Family Winter Sports Guide

BY AMY MCCAFFREE

Perhaps you’ve seen the hashtag #mykidskisbetterthanme. Is that true for you? I’ll admit it—my son skis faster than me, and I’m okay with that. (Falling hurts more when you’re in your 40s.) Which is why I like watching the next generation tear it up at local mountains. They motivate older skiers and riders to get (and stay) in better shape and to push ourselves. This winter, you might catch a glimpse of one of these four little rippers sending it and swooshing past you on the mountain.

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF PARENTS

WINTER SNEVA, AGE 7 (SKIER) Home Mountain: 49 Degrees North and Silver Mountain dual season passholder.

Taught by mom and dad at 49 Degrees North, Winter learned to ski when she was age two. Her current ski set up is pretty special: Sneva MFG 137 Jr skis made by the family business, Sneva MFG, a ski manufacturing company founded in 1994 that moved to Spokane in 2009. Sneva MFG also makes snowboards, snowskates, and wakeskis. When not skiing this season, Winter says she’ll be “sledding on our sledding hill and making skis with Dad.”

Favorite Run: King Loves skiing because: “I like to go fast and go off jumps.” Mountain routine includes: Eating French fries in the lodge. Most memorable day on the mountain: First time riding the chair all by herself (January 2021). Greatest accomplishment(s) so far: Skiing Mahers Gold run. Future Ambition: “Do a 360 off a jump.” Ski Advice: “It’s all about fun, family, and French fries!”

OLIVIA LOKKEE & PENELOPE PICABO WHITE

(TWIN SISTERS), AGE 9 (SKIERS) Home mountain: Lookout Pass.

The girls started out at age 3 and skied with their papa at Lost Trail for two years before attending Lookout’s Free Ski School at age 5. They then followed that up with a year of private lessons at Lookout and joined the Lookout Pass Ski Team at age 7. This year, they are starting their 3rd season with the Lookout Pass Ski Race Team. "Ski racing is the best way to spend your winters,” says Olivia.

Favorite runs: Dilly Dally Alley, Idaho Face, Bonanza. Love skiing because: As racers, they get to travel to other mountains, make new friends, learn new skills on training days, and ski fast. “It’s like we live outside during the winter!” says Penelope.

Most memorable day on the mountain:

Olivia’s first run on Idaho Face, and Penelope says the first time she “went down the hill really fast without any help.” Greatest accomplishments so far: Olivia’s 2nd-place finish against more experienced ski racers. Penelope says it was winning Lookout’s cardboard box derby race. Future Ambition: Ski in every state. Ski Advice: “It’s okay to start with pizza legs but try to end the day with French fry skis! Never give up, do your best, and never be afraid. All those days at Lookout Pass will be worth your time. And most of all, speed is your friend!”

BRIGHTON TURCOTTE, AGE 10 (SKIER/ SNOWBOARDER) Home Mountain: Silver Mountain.

Mom and grandpa taught him how to ski at age 5, and dad taught snowboarding also at age 5 with additional instruction from friend Shane Brosius. “Brighton is a much more accomplished skier than snowboarder,” says dad, Mike, who works at Silver doing gondola and lift maintenance. “He still snowboards and [got] into it more this past year.” Mike says it’s really the mountain family itself at Silver that’s responsible for how Brighton is advancing so quickly as a skier.

Favorite Runs: Moonshine, Silverbelt, Noah's Park, Upper Terrain Park, Heaven. Loves skiing/riding because: “I like going fast with the wind in my face. I also love shredding the pow.” Typical day on the mountain: Doing jumps in the terrain parks, meeting up with friends at the snack shack, and warming up by the fire. “Both my parents work at Silver Mountain, so I basically roam the mountain.” Greatest accomplishment: Making two attempts at the Pond Skim and being the youngest competitor. Future Ambitions: Ski Shady Lady run, so he will have skied every double black diamond run at Silver; ski from summit lodge all the way down into town; learn how to do flips; and ski at other mountains (as many as possible), especially Brighton Resort in Utah “because I was named after it.” Ski Advice: “If you fall, don't quit, get back up. If you don't fall, you're not pushing yourself. Once you get better, SEND IT!”

