Scale House Market in Spokane for local winter vegetables.

The post Eating Local in Winter  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Many field guides or flora and fauna books fail because they are twice as thick as this one and try to cover too much area. Sometimes writers aim to cover all the species in North America or provide a complete guide to every species on the Pacific West Coast. This book succeeds with hundreds of photographs and line drawings, plus the book offers strong visual support for step-by-step identification. This helps a lot when you’re examining bark, leaves or cones. The book features several hand-drawn illustrations and more than 1,400 photos in 400 pages. 

Even within the Pacific Northwest, tree appearances can vary due to factors such as microclimates and cultivars versus wild trees. As with any field guide, expect to adapt and verify in the field.  

This guide builds beginners’ confidence by providing the tools and steps to start identifying regional trees. Any nature enthusiast, gardener or landscaper will appreciate the book, which would make a great gift for anyone living near Spokane’s Manito Park or Finch Arboretum.

The post The Trees Around You: How to Identify Common Neighborhood Trees in the Pacific Northwest By Casey Clapp  appeared first on Out There Venture.

When Schweitzer snowcat operator Sabrina started at Ski Santa Fe almost 30 years ago, she had no idea she was stepping into what would become her lifelong career. After working at the New Mexico resort in the rental shop and later as a lift-operator, Sabrina remembers seeing the big snowcats moving around the mountain and thinking, “Yeah, that’s what I want to do.”  

Now, after 28 years working at multiple mountains across the country, Sabrina has spent the last nine years running a winch cat at Schweitzer. Her favorite part of the job? Watching the trails change throughout the course of the season. “You’re creating a product for people to ski on,” Sabrina said. Each day is a fresh opportunity to continue to shape the mountain. And even though snowcat operators work behind the scenes, Sabrina said she loves looking at trails from the top of a chair lift and thinking, “I did that.”  

The snowcat operators at Schweitzer (many of whom have been there as long or longer than Sabrina) are committed to keeping each other safe as they maintain and groom trails. While each groomer operates their own machine, they work together when conditions are tough, often bailing each other out if their cats get stuck or break down. Even though the job itself requires the operators to work independently, there’s a camaraderie amongst the crew.  

“You have to have a passion for this job,” Sabrina told me. With the late hours, seasonal work, and the amount of time spent alone in a snowcat, operators who stick around the longest are those who love the lifestyle. “You can’t make a good product if you don’t have a passion for skiing or boarding,” she explained. Many of the teams she’s worked with over her career were all avid or former skiers or snowboarders. That love of the lifestyle is part of what unites them and helps them excel in their work.  

At the end of a shift, Sabrina feels most successful when she knows she’s maintained a trail so others can go and safely ride. Even though she’s been at this for almost 30 years, she admits that every season she learns something new. There’s something about the job—the moose plowing their own trails through deep snow or the fresh tracks of mountain lions, the friendly banter over their two-way radios throughout a long shift, being the first person to watch the sun kiss the mountaintop, going where few people ever get to go, or that freshly laid corduroy—that keeps the operators coming back season after season. (Bri Loveall)  

The post Mountain Maker: One Snowcat Operator’s Story  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of Bri Loveall

One cold, snowy morning last winter, I woke hours before the mountains would transform into a kaleidoscope of pinks and blues, more commonly known as alpenglow, and made my way to the base of Lookout Pass to join the snowcat operators for a morning of work.  

That early morning, the lights from the snowcats were like beacons in a vast ocean of night. Brian Rosser, general manager of Lookout Pass, ushered me into one of the five cats Lookout Pass normally operates, a spacious, well-heated cab with plenty of leg room and a whole dashboard of complicated-looking switches, levers, knobs and controls. 

At its core, snowcat operators, or groomers, have the incredible task of mechanically manipulating snow to maintain ski slopes for efficiency, safety and fun. They are the unsung heroes of the mountain, and, as Rosser informed me, snow grooming is a lot like housework; you only notice it when it isn’t done.  

Recreational skiing in the U.S. has only been around for the last 150 years, with the earliest ski resort opening in Colorado in 1915. As resorts opened and recreational skiing took off, resort owners quickly realized they needed some way to shape and maintain the slopes. Some of the earliest grooming was the responsibility of ski patrollers who would either boot or shovel pack the snow to form smoother runs. But it wasn’t until the 1950s that an invention would change the way ski resorts handled slope maintenance. 

The Bradley Packer-Grader was the creation of the executive director of Utah’s Winter Park Resort, Steve Bradley. An adjustable blade at the top of the contraption sliced the tops off moguls while a slat roller followed closely behind, turning and flattening the snow. The only catch? The device weighed several hundred pounds (some sources say as many as 700) and was operated by skiers in the front. Bradley’s fleet of groomers became the evolutionary step in the automation of the modern-day snowcat.  

Military and expeditionary units had been in the process of designing over-snow vehicles for decades. By the 1960s, early snowcats were pulling Packer-Graders, rollers and other DIY contraptions to manage and maintain the snowy slopes. Today’s snowcats are precision instruments that can cut through ice, reshape trails, create those beautiful corduroy lines we all love, and handle the steep inclines of the mountain thanks to their low center of gravity.  

By the time the first lifts start running, the snowcat operators’ work is done for the day. Operators like Rosser and his team ensure that each skier’s experience is safe, consistent and exciting. The next time you glide down a perfectly groomed run, give a shout-out to the groomers who are doing the night work to make sure the memories happen.  

The post Snow Cat Operators: The Unsung Heroes of the Mountain Slopes  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Full disclosure, my friends. I am a proud member of Gen X. For the younger folks out there, you might know us as the “latch-key kids” or the “forgotten” generation. We grew up on a healthy diet of sugar cereals and sarcasm, a complete lack of parental supervision, and we didn’t have iPhones to take with us to the bathroom. We had to walk to school no matter the weather and were forced to spend time outside on the weekends, armed with only a bike, a baseball bat and our imagination. The 1970s and 1980s were much simpler times, and man, do I miss those days. But it was during the winter months when we were taught the most valuable lessons in toughness. Now, before you decide to tangle with a Gen Xer on the hill this season, keep the following in mind. 

Getting to the Hill 
I can’t even count the number of times I have seen the younger generations rolling to the mountain in all-wheel-drive SUVs that are loaded with so many amenities that I question whether they are really vehicles or just plush living rooms on wheels. And if you park close enough to them, you can smell the Starbucks soy latte and gluten-free breakfast sandwich made with free-range eggs that they enjoyed on their leisurely drive. Back in our day, we were jammed into some gas-guzzling, rear-wheel-drive land yacht with no seat belts that struggled to make it uphill in August, let alone in a blizzard in February. If you were lucky, you might have had a Pop-Tart composed of 90% sugar to snack on, though most of it crumbled apart the second you opened the package and vanished into the ice-cold vinyl seats that most cars were equipped with back then. Oh well, those were useless calories anyway … 

Old-School Ski Gear 
There is no doubt that today’s equipment technology equates to a more comfortable day on the mountain, especially when it comes to clothing. And nothing gets my juices going like a full-blown storm day, with single-digit temps and snow blowing sideways. But I always chuckle and give the side-eye when my younger chairlift partner inquires through chattering teeth if I am also cold. Bruh, four decades ago we were forced to go hard from opening to last chair with two pairs of cotton socks, stretch pants that had the texture of sandpaper and an oversized sweatshirt adorned with the logo of our favorite football team. And you always had to bring an extra pair of gloves because the first pair would be soaked after four runs, rendering your fingers useless. My dad said this built character. 
 
Chairlift Air Fresheners 
As a weekend warrior, I have grown accustomed to dealing with the sheer volume of people that head to the mountain after the workweek comes to a close. What amazes me, though, are some of the habits they bring with them. On more than a few occasions, I have caught aromatic whiffs of cotton candy or rainbow sherbet originating from a billowing cloud of vape smoke from the chair in front of me. And to be honest, they smell delicious. Back in the 1980s, we had to endure the acrid smell of Marlboro Reds, Tiparillo cigars, or some nasty, sub-par Devil’s Lettuce (if you know, you know). God forbid if your chairlift partner was the one firing these up, as you would be right in the line of fire. As a side note, rainbow sherbet vape flavor is known as Unicorn Vomit … Thanks ChatGPT. 
 
Brad Northrup is a former ski racer, coach and ski industry professional. He still snacks on Pop-Tarts on the way to the hill and occasionally rocks a Seattle Seahawks sweatshirt. 

The post Ski Bum Advice: Don’t Mess With Gen X Skiers  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of Sam Ozanich

For almost 10 years, I have been a beat writer in the snowboard realm for Out There. I’m unbelievably stoked to have the opportunity to represent the crew, be a voice for our local snowboard scene and continue my passion for highlighting others who inspire and create in outdoor spaces. 

This winter, I would like to introduce you to the Wild Cannons. The core of my snowboard-centered crew is Jeff Hall, Ryan Fogarty and me. Through our love of riding powder and the connections built through our Instagram account and podcast, we’ve been able to meet some truly amazing people in our community. But what is a wild cannon? 

Let me take you back a decade ago to Pinky G’s Pizzeria in Jackson Hole, Wyo. One evening after a killer day of riding pow, Jeff was zealously describing someone he knew. In his enthusiasm, he repeatedly kept calling this person a “wild cannon.” I about fell out of my chair laughing the first time he said it and was in tears the second and third time he used it. Collecting myself, I interrupted him to ask if he meant to say “loose cannon,” which Jeff quickly brushed off so he could get back to his story. I couldn’t unhear it: I thought wild cannon in place of loose cannon was absolute gold.  

Jeff’s misuse of loose cannon opened the floodgates for me to mock anything he did or said by adding “That’s what a Wild Cannon would do!” From then on, the term has been used as a nickname for Jeff, a way to describe our friends doing something crazy, and it even became the name of our men’s soccer team.  

The Wild Cannons snowboard crew came to life in the digital space of fall of 2019 on Instagram. In fall 2021, we had our first Wu-Tang-inspired sticker printed, and in spring of 2024 we kicked off the Wild Cannons Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.  

The Instagram account was created as a central place where we could photo-dump all of our snowboard pics and edits while showcasing our love for snowboarding and chasing powder. We thought the platform could be used to inform riders of local events while also spotlighting local riders’ content, potentially being a hub for riders to look toward in the absence of shop talk and curating a space that gives back to the local snowboard community. The podcast emerged as a natural extension of the articles I wrote for Out There and what we were doing on Instagram.  

It’s fun reflecting on the growth of Wild Cannons and our friendship. I think it’s important to share responses from Jeff and Ryan on what the evolution of Wild Cannons means to them. 

Jeff shared, “The true meaning behind Wild Cannons is that everyone is one! Not just one individual makes a Wild Cannon. I see the Wild Cannons as a way to get the snowboarding and outdoor enthusiasts together and a way to share the experience and love for the sport.” 

Ryan explained, “Wild Cannons isn’t a club or crew but more so an open community of people seeking the stoke. That feeling you get when you hear the crew chirp after stomping a nice pow line. Or surfing some glassy waves and not having a single thought or care in the world. Doing something you never thought was even possible. Finding the flow state. That’s what we chase. Spreadin’ the love and keepin’ it real.” 

Whether it’s snowboarding, moto, surfing, paddling or biking, we aim to have the most fun and share those experiences with others. 

T. Ghezzi is a snowboarder who loves riding powder, chips and salsa, traveling and experiencing new cultures. The Spokane native’s passion for riding pow has taken him abroad to the Austrian and Swiss Alps, Hokkaido, Japan, and most recently to the Andes in both Argentina and Chile. This past summer, he solo bikepacked from Spokane to Seattle. Keep up with T. Ghezzi and Wild Cannons at @northwest_raised and @wildcannons. Catch the Wild Cannons Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube.  

The post The Ghostface of Wild Cannons  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of Bradley Bleck

My first foray into Zwift racing came courtesy of a friend’s invitation to ride with the ODZ Killer Whales of the Zwift Racing League (ZRL). The team, many of whom are from Spokane, races in C Category, considerably above where I began in E. Having taken plenty a beating in real-life racing, I figured it couldn’t be any worse online despite the discrepancy. 

To race in ZRL and to chart my progress, I created a ZwiftPower account. Finishing races can improve one’s ZwiftPower score. Whatever one’s scores, outside of ZRL, Zwift will place riders in the most competitive racing category to minimize mismatches. To further balance the scales, given that about 20 percent of Zwift users are women, in-game performance is based on power-to-weight ratio, watts per kilogram, or w/kg. That makes Zwift racing fair for riders regardless of gender. W/kg is a great equalizer and the reason I have finished behind many a woman.  

