The long-awaited Mount Spokane snowshoe hut is closer to becoming a reality. Despite a series of setbacks, park visitors will now see the warming shelter taking shape at Smith Gap. The floor and frame of the building should be finished this fall, and by early next summer, the Friends of Mount Spokane will need volunteers […]
Mount Spokane Gets a New Snowshoe Hut and Trail Bridges Read More »
Join Conservation Northwest for their Columbia Highlands snowshoe daytrip this Saturday, February 6th. Get some great exercise, fresh air and beautiful views this weekend in a potential wilderness area. The 6-mile trip begins at the Thirteenmile campground through the Cougar Mountain roadless area in the Colville National Forest. It’s free, guided by experts and includes carpooling from Spokane. Beginners are welcome.
Snowshoeing with Conservation NW Read More »
DISCOVER THE SWEET SPOT BETWEEN SUN & SNOW By Melissa Thompstone Cover photo courtesy of Ashley Voykin As the snow melts and the trails dry, most mountain town destinations prepare for “shoulder season.” But what does that really mean? Dictionary.com defines it as “the period between a destination’s peak (high) season and off-peak (low) season, when demand
DON’T GIVE US THE COLD SHOULDER: Read More »
Cover photo courtesy of Bri Loveall 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
Raising Little Rippers: Tips for Getting Kids Started on Snow Read More »
Cover photo courtesy of Ainsworth Hot Springs 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
Spirit Water and Winter Wellness in the Kootenays Read More »
By Melissa Thompstone 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
FROM BOBSLEDS TO BLIZZARD FEST—WINTER CARNIVAL IN ROSSLAND Read More »
Cover photo courtesy of Derrick Knowles 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
2026 Altai Skis Backcountry Ski and Hok Festival – New date, Feb. 28 – March 1 Read More »
Republic Winterfest outhouse races are a sight to see. Photo: Turning Point Photography. All photos courtesy of the RRVCB. Story sponsored by the Republic Regional Visitors and Convention Bureau—Republic, Washington’s much-loved Winterfest returns for 2026 with family-friendly fun and community spirit packed into the second weekend of January. The celebration is set for Friday evening
A Midwinter Tradition: Republic’s 2026 Winterfest Returns Jan. 9–10 Read More »
Not every winter day in the Inland Northwest is a snow day. In those in-between stretches—when the valleys are bare but the mountains are white—lower-elevation trails close to town can be the perfect fit: less driving, fewer variables, and easy to fit in a hike while it’s still light out. Here are several reliable, close-to-town
The Best Winter Hikes Near Spokane and Coeur d’Alene Read More »
Reading nature’s snowy signatures By Karie Lee Knoke Winter transforms the landscape into a blank canvas. Fresh snow covers the ground, softening every edge and silencing the world. But for those who know where to look, this quiet season reveals a secret language. Tracks, trails and signs left by animals going on about their lives.
Wintertime Animal Tracking Read More »
