Andy Fuzak has been skiing Mt Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park for 28 years and teaching there for 11. He comes from a skiing family, but a few years ago he decided he should at least give the single plank a try. He strapped one on in his living room and got some instruction from a buddy. He then took the hand-me-down board to the mountain that he calls home and, being an experienced skier, headed straight for Chair 3.

Unlike many snowboard newbies, Fuzak was scared of his heel side being open to the hill and the potential of catching a toeside edge (aka the dreaded scorpion). So to prepare before his snowboarding initiation that day, he had a beer or two to calm his nerves.

Once safely off Chair 3, Fuzak was taking his time sliding toeside down the slope when those confidence-boosting beers came back to haunt him. The urge to pee came on strong, he says, so he tried to ride into familiar trees to answer nature’s call. He quickly realized, however, that his single board had become stuck in the snow.

Desperate to avoid an accident, Fuzak resorted to crawling, still fully strapped to his board, until positioned in a way he could relieve himself. On the rare occasion when he snowboards, Fuzak still has the fear of faceplanting and usually waits for a really soft day. He also makes sure to hit the head before strapping into his board.

Garrett Shadwick, the new marketing manager at 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort, started skiing in college. Hailing from Texas, he found a crew who would road trip to Colorado and Montana. He chased these friends down the mountains until he was a confident skier. On one of those trips to Montana, he decided to switch it up and give boarding a try.

They found a small hill with an open clearing with a rail at the bottom. Shadwick strapped in to a buddy’s snowboard with hiking boots. After a few short runs, he was feeling sure enough of his nascent snowboarding skills, so they hit the resort, swapping gear with his friends for the entire day.

Shadwick tackled his first green run, and, as he recalls, he face-planted about eight times. He finally discovered that if he crouched down he could make it to the bottom without crashing. Once safe back at the bottom of the run, he quickly traded back to the two-board discipline that is his passion and career.

Unlike Shadwick and Fuzak, I spent my formative snow years on a snowboard. I could passably surf and cruise on a skateboard, so snowboarding made sense to me. The thought of trying to turn two sticks and two edges down a steep slope without leaning over my heels or toes freaked me out.

Eventually a good friend from Maine came to visit me in New Mexico one winter and wanted to head up to Taos Ski Valley. Back then Taos was a skier-only mountain, leaving me no choice but to load up two long planks and heavy plastic boots and leave my snowboard at home.

As we approached the main lift, a sign proclaimed in big letters: “Don’t Panic! You’re looking at only 1/30 of Taos Ski Valley. We have many easy runs too!”

With a bit of dread, I loaded the lift. Having a good 15-plus inches of fresh powder made for an exciting and exhausting experience for both of us, the Mainer who had never skied powder and me, the newbie skier.

We both spent a large portion of the day hiking up slope to retrieve gear. I could not get both skis to make turns in the steep powder and ended up crossing skis and doing the slow-motion tip over countless times.

My buddy didn’t fare much better. Being from Maine where “powder days” are only a few inches, he would continually bury his tips, double eject, and fly face-first in the snow laughing.

Learning a new discipline anytime can be exhausting, frustrating, and insanely joyful. I don’t think I’ve ever needed a beer and a hot tub at the end of a day on the mountain as much as that first time switching it up from one plank to two.

Adam Gebauer is happy to have taken many falls on both skis and snowboard and now swings both ways. He wrote about what the professionals predicted for this winter 2021-22 snowfall in the November-December 2021 print issue.

Trying out a snowboard. // Photo courtesy of Garrett Shadwick. (left photo)

Find more stories about snowboarding and learning how to alpine ski or ride a snowboard in the OTO archives.

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Currently steamrolling the local and national snowboard scene is Austin Visintainer, who grew up in Spokane. I was fortunate enough to sit down with him for a few hours before his crazy busy winter begins. You might be familiar with his Instagram handle @awsmevizz—if not, I highly suggest giving him a follow if you’re a snowboarding fan.