My first race as an ODZ Killer Whale was a team time trial of 16 miles. I didn’t do well, finishing five minutes off the back. Only the first four finishing times counted for the standings and I was our fifth. The second race was 27 miles. I finished 14 minutes behind. I missed the third race because our cat Chloe walked across my computer keyboard just before the start, crashing my computer. Race four was 25 miles and I was 10 minutes off the back, pack fodder yet again. In each of the three events, I was the penultimate finisher. (For those who don’t know “penultimate,” that’s “next to last.”) Despite my poor finishes, the team ranks nine of twelve in its category. 

I finished so far behind because I am outclassed by the competition. No duh. My present FTP, the power I can presumably hold for an hour, is about 225 watts, roughly 2.5 w/kg. For the first race, I produced 2.0 w/kg. The winners averaged over 3.0 w/kg. Given the power differential, it was only a few minutes before I was blown off the back and slogging away on my own.  

Finishing off the back means I don’t score points for the team or myself. Scoring points requires finishing ahead of those with higher scores, which is how one climbs from one level to the next. Being the penultimate finisher is little help with that.  

Thankfully, there is more to Zwift racing than ZRL. Zwift offers at least one race every hour around the clock. These races have a category for totally new racers and there is no need to join a team. As I write this, I’m competing in the Zwift Unlocked series, five races over five weeks that began Oct. 6, three of which I have completed.  

For the first two races, my ZwiftPower score placed me in the E group. Not long into the first race, I was with three racers, having gapped the others. We dropped one of the group, and then the other. I was excitedly riding for the win until the final kilometer, a climb. I lost by three seconds, but I was feeling confident about my prospects. While second among 10 finishers, I was first among those with ZwiftPower accounts, earning 10 points for my Zwift Racing Score.  

In the second Unlocked race, there were 11 racers. Myself and one other rider dropped the others after a few miles. I lost by about 10 seconds as the winner pulled away near the finish. Because I had better racing scores than those I beat, I gained just four points, based, I assume, on my second place finish. Even though there was just 11 of us, the thrill of racing tactically, dropping riders and challenging for the win, made it fun.  

For the third Unlocked race I decided to take a chance with the D group despite not having the requisite score, hoping to level up to D. The strategy paid off. I placed 40 out of 47 but picked up 42 points, putting me solidly in the D category. But it came at the cost of having to slog away off the back, having been dropped after a few minutes. Definitely not as much fun as contending.  

I’ve been riding a second weekly race, Zwift’s Crit Racing Club. Two days after my third Unlocked race, I entered a crit race in the D category, again hoping to score some points and solidify my place in D Category. Finishing ninth out of nine cost me 30 points! Points wise, I was nearly back where I started but still, for the Unlocked series, three points above the D category threshold. Right near the bottom.  

With my low score and ranking, Zwift racing cannot be about winning and losing, especially since I’m not winning. Being a contender is more fun than getting beat up by better riders, but the real benefits have come in raising my power from 1.9 watts per kilogram (w/kg) before the first race to 2.6 w/kg as I write this. My functional threshold power rose more than 50 watts and is now equal to my outdoor FTP of 225 watts. Middling for sure, but real progress. I’ve also had my best 15-second, 30-second and one-minute power numbers in three years on Zwift. Even for a dummy like me, what’s not to like?  

Bradley continues to love teaching writing and literature courses at Spokane Falls Community College and hopes to both get stronger in Zwift races and enjoy as much time downhill skiing as possible this winter.  

The post I’m a Zwift Racing Dummy  appeared first on Out There Venture.

I’ve used SaltStick electrolyte tablets for about a year now. With the slightly grainy/powdery texture similar to that of a SweetTart candy, they’re a nice electrolyte option for the gel- or gummy-block-averse. I’ve packed these in the pocket of my trail running pack to stay balanced while carrying just water in my hydration bladder. I’ve also used them to get a boost of electrolytes before a crossFit workout, when I’ve been sipping on too much coffee through the morning, or during travel on airplanes.  

What’s in them? In each serving (2 tablets), there are 100mg sodium, 30mg potassium, 10mg calcium, and 6mg magnesium with a natural stevia sweetener and no artificial colors. I personally cannot abide the watermelon flavor of SaltStick, but the salty-tart green apple hits just right. Find your favorite of eight flavors.  

These are marketed to help in heat-stress situations to prevent cramping, but if you’ve ever cramped in snow pants, you’ll recognize they’re useful anytime you’re sweating hard. Particularly useful on a wet or snowy outing, SaltStick packaging is waterproof. Pro tip: save the sample size package with zipper to refill from a bulk bottle to keep it pocket-friendly. Find SaltStick at your local Fleet Feet, REI or at Thefeed.com. (Lisa Laughlin)   

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Usually, when jumping into a new guidebook, I tend to skip the introduction section and dive right into the meat of it: What kind of bird, tree or mushroom was that? The few times I’ve chosen to start out with the introduction, it has been well worth my time, and the introduction to “A Rockhound’s Guide to Oregon and Washington,” by Alison Jean Cole, was no exception.   

The opening narrative expanded my understanding of the geological history of our area and the ethical and environmental considerations in rock collecting, as well as the different types of public lands and the rules for visiting each. Multiple maps showcased the locations of the recommended sites as well as the varied geologic features across Washington and Oregon.  

I would estimate this guidebook is suitable for the “very committed beginner.” The overview is comprehensible for a level-zero geologist, but getting to the suggested exploration sites takes a higher level of enthusiasm. All sites are off the beaten path and for good reason. Cole explains that easily accessible sites have been overharvested and otherwise damaged by high traffic.  

Unfortunately, this means there are no suggested sites within several hours of the Spokane area or even I-90. The closest is Stonerose Fossil Site, but Republic is hardly on the way anywhere. For most rockhounds, that means a dedicated trip. However, for those wanting to explore remote new areas and avoid crowds, this guide supplies ample opportunities. Thorough coaching is provided to prepare for visiting these wayward locations while minimizing safety risks and maximizing fun.  

On a literary level, I most appreciated Cole’s thoughtful descriptions of each site. These lend cultural and geological context to the sites and truly got me interested in exploring the far corners of Oregon and Washington for some of the earth’s treasures. (Sara Kennedy) 

The post A Rockhound’s Guide to Oregon and Washington   appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of Jean Arthur

Rattlesnakes, scorpions, dagger-sharp yucca and plenty of prickly cacti: What’s not to love about the American Southwest? In March, my daughter and I took a girls’ trip to Joshua Tree National Park in California’s Mojave and Sonoran deserts, where early spring brings warm days around 70 degrees and cool nights in the low 40s. I didn’t have high expectations, assuming there would be few visitors to such an arid and barren region, forsaken of life—a wasteland of the American West that curiously only became a national park in 1994.  

Expectations dashed, I encountered spectacular and lush “gardens,” oases and well-maintained trails and campgrounds. I followed a trail to a giant heart-shaped rock just north of White Tank Campground. At Heart Rock, a dozen families and couples patiently waited their turn for a snapshot and generously offered to take a photo for the visitors in front of them—something about nature brings out generosity, curiosity and kindness in humans despite, or perhaps because of, the sharpness of the flora.  

Heart Rock is less than a mile from White Tank Campground, where campers enjoy near silence despite the busy trail thanks to the Flintstones-looking rocks that tuck away campsites. Neighbors for the night include great horned owls hoot-hooting, tortoises and 15 camper vehicles. White Tank, named for white quartz monzonite, is a first-come, first-served site. Campsite reservations are hard to come by at Recreation.gov even though the park has nearly 500 sites. Only two campgrounds have running water, Black Rock and Cottonwood.  

Stargazing at 3,800 feet elevation and among billion-year-old rocks reminds me that the heavens look the same to me as they did to the earliest human inhabitants, minus the occasional satellite and airplane. The people of the Pinto Culture who arrived at the end of the Pleistocene era, some 11,700 years ago, saw this generous sky. They resided in what’s now called the Pinto Basin in the southern half of the park, near where the amazing Cholla Cactus Garden sustains thousands of teddy bear cholla.  

When I was there, shooting stars outlined Sirius, the brightest star in March’s night sky. Orion’s Belt makes an appearance that time of year, as does the Milky Way, which undoubtedly showered the Uto-Aztecan language tribes with light. They are the Serrano and Cahuilla peoples who arrived after the Pinto peoples and resided in small villages, surviving on acorns, pine nuts and mesquite beans as well as jackrabbits and other small game.  

Among the Joshua Tree surprises are the numerous oases tucked among the granite Pinto gneiss, monzogranite that extruded from deep within the earth, forming stained-glass-looking blocks and cracks in heaps around the land. Plants eke out a living by rooting between fissures to find the meagerest of soil. 

The native culture was one that thrived in the Oasis of Mara, where desert fan palms shaded them and their pottery and basketry elegantly held water and food. With my cooler of meals and 5-gallon jugs of water, it’s hard to fathom how humans survived. Ingenuity, curiosity and kindness, I imagine.  

But the plants. Just why is it that many desert plants have spines instead of leaves? Some obvious reasons, of course, include plants’ protection against predators, but I learned from park literature that cacti evolved to conserve water. During a ranger talk, I also learned that many desert plants have leaves with a hazy or dusty-looking appearance, white hairs protecting them from the sun. The spines collect dew when fog occludes the area, allowing droplets to drip to roots. The spines cloak plants with a humid air layer, reducing moisture evaporation. The spines break wind flow, also reducing evaporation.  

I conserve water too on a walk through the Hall of Horrors near the Ryan Campground. Aptly named, the rock formations hide lizards and scorpions and even kids. One family played hide-and-seek, allowing their grade-school-aged children to squeeze between boulders. The rock formations also attracted a youth group on a climbing trip, international visitors waddling through duff and me wondering at the wonderful trees named for the biblical figure, Joshua. Apparently Mormon settlers thought the Yucca brevifolia trees reached toward the sky like Joshua stretched in prayer. 

I look up synonyms for “desert” and find the words incongruent with my experience: barren, desolate, forsaken, abandoned, jilted. Instead, Joshua Tree, the Sonoran, the Mojave, bloom with imagination, fortitude and friendliness. Rattlesnakes, scorpions, dagger-sharp yucca and plenty of cacti: There’s lots to love about Joshua Tree National Park.  

Jean Arthur’s winter pursuits include xc ski touring with her Labrador retrievers, looking for Yellowstone’s wolves and dreaming of spiny desert landscapes. 

Joshua Tree National Park Passes and Services 

Joshua Tree National Park has no gas stations, restaurants, grocery stores or hotels and has very limited cell service. Resupplies are available in the gateway communities of Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms. Park passes are available at entrance gates and at visitor centers.  

The post Winter Escape: Joshua Tree National Park   appeared first on Out There Venture.

What’s more tiring, skiing, or hearing about skiing? Your wife’s been bragging about her Kootenay winter vacations for years … and winter’s here again. She keeps reminding you, “Last year it snowed two feet the week I went to Whitewater Mountain Resort!” Enough already. Next she’ll be on about how they kept the grassroots vibe even though they added a new lift in 2023, boosting to 3,247 skiable acres—and she still never crosses a track until noon on a powder day. 

Then there was the year she decided to start ticking off her “bucket list” and go cat skiing. And then again the next year when she went heli-skiing, because there are more backcountry operations around Kootenay Lake than anywhere else in the world, and the terrain is “unmatched.” This winter she wants to try ski touring, and you just know it’s going to be the same endless gloating at the end of each day. 

But that’s no reason to stay home. Spokane, along with its international airport, is only three hours from Nelson, and a winter vacation poses its own restorative effects, even if you’re not into skiing or snowboarding. Visiting the serene shores of Kootenay Lake is easier than getting to Mexico—plus, you won’t get a sunburn. Not to mention the Canadian peso is an all-time bargain right now. But what does a man of more discerning tastes do to keep occupied? 

Ever been to a hot spring in the winter? It’s the quintessential Kootenay way to unwind: soaking in the contrasting benefits of hot and cold. Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort is just a short trip up the road from Nelson, with developed pools that are a natural delight, and rejuvenating waters that work magic to peel back big-city stresses. 

A walking tour of Nelson is likewise especially storybook in winter, highlighted by Victorian architecture and dozens of curated murals. Getting around by foot is quick and quaint, offering time to escape into one of many warm independent bookstores, or dozens of cafés—many of which roast their own beans and are award winners. Locals here have coffee for blood. 