JAXSON HAMM, AGE 6 (SNOWBOARDER) Home Mountain: Mt. Spokane.

Jaxson started learning to ski as a toddler (before age 2) and learned how to snowboard at age 6. His parents helped him learn and progress, and he has also been in group and private lessons at Mt. Spokane’s ski school where both of his parents work. “Several other instructors take him to ski and coach him on their private time. This is where his mountain family has really helped him learn,” says his dad, Mike, who is the head trainer for Mt. Spokane’s snowboard program and a divisional staff member for the American Association of Snowboard Instructors. “Plus he has put in a lot of time himself just trying things he sees others do on a snowboard.”

Favorite Runs: Old Northwest, Lamonga. Loves skiing/snowboarding because: “I love the freedom of being able to ride anywhere and keep up with everyone else.” Most memorable day on the mountain: “The day I learned to ride the rainbow rail while riding with my mom last season at Mt. Spokane. I finally got to try the rainbow rail and I rode it on my first try without falling.” Typical day on the mountain: “I get to go ride where I want. The lifties know me, and I have friends all over the hill. So I can go a lot of places and ride some lifts alone.” Greatest accomplishment so far: “Learning to tail grab.”//

BY AMY MCCAFFREE

Friends don’t take friends who are new to skiing or snowboarding or kids who are learning to the top of the mountain for a first run. (Believe me, I’ve seen it happen.) Luckily, all the Inland Northwest ski mountains make it easy to be a newbie. You or your kids will never be the only one snowplowing on the bunny hill. There’s plenty of beginner-friendly terrain to practice stops and turns on green circles, too. Then, when you or your kids are ready, move to the more challenging terrain of blue squares. Here are recommendations from mountain staff members about where to go for a first day on skis or snowboard— and, when ready to get off the bunny hill, which beginner terrain to venture to next.

49 DEGREES NORTH

Surface Lift: Gold Fever, located near the lodge in the ski school teaching area. Snowsports School Director Alison Pasino says it “is the ideal place for little ones to have their first experience sliding.” It’s open to both children and adults, regardless of ability level.

Bunny Hills: Access the beginner area using the Payday Lift (Chair #3). For skiers, Pasino recommends Easy Slide, Gold Chute, and Fool’s Gold. For snowboarders, Lower Gold Pan Alley has a gentle pitch and wide-open slopes.

Beginner Runs: Great trails for new skiers and snowboarders are found in all areas of the resort, which is the second largest in Washington State. Pasino recommends 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. In Central Basin, the trails off Beaver Slide include a “mellow, meandering route for those who want to cruise and enjoy the beauty of Colville National Forest.”

Don’t Miss: Hobbit Forest, where you can search for iconic bells hanging from branches alongside the trail. It provides a “first taste of the epic tree skiing that 49 North has to offer,” says Pasino.

Other Recommendations: 49’s Mountain Host program offers free guided tours of the alpine terrain. It’s like an orientation to find the best runs, groomers, and powder stashes for all ability levels of your family.

LOOKOUT PASS

Bunny Hill: Success Slope via Success Triple chairlift. “This slope is designed to allow you to get comfortable on snow without the fear of going high up on a mountain or riding a high lift,” says Lookout’s marketing director Matt Sawyer.

Beginner Runs: Sawyer recommends taking Huckleberry Ridge to Grub Steak run—a “longer run with a mild pitch,” he says. Get there via the Peak One Quad chairlift, which takes you to the mountain summit. “Tell the staff member who is loading the lift that this is your first time on this lift and they will slow the chair down for your load,” Sawyer says. “You get to enjoy awesome views and you have reached the summit, which is a goal for most beginners.”

Next Level: Tamarack on the Montanaside of mountain (referred to as the “backside”). At the bottom is the base of the Timber Wolf Triple chair. Sawyer says a ride on this chair offers the best views that Lookout Pass has to offer a beginner, including Stevens Peak and St. Regis Basin. Other Recommendations: Huckleberry Jam Progression Park has “very low and mild progression style features that are ideal for a first foray into a terrain park,” says Sawyer. Parents and kids can learn to ride on small terrain style features, including flat boxes with a ride on lip, a wide dance floor feature, and even a very casual rainbow feature.