Visintainer, or Vizz, as he is often called by friends, started skateboarding at 5 years old and picked up snowboarding shortly after. An unbelievable skateboarder, Visintainer describes himself as a snowboarder who skates for fun. He is sponsored by juggernaut companies like Capita snowboards, Union Bindings, Crab Grab, Coal Headwear, Pistole Boardshop in Spokane, and Modest Eyewear Co., with whom he has his own signature goggle.

The past few years he has also been invited to the coveted freestyle jam session Superpark (hosted by Snowboarder magazine) and the annual marquee event the Holy Bowly, produced by Snowboy Productions. Accolades aside, what’s admirable about his story is how he carved out his own path to recognition and growth.

One thing known to be true of all successful people is the hours they put into their craft. Snowboarding 100-plus days a year, Visintainer has fully committed to his dream of being a pro snowboarder. This past year he filmed his first major snowboard video part and traveled all over the country to get clips. The movie, titled “Paper Tiger,” premiered this November in Salt Lake City.

He was honored with the opening part and assertively set the tone for the rest of the movie. For those not as familiar with snowboard videos, the opening and ending segments ritually go to the best riders of the film.

Chris Griener, professional snowboarder and host of the influential snowboard podcast “The Bombhole,” commented about Visintainer’s “Paper Tiger” appearance in a recent episode. “Huge fan . . . this could be Austin Vizz’s break out video part.”

Known for being handy with steel in the terrain park and on street rails, Visintainer’s ability to ride everything is what makes him such a dynamic rider. He’s the equivalent of an ATV in the automotive world: from massive handle-built jumps, sketchy urban wall rides, resort side hits and pow laps, to big mountain riding in the backcountry, the kid can ride it all.

Visintainer hones his work ethic, passion, and love for snowboarding by getting to the mountain early and lapping the terrain park when the mountain first opens. He explains that he enjoys the calmness of the empty park, the freshly raked takeoffs, and the recently groomed landings.

Then there are the hours he puts in during the off season to keep his dream alive. To create financial security during the summer months, he has a full-time day job that frees up his winter. When the snow flies, he has gas in the tank and money in the bank to chase the snow, travel to events, and film all season.  

Growing up in the Inland Northwest, Visintainer says there weren’t a lot of riders doing street and park snowboarding, and he wasn’t getting the opportunity that other competitive boarders were getting. Things weren’t progressing, so he created his own opportunity to get noticed and started making Instagram edits with the goal of putting out the sickest edits he could. The motto that drove him, he says, was “just be so good they [the snowboard companies] can’t deny you.” 

Josh Yandel, the local owner of Pistole Boardshop in Spokane, has known Visintainer throughout this journey. “He’s an absolute true boarder, and I couldn’t be more proud of him,” says Yandel. “I’ve seen him grow through the years, and I don’t think there could be a better role model for snowboarding. Austin has worked hard and deserves the reward. He is an amazing human. I’m thankful to have him a part of the shop, and I think we are gonna see big things in his future.”

I speak as part of our local snowboard community when I say we couldn’t be more stoked to see one of “us” make it. Austin Vizz is humble, driven, and has endless style. He’s one to keep an eye on this winter and in the seasons that follow.

Originally published as “Austin Visintainer: Local Rider Makes Pro-Snowboarding Dreams Come True” in the January-February 2022 issue.

T. Ghezzi is Pacific Northwest raised and believes we should respect the land, spend time in nature, explore, adventure, hike, and never stop the pursuit to ride powder.

Find more stories about snowboarding and other notable Inland NW snowboarders and skiers in the OTO archives.

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One early morning in Schweitzer’s lower parking lot, a group of mostly skiers circled up for an Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center Avalanche 1 course. Being one of the only snowboarders in the course, it was easy to spot the other soft-boot powder chasers, and that is where I met Emma Hall for the first time.