But maybe breweries are more your thing. There are three in Nelson, and one up in picturesque Kaslo, just an hour up the road. The slow, winding drive along Kootenay Lake is mesmerizing in the winter, with views of snowcapped mountains reflecting off a glassy lake that never fully freezes. You can also take the world’s longest free ferry across the lake to Balfour, for an extra scenic cruise. 

But if you don’t have a rental vehicle, because the frequent shuttles from Spokane are just as quick and easy and Nelson itself is decidedly walkable, you can still keep busy right in town. There are more restaurants per capita in the Queen City of the Kootenays (that’s Nelson) than even San Francisco and Manhattan. It’s a culinary scene that foodies around the world flock to, crammed into four ornate city blocks.

 

Only 30 minutes north of the Washington border, Nelson’s architecture is a throwback to the turn of the century: a mix of American-style Italianate brick façades reminiscent of old Seattle, and granite-blocked civic buildings with distinct Victorian influences. There are over 350 heritage buildings surrounding downtown’s Baker Street, all built between 1895 and 1924—edifices that make the town distinct in the Canadian Mountain West.  

Like the stately Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, which will take you back to the frontier years, as will a visit to the S.S. Moyie Sternwheeler up in Kaslo: the oldest intact passenger vessel of its kind in the world. While you’re up there, Kaslo’s Langham Cultural Centre showcases contemporary and traditional exhibits year-round: a cosmopolitan amenity in an impossibly cute village framed by diamond peaks overlooking a placid lake.  

Art’s also on tap all winter long at Nelson’s Oxygen Art Centre, as well as at a plethora of galleries and artisan studios. As the undisputed cultural capital of the Kootenays, there are always shows at the Capitol Theatre, featuring local and national talent, performing dance, theater and musicals. Music, by the way, pulses winterlong at venues like Bloom Nightclub and Spiritbar; Nelson is also a sleeper hub for electronic artists the world over. 

But if you want to keep it simple, there are, of course, plenty of pubs and that Canadian staple, the good, old hockey game. The Nelson Leafs are a Junior A championship team that seldom disappoints. Which is perfectly in keeping with the area at large. Not everybody loves sliding on snow, and we get that—but everybody loves winning. The wife might have just bagged her best day on snow ever, but visit Nelson and Kootenay Lake along with her and it’s bragging rights for all. 

Traveling to Nelson, BC, This Winter? 

Why Not Take the Shuttle? 

Skip the drive and hop on the Kootenay Charters shuttle servicing Nelson, Castlegar and Rossland direct from the Spokane Airport. For complete details on departure dates and times, just scan here. Book now at Kootenaycharters.com/spokanewintershuttle or reach out with questions at info@kootenayCharters.com or (250) 365-2871. 

The post How To Not Go Skiing in Nelson, BC  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Since its early days, F3T has grown into the original and largest fly fishing film event of its kind. What began as a traveling showcase of niche storytelling has evolved into a cornerstone of fly fishing culture, gathering anglers of all backgrounds to watch, reflect, and connect. The 2026 anniversary tour honors that legacy with a fresh lineup of films drawn from across the globe, each capturing a different facet of life on the water.

This year’s collection leans into more than just fish and destinations. The films explore wild places, conservation-minded narratives, and the people who shape their lives around rivers, coastlines, and seasonal rhythms. Striking cinematography and thoughtful storytelling anchor the experience, whether the focus is remote water, personal challenge, or the quiet satisfaction found in time spent fishing.

The Spokane screening offers more than a night at the movies. F3T events are known for their sense of camaraderie, where conversations flow easily between longtime anglers, newcomers, and those simply curious about the sport. Attendees can also expect giveaways and special guests, adding to the communal feel that has defined the tour for two decades.

Presented by Skwala, Yeti, and Costa, the 20th Annual Fly Fishing Film Tour reflects both where fly fishing has been and where it continues to head. For some, the evening is a midwinter reminder of seasons past and waters yet to be fished. For others, it may be an introduction to a culture built on patience, curiosity, and respect for place.

After twenty years on the road, F3T remains a gathering point for stories that begin and end on the water, shared one screen, one city, and one community at a time.

The post Fly Fishing Film Tour Marks 20 Years with Anniversary Stop in Spokane appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of Alistair Sedgwick 

Fifty years ago, a small group of dreamers carved out a little ski hill in the Selkirk Mountains. There were no grand plans, no corporate blueprints and no intention of becoming anything other than a place where powder seekers felt at home. Half a century later, Whitewater Mountain Resort has evolved and expanded, yet the heart of the experience remains unchanged. It is still the place where deep snow, great food and an unbeatably friendly community set the tone for your entire trip. 

Located less than an hour north of the Canadian border, Whitewater sits in the snowy heart of the West Kootenays, where reliable storm cycles keep the snow deep all winter long. The terrain is playful, the atmosphere relaxed and the American dollar stretches even further. While the industry around it has shifted toward corporate models and major developments, Whitewater has stayed true to its roots. The resort remains independently and locally owned, with a focus on exceptional snow, memorable meals and a genuine connection to the people who visit. 

A Place to Stay That Feels Like Yours 

For slope-side seclusion, the Hummingbird Lodge boutique suite sleeps six and is one of the most peaceful stays in BC. Quietly tucked near the resort’s Nordic trails, the suite offers a level of privacy that is rare in ski country. Mornings start slowly as light rises over Ymir Peak and evenings settle into a calm that encourages you to linger by the fire. Whether you are here for a long stay or a quick getaway, the suite feels like your own mountain retreat. 

If you prefer to base yourself in Nelson, the vibrant and eclectic city just 13 miles away, you will find excellent dining, live music, boutique hotels and the creative spirit the Kootenays are known for. The area is also a gateway to natural hot springs, Nordic skiing, and world-class backcountry, cat and heli adventures. 

A Smooth Trip to Deep Snow 

Travelers from Spokane and beyond can book a direct shuttle from Spokane International Airport to Nelson at Kootenaycharters.com. Operating five days a week throughout the winter, this convenient service allows you to relax and focus on the adventure ahead. From Nelson, it is a simple connection on the Whitewater shuttle for a stress-free, car-free trip to the mountain. 

Honoring the Past While Looking to the Future 

As Whitewater celebrates its 50th winter, the resort continues to write the next chapter of its mountain story. The recent expansion into Ymir Bowl, accessed from the Raven Chair, introduced new runs, new glades and the resort’s first south-facing alpine terrain. The result is a larger playground that still feels uncrowded and true to the Whitewater way. 

As the resort grows into a four-season destination, the core values remain unchanged. Whitewater is still independently and locally owned, community-focused and dedicated to preserving the character that has defined it for 50 years. If you’re looking for an authentic and unforgettable ski getaway, you’ll find it at Whitewater this winter. Learn more at Whitewatermountainresort.com and stay up to date on the latest and greatest resort updates at @whitewatermountainresort. 

Sponsored

The post Whitewater Mountain Resort  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of Nicole Aguado

Their first trip together was a life-changing experience.

Nicole and Lydia had never met before they climbed into Lydia’s old van with her daughter Naomi and headed east, deep into the Montana forest, chasing what would quickly become a truly epic and unforgettable adventure. There was no careful buildup or cautious first meeting. Just two women who admired each other’s hiking posts online, trusting a shared love for the outdoors enough to say yes and see what happened on the trail.

They met through the Spokane/North Idaho Hikers Facebook group, the community Nicole started as a place for herself and others to catalog hikes, collaborate with other outdoor lovers, and swap trail ideas. What began as a small local group quietly grew into a network of more than forty thousand members across the Northwest. Nicole and Lydia noticed each other there, drawn to each other’s adventure posts. Two seemingly very different women who admired one another’s solo adventures from afar until admiration turned into conversation.

When Lydia mentioned an upcoming trip and invited Nicole along, Nicole did not hesitate.

That trip brought many firsts.

It was not only Nicole’s first adventure with Lydia. It was her first night roughing it in a Forest Service cabin. The cabin Lydia chose was perched on the banks of Lake Como. The cabin was sparsely decorated and oversized, its big, cold rooms filled with bunk beds and empty space, lit only by oil lanterns that had to be ignited by hand. There was no electricity, no running water, no familiar comforts to lean on. Water had to be hauled from the lake and boiled. Meals were cooked on the hot coals of the wood fireplace. As their first evening together settled in, the cabin creaked from the wind whipping across the cool, early May water of Lake Como. With no modern distractions, conversation was plentiful. What could have felt awkward instead felt natural, two very different people finding common ground over a shared love for adventuring in the great outdoors.

The next morning delivered another first. Midway through a hike around the lake, the weather turned without warning. The light dimmed. Wind rushed hard through the trees. Thunder rolled in fast and close, followed by sheets of rain that soaked everything within minutes, including Nicole and Lydia. With no clear place to hide, they pressed into the forest together and waited it out, cold, uncomfortable, and alert. Fear has a way of stripping things down to what matters. In those minutes under the trees, small talk disappeared, and a deep trust was quickly born.

When the storm finally passed, they finished the hike changed, not by the hike itself, but by what they had endured side by side.

That night, back at the cabin, they warmed themselves by the wood fire. Smoke clung to their clothes. Boots steamed as they dried near the heat. Exhaustion softened everything. By then, the weekend had already done its quiet work. The firsts had piled up, and somewhere inside them, a lasting friendship had taken hold.

What began as a leap of faith with a stranger became the first of many adventures together.

It also became a living example of what Nicole had unknowingly built.

Nicole did not grow up outdoorsy. The mountains were something she admired from a distance, not something she felt called into. That changed later in life, after a friend introduced her to fishing, camping, and the quiet clarity that comes from spending time outside. Hiking followed, first as an outlet, then as a necessity. When life felt heavy, the trail made it lighter. When things fell apart, movement helped put them back together.

In 2018, in the aftermath of a breakup and searching for something that felt grounding, Nicole started a Facebook group. It was meant to be simple. A place for a few friends to share hikes around Spokane and North Idaho. A few friends joined at first. They posted photos. They traded trail names. They encouraged one another to get outside.

Then the group grew.

Slowly at first, then rapidly.

Today, Spokane/North Idaho Hikers includes more than forty thousand members. It has become the largest online hiking community in the region, a living, breathing network of people who ask questions, share knowledge, plan trips, and sometimes find the courage to try something they never thought they would. Nicole never planned to be a community leader. She became one because the need and the desire for connection in the outdoor community were undeniable.

The scale of the group became impossible to ignore during what many members still refer to simply as “the Jeff situation.” A local story involving a man named Jeff inviting ladies to join him for a hike unexpectedly went viral, and almost overnight, Spokane/North Idaho Hikers found itself at the center of the internet’s attention. Membership requests surged into the hundreds per day. People from well outside the region flooded in, many with no interest in hiking at all, but eager to follow the story as it spread across social media and local news.

For Nicole, it was a crash course in just how visible the group had become. Moderation turned into triage. She worked to protect the integrity of the community, filtering out noise while trying to keep the group focused on its original purpose. At the height of the attention, it was clear that Spokane/North Idaho Hikers was no longer just a casual online gathering. It had become a public-facing platform with real reach and real responsibility.

Through it all, Nicole stayed focused on why the group existed.

Connection.

People message her often to say the group helped them hike for the first time. Others say it pulled them out of isolation or gave them confidence to explore alone. Some meet friends. Some meet partners. A few, like Nicole and Lydia, meet people who change their lives entirely.

Nicole often hikes alone. She likes the quiet, the space to think, the way the forest strips life down to its essentials. She plans carefully, checks trail conditions, pays attention to the weather, and trusts her instincts. The wilderness does not scare her. It demands respect, and she gives it fully.

Photography has become part of her process, too. She shoots with her phone, capturing alpine lakes, mountain goats, and ridgelines wrapped in clouds. She does not chase perfection. She chases moments. Her photos are not about proving where she has been. They are about inviting others to imagine themselves there.

Her passion for adventure has taken her far beyond the Inland Northwest. Nicole recently embarked on a solo trip to New Zealand, a trip that confirmed something she already suspected: that she is capable of more than she once believed. She has jumped out of planes, backpacked into hot springs, and adventured across the world, and continues to say yes to experiences that stretch her comfort zone.

Through it all, Lydia remains one of her closest adventure partners. They travel easily together, balancing each other’s differences. They plan trips, improvise when plans fall apart, and laugh at the absurdity that sometimes comes with chasing epic experiences. Their friendship began with trust, was cemented by discomfort, and continues because it just works.

