When I found a shriveled up piece of last year’s fruit in my backcountry ski pack that had petrified and attached itself to my climbing skins, I could have taken that sign as a bad omen for the ski season ahead. That early December night, the snow we had been counting on turned to rain […]
Winter Adventure is All Around Us Read More »
Like most outdoor fitness activities, there is a dizzying array of gear available for both the classic and skate styles of Nordic (cross-country) skiing. Waxable or no-wax skis. At least three unique binding and boot systems. Poles that range in price from $20 to $1,000. This volume of options isn’t remarkable in our day of
A Brief History of Skinny Skis: The Evolution of Cross-Country Ski Gear Read More »
Why I Ski: Lars Johansson, Silver Mountain Resort “I love being outside, being in the cold, the solitude, the sounds of the mountains.” Lars Johansson It’s rare to find Lars Johansson without a grin radiating through his bushy beard. It is obvious he enjoys people and the great outdoors. He spends a lot of time
We get a lot of requests to review or test a lot of outdoor gear from around the world, and we only follow up on a handful of requests each season to highlight cool, unique, and quality items that we think are worthy of sharing with our readers. Here are a few worth of sharing.
Editor’s Holiday Gear Picks Read More »
Mary had been there some months before, and I’d seen a map scratched on a napkin – but we were SURE we could find the freshly hewn Dishman Hills “Trail to The Cliffs.” We met at the trailhead, the end of Thierman Road, north of 44th Avenue, and went through the gate into piney woods.
New Dishman Hills Trail to “The Cliffs” Read More »
According to Dave Mannino, Shop Manager of 2 Wheel Transit in Spokane, fat bikes are not just for snow anymore. “Our customers are now railing these bikes on the High Drive trails, Riverside State Park singletrack, sandy beaches and county dirt roads,” he says. Whether you’re looking to extend your season on local trails, challenge
Finding the Right Fat Bike Read More »
On those grey winter days in Spokane, find a dose of vitamin D by heading for Mount Spokane State Park. When everything is obscured by cloud and fog below, the park’s summits are generally bathed in light. Print a copy of the snowshoe trail map, pack your thirteen essentials, and head for the hill to
Hike of the Month: Mount Kit Carson (Mount Spokane State Park) Read More »
Cool, creative outdoor oriented gifts are sure to make certain people on your holiday shopping list smile (tip: you can also leave these pages open with items circled for your significant other or send a copy home to your parents). These gift ideas from local retailers and local outdoor gear companies right here in the
Play Local, Shop Local: Inland NW Outdoor Gift Guide Read More »
With the first flakes of the ski season already behind us, and plenty more likely to fall in the coming month, resorts around the greater Inland Northwest are gearing up for what should be another solid season of powder days and sunny groomers (with a few variable, overcast days to keep it real, of course).
In recent years, a growing contingent of people in the Inland Northwest have embraced snow sports besides downhill skiing – particularly snowshoeing and Nordic (cross-country) skiing. And while we live within easy reach of one of the premier Nordic ski areas in the Northwest, the Mt. Spokane Cross-Country Ski Park, it can be challenging to
Getting Into Cross-country Skiing in Four Easy Steps Read More »