Over the next two days, Emma’s riding, attitude, and ability to learn and perform the recently acquired avalanche skills were incredible. In hindsight, I can’t image what it must have felt like for 15-year-old Emma (now 16) to take the course solo with a group of mostly male skiers twice her age.

A few weeks later, I spoke with Emma’s dad Adam Hall at Silver Mountain’s Doug E Fresh Banked Slalom event, and he talked about her passion for learning more about the backcountry and that Emma wasn’t the only teenage shredder in the family. It turned out younger sister Maddie Hall (14 years old) is just as passionate and driven to spend time up on the mountain.

The Halls’ home mountain is Schweitzer, and they are currently sponsored by the highly-respected 7B Skate Shop in Sandpoint. The past year both sisters have been working closely with a couple different snowboard manufactures to get partnerships started.

After competing in regional banked slalom races and getting multiple podium finishes, the two were invited to this year’s highly exclusive Dirksen Derby at Mt. Bachelor, Ore.

Meet Emma Hall (Age 16)

Emma’s relaxed and confident demeanor makes her seem in control of her snowboard destiny. Her love is big mountain riding, chasing powder, hitting cliff drops, and exploring the backcountry.

Attending online public school through the Connections Academy, Emma is stoked to take advantage of being home schooled this year so that she can go up to the mountain every day. I asked her if she has thought about college, and her reply said it all: “I am living in the moment. College, I am not for sure.”

The goal she does have in mind, she added, is to become a backcountry snowboard guide, and she has her sights on being a certified American Mountain Guide Association guide.

Meet Maddie Hall (Age 14)

Chatting with Maddie you’ll sense right away the fire inside her to be the best snowboarder she can. No doubt this will help her out as she continues to enter contests and hitting rails and jumps in the park.

“Park laps are fun,” she says, “but it depends on the day.” If there is new snow, she says, you can bet she’ll be out riding powder.

Snowboard Heroes

The sisters agreed their snowboard idol is Elena Hight, because of what she has accomplished in her career.

To my surprise, their second most inspirational rider was Jeremy Jones. Emma and Maddie said they respect his backcountry riding and say he is a “Rad Dad” just like theirs, which led the sisters to add that the most influential snowboarder to them is their dad.

They treasure their dad’s love for snowboarding and for passing it on to them and point to his supportive and motivating approach to sharing the sport with them in a way that also gave them room to grow on their own.

The Hall sisters’ energy, passion, and drive is the core of what it means to be a snowboarder, and their energy and love for riding snow is contagious and exactly what the Inland Northwest snowboard culture needs.

T. Ghezzi is Pacific Northwest raised and believes we should respect the land, spend time in nature, explore, adventure, hike, and never stop the pursuit to ride powder.

Editor’s update: At the Dirksen Derby, December 17-18, 2021, Maddie ranked 3rd in the Grom Girls division (age 10-14), and Emma ranked 5th in the Teen women’s division (age 15-19). Event results available online.

This story originally appeared in the November-December 2021 print issue.

Find more stories about snowboarding and other notable young snowboarders and skiers in the OTO archives.

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Here are 16 new updates to look for during your next visit to Mt. Spokane Ski & Recreation Park, 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort Lookout Pass, and Silver Mountain Resort.

1. Lookout Pass Offers Cat Skiing in New Terrain

According to the resort, a team of loggers has been out in the woods cutting the 14 new trails that comprise Lookout’s new Eagle Peak expansion. Once that work is completed, Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area will be offering cat skiing by reservation this winter so guests can experience these new trails.

A quad chair that the mountain has already purchased will be installed in Summer 2022 to provide lift-served access to these trails in the Eagle Peak expansion area for next winter.

2. Mt. Spokane’s Chair 2 Gets an Overhaul

A needed upgrade to Chair 2 (now named Illuminator) at Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park will include a $1 million investment in the replacement of the drive terminal. Chair 2 is key to moving skiers and snowboarders around the mountain, and this investment will help provide reliable service all year long.