Nicole’s life is now shaped by the outdoors and the people she meets because of it. She dreams of future trips to Iceland, Patagonia, the Swiss Alps, and deeper into the places where cell service fades, and the noise disappears.

Looking back, it is easy to trace the line.

A Facebook group.
A message.
A van headed east.
A cabin.
A storm.
A life-long friendship.

Somewhere between carrying water from a lake and waiting out thunder under the trees, Nicole learned what she had been building all along. Not a hiking group. Not following. A doorway.

People join Spokane/North Idaho Hikers for all kinds of reasons. Some are looking for trail recommendations or current conditions. Others want to learn more about the outdoors, build confidence, or find people to hike with. Many simply want to feel less alone in their curiosity about the natural spaces around them. What they find, often unexpectedly, is a vibrant community, one built on shared experience, mutual respect, and the simple willingness to show up for one another, on the trail and beyond.

Nicole knows that feeling well. Over the past decade, she has evolved from a city girl to a true backwoods adventurer.

——

If you’re looking for some new adventure ideas or some new outdoor-loving friends, join the Spokane/North Idaho Hikers community on Facebook and see where it leads you!

The post How Spokane/North Idaho Hikers Became a Gateway to Adventure and Community appeared first on Out There Venture.

A trip up to soak in the mineral-rich thermal pools at Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort—north of Nelson, BC, along Kootenay Lake—is a routine pilgrimage for many Out There readers, and winter is an exceptionally magical time to visit. Sitting in the main 96-degree pool, wrapped in steam and gazing out at the snow-covered Purcell Mountains rising up from the lake is pure rejuvenation. A quick overnight trip up from Spokane for Ainsworth’s hot-springs cave and soaking pool is worth the drive all on its own, but the resort has much more to offer.  

The lake-view Ktunaxa Grill—named after the Ktunaxa First Nations whose traditional lands include a vast expanse of territory surrounding the resort—features an indigenous-inspired menu built around local ingredients. It’s a culinary experience that typically inspires repeat visits. Stay a night or two in one of the resort’s spacious, modern rooms or suites—each with hot springs access and guest-only hours—and you have yourself a full-on restorative getaway. But Ainsworth has one more surprise that elevates the whole experience.  

After a day on the slopes at nearby Whitewater or snowshoeing the river trails around Kaslo, few things beat a hot springs soak—except following it with a massage at Ainsworth’s on-site Spirit Water Spa. The spa offers Swedish, deep tissue and targeted massage work. Let skilled hands unwind tight quads or a worked-over back, giving your nervous system a full reset. The Spirit Water Spa also offers energy therapies, detoxifying clay applications and indulgent body wraps. Treatments are designed to complement time in the pools, pairing heat and minerals with whole-body relaxation.  

Ainsworth blends natural thermal relaxation, striking scenery and unpretentious resort comforts that will make any winter adventure in the Kootenays more memorable. Learn more or book your trip at Ainsworthhotsprings.com.

Sponsored

The post Spirit Water and Winter Wellness in the Kootenays  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of RED Mountain/ Iain Reid

There are ski trips—and then there are ski experiences that stay with you long after the snow melts. Just two hours north of Spokane, tucked into the stunning Monashee Mountains and a mere breath from the U.S. border, RED Mountain offers that deeper kind of escape. This is where the lift lines are short, the locals are friendly, and the mountains feel like they still belong to the people who love them most. This is where The Good Life runs deep. 

For decades, RED has held strong as one of North America’s most authentic, unspoiled ski destinations. And while its reputation for big terrain, uncrowded slopes and endless powder stashes has spread far beyond the Kootenays, the resort has never lost its soul. In a world of ever-expanding mega-resorts, RED remains fiercely independent—reflected in its laid-back culture and commitment to community. 

A Ski Destination That Still Feels Real 

RED Mountain isn’t about flash or pretense. It’s about phenomenal skiing in a place that feels grounded. With 3,850 acres of terrain, spread across five distinct peaks, RED is one of the largest ski resorts on the continent—but you wouldn’t know it from the vibe. There are no crowds buzzing around village plazas, no elbow-to-elbow lift queues and no pressure to “be seen.” What you’ll find instead are wide-open groomers, steep trees, playful natural features and that unmistakable Kootenay powder that keeps loyal skiers coming back season after season. 

A typical morning at RED might start with sunrise views over the Monashee Mountains as you drop into perfectly corduroyed runs off Silverlode or Paradise. For the adventurous, Granite Mountain’s renowned tree skiing offers some of the best fall-line terrain in BC, while Grey Mountain delivers bowl after bowl of powder-faced bliss. And if you’re seeking something truly unique, RED still operates pay-per-run cat skiing on Mt. Kirkup, giving guests a taste of backcountry-style skiing for the mere cost of $20 CAD per lap. 

In short, if you dream of skiing like it used to be—unfiltered, unhurried and unbelievably good—RED is your place. 

Where the Community Shapes the Experience 

One of RED’s most defining features has nothing to do with snow—it’s the people. The resort sits at the edge of Rossland, British Columbia, a storied mountain town that feels both timeless and full of energy. Known as the “Mountain Biking Capital of Canada” in the summer and an outdoor wonderland year-round, Rossland is the kind of community that still opens doors for strangers and gathers everyone at the local brewery after a big storm cycle. 

Rossland’s roots run deep. Founded in the late 1800s as a booming gold-rush town, it has evolved into one of the most vibrant adventure-sport communities in the Pacific Northwest. Its historic downtown, with brick storefronts and friendly cafés, sits just minutes from RED and offers everything from craft beer and artisanal bakeries to gear shops and independent boutiques. But what truly sets Rossland apart is its sense of belonging. Visitors often comment that within a day, Rossland feels less like a destination and more like a place you’ve always known. 

And the connection between town and mountain is seamless. Skiers grab après at local favorites like Rossland Beer Co. or the Flying Steamshovel before heading back into the snowglobe glow of this cozy, walkable community. Festivals, live music, and local events breathe life into winter nights, making a ski vacation here feel like more than just a getaway—it’s an immersion. 

Close to Home, but a World Away 

For skiers and riders in Spokane and the greater Inland Northwest, RED Mountain offers an unbeatable combination: world-class terrain that’s close enough for a weekend, but with an international twist that makes it feel like a true escape. 

From downtown Spokane, the route to RED is straightforward and scenic. Within 90 minutes, you’re at the U.S.-Canada border in Frontier, WA/Northport, WA, and from there it’s just a short drive to Rossland’s welcoming streets and RED’s base area. Many Spokane residents are surprised to learn just how close BC’s legendary Powder Highway really is—and that some of its best skiing begins almost immediately across the border. 

Because RED is so close, it’s perfect for families wanting a low-stress trip, couples looking for something new, or groups chasing fresh snow without the hassle of long travel days or busy airports. A passport, a tank of gas and a sense of adventure are all you need. 

The Good Life Lives Here 

RED Mountain Resort has built its identity around more than just incredible skiing. “The Good Life” is a phrase you’ll hear often—and it isn’t marketing fluff. It represents a way of living that prioritizes time over hurry, connection over crowds and genuine experience over polished perfection. 

You feel it when you’re riding the chairlift with someone who moved here decades ago and never left. You feel it when you ski terrain that feels untouched, even days after a snowfall. You feel it when you walk through Rossland and realize the town doesn’t just live next to the mountain—it lives with it. 

That authenticity is exactly what today’s travelers crave, and it’s what keeps RED Mountain at the top of “hidden gem” lists year after year. Yet RED remains committed to staying true to its roots: friendly, accessible, community-driven and wildly fun. 

Plan Your Winter Escape 

Whether you’re seeking deep powder, long groomers, family-friendly vibes or simply a resort with soul, RED Mountain delivers. And with its close proximity to Spokane, the ease of the border crossing and the warm embrace of Rossland’s mountain community, your next great winter adventure is closer than you think. 

This season, discover a place where skiing feels pure again. Discover a community where everyone is welcomed. Discover a mountain where The Good Life isn’t a slogan—it’s a way of being. Discover RED. 

Sponsored

The post RED Mountain and Rossland, BC Deliver an Authentic, Crowd-Free Ski Experience appeared first on Out There Venture.

Remember when winter used to be pure fun? When snow days meant skipping class, hot chocolate and laughing so hard your cheeks actually hurt? That kind of joy isn’t gone—you’ve just got to know where to find it.  

This winter, rediscover that feeling at Big White Ski Resort. Located just outside Kelowna, British Columbia, Big White is where adulting takes a back seat and real winter fun kicks in. Easy to get to, hard to leave, and built for skiers, snowboarders and families who want more than just great snow—they want great memories. 

From Washington to Big White in Under Five Hours 

With direct flights from Seattle to Kelowna International Airport (YLW), Big White is one of the most accessible international ski destinations from Washington state. Skip the long drives and border waits—just hop on a 1.5-hour flight, then let the Big White official airport shuttle handle the rest. In under an hour, you’re pulling up to the resort. 

Prefer to drive? From Washington, Big White is just 4.5 to 6 hours away. Coming from Spokane? Head up U.S. 395, cross at Laurier, then cruise BC 33 from Rock Creek straight to Big White Road. Driving from Seattle or western Washington? Cross at Peace Arch, Pacific Highway or Oroville, then follow BC 97 through Kelowna to BC 33. Smooth roads, stunning views and a drive that hits just right. Just don’t forget your passport. 

Pro tip: Book through Big White Central Reservations for a five-night stay and get the Fly & Ski Free deal—your lift ticket on arrival day is free. You could literally be skiing in just over an hour after clearing customs. 

Ski-In, Ski-Out Living Means No Wasted Time 

Big White isn’t just partly ski-in, ski-out—it’s entirely ski-in, ski-out. Every lodge, condo and cabin connects directly to the slopes or is a short walk to the lifts. You’ll spend more time on snow and less time wrangling gear and finding parking. Prefer to have a car? There’s ample free parking and many accommodations come with dedicated spots. But honestly, once you’re here, you won’t need it. Big White is designed so you can ditch the keys and focus on the important stuff—like first tracks and après cocktails. 

Your Dollar Goes Further in Canada 

Big White is in British Columbia, which means your U.S. dollar stretches further. Factor in the favorable exchange rate and you’re saving without even trying. That après beer? Cheaper. That extra ski day? More doable. Looking for a deal? Check out Sundance Resort’s “Buy 3, Get 4 Free” offer—stylish, spacious accommodations with pools, hot tubs, steam rooms and underground parking. You also get ski/snowboard storage and access to grocery delivery. It’s luxury without the markup. 

Family-Friendly, Without the Chaos 

Big White is proudly family-owned, and it shows. The vibe is friendly, down-to-earth and refreshingly unpretentious. You won’t find ego here—just great snow, helpful staff and tons of ways to make life easy for parents. The Kids’ Centre Ski/Ride Valet handles lesson logistics so you can ski without juggling schedules. For littles too young to hit the slopes, Tot Town Daycare is a lifesaver—safe, warm and staffed by pros. Whether your kids are learning pizza turns or just chasing Loose Moose around the tubing park, they’re in good hands. 

Beyond the Slopes 

While the Okanagan champagne powder gets the spotlight, Big White stands out for delivering so much more than just great snow. Sure, the powder is legendary, but the off-slope activities keep the fun going all day and night. Skate on North America’s highest outdoor rink, race down the tubing hill, ride through the snow on a horse-drawn sleigh or take a snowmobile tour through the backcountry. Unwind at the Spa at Stonebridge or glide through the forest on a dog sled ride—it’s all part of the adventure. 

Night skiing runs Tuesday through Saturday and covers the largest lit terrain in Western Canada. There’s also a new Slopeside Arcade under the Snow Ghost—27 classic and modern games that are as fun for adults as they are for kids. And yes, Loose Moose, Big White’s iconic mascot, is still out there making memories and photobombs. 

Eat, Drink, and Be Cozy 

Hungry? Big White’s food scene hits every craving. Grab comfort food at Underground Pizza, treat the kids to iconic pink donuts at The Bullwheel, or go upscale with a night out at 6 Degrees Bistro, Sopra: Sam’s Italian Kitchen or the new Kettle Valley Steakhouse. 

Want to keep it cozy in your condo? The Market at Big White has everything you need for home-cooked meals—and offers delivery straight to your door. Local wine, live music, craft beer and seasonal menus round out a food scene that punches well above its weight. It’s not just fuel—it’s part of the experience. 