MT. SPOKANE

Magic Carpet: Located just below Lodge 2 (main lodge) near the ski school building, ski patrol lodge, and bunny hill chairlift loading area. Bunny Hill: Ego Flats via Chair 5 that’s now named Beginner’s Luck. Mt. Spokane’s outdoor recreation manager Katrin Pardue, who is also Ski and Ride School director, says snowboarders should stay center on this run. At the top of the chair, turn right to access the lower section of Johnson’s Run. Because it is narrow, she advises staying skier’s left.

Beginner Runs: Northwest Passage, via Parkway Express (Chair 3). Pardue says to stay center and then go skier’s left. Also try Half Hitch, staying skier’s right to avoid the terrain park. Both runs lead to the cat track where you can head back to the base of Chair 3 or 5, or continue along to access chair 1. If you don’t turn off Half Hitch onto the cat track, you go straight onto Lamonga, which has some terrain features and leads to the bottom of Chair 4.

Next Level: Take the Vista Cruiser lift (Chair 1) to ski/ride a series of linked runs— Gold Cross to Upper Northwest Passage (“stay close to the trees”) to Skookum (“stay skier’s left until you hit the flat section”) to Northwest Passage.

Don’t Miss: The triple chair (#6) on the backside, Northwood. Pardue recommends taking Yellow Brick Road to Jim’s Gem (stay along the tree line, skier’s left; it gets flat at the bottom, so snowboarders should be careful) to Big Timber (stay skier’s right at the lower part for the “most mellow pitch”).

HUCKLEBERRY RIDGE AT LOOKOUT PASS. // PHOTO COURTESY OF LOOKOUT PASS

TIPS FOR TEACHING YOUR KIDS TO SKI

Teaching your kids the basics can be fun, rewarding, and challenging. However, unless you are a ski or snowboard instructor, at some point professional lessons are a great idea. In the meantime, here are some pro tips for teaching kids.

• LEARNING THE FOUNDATIONS: Start with “pizza!” and “French fries” for little skiers. These basics, including the snowplow to control speed and stop (pizza) and moving downhill with skis parallel (fries), are foundational. Then move on to making turns back and forth across the mountain and practicing stopping. • TRAINING GEAR: An “Edgie Wedgie” (ski tip connector) helps keep little skis connected and in a pizza/snowplow formation. Some kind of harness for hoisting kids on and off chairlifts and picking them up after falls is also invaluable. Some harnesses come with a leash to keep the little shredder connected to mom or dad and in control. • CHAIRLIFTS: Chairlift loading and unloading can be scary for kids and parents. Have your child watch with you while other kids and adults are getting on the chair to see how they do it. When it’s your turn, ask the liftie to slow it down for you if necessary, then have your child look at you as you wait together in the loading zone and then grab the chair pole and keep ski tips up as the chair scoops you up. When it’s time to get off the lift with little kids, you may need to wrap an arm around them to help guide them off the lift safely. Older kids need to be reminded to keep their ski tips up and to stand straight when they dismount. • MOTIVATION: When they are learning, kids can get tired or frustrated quickly, so having a small treat like a piece of chocolate, gummy worms, or fruit snack at the top or bottom of each run can keep them motivated to not give up too early. Making sure they are dressed properly for the conditions to keep them warm enough and not too hot is also key. (OTO)

SILVER MOUNTAIN

Surface Lift: Prospector Adventure Lift—a new, covered conveyor lift (640 feet long) located by the Mountain House.

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

Beginner Runs: Silver Mountain’s marketing director Gus Colburn recommends Ross Run, which follows the gondola line down to Dawdler, Bear Grass, or Huckleberry before ending up at Chair 5.

First Blue Square: Colburn recommends taking the Alpenway run down to Junction, “which is the best progression run to build your skills to eventually take laps on Silver Belt.” //

BY DERRICK KNOWLES

FROM THE BUNNY HILL TO BLACK DIAMONDS. // PHOTO COURTESY OF CINDY DILG

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE in life to learn to ski or snowboard, and there’s no better way to learn than with a loved one. Last season, mother-son duo Cindy and Levi Dilg of Spokane were looking for a winter time activity to keep them moving and having fun outside once they put their mountain bikes away for the season. They decided the time was right for them to learn to ski and snowboard, and Cindy signed them up for the EZ 1-2-3 lesson program at 49 Degrees North as a Christmas present.