3. New High-Speed Quad Set to Open at 49 Degrees North

This fall, 49 Degrees North is putting the finishing touches on an all-new Doppelmayr High-Speed Quad Chairlift to replace Chair 1. According to 49, a top-notch team from Doppelmayr has spent the summer and fall constructing the 6,644-foot-long lift that extends from the base area of the Central Basin, just west of the main lodge, to the summit of Chewelah Peak parallel to the existing Bonanaza lift that will eventually be removed.

When opened this season, it will be the longest high-speed quad in Washington State, extending over 1.25 miles. At the same time, the lift will cut ride times to the summit in half. With mid-mountain loading no longer available with the new lift, 49 has created new terrain and trails below Beaver Slide to give those accustomed to skiing and riding that area additional options.

4. Mt. Spokane Goes All In on 7-Days-a-Week Shredding

Last year, Mt. Spokane started offering seven-days-a-week service that ran from the holidays through February, and this year they are extending that new schedule from December 15–March 13. 

5. Weekend & Holiday Ticket Sales May Be Limited Again This Year

Some resorts report that they once again may limit the number of lift tickets sold on weekends and holidays to keep capacity at a safe and manageable level. Season pass holders at all four Ski the NW Rockies Resorts will once again get unlimited access to their home mountains, which makes having a pass your best bet for unrestricted access.

If you do plan to ski or ride on a weekend or holiday period, purchase your tickets in advance online to get ahead of any possible limits on tickets sold for your preferred days as the date gets closer.

6. Glass Cover Added to Conveyor Lift at Silver Mountain

A new glass cover was installed over the conveyor lift that serves the beginner run and tubing park at Silver Mountain. The cover will shield riders from the harsh winter elements and will make beginners’ first days on skis and tubers’ experience much more enjoyable. 

7. More Man-Made Snow at 49 Degrees North

The evolution of 49 Degrees North’s new snowmaking system continues this year, extending farther up Silver Ridge all the way to where Blastface meets the Silver Ridge. All of this increased snowmaking capacity means earlier opening of some terrain and a longer season for the resort.

8. Interactive Map Shows Trail Status & Closures at Silver

A new interactive trail map right outside the Mountain House at Silver Mountain will show which runs are open, closed, and groomed. The map is sure to become a popular spot for people to meet and serve as a backdrop for selfies and social media posts.

9. High-Performance Rental & Demo Gear at 49

The rental shop at 49 Degrees North has added more new skis and boards to enhance the experience of guests young and old, including a whole new high-performance demo fleet for anyone looking to test the latest skis and snowboards. If you’ve ever wanted to try telemark skiing, 49 is your place to rent tele gear and give dropping a knee a try.

10. Eating & Drinking Evolution

One of the few positives that came out of the pandemic last year was how it spurred innovation in the eating and drinking options at our local resorts.

It’s now easier than ever to grab a quality bite to eat or a beer without ever having to step boot into a lodge.One new outdoor eatery that will enter the scene this year is Pablo’s Taco Revolution, a new taco truck at 49 Degrees North.

11. Events Make a Comeback

Expect more events to return this year at our local resorts as long as the COVID situation continues to improve. A sign that this season may look more normal that last year, Mt. Spokane is planning to bring back terrain park competitions, demo days, live music, and the very popular Ladies’ Day.

12. Chair 2 Now a Triple at Lookout Pass

Chair 2 on the backside of Lookout (the Timber Wolf Chair) is being upgraded from a double to a triple this year with new American-made triple chairs. This modification means a huge increase in the capacity of riders the lift can serve, and it also removes the center bar to make it more family friendly.

The chair upgrade is a key linchpin in Lookout’s forthcoming expansion to Eagle Peak, as it will provide transport for guests to get back to the lodge and parking lot on the front of the mountain after experiencing the new terrain that will increase skiable acres from 540 to 1,023.  