Ready for a Grown-Up Winter Break? 

Here’s the bottom line: Big White makes it easy to say yes to winter. No long-haul flights, no long queues, no rental car headaches, no logistics to untangle. Just grab your gear, make the easy drive or catch a short flight, and let the resort handle the rest. 

With ski-in, ski-out access, family-first amenities and genuine Canadian hospitality, Big White isn’t just a resort—it’s a full-on reset. The kind of place where everyone—parents, kids, couples, groups of friends—can unplug, unwind and actually have fun again. 

Lock in the best rates and serious perks at bigwhite.com. Book now, head north and let Big White do the rest. 

Sponsored

The post Big Snow. Bigger Laughs. Welcome to Big White.  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo by Ashley Voykin courtesy of Tourism Rossland

Winter in Spokane can mean gray skies, a mix of slush and snow, and the kind of ice that turns every sidewalk into a trust exercise. But did you know that just 2.5 hours north, winter tells a completely different story? One filled with frosty peaks, crisp white snow and a downtown that feels downright magical. Rossland, British Columbia, Canada is known as a true winter escape for powder seekers, but it can be a surprisingly fun haven for the summer loyalists who just need something to do while the rest of the family chases fresh tracks.

 

If you’re the kind of person who lives for sun on your face, warm breezes, and an endless summer, the Rossland Winter Carnival from Jan. 22-24, 2026, might just flip your winter script. Sure, it’s cold—but the streets are bustling with a vibrant energy, the locals are in full-on festival mode, and there are enough snow‑fueled activities to keep your heart racing and your cheeks rosy. Wash it all down with a specialty drink or two, and suddenly winter feels a lot less like frostbite and a lot more like fun in a snow globe you actually want to be in. Because in Rossland, winter isn’t just something you survive—it’s something you celebrate. 

The Rossland Winter Carnival is Canada’s longest-running carnival in the West Kootenays, dating back to 1898. The event was started by the legendary Norwegian miner Olaus Jeldness, one of the pioneers of ski culture in North America and basically the inventor of winter fun. From ski jumping to snowshoe races and masquerades, there was something for everyone to enjoy—winter and summer lovers alike. Olaus laid the foundation for a tradition tha

If you ask the locals, one of the highlights of the Carnival during the day is the Sonny Samuelson Bobsled Race. Teams of four design, build and ride their creative creations down eight icy blocks, on one of the steepest streets in town—Spokane Street. Reaching speeds of 44 miles per hour or more, this is hands down the wildest, most creative event of the Carnival. But the fun doesn’t end there–just two streets over on Queen Street, piles of snow are transformed into The Game Rail Jam, a custom-built downtown terrain park. Skiers, snowboarders and snowskaters glide, jib and slide across rails, boxes and jumps, showing off tricks that are equal parts skill and showmanship. The rail jam is open to anyone who is brave enough to tackle the streets and be part of the spotlight—where else would you have the chance to slide down a city street? 

When you’re ready to wander and explore the rest of the full lineup of winter fun, the Rossland Museum & Discovery Centre becomes a hub of family-friendly activities featuring a snow maze, toboggan run, snowman building, snow painting, cozy campfires, icy crafts and a true Canadian tradition—maple taffy stations! The other surrounding events include ice sculptures, free outdoor skating, snow volleyball, luge lessons, markets, variety shows, local shopping, bake sales, food and drink specials and more! Check out the full festival lineup at Rosslandwintercarnival.com. 

When the day turns to night, the energy becomes electric as Blizzard Music Festival takes over Rossland’s downtown, bringing live music to multiple venues and a variety of musical styles to suit every taste. Three days, five stages—grab an all-access pass to experience the full lineup or be selective with your favorites. Don’t miss a show at the Olaus Ice Palace, an outdoor venue built entirely from snow, where stoic ice sculptures welcome you into the party and set the stage for a truly unforgettable night. For the full lineup and ticket information visit Blizzardmusicfest.ca. 

Sure, most visitors travel to Rossland in winter for the world-class skiing at Red Mountain Resort, Black Jack Cross Country Ski Club or Big Red Cats, but trust us—you’ll want to come for the Rossland Winter Carnival & Blizzard Music Festival and stay for the extra outdoor adventures between events, from snowshoeing to fat biking. Mark your calendar and plan your trip for Jan. 22-24, the perfect weekend to experience a town that turns winter into a full-on celebration, where mountains meet music, community meets celebration and winter meets wonder.  

To explore all that Rossland has to offer in winter (and summer), visit Tourismrossland.com for accommodations, local suggestions and visitor information.  

Sponsored

The post FROM BOBSLEDS TO BLIZZARD FEST—WINTER CARNIVAL IN ROSSLAND  appeared first on Out There Venture.

By Barry Campbell 

Cover photo courtesy of Terry Cooper

As the saying goes, it pays to be in the right place at the right time. And sometimes the pay isn’t in the form of income, but life experiences. Terry Cooper, founder of the regional ski-cult hit “Ski Flakes” videos, can tell you all about that.  

Cooper grew up in South Carolina and, like so many others, took a long and winding path to Sandpoint, Idaho. After serving in the Navy during the final years of the Vietnam War—including the evacuation of the country in 1975—he set out on a restless quest for meaning. He crisscrossed the country on a motorcycle, pedaled thousands of miles by bike, and ultimately found his way into the Rocky Mountains. 

By the early 1980s, he and his wife, Brenda, had moved to Sandpoint after a stint in Steamboat Springs, Colo. For Cooper, who had fallen in love with skiing in the low-lying resorts of North Carolina before discovering Colorado’s big mountains, Schweitzer offered a new kind of home, and he was hooked when he saw it. “What I wanted to do was ski,” he said. “That was it.” 

A Big Camera and a Bigger Idea 

Skiing was Cooper’s passion, but making a living in Sandpoint required creativity. He bought fixer-upper houses, tended bar, taught ski lessons, and eventually became a realtor. Still, his eyes were on the slopes. The question was, how could he ski as much as possible and share the stoke with others? 

The seed for “Ski Flakes” was planted in Steamboat when Cooper saw a man shooting ski footage on the mountain and screening it at the bar that night. Patrons loved seeing themselves on screen.  

By 1992 he brought that idea to Schweitzer. Inspired, he invested in one of the earliest pro video camcorders. With a little hustle, he arranged to play his ski footage at a local après-ski bar, The Keg (now the St. Bernard), for $30 a week. People started asking for copies. 

Soon, Cooper was selling VHS tapes, experimenting with editing and eyeing local cable TV airtime. He pitched the idea to Schweitzer’s then-owner, Bobbie Huguenin, who saw the potential to connect the mountain with the town. “Ski Flakes” was born. 

From the start, even though it was partially inspired by the gold standard ski filmmaker Warren Miller, it was clear this was a local/regional production. It was raw, spontaneous, and real. “It was reality TV before reality TV,” Cooper said. “You went out, shot whatever was happening and made a story out of it.” 

Will Work for Free Skiing 

Cooper rarely scripted “Ski Flakes.” He didn’t have to. Armed with an attention-grabbing camera, a crew of local characters and an eye for quirky moments, he turned the slopes, bars and parking lots into his stage. 

In the early years, his crew included journalists and storytellers like Liz Zimmerman and Chris Park, who helped craft narratives from Cooper’s footage. In later years, Scott Rulander joined as a second videographer. Their payment? Ski passes bartered through Schweitzer. “We were poor, but we were skiing,” Cooper laughed. Together, they cranked out 60-minute episodes every week during ski season—13 in a row—each a mashup of ski footage, party scenes, interviews and local history. 

Editing was a marathon. Cooper remembers staying up all night on Wednesdays to deliver a finished VHS tape to the cable station Thursday morning. He’d drive tapes to Sandpoint, Coeur d’Alene, Spokane and even ship them to Cranbrook for broadcast. The show aired nearly constantly in Sandpoint and on Schweitzer and on prime time in the other markets, reaching an estimated audience of 100,000 viewers. In the pre-internet 1990s that kind of reach was unheard of for a regional ski program, and it caught the attention of advertisers. 

Powder, Parties, and Pioneers 

What made “Ski Flakes” unique was its mix of content. Half the show might be deep powder turns and tree skiing, the other half might be raucous bar parties or tongue-in-cheek interviews. “I didn’t want it to be sexist, but I did want it to be sexy,” Cooper recalled. “People wanted to see themselves having fun, and they wanted to see the characters of the mountain.” 

But Cooper also had a historian’s eye. He sought out Schweitzer’s early pioneers—Jim Toomey, Bud Moon and Jack Fowler—and wove their stories into the show. He tracked down home movies from Schweitzer’s earliest days in the 1960s and preserved them on television. He spent years interviewing Red Mountain legend Booty Griffiths, who helped found one of the oldest ski schools in North America. 

For Cooper, it was never just about turns. It was about people and place. “My goal was never to tell their story,” he said. “It was to have them tell their story.” Over nearly two decades, “Ski Flakes” became a cultural record: Olympians Nancy Greene and Susie Luby; the Mahre brothers; TV personality Ben Stein; extreme skier Glen Plake; and countless locals found themselves immortalized on tape. 

Though Schweitzer was home, “Ski Flakes” expanded into what Cooper dubbed the Borderline Tour, a circuit of ski areas along the U.S.-Canada border: Red Mountain, Whitewater, Fernie, Kimberley, Panorama and Montana’s Big Mountain (now Whitefish Mountain Resort). Years before it was branded the “Powder Highway,” Cooper and crew were skiing it, cameras rolling. 

They didn’t have the luxury of waiting for perfect conditions like big-budget film crews. If it was storming, they shot. If visibility was bad, they turned it into a skit. That improvisational style gave the show an authenticity and relatability that connected with viewers. 

For a self-described ski bum, “Ski Flakes” opened doors that money couldn’t buy (like tours of the secret-est of stashes). Cooper and his friends were invited heli-skiing, cat-skiing and into backcountry bowls. “I’d say, ‘I need to ski first so I can shoot you coming down,’” he laughed. “So I always got first tracks.” 

He filmed scary moments too: huge sluffs flowing over his skis, sketchy helicopter drop-offs and fogbound adventures. But for every adrenaline spike, there was an equally memorable dinner with a ski legend like Mike Wiegele or a behind-the-scenes story with resort pioneers. 

“It was the American Express camera,” Cooper said. “Carte blanche. You showed up with a big camera and people let you in.” Filming “Ski Flakes” also opened a door for him to travel the world with wealthy clients as their personal videographer, including luxe African safaris, Ferrari shows and Bing Crosby’s Los Angeles estate. 

If all this sounds glamorous, the reality was grittier. Cooper had invested tens of thousands of dollars in cameras, editing decks and music rights at a time when he was making only a fraction of that. Editing was primitive and tedious. He sold ads himself in each market—Sandpoint, Spokane, Coeur d’Alene and Cranbrook—often giving small businesses more airtime than they paid for just to help them succeed.  

Financially, “Ski Flakes” survived, but just barely. What sustained the show, though, was passion, barter and Cooper’s other career in real estate. “I talked to every single business in town, trying to get them to buy an ad on my show. And everybody’s like, ‘Television, what are you talking about? I don’t even own a TV. What the @%$# is that?’ It was pretty funny.”  

“I never made a lot of money,” he admitted. “But I got to do things I never would have in my life otherwise.” 

Rex Cosgrove, who has skied at Schweitzer for decades dating back to the mid 70s, recalled that limited channels were available in Sandpoint, and as soon as they arrived in town from their home in Moscow, his kids would turn “Ski Flakes” on—and leave it on—for the weekend. “It was kind of a big deal at the time that you could watch this local skiing culture on TV. And we loved it,” he said. 

Shelf Life 

By 2010 new filming for “Ski Flakes” wound down. Digital editing and internet video were reshaping the media landscape, and the economics of selling ads for a regional ski show no longer worked. But reruns kept it alive—up until 2025, it was still on Sandpoint’s local access cable—and even today, episodes still loop in Pucci’s Pub at Schweitzer.  

Pucci’s owner, Eric Salontai, said that the TV tuned to “Ski Flakes” often gets more viewers than even events like Gonzaga hoops games. “People still will look back toward the Ski Flakes TV. Even we employees still watch because we’re riders and enjoy the mountain scenes,” he said. 