Cindy (age 38) chose to learn to snowboard, while her then 12-yearold son Levi picked skiing. “I wanted to snowboard because the ski boots were really uncomfortable,” admits Cindy. Levi, on the other hand, chose skiing because he thought it looked easier. He figured out skiing and picked it up really quick, says Cindy. “By the third lesson, the light switched on and he was going down the blue trails. Now he wants to learn to snowboard too.”

The EZ 1-2-3 package, available at all four Ski the NW Rockies association resorts (49, Silver, Mt. Spokane, and Lookout), is a great deal for all ages who have never skied or snowboarded before and want to learn and have fun doing it. This comprehensive package includes three days of rentals, lift tickets, and professional lessons. “I really liked the package deal. You not only get the lessons, but you get rental gear and can ease into the sport without having to jump in and buy all the stuff right away,” explains Cindy.

Cindy and Levi each faced their own challenges during the first few lessons, but the payoff, getting to ski and snowboard together all winter, was huge. “I was pretty nervous the first day,” admits Levi. “I saw a couple of videos of people on skis falling, and it looked like it hurt.” Cindy struggled at first to build the confidence to go faster and trust herself to go straight down the mountain instead of just back and forth. “Each day in the class as we advanced the instructor would give you more pointers and tips to get better,” explains Cindy. The skills she learned made her more confident that she could stop safely, which allowed her to go faster down the mountain.

By that third lesson, says Cindy, they had both learned so much and Levi was skiing the cat tracks and going down steeper slopes with his cousin. They continued to ski and ride all winter long, and each time Levi got faster. “Before the end of the season we even went down a black diamond trail,” says Cindy.

Learning at the same time turned out to be ideal for the two of them. Cindy says it was great to spend that time together that they don’t always get with their busy lives. The rides up to and back home from the mountain together gave them a chance to chat, and then they could ski and snowboard together after the lessons. But because they each chose different sports, it also allowed Levi to learn on his own with the instructor and other students and not have his mom hovering over him, explains Cindy. And, she adds, it was great to watch Levi progress. “At first he was slower than me, and then he got more confident and was faster than me.”

Once their three lessons were over, Cindy and Levi kept going up to ski and snowboard at 49 Degrees North and other mountains, including Lookout and Mt. Spokane. After learning to ski last season, Levi plans to follow his mom’s lead and learn to snowboard this winter. Cindy says they can’t wait for the snow to fly and to spend another winter up on the mountain enjoying nature together. //

PHOTO COURTESY OF SKI THE NW ROCKIES

PLENTY OF LESSON OPTIONS AT LOCAL RESORTS

Ski and snowboard lessons are not just for beginners and little kids. Why take a lesson if you already know the basics? Learning to ski and snowboard well is a life-long progression, and no matter how good you or your kids are, there’s always something to learn from an expert and things to improve on. Kids and adults of any age and ability level can benefit from taking lessons. Here are some different options from local Ski the NW Rockies association resorts—remember to reserve and schedule your lessons in advance.

• FIRST-TIME MULTI-DAY GROUP LESSONS: One of the most popular programs for adults or kids (7 and older) who have never skied or snowboarded before is the EZ 1-2-3 package. Available at all four Ski of the NW Rockies association resorts (49 Degrees North, Silver Mountain, Mt. Spokane, and Lookout Pass), the program includes three days of rentals, lift tickets, and lessons.

• ADULT & KIDS CAMPS: Several local resorts offer skill-building camps that also have a social element. Examples include Mt. Spokane’s Ladies Day Clinics and Park Club for skiers and snowboarders ages 9-17 who want to work on their park skills, which takes place February 11, 2022.

• PRIVATE LESSONS: All local resorts offer private lessons, and some mountains like Silver Mountain also offer semi-private group lessons where a small group of your friends can take a lesson together.

• MULTI-WEEK LESSON PROGRAMS: Take your pick of multi-week group lesson programs for kids or adults from your favorite local resort. This is a great way get better by committing to multiple weeks of skiing or snowboarding.