13. Friday Night Club Shred Program at Mt. Spokane

This season, Mt. Spokane is expanding on its extensive camp offerings by adding a Friday Night Club Shred program so that parents can hit the slopes while kids learn lifetime skills on the snow. This is a great way for parents and kids to spend time together and get to ski or ride apart on Friday nights. 

14. Earlier Steep Terrain Opening at Silver Thanks to New Equipment

Improved early-season conditions will be possible thanks to a new D3 cat with a mulcher. This new equipment helps Silver staff to brush-cut steeper runs and glades, allowing the mountain to open more terrain earlier. 

15. New Chewelah Hotel Will Cater to Skiers

The Mistequa Hotel in the works at Chewelah Casino will bring a modern, comfortable lodging option to Chewelah, serving out-of-town skiers and snowboarders looking to spend more than a day up on the mountain. Amenities will include ski lockers, an indoor pool and jacuzzi, extended patio seating, a lounge, and a large fireplace in the lobby.

16. Midweek Lodging, Lift Ticket, & Waterpark Deal at Silver

If you’re looking for an affordable family ski vacation, Silver Mountain Resort offers a mid-week deal on lift tickets, lodging in a family studio, and access to the indoor waterpark for $55 per person, based on quad occupancy. The mid-week offer runs from January 3 through April 10, 2022. Use the code “SAVEBIG” when booking.

Sponsored by the Ski the NW Rockies Association Resorts

All photos courtesy of Ski NW Rockies mountain resorts: Mt. Spokane (top row left & right); Silver Mountain Resort (Top row right-bottom; middle row top-left); 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort (middle row, right & left-bottom); Lookout Pass (bottom row).

Find more stories about skiing and snowboarding in the OTO archives.

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Oliver (Ollie) Peck: age 5, skier at 49˚ North

Landon McCaffree: age 10, skier at Mt. Spokane

Kendal Brumet: age 11, skier at Lookout Pass

Libby Collins: age 12, skier at Silver Mountain

Family Winter Sports Guide sponsored by Ski the Northwest Rockies association.

Amy McCaffree has been a freelance writer for Out There since 2006, and is Out There Kids columnist and special section editor. She started skiing in 9th grade, taking lessons with her junior high Ski Club at Ski Acres at Snoqualmie Pass in the Cascade Mountains. Since winter 2003-04, she has been a season pass skier at Mt. Spokane.

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Ugh, shoulder season. Throw in your adventure towel. Maybe it’s time to take up gardening. And you should probably clean out the gutters or something, too. Whether the trails aren’t quite dry, the rock’s still under its winter blanket of snow, or the ski lines are melting out, spring  can be a rough time of year for the intrepid adventurer. But these in-between conditions are exactly what make the Wenatchee Valley—and its surrounding hills, rivers, and trails—the perfect shoulder season destination.   

Skiing 

The powder’s mostly gone and the temps are rising, but don’t give up just yet. Instead, throw on your Hawaiian shirt and shades and head to Mission Ridge to enjoy the spring skiing without the crowds. The resort is located on the east slopes of the Cascades and is higher, drier, and sunnier than many nearby ski hills.  

At only 12 miles from downtown, Mission Ridge makes Wenatchee the state’s most accessible ski town. There aren’t any fancy condos on mountain yet, and the food is classic pub fare that you’d expect to find at any resort, which is part of the charm. However, Mission punches above its weight in terms of snow quality and fun terrain. It boasts a small mountain vibe but with really interesting terrain. The free SkiLink bus runs every Saturday and Sunday from the downtown Columbia Station and Lincoln Park through the end of the season. Also check out ski and stay deals through several local hotels. 

After getting sufficiently sunburned, grab a drink at the Chair 5 Pub or fire up your grill in the parking lot. With events and live music on every weekend this spring, there’s plenty of reasons to ski hard and party hard through closing day on April 12. 