He added that airing footage of Schweitzer’s history, including icons like patrollers Arlene and Ted Cook, and the namesake of his pub, John Pucci, in their prime, complements the pub’s atmosphere. “Ski Flakes just made you feel that you were part of this thing. You’d see familiar faces, and you’d see how much Terry loved the scene he was shooting. And that’s the real telltale of the good that he was doing, because he was super eloquent in his filming. Not derogatory, not vulgar, none of that,” he said. 

These days Cooper doesn’t sit still long, ripping tele-ski and single-track mountain bike lines nearly every day. However, the “Ski Flakes” Worldwide Headquarters (his office) is jam packed with a mountain of epic footage: 7,000 hours of video, only a fraction of which ever aired. He has slowly begun digitizing it, with thoughts of future documentaries or online archives. He also has extensive footage of rock star interviews at the Festival at Sandpoint and other rarities. “It’s history,” he said. “And it has value. You can’t get those stories back once they’re gone.” 

Legacy of a Flake 

In retrospect, “Ski Flakes” was far more than entertainment. It was connective tissue, linking Sandpoint to Schweitzer, Idaho to British Columbia, locals to Olympians. It captured a culture in transition: the rise of snowboarding, the shift from straight 210s to shaped skis, the evolution of après-ski from wild bar parties to today’s typically toned-down and phone-absorbed scenes. Most of all, it preserved the personalities—everyday skiers and mountain characters—who made the Northwest ski scene what it was. 

Today, as GoPros and drones flood social media with instant edits, Cooper’s work reminds us of a different era: one where telling the story took commitment, community and countless late nights with VHS decks and turntables. “Ski Flakes” may not have made Cooper rich, but it gave him—and the Inland Northwest—something even better: a lasting story of the evolution of a sport and a region. 

This winter Barry Campbell plans to chase powder at Schweitzer, soak up some Baja sun and continue building his company, Two Oaks Marketing. 

The post “Ski Flakes,” the O.G. Inland NW Ski Film Pioneers  appeared first on Out There Venture.

For many Inland Northwest anglers, winter doesn’t signal the end of steelhead season. Instead, it marks one of its most social weekends of the year. The Steelhead Expo, running January 9 through 11, 2026, brings anglers together in Lewiston, Idaho, a town long synonymous with Clearwater River steelhead and cold-weather fishing culture.

Based out of the Hells Canyon Grand Hotel, the Steelhead Expo blends time on the water with an indoor gathering focused on education, gear, and community. The event pairs a multi-day steelhead derby with a fishing expo that features seminars, demonstrations, guest speakers, and vendors centered on Northwest steelhead fishing.

“The seminars were the biggest hit last year,” says Toby Wyatt, co-founder of the expo. “People crave those seminars,” he adds.

Expo hours are scheduled to complement time on the river, with doors open Friday from noon to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The derby component runs throughout the weekend on the Clearwater and Snake rivers, encouraging anglers to fish during peak winter conditions and then reconnect indoors later in the day. Participants compete in men’s, women’s, and youth divisions, with youth anglers 15 and under able to enter for free when registered with a paid adult. All anglers must meet Idaho fishing license requirements. Catches are weighed at official weigh-in stations, with results determined by weight and length when needed.

For those traveling in, the Hells Canyon Grand Hotel serves as both lodging and event headquarters, making it easy to move between river sessions and indoor programming without added logistics. That accessibility helps keep the weekend relaxed and social, even as winter conditions shape each day’s fishing decisions.

“It’s a great venue,” says Wyatt. “Everything happens right there. It’s tournament headquarters. The weigh-ins are there. We have a wonderful brewery and live music. It’s quite the event for a fisherman.”

At its core, the Steelhead Expo reflects the shared rhythm of winter steelheading in the Clearwater country. Early mornings on cold rivers give way to afternoons spent learning, talking, and reconnecting with a community that understands why steelhead season never really ends when the snow falls.

Sponsored

The post The Steelhead Expo Brings Winter Anglers Together in Clearwater Country appeared first on Out There Venture.

The preshow event begins at 5 p.m. on Jan. 10 and includes first-choice access to seats along with appetizers from Feast World Kitchen and beverages from Townshend Cellars. One hundred percent of the VIP ticket price is directed to the local nonprofit you choose at checkout. General admission, VIP and a three-day bundle of tickets are available. If you want your VIP purchase to benefit a specific group—such as Dishman Hills Conservancy, Friends of the Bluff, Spokane Riverkeeper, The Lands Council, Inland Northwest Land Conservancy, Spokane Nordic and others—use their code when you buy your tickets. Whether you’re chasing ski stoke, big-wall stories, or human-powered travel in far corners of the globe, Spokane’s Banff stop is a midwinter highlight and an easy way to support local conservation and outdoor nonprofits. Get your tickets at Foxtheaterspokane.org. 

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Cover photo courtesy of Aaron Scott

After years of curiosity, this past winter I decided to start working on skills for biathlon, a sport virtually unknown in the United States but eternally popular in Northern Europe. I’ve long been intrigued by the combination of the two opposite sports—heart-thumping, lactic acid-pumping Nordic skiing and calm, focused, in-the-zone rifle marksmanship. 

Regularly combining those two skill sets in the Inland Northwest, however, is no simple task. On the U.S. side of the border, the closest biathlon areas to the Spokane region are Crosscut Mountain Sports Center in Bozeman, Mont., the Methow Valley Trails in Winthrop, Wash., and Stevens Pass Nordic Area. There are multiple opportunities to ski and shoot north of the border in Canada, but unfortunately my passport is expired.  

In September, I attended a beginner biathlon clinic hosted by the Washington Biathlon Association near Ravensdale. The clinic focused on the shooting aspect of biathlon, with instruction on safety and marksmanship. The WBA supplied biathlon rifles for the day, which are specialized .22-caliber rifles with backpack-strap-like harnesses. The event drew a small but varied group, ranging from ages 9 to over 50. Among the dozen or so of us, I was the only one who traveled from east of the Cascades, which made me wonder what it would take to build a biathlon scene and culture on our side of the state. 

Local Love for the Sport  

While fringe in the U.S., the benefits of biathlon are many. Elise Putnam, the program director for Methow Biathlon, paints a supportive picture. “Biathlon is a great way to keep kids engaged in skiing and getting outside,” she says. “It’s a cool way to keep people active and helps build mental fortitude.” 

Aaron Scott, a seasoned biathlete from Spokane, agrees. He describes the sport of biathlon as exciting and addictive for both athletes and fans. While competitions in the U.S. typically draw in friends and family members of the racers, European stadiums boom with die-hard fans and can be wild events. Biathlon ranks as the #1 most popular winter sport in some Northern European countries.  

“Biathlon is really interesting to watch. The field gets reshuffled every 3 to 5 kilometers,” Scott says. For every missed shot, athletes have to ski penalty laps, which means stronger skiers may end up behind better marksmen. “It’s an unbelievably fun sport. Most Nordic skiers are interested in trying biathlon, but the financial barriers prevent them from getting involved.” Scott specifies that quality biathlon rifles start at $3,000 and go up from there. Add the cost of ski equipment and travel, and the biathlon price tag quickly becomes out of reach for many.  

Mike Burns, a Spokane U.S. Ski & Snowboard alpine official, feels the void our missing biathlon program has created. Having three daughters involved in Spokane Nordic over the years has put him adjacent to biathlon when traveling for races. When he had the opportunity to see his girls dabble in biathlon while at Crosscut and in the Methow, he was inspired.  

“I’d like to get this going locally,” Burns says, in addition to mentioning past attempts. There was once a multimillion-dollar master plan that included purchasing Inland Empire Paper land near Mount Spokane State Park for a range, new trails, a lodge and parking. Overall, the plan proved too grandiose and fell apart. Because the current Nordic area lies within state park boundaries, the discharge of firearms is illegal, rendering the addition of a traditional range impossible.  

The Future of Lasers in Biathlon 

Where legalities and logistics pose problems, technology often offers an answer. The introduction of laser rifles and ranges to the biathlon scene significantly reduces costs, space needs and overall barriers to entry. Burns has seen them in action and believes they are just what might work at Mount Spokane. Because the rifles are specific to the range, athletes would not need to supply their own. While the price tag is similar for laser and live-fire rifles, there are grants available to help support the development of laser biathlon programs for Nordic clubs. And, of course, a local opportunity eliminates those travel costs for athletes.  

John Farra, the director of sport development for US Biathlon, has supported efforts just like those that would be needed at Mount Spokane to convert from a Nordic-only ski area to a biathlon area. “Biathlon is part of Nordic, not a separate thing,” he told me over the phone. With US Biathlon’s Laser Biathlon Training Program, Nordic coaches are taught new skills to support their skiers with equipment on loan from US Biathlon. In the three Nordic clubs that hosted the program this past winter, all three are moving forward with efforts to raise funds for a permanent program. 

For newer sports, demand generally leads to supply, such as the increase in local gravel bike rides and races over the past several years. The growth of biathlon has a different genesis, where a few dedicated, die-hard athletes provide opportunities for newbies—usually skiers—to get a taste. Just a few laps on skis with a couple rounds of ‘pew pew’ is all it takes to inspire and cultivate the next generation of biathletes. Laser biathlon is an opportunity to open up that experience in our area.  

Additionally, laser biathlon stands to bridge the gap across the political spectrum. Aaron Scott recognizes that Nordic skiing tends to attract the liberal and environmental types who generally aren’t big on guns, much like the family he grew up in. Laser rifles provide a safe entry point to the sport that’s potentially more attractive to a wider range of views.  

With so many benefits across age groups and backgrounds, laser biathlon will be on my list of up-and-coming sports to watch. And, with a few more ski lessons, compete in. To show support for laser biathlon at Mount Spokane, please reach out to Spokane Nordic at info@spokanenordic.org. 

Sara Kennedy is an elementary school librarian. She plans to take some ski lessons this winter. @saralynnekennedy 

The post A New Era of Possibility for Biathlon in the Inland Northwest  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Northeast Washington-based Altai Skis puts on this annual gathering of backcountry ski touring enthusiasts, including those interested in Altai Skis’ Hok ski that some have described as a “ski-shoe” that combines elements of a backcountry ski and snowshoe. This year’s weekend event was originally planned for Feb. 7-8, but winter didn’t exactly cooperate. The new later-season date, Feb 28 – March 1, will hopefully bring snowier trails. Festivities both days run from 10 AM to 3 PM and include clinics, group ski tours and Altai Skis demo gear for all ages and abilities. The Altai crew also gives away some pretty sweet prizes and there will be a fire pit and hot beverages in the parking lot. Altai Skis sells backcountry skis that are inspired by the origins of skiing in the Altai Mountains of China, where they’ve been used as a tool for backcountry travel and hunting for millennia.  

The festival takes place at Boulder Pass at the Deer Creek Nordic Sno-Park in the Kettle Range mountains west of Curlew. The gathering is a chance to try some of Altai’s gear, including Hoks, on some moderate backcountry slopes near the pass. Hoks, which have a climbing skin built into the base of a short yet wide ski, have slowly been building a cult-like following of snowshoers and skiers looking for a simple and efficient backcountry tool that can be skied just about anywhere. Hoks excel on backcountry tours with short runs and rolling terrain, as they don’t require frequent climbing skin transitions to get back up the next hill. Check for details and any schedule changes due to snow or weather conditions at Altaiskis.com.  

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Apple sleuths Dave Benscoter and Bret Clifton are on a mission to rediscover long-forgotten apple varieties once grown across the Inland Northwest. Through the Lost Apple Project, the pair has identified hundreds of “lost” heirloom apples once thought extinct, some traced to the Palouse’s early homesteads.

They’ll share their process for tracking down and reviving these historic varieties during upcoming Spokane County Library District talks: Jan. 6 at the Cheney Library, Jan. 21 at the Otis Orchards Library, and Jan. 31 at the Medical Lake Library. Each free event runs 90 minutes and explores how these rediscovered apples connect us to regional agricultural history and the resilience of old orchards that still bear fruit today. 

The post Rediscovering the Lost Apples of the Palouse  appeared first on Out There Venture.

When visiting a ski area with kids or anyone who is still learning to ski or snowboard, it’s important to know the best runs that will match their ability levels. Some beginner-friendly runs are less steep and shorter, making it easier to get down the mountain before fatigue sets in. Some lifts are easier for kids and adult beginners to get on and off safely. The best way to set the stage for a great day on the slopes is to ask resort staff from the ski school for advice on which lifts to take and which runs to ski based on the abilities of your family, the current snow conditions and the weather. But by far the best decision you can make for your child or anyone learning a winter sport is to sign them up for lessons. 