ALL THE RIGHT KIDS' GEAR

by Derrick Knowles

HElMET: Not optional anymore. Add a stocking cap under the helmet when it’s cold.

Making sure your child has the right gear to stay warm and happy on the slopes is crucial. I once made it all the way to Mt. Spokane with our 4-year-old before realizing I forgot his socks. Turns out a kid can ski without socks, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Another time, I brought thin gloves and his fingers froze. (There were tears.) I’ve made the opposite mistake too, piling on way too many layers until he could barely move and looked like the overdressed Randy in “A Christmas Story.” These gear tips should help you do a better job of dressing your little shredders for a day in the mountains.

Goggles: Help protect eyes from glaring sun, wind, and blowing snow.

Neck Gaiter: Prevents cold from creeping down the neck and keeps faces warm.

Gloves / Mittens: Choose wind and waterproof/ water-resistant gloves or mittens with plenty of insulation. Mittens are warmer for littler kids, while gloves let older kids adjust their gear.

Ski Jacket & Pants / Snowsuit: The outer layer should have insulation and be waterproof/waterresistant. A hood and pockets are ideal, and the jacket should be long enough to keep snow from creeping into their britches. A snowsuit rocks at this, but can make potty breaks challenging for younger kids.

Base Layers: Synthetic thermal underwear tops and bottoms are breathable, wick moisture, and keep their core warm.

Skis / Boots / Bindings / Poles: Gear that fits well will help your little one learn faster and have more fun. Buy used gear from swaps or lease expert-fitted equipment each year as kids grow from a shop like Spokane Alpine Haus. Mid-layers: Fleece, puffy, sweatshirt, or long-sleeved t-shirt up top and fleece pants or sweatpants for bottoms.

Socks: Warm wool or synthetic-blend socks like these from Spokane Alpine Haus fit well in ski boots.

KIDS LEARN TO SKI/ SNOWBOARD PROGRAMS

5TH GRADE SKI/RIDE FREE PASSPORT

This popular program helps get 5th graders out on the slopes for free. The passport provides three free days at each of the participating ski areas with a parent/guardian present (49 Degrees North, Lookout Pass, Mt. Spokane, Silver Mountain, and Loup Loup). To participate, parents need to submit an application with a $20 processing fee at 5thgradeskipassport.com and check their email for the passport. Print the passport or pull it up on your phone at the ticket office to receive a lift ticket. Please note blackout dates for each resort listed on the passport website, which include but may not be limited to Saturdays and holidays. Some of the participating ski resorts also offer discount rental gear and lessons as part of the 5th grade passport program. More info: Skinwrockies.com

EZ SKI/RIDE 1-2-3

The EZ Ski or Ride 1-2-3 programs make learning to ski or snowboard for the first time affordable and easy. And both kids and parents can sign up! All four Ski the NW Rockies association resorts (49 Degrees North, Lookout Pass, Mt. Spokane, and Silver Mountain) are offering a three-visit package to first-timers at an incredible price that includes three lift tickets, three rentals (boots, poles, skis or snowboard), and three lessons. To sign up, pick one of the three ski areas, call the ticket office at the resort and purchase your EZ SKI 1-2-3 package, and then follow their instructions to schedule the lessons. More info: Skinwrockies.com/ezski-ride-123

LOOKOUT PASS FREE SKI SCHOOL

Over the past 81 seasons, Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation area on the Idaho/Montana state line has been offering its Free Ski School. Since that first year, the ski resort has introduced over 78,000 kids to the winter sports of skiing and snowboarding. The program is available for boys and girls between age 6-17 who want to learn to ski and ages 7-17 for snowboard lessons. The lessons range from beginner to advanced, so there are lessons for all abilities and kids can move up levels as the season progresses.

While the lessons are totally free and a lift ticket is not required to ski or snowboard during the lessons, rental equipment is not provided and a season pass or day ticket is required for kids who want to continue skiing or riding after the lesson and on non-lesson days. Rental equipment can be reserved and paid for at the Lookout rental shop, or kids can bring their own gear. Parents should also pre-purchase any season pass or lift tickets if desired. More info: Skilookout.com/famous-freeski-school. //

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