Hiking and Trail Running 

Trail running and hiking are great ways to carry over that ski-season fitness to longer summer endeavors. Wenatchee is home to some of the best early season trail running and hiking in central Washington. Whether you choose to lace up your shoes in town and run straight into the surrounding hills or take a short drive to a trailhead, there’s something for everyone. 

Apple Loop Trail: For a low-key paved option guaranteed to be dry, head out on the Apple Loop Trail. This trail is such a community mainstay that the city plows it after snow events. Jump on this 10-mile loop from the parking lot of Pybus Market and enjoy a flat run along the river. Be sure to refuel and grab a brew or a bite at one of the market’s bars and restaurants after your jaunt. 

Horse Lake Reserve: For moderate trails through reclaimed farmland with views of the Columbia River and North Cascades, visit Horse Lake Reserve starting on April 1. With interpretive signage to help identify flora, fauna, and nearby mountain peaks, Horse Lake offers a remarkable opportunity to get your bearings on the valley. Many .15 through 2.5-mile options can be braided together to create shorter or longer runs or hikes. These popular trails are dog and mountain-bike friendly and burst with color when balsamroot and other wildflowers are blooming.  

Ancient Lakes and Beezley Hills: The earliest trails to dry out are usually around Ancient Lakes near Quincy and the Beezley Hills in Ephrata. For information about these trails and other regional recommendations, visit WenatcheeOutdoors.org, which offers the most comprehensive guidebook to the region. Here you can find dog friendly, family friendly, and accessible trails, as well as up-to-date information about other outdoor activities.  

Climbing  

When the skiing starts to fade, and the trails are in the process of drying out, it’s prime time to start climbing outside in Eastern Washington. Even when the nights are still frigid, know that there’s plenty of local dry rock to be climbed. 

Frenchman Coulee: The most popular place for early spring climbing is Frenchman Coulee, better known to climbers as Vantage. The area’s columnar basalt offers a lifetime’s worth of splitter cracks for trad climbers and bolted face climbing for sport climbers.  The area known as the sunshine wall catches a lot of—you guessed it—sunshine, so it heats up pretty well for a few hours on even the coldest spring days. Because Vantage is often warm and dry when most other areas in the state are overcast and wet, this place can get packed. Plan ahead if you’d like to get on any of the classic moderates. Note that camping in the area is allowed but that a Discover Pass is required for parking.  One last hot tip: for climbing at vantage: The queue for the latrine is about 40 people deep on popular weekends. Plan to take care of your business early or bring your own TP and a winning attitude.  

Peshastin Pinnacles: If you’re not into fighting the crowds, there’s another unique spot to check out. Before Vantage stole the show for shoulder-season cragging, the Peshastin Pinnacles were the crud-weather climbing destination of choice in central Washington. Located just west of Cashmere, this group of sandstone fins overlooks orchards, the Wenatchee River valley, and the stunning peaks of the Enchantments. While too hot to climb in the middle of the summer, the primarily southwest-facing pinnacles offer sunny cragging close to the road in the early spring and late fall. Known for its unique but somewhat crumbly sandstone, many folks prefer the bolted sport climbs here, although there are a number of unique trad lines. Be prepared for old school grades and funky gear placements. Note that Peshastin Pinnacles has been a state park since being purchased from orchard owners in 1991, so you’ll need to buy a parking permit or have a Washington State Discover Pass. (MJ) 

Kayaking and River Sports 

The Wenatchee Valley is truly stacked with incredible whitewater opportunity. While your other hobbies may be taking a break for the season or haven’t ramped up yet, there really is no such thing as a spring shoulder season once you add rivers to your quiver of play. The Wenatchee area boasts incredible spring whitewater for every level of enthusiast. Within an hour of town you can find world class, big water playboating, class IV-V steep creeking, and lots of fun river running.  