These beginner-friendly runs at the four Ski the Northwest Rockies resorts are a great option for new riders who are just getting started or looking to take the next step beyond the magic carpet or bunny hill terrain. 

49 Degrees North  

Location: Chewelah, WA 

Surface Lift: Gold Fever, located near the lodge in the ski school teaching area. A great place for kids and adults to learn. 

Bunny Hill: 49 has some of the longest and most diverse bunny hill terrain of any local mountain that is accessed via the Payday Lift (Chair #3). Give Easy Slide, Gold Chute or Fool’s Gold a try. 

Beginner Runs: 49 Degrees North is the second largest ski area in Washington State and has plenty of beginner-friendly slopes. Local favorites include Huckleberry Ridge and Big Bear located in Sunrise Basin, Quartzite Ridge off Angel Peak and Lost Dutchman to the 4800 Road in the West Basin. 

Lookout Pass  

Location: Mullan, ID 

Bunny Hill: Success Slope via Success Triple Chairlift provides a slow, comfortable beginner chairlift experience for kids, parents or anyone just learning, followed by some excellent low-angled practice slopes to help boost beginner confidence. 

Beginner Runs: Huckleberry Ridge to Grub Steak run. Get there via the Peak One Quad Chairlift and ask the liftie to slow it down for the beginners in the group. The Huckleberry Jam Progression Park allows parents and kids to learn to ride on small terrain-style features.   

Mt. Spokane 

Location: Mead, WA 

Magic Carpet: Located just below Lodge 2 (main lodge) near the ski school building and bunny hill chairlift. 

Bunny Hill: Ego Flats via the Beginner’s Luck lift (Chair 5). 

Beginner Runs: Northwest Passage, via Parkway Express (Chair 3). Also try Half Hitch, staying skier’s right to avoid the terrain park or Jim’s Gem via Northwood (Chair 6), which is a more challenging beginner run on the backside of the mountain that requires a long return to the front side and lodge via Northwest Passage. 

Silver Mountain 

Location: Kellogg, ID 

Surface Lift: Prospector Adventure Lift (covered conveyor lift) located by the Mountain House. 

Bunny Hill: Easy Street—near the surface lift and Mountain House. 

Beginner Runs: Check out Ross Run, which follows the gondola line down to Dawdler, Bear Grass or Huckleberry before ending up at Chair 5. Below the Magic Carpet, try the Claim Jumper run that leads to the bottom of Chair 5 which runs slower for kids and beginners. 

The post Top Beginner Ski Runs for Families at Northwest Rockies Resorts appeared first on Out There Venture.

Ski area ratings help visitors gauge what to expect on the slopes, from terrain difficulty, run length and grooming frequency to family friendliness and overall resort amenities. Individual runs are marked by color-coded ratings—green for beginner, blue for intermediate and black for advanced—to help skiers and riders choose terrain that matches their ability level and comfort on the mountain. New skiers and snowboarders should stay on green runs until they are ready for more challenging terrain. 

Ski run ratings are important to pay attention to, but they shouldn’t be your only consideration when picking your next run. Not all green, blue and black runs are equally challenging. A green run at one mountain can seem more like an intermediate compared to another mountain, and a green run from the top of the mountain will be more physically demanding than shorter runs on the bunny hill or lower down the mountain. How recently a slope has been groomed and considerations like the current weather and snow conditions can also affect the feel of a beginner run. When in doubt, ask for advice at the ski school or ticket office, or flag down a ski patroller if you’re already up on the mountain. 

GREEN CIRCLE ICON = Beginner 

BLUE SQUARE ICON = Intermediate level 

BLACK DIAMOND ICON = Advanced 

Sponsored

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By Chris Maccini 

Cover photo courtesy of Diane Delanoy

It was 29 years ago that Galen Chamberlain first picked up a copy of Rich Landers’ classic guidebook, “100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest.” At age 60, he’d just retired from a career in construction and was enrolled in a backpack school course through the Spokane Mountaineers. At the time, Chamberlain was far from an avid hiker.  

“I did a lot of skiing and cross-country skiing, but I never walked any more than a hundred yards in my life if I could help it until their backpack school,” he says. “I remember when I got back to the trailhead after three days, I told one of the instructors, ‘I ain’t never gonna hike again.” 

But while his feet and shoulders may have ached after that first hike, there was something that drew him back to the trail. Soon, he was hooked, and he set himself a goal to hike 500 miles per year. Chamberlain has kept track of every mile of every hike for nearly three decades, a total of more than 14,500 miles. 

Over the years, Landers’ “100 Hikes” became a constant companion. Each time Chamberlain completed one of the hikes in the book, he checked it off, often making notes on the weather, trail conditions and his hiking companions. When he returned to a hike again, he added another mark. Some hikes, like nearby Mount Kit Carson in Mount Spokane State Park (Hike #21), he has done a whopping 96 times. But it wasn’t until many years of hiking that the idea occurred to Chamberlain to try to complete all 100 hikes.  “I just started knocking ’em off,” he says. “And then after I got 50 or 60, I thought, hey, why not shoot for a hundred?” 

The trails in “100 Hikes” are spread throughout Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and British Columbia. In addition to being an active outdoorsman, Chamberlain was also a pilot. He owned a small airplane, which allowed him to fly in and camp at remote airstrips, giving him easier access to some of the more remote hiking areas such as the Cabinet Mountains in Montana and the Eagle Cap Wilderness in Oregon. One by one, he checked them off in his increasingly tattered copy of the guidebook. 

The 100th Hike Attempt to Mortar and Pestle Lakes 

In the summer of 2018, Chamberlain and a group of friends set out to complete the final hike in the book, number 100: Mortar-Pestle Lakes. The hike is located in British Columbia’s St. Mary’s Provincial Park, a remote wilderness area northwest of Cranbrook, BC. As Landers’ description in “100 Hikes” puts it, “This little niche of wilderness is so far off the beaten track, it doesn’t even have an official trail in its 22,650 acres.” Landers describes a steep, sparsely marked “trail” over granite boulders and alpine larch, noting that the area was previously home to a logging operation and “there’s a good chance you will have to seek out the trail to some degree.” He rates the hike “moderately difficult” in the book.   

When Chamberlain and his friends arrived in August of 2018, they knew there was wildfire activity in the area to contend with. The day before their scheduled hike, Chamberlain called BC Parks and asked about the trail’s status. They advised him to check the website in the morning to be sure the area was not restricted. Early the next day, everything looked clear. They packed up and started the drive to the trailhead under smoky skies. They’d driven less than 10 miles outside of Cranbrook when they were met with a blockade. Apparently, a new wildfire had started overnight, and no one had taken the time to update the website. There would be no hiking that day. The group turned around and headed home.  

But Chamberlain was determined to complete the hike one day. This was the final hike he needed to complete his 100-hikes goal, after all. He decided his next attempt would be earlier in the summer to avoid wildfire danger. In 2019, he once again gathered a group of fellow hiking enthusiasts and made the drive up to Cranbrook, BC. As all good outdoorsmen should, they checked the weather forecast beforehand and noted that there was a 20% chance of light rain on the day they planned to hike. Everything seemed to be lining up for a successful attempt. This time, they made the drive into the old logging roads which accessed the trailhead and spent the night at an old horse camp in the area. 

The next morning, it was indeed raining, and the road was in rough shape. But Chamberlain and his friends figured they must be close to the trailhead, according to the directions and rudimentary map in “100 Hikes.” They set out hiking to find the trailhead and complete the hike. After six hours of hiking in the pouring rain, unable to even find the beginning of the trail they were after, they decided to give up. Afterward, Chamberlain wrote across the top of the Mortar-Pestle Lakes page in his “100 Hikes” book, “FORGET IT.” He figured the final hike would elude him forever. 

One More Try 

A few years passed. Chamberlain continued to hike all over the Inland Northwest and beyond, often with friends he met through the Spokane Mountaineers, logging his 500 miles every year. Among his frequent hiking companions were Diane Delanoy and her husband, Ken, active members of the Spokane Mountaineers. Ken had been among the group of hikers turned away in 2018 due to wildfire. So they knew about Chamberlain’s goal of completing all 100 hikes, and they knew just how challenging the final hike had proved to be. When Chamberlain approached Diane and Ken about making one more attempt at the Mortar and Pestle lakes hike in 2025, Diane sprung into action. 

“I went onto Facebook and found a British Columbia hiking group and just kind of searched through their posts trying to find any mention of Mortar Lake,” Diane says. “I came up with one. This gal had been up there. So I contacted her, and she was able to send me the GPS tracking thing that got them to the trailhead.” 

With the local knowledge and GPS data loaded onto Diane’s phone, Chamberlain set out this past September with the Delanoys and another friend, Denise Beardslee, for one final attempt. Following the GPS up the old logging roads, the group was able to successfully locate the trailhead. To their surprise, it was well-marked with signage and a logbook. They camped at the trailhead that night, excited to start up the trail the next morning. When they did, they realized Landers’ trail rating of “moderately difficult” felt like an understatement.  

“Honestly, I thought it was the hardest hike I’ve ever done,” Diane says. “Even though it was less than five miles up and back, it is straight up the whole time. You just climb up, up, up, up, up till you get to a boulder field. And then you’ve got to get through that to the ridge, where we could see the two lakes.” 

The group had planned to camp in the wilderness area another night, but after the grueling hike, they drove out and spent the night at a campground. There, they celebrated Chamberlain’s accomplishment as he checked off the final hike in his weathered copy of “100 Hikes.” As he did, Chamberlain made one edit to Landers’ description: he crossed out the word “moderately” so that the trail rating read, “difficult.”

 

Looking Ahead and Inspiring Others 

Now that Chamberlain has completed all 100 hikes, he doesn’t have another major goal he’s looking to reach. “I’m still doing [the hikes],” he says. “I wouldn’t do them all [again], but there are a few I’d like to do again.” 

Some trails he would like to return to include the Tucannon River-Diamond Peak Loop in the Blue Mountains (#82), and Lookout Mountain east of Priest Lake (#37). Apart from that, he plans to keep hitting that 500-mile-per-year goal for as long as he can. 

And, of course, Chamberlain has a big milestone coming up next summer when he turns 90 years old. He doesn’t have a grand expedition planned, but says he might rent a local grange hall to celebrate with friends or maybe take a kayak trip through Priest Lake’s Thoroughfare.  

For Chamberlain’s friends and hiking companions like Diane Delanoy, Chamberlain is a constant inspiration to continue getting outdoors and having adventures no matter your age. “He really does motivate me,” Delanoy says. “If there’s a backpack or a hike and my husband will say, do you want to go? It’s like, nah, I don’t know. But if Chamberlain’s going, I want to go. Because if he can do it, I can do it. Plus, he always brings the fun.” 

As for Chamberlain’s advice to younger hikers? “Just keep going,” he says. “Do your yoga, do your daily exercises, walk every day. You never quit. You just can’t quit.” 

Chris Maccini is a writer and audio producer based in Spokane. This winter, you can find him on the ski slopes and cross-country trails of Mount Spokane. 

The post At 89, Spokane’s Galen Chamberlain Completes the “100 Hikes” Challenge appeared first on Out There Venture.

If you are dreaming of sunnier, warmer days outside, the Spokane Great Outdoors Expo is a shot of summer when we need it most in the dead of winter. It’s a lively gathering with experts in the local outdoors community, RVs and outdoor gear on display and for sale, presentations and demonstrations on a variety of outdoor topics, prize drawings, and enough engaging kids’ activities to keep families occupied for hours. Visit Spokaneoutdoorexpo.com for the full schedule and details.  

TONS OF FUN FOR KIDS & PARENTS 

The Spokane Great Outdoors Expo is a savior if your family has been spending their winter days indoors, with enough kids’ activities, entertainment and indoor bike riding to turn another winter weekend at home into an adventure! Parents will find plenty to love, including RVs and outdoor gear, outfitters and gear shops, travel destinations and a full bar. 

Extreme Halfpipe Skateboarding Demos  

Watch rippin’ skateboarders pull off sick stunts on and off the half pipe! Demonstrations happen both days indoors at the Expo courtesy of Hopper Skateboards, Yousta, and sponsor Layne Stoops State Farm, your local Spokane insurance agency. 

Kids’ Adventure Passport Activity 

Kids and parents can explore the Great Outdoors Expo, visiting multiple booths to complete learning activities, art projects and other creative and fun challenges. Kids collect stamps in a passport booklet at each station that can be exchanged for a bag of prizes for kids and parents when they finish. 