Challenging Whitewater: For the adrenaline junkies there are only two places to be: Tumwater Canyon and Icicle Creek. Both located within five minutes of Leavenworth, these class V gems drop the jaws of every tourist who drives by. Icicle Creek can feel more like a river that’s been tipped upwards and poured over boulders, producing an endless series of long, complex, pushy, and intimidating whitewater. Tumwater is pool-drop in nature; it’s mellow sections only stand to give you extra time to pucker before dropping into some of Washington State’s biggest whitewater.  

Intermediate River Runs: Notching it down a grade, the Little Wenatchee offers a remote, lower volume, and tight canyon adventure for competent class IV boaters. Be on your toes for wood. Next, throw your boat on your shoulder and hike a mile up Ingalls Creek for class IV creeking that dumps you into the Peshastin River for non-stop class III-III+ boogie all way down to the Wenatchee River. Since you’re now back on the Wenatchee right near the put-in for the play section, just swap into your playboat and float down to Cashmere for one of Washington’s best play runs—massive standing waves, many with eddy service, await your surfing pleasure.  

Class-Fun Runs: Got some kiddos who want to play? Maybe a non-river person who is excited to see the valley from a different perspective? There are three great sections to suit: The upper Wenatchee River from Lake Wenatchee to the top of Tumwater Canyon provides a beautiful family-friendly scenic float. The town run from Leavenworth down to Peshastin offers easy logistics and keeps you in the heart of the mountains. Finally, the lower Wenatchee River from Cashmere to the Columbia provides a great way to admire the beauty of the lower valley.  Flow-dependent, these sections range from class I to II+ and can be fantastic for anything from canoe, to SUP, to family raft, to kayak. (CG)  

Mountain Biking 

After 10 years of project planning, the Central Chapter of the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance has received grants and generous community donations that have led to massive trail development over the past four years in the Wenatchee area, stretching from Leavenworth to Chelan. While the areas and trails listed are a sample of what the region has to offer, make no mistake, Wenatchee is a mountain biker’s dream. 

Sage Hills: Located on the fringe of Wenatchee, Sage Hills has over 20 miles of beginner and intermediate trails suitable for cross-country and enduro bikes. There are amazing views of the Wenatchee area and dynamic early season wildflower displays. Opens April 1. 

Squilchuck State Park Trail System: A perfect place for the mountain biking family. Bikers will find over 8 miles of beginner to intermediate singletrack trails, as well as a skills park. The skills park includes beginner to advanced jumps, skinnies, and log rides. One log ride is over 200-feet long! Creature Comfort Dark Forest is a recommended intermediate trail within Squilchuck. The trail has a manageable climb and a fast, fun descent.  

Devil’s Gulch/Mission Ridge: These two trails are intermediate rides through old growth forest, with occasional views of the North Cascades. They are best described as old school, rugged trails that also have some of the fastest singletrack in the state. The two trails cross, allowing bikers the option to ride a section of one trail, and then ride a section of the other trail. And they merge near the bottom and can be ridden up or shuttled. The climb is challenging. 

PTD (Prepare to Die): This is a new black diamond trail opening this spring. It is part of the Number 2 Canyon trail system trail near Wenatchee. It is a ride for bikers seeking an aggressive trail with natural features. This trail includes a large rock slab with a 30-foot dirt berm at the bottom. (JDE)  

Love Wenatchee’s Trails—Don’t Wreck Them! 

Even if it’s a nice bluebird day, certain trails may not be dried out for the season yet. Running, riding, or even hiking on wet trails can ruin them for the rest of the summer. If you’re in the Wenatchee area, make sure to visit the Chelan Douglas Land Trust’s website for current trail conditions or closures and please pay attention to the dirt under your feet or wheels. (Summer Hess)

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Be mindful of the “freeze-thaw-freeze effect,” according to Mt. Spokane ski patrol director Eric Ewing. “In the morning the snow is typically firm and as the sun hits the snow, it softens and gets sticky. And as the sun goes down, the snow gets firm again. This is also true for areas in the shade.” When snow starts to melt, Ewing advises also being cautious of “underlying snow obstacles, like rocks, logs, and stumps.” 

Lower extremity (knees and below) and clavicle or shoulder injuries are common on the slopes anytime, says Ewing. “Skiers can reduce risk by being prepared for the conditions—both physical fitness and maintaining equipment properly. Make sure your body is fueled. Have a good breakfast, don’t skip lunch, and make sure you drink lots of water.” 

On bluebird days, sunburn and eye burn are also risks. “Folks often forget sunscreen and expose flesh that hasn’t seen the sun for a while, which burns easily,” says Batchelder. He recommends always wearing goggles, or at least sunglasses, to avoid eye injuries.  

The post Spring Ski Safety Tips appeared first on Out There Venture.

1. Powder Dumps: Sometimes the best powder days happen in spring, making us wish the season would go longer. After a long season of making turns, your legs will be strong enough to ride powder all day long. While a lot of people move on to other sports, some of the best powder days of the season can be in March.  

2. Bluebird Days: I have yet to meet anyone who doesn’t love mountain bluebird days. Everyone is in a better mood. Visibility is awesome. Get them when you can and don’t forget the sunscreen. 

3. Fewer Layers: Warming temps means you can ditch a mid-layer and slim down your usual skiwear ensemble, making it faster to get ready and easier to move. And without the need to wear a gaiter or buff, everyone can see each other’s big smiles.  

4. Softer Snow: Springtime’s warmth transforms the skiing experience, akin to poetry. “I love skiing on a deep snowpack that is slowly giving itself back to the earth. I especially like the way corduroy softens each morning,” says Matt Sawyer, marketing director at Lookout Pass. As sunshine and warming air temperatures gently change the snow’s composition, he says, “This transition allows for smooth—you might even call them greasy smooth—turns before things get too slushy.”  

5. Skill Mastery: Now that you have a few months of skiing or snowboarding fitness, spring is primetime for skill advancement. Try a new black diamond. Seek out harder lines. Carpe diem all spring long before your gear goes back into storage.  

6. Softer Landings: When a bluebird day inspires you to try new tricks or send it higher, soft snow is a more forgiving cushion if you fall. Dig into those edges and tear it up. 

7. Smaller Crowds: As people transition to lower-altitude recreation, alpine runs as well as Nordic trails and backcountry slopes experience less traffic. Enjoy the extra elbow room out there.  

8. Better Photos: On cold, snowy days, rarely do you want to get out your phone, take off your gloves, and record the action. Your hands freeze, your phone gets wet, and the light is flat. And on powder days, who wants to spend time futzing with a screen when you could spend more minutes skiing? But on a bluebird day, it’s more convenient to capture that family photo on the summit, video friends doing tricks in the terrain park, and take a chairlift selfie with your ski buddies. 

9. Afternoon & Evening Light: With waning sunlight, rich hues of pink and purple overtake the blue sky and it can be pretty magical.   

10. Fair-weather Friends: A bluebird day is a compelling reason for finicky friends to get back on the mountain or for the beginning skier or snowboarder who may not appreciate the cold temps of deep winter to hit the slopes. 

11. Good Vibes: Spring takes après-ski happy hour to a higher level. “The warming rays allow our posse to relax, beer in hand, outside on a picnic table or sitting on a snowbank, under a slowly setting sun, listening to the group members relive their day’s highlight reels,” Sawyer says. “Contemplating deep thoughts helps to usher in a soft close on another perfect spring day and long winter season.”  

12. Multi-sports: Ski powder in the morning and bike in the afternoon. Or cross-country ski for a few hours before heading to the downhill slopes. The days are longer, in-town trail are dryer, and opportunities abound. There are no good reasons to sit at home this spring.

Content sponsored by Ski the NW Rockies.

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