Magic Shows by Magician Matthew Vanzee 

Kids and adults will be dazzled by these shows all weekend long by talented local magician Matthew Vanzee. Last year, his shows drew a standing-room-only crowd as he performed tricks that inspired wonder, gasps and laughter. Don’t miss this show! 

Live Wild Animal Presentations 

Get up close and personal with live snakes, other reptiles, insects, and raptors including hawks and owls and learn about these amazing animals (presentations both days). 

• Reptiles Presentation: Learn about the fascinating world of reptiles by getting up close with some live reptiles in a hands-on learning experience. Gain a deeper appreciation for these often-misunderstood creatures.  

• Hawk and Owl Presentation: Discover the world of birds of prey and see some live raptors up close while learning about the hunting skills, behaviors, and unique characteristics of these impressive birds as well as the role they play in maintaining ecological balance in the wild.  

Kids’ Indoor Bike Riding Area  

Kids of all ages can try out different bikes, from Strider balance bikes for the littles to BMX bikes for “kids” of all ages including adults in an indoor riding area (all weekend long). 

Archery for Kids and Youth 

Learn about archery with local experts and get the chance to experience the art of the bow and arrow in a safe, educational environment—all indoors.  

Marshmallow Roasting 

Roast free marshmallows at our indoor “Expo Campground” around a faux campfire, complete with live music, camp chairs and games. 

Learn How to Use a Crosscut Saw 

Ever wonder what it’s like to be on the end of a cross-cut saw clearing trail? Give it a try with members of the Idaho Trails Association and learn about ways you can help keep Idaho’s wilderness trails clear and accessible while meeting other like-minded volunteers. 

Indoor Expo Campground 

Enjoy our indoor campground as you dream about next summer’s adventures! Kick back in a camp chair, roast a marshmallow, play yard games, enjoy an adult beverage, check out RVs from R’nR RV and listen to live American string music. The indoor “Campground” is also where we hold hourly drawings for thousands of dollars in outdoor gear and other prizes. 

JOIN NEGATIVE SPLIT’S 5K “SWAG RUN”  

What’s the Swag Run, you ask? If you’re even a casual runner, this is your chance to get outside on a 5K run with other smiling faces and get a morning workout on the scenic trails and pathways around Riverfront Park and the Spokane River. The cool thing about Negative Split’s Swag Run is that participants get to take home leftover swag from past races. The race starts and finishes at the Great Outdoors Expo at the Spokane Convention Center Saturday morning (Feb. 21). Runners also score a free ticket to the Great Outdoors Expo at the finish line! Sign up at Nsplit.com. 

FREE ENTRY INTO THE SPOKANE GOLF SHOW 

Your Expo ticket doubles as entry to the Spokane Golf Show going on in the same space at the convention center.  

PRESENTATIONS ON OUTDOORSY TOPICS  

Learn about wildlife, trails and natural history at presentations by local experts happening all weekend long. Past presentations have covered topics including staying safe in the outdoors around bears and other predators, wilderness survival, local trails and natural areas, navigating the different types of e-bikes and where you can ride them, identifying native birds and more. Check the full schedule at Spokaneoutdoorexpo.com. 

SCORE A FREE BONUS ADVENTURE DEAL WITH YOUR TICKET  

Choose from one of several free bonus adventure deals with your Spokane Great Outdoors Expo ticket purchase while they last. All bonus deals are redeemable only at the 2026 Spokane Great Outdoors Expo with your ticket stub. In past years, bonus deals included discounts on indoor climbing, ziplining, Stonerose Fossil Site digging, Route of the Hiawatha kids’ shuttle, skydiving and more! 

OVER 70 OUTDOOR EXPERTS ALL IN ONE PLACE 

Talk to real human experts on all things outdoor recreation related at the Great Outdoors Expo, from nonprofit conservation groups, public lands managers and outdoor clubs to RV dealers and overlanding companies, travel destinations, outdoor gear retailers, outfitters and guides and more. 

Whether you’re planning next summer’s adventures, looking for family fun in the middle of winter or just wanting to connect with Spokane’s outdoors community, the Great Outdoors Expo is the place to be. Mark your calendar for Feb. 21–22 and get ready to explore the outdoors—indoors. Visit Spokaneoutdoorexpo.com for more info and tickets.  

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Each February, Wallace, Idaho, remakes itself into something no one expects: a snow-filled, high-velocity, urban slopestyle battleground. The quiet historic streets transform into a two-block terrain park lined with lights, cheering crowds, an ice bar, and enough adrenaline to power the town’s neon signs for a year. This is Extreme Skijor, the Silver Valley’s most extreme winter festival and one of the most unusual competitions in the Northwest, happening Feb. 13-16, 2026. 

What started eight years ago as a quirky way to liven up a holiday weekend has evolved into a legitimate draw for high-level athletes. Riders now travel from across the country to throw down in front of thousands of spectators for a share of the $10,000 prize purse. They’re not just here to compete; they’re here to put their stamp on what may be the only event where big-mountain attitude meets urban rail-park creativity, all at 30 miles per hour behind a roaring, tracked ATV. 

A Wild Idea That Became Wallace’s Biggest Weekend 

Traditional skijoring involves a horse pulling a skier through a timed obstacle course. But Wallace didn’t have horses; it had snow, grit, ambition and a fleet of ATVs. The founders decided to do something radical: bring the competition downtown, close the streets and dump in hundreds of cubic yards of snow. The first year drew curiosity. The next year drew spectators. Soon, it became a phenomenon. 

Today, Extreme Skijor is one of Wallace’s busiest weekends of the year, filling hotels, packing restaurants, and turning the quiet town into a shoulder-to-shoulder winter celebration. Families come for the sledding hill and kids’ zone. Adventurers come for the ice bar and nightlife. Riders come to push their limits in a competition unlike any they have encountered before. As Ski Wallace president Siobhan Curet puts it, “This event is for everyone: families, locals, pros and the brave souls who want to send it harder than they ever have. You’ve got to experience it for yourself.” 

Friday Night Lights: The Rail Jam 

This year’s festival kicks off Friday night, Feb. 13, with the rail jam, an event that has earned a reputation all its own. Under the glow of downtown lights, skiers and snowboarders drop into a rail garden built right in the middle of Cedar Street. The setup includes a mellow rainbow rail, a long kink rail, a user-friendly flat rail and a 20-foot fun box. But the showstopper for 2026? A fully repurposed Ford Pinto race car acting as a massive jib feature. 

Riders throw spins, presses, taps and transfers while crowds cheer from the barricades. Creativity and style score big here. Winners walk away with medals, cash and a healthy boost of hometown glory. 

Engineering a Downtown Terrain Park Overnight 

Once the rail jam wraps, the real work begins. An excavator, a loader, a snowcat, and a hand crew take over Cedar Street, reshaping it into a slopestyle course capable of hosting X-Games-caliber tricks. By morning, the transformation is complete. 

The signature format is simple—a tracked ATV tows riders at highway-offramp speed into a 30-foot money booter, sending them skyward. The landing flows straight into the rail garden, where judges are ready to score amplitude, trick difficulty, clean landings, technical rail execution and overall showmanship. It’s controlled chaos; the kind spectators love. Qualifiers run Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and finals launch Sunday at 1 p.m. 

Big Mountain Talent Meets Urban Mayhem 

Wallace Extreme Skijor has quickly become a stage where freeriders, freestyle skiers and snowboarders can show off their full skill set. Big-mountain athletes often arrive with the biggest airs of the weekend, applying their backcountry send-mentality to an urban park environment. Meanwhile, dedicated jib athletes clean up on the rails with tech-heavy tricks that make the crowd erupt. Corks. Switch 540s. Double flips. Disaster transfers. And, of course, the wipeouts, which sometimes earn just as much applause as the podium runs. Extreme Skijor offers multiple categories: youth (rail jam only), women, skier and snowboarder. There’s no age limit beyond the ability to hit the course safely.  

A Weekend That Fuels a Town 

Beyond the snow and spectacle, this event is an economic powerhouse. Wallace sees its winter population swell dramatically as spectators flood into bars, shops and restaurants. Lodging fills up months in advance. Locals plan their winter around it. Extreme Skijor reflects the attitude of the Silver Valley itself: scrappy, creative and always willing to build something wild if it means a good time. 

Why Athletes Should Add Wallace to Their Competition Calendar 

For high-end competitors used to the touring circuit, the Wallace Extreme Skijor offers a unique hybrid format; it’s part freeride, part slopestyle and part urban rail jam, with crowds lining the course and a festival atmosphere. Athletes compete to win big-air, best trick, rail-jam and crowd-favorite cash bonuses, all in a tight, supportive, rowdy atmosphere unlike anything else in the Northwest. 

It’s the rare event where a backcountry charger can throw down alongside a terrain-park technician and both walk away heroes. If you’re a rider looking for a challenge, an audience and a reason to push yourself harder than you have all season, Wallace wants you here! 

A Winter Tradition That Keeps Growing 

In its eighth year, Extreme Skijor has become more than a festival, more than a competition and more than a weekend party. It is a celebration of winter, creativity, small-town energy and the pure joy of watching talented athletes do outrageous things on snow. And in the heart of it all stands a two-block stretch of downtown Wallace, proving that sometimes the wildest terrain isn’t found on a mountain. It’s found right on Main Street. 

Extreme Skijor is organized by Ski Wallace! Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting winter activities in Wallace, Idaho. Funding for the event is made possible through generous donations and fundraising events. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, volunteering or exploring our other events, visit Skiwallace.com. (Article provided by Ski Wallace) 

The post Extreme Skijor Turns Wallace Into an Urban Winter Arena  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Licensed acupuncturist and founder of Spokane’s Jade Rabbit Acupuncture, Yvonne Bradle, says she sees patients seeking treatment for a range of reasons, from injury recovery, inflammation, pain relief and digestive issues to difficulty sleeping, anxiety and depression (including seasonal affective disorder). 

Bradle’s practice specializes in ancient Chinese medicine that has been adapted for modern healing, including the addition of electroacupuncture. Her clinic emphasizes a highly personalized approach, tailoring acupuncture treatments to address each individual’s unique physical and emotional needs. Each new-patient visit starts with a thorough, whole-person assessment followed by the first needle placement session (generally painless and relaxing) and possibly some conversation about dietary and other lifestyle considerations or traditional Chinese movement exercises that could be incorporated.  

Bradle considers herself a modern-medicine nerd, noting that acupuncture has gone through a lot of evolution over time and is not necessarily a replacement for medicine prescribed by a medical doctor but is complementary. It’s a very flexible medicine with a whole-person approach, she says, citing a growing body of research that shows acupuncture’s success at improving the lives of people suffering from a variety of ailments.  

Acupuncture is slowly becoming more accepted by mainstream medicine as well, she says. Some U.S. doctors are now recommending it as an additional treatment, and more hospitals around the country are also making acupuncturists available. It’s also becoming more common for insurance companies to cover acupuncture treatments, which creates treatment opportunities for more patients. 

If you’re interested in learning more about acupuncture or booking an appointment with Jade Rabbit Acupuncture, reach out at Jaderabbitacupuncture.com.  

Sponsored

The post How Jade Rabbit Acupuncture Blends Ancient Practices with Modern Medicine appeared first on Out There Venture.

When local climbing phenom Kelsey Wilder injured her shoulder at her first bouldering competition earlier this fall, she knew she would be in a bind to be ready for her multiple upcoming comps. It was when she was taking a break between climbs during a light workout at Bloc Yard that she first heard mention of dry needling from a friend. Lo and behold, just a few minutes later, she bumped into another friend, who asked how her climbing session was going, and after briefly telling her about her shoulder, her friend casually said, “My husband does dry needling. You should talk to him.” Talk about impeccable timing! 

After just three dry needling sessions, Kelsey was poised to get back on the podium at her next competition. It would be a major understatement to say that the audience was roaring with applause as she dominated her third and final problem. The cheering continued as she stepped onto her third-place podium at Coeur Climbing Co’s FlailFest this past November. 

No doubt you’re wondering what dry needling is and if it can have the same amazing effect on you! Dry needling is a highly effective tool that physical therapists have used for several years and were just recently allowed to use in Washington. In short, it is a technique that involves inserting an acupuncture needle into a painful muscle (often accompanied with electrical stimulation) that can do wonders for reducing pain and improving function. Scan the adjacent QR code to learn more about dry needling at NW Movement Co., or visit Nwmobilept.com. 

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