Family Winter Sports Guide

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Be Safe & Have Fun Out There This Winter By Derrick Knowles & Amy McCaffree

THIS WINTER may present more challenges than normal for getting your little ones out on the slopes, but at the same time, it may be the most important winter season ever for you and your family to spend time outdoors together. Out There Outdoors’ annual Family Winter Sports Guide is the resource for parents looking to get their kids involved in winter sports. Our guide includes inspiration and information to get more kids out developing a lifetime love of skiing, snowboarding, and playing in the snow.

Special thanks to the Ski the Northwest Rockies association and affiliated resorts—49 Degrees North, Mt. Spokane, Silver Mountain, and Lookout Pass. Their partnership with Out There Outdoors on our shared mission to engage the next generation of skiers and riders here in the Inland Northwest makes this guide possible! If you are not a parent or grandparent, please share a copy of this issue with someone who is. (DK)

ADVICE FOR TEACHING YOUR KIDS TO SKI

Demand this year for kids’ ski and snowboard lessons will likely be high, and many programs for younger kids who need more supervision might not be available. That doesn’t mean you should abandon your plans for skiing with your child this season, but you may consider spending more time teaching them yourself.

Nate Peck, a 49 Degrees North local and former assistant director of 49’s ski school, offers up some great advice for parents looking to teach their kids to ski this winter. “Focus on the experience and not the progress—the progress comes but not in the first few sessions. Be patient. If you can have fun, you can keep going. Kids will relax and learn so much faster,” says Peck. “It’s so tempting to pull your child one lift further, or one more run. We’ve done it—gone too high on the mountain, (or skied when) too windy. To a kid, success is fun.”

Logistical planning is also important. He recommends preparing a big bag with everything you might need on the mountain to maximize your child’s energy, such as meals, snacks, and “how you’re going to stay warm,” he says. Handwarmers and Hershey’s kisses have been especially helpful for teaching his own young kids to ski. Figure out what works best to encourage and motivate your kids, then do that every time you’re on the mountain. (AM)

COVID SAFETY TIPS: 7 PS FOR THE SKI MOUNTAIN

Help slow the spread of COVID-19 while skiing and snowboarding this winter by following science-based recommendations from public health officials. Based on advice and information from the Centers for Disease Control, Washington State Public Health, and regional mountains’ COVID policies, here is a summary of the main ways to be safe and responsible on the mountain this season. 1. Plan ahead: Know visitor policies for your mountain destination. This winter, seasonpassholders have priority access, which means no day-of ticket sales at the window. Make reservations and purchase lift-tickets online prior to arrival. 2. Pack everything you might need: Your vehicle is your refuge this winter for booting-up and warming up. Save time by packing your own lunch and snacks and eating them at your car. Some lodges may have outdoor seating available. Bring blankets, hand-warmers, and spare clothing for when a dry set is needed. Carry hand-sanitizer. 3. Prepare to have limited indoor access: Most lodges will operate at 50% capacity, and give priority to guests buying hot meals or graband-go food options. Restrooms will also have limited access; some ski areas may have outdoor porta-potties. 4. Physical distancing: Whether it’s the chairlift loading area or the lodge, stick close to your family group or those you traveled to the mountain with, and give others a wide berth—even on runs (like always, for safety’s sake). Chairlift-sharing will be restricted to family/friend groups (for most mountains). 5. Protective face coverings: Have a mask for everyone in your family or traveling group and wear it indoors. Check the COVID policies for your destination about whether a ski buff or gaiter can substitute, and the mask guidelines for outdoors. 6. Practice good hygiene: Pre-COVID, when life was carefree, wiping noses with gloved-fingers or a buff and farmer-blows were no big deal—not anymore. Bring facial tissues. 7. Pause your season as needed: Stay home if you or anyone in your household has any COVID-like symptoms or has had close contact with anyone who recently tested for COVID and is awaiting results or if a close contact has recently been confirmed COVID-positive. Be prudent and quarantine at home; don’t be a potential COVIDspreader. Keep mountain staff and fellow skiers/riders safe and help ski areas to remain open. (AM) //

Ski Programs for Kids & Families this Winter

By Amy McCaffree

LOCAL SKI MOUNTAIN staff are stoked for winter and to welcome guests including young skiers and riders and their parents back to the slopes. Sadly, what caused our season to abruptly end last spring has created new challenges this winter. Particularly in the Inland Northwest, where interstate travel is frequent and public health guidelines vary by state, county, and even city or public-health district, it’s important that each of us takes a prudent mindset wherever we live or travel so that our mountain sports season can begin on-time and keep going.

Though each mountain may have slightly different operating procedures and protocols for group lessons, masking and social distancing will be universal, and every mountain will have reservation and onlinepurchase requirements for lift tickets and lesson packages.

With the fluid nature of the COVID-19

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING FOR KIDS

“Nordic skiing is a great option anytime but especially now when people are looking for opportunities to get outdoors during the pandemic. Nordic skiing is a good option because it tends to be something you can do as a family or independently and has social distancing already a part of it,” says Matt Halloran, Spokane Nordic Ski Association (SNSA) board member and Nordic Kids program liaison. Halloran cross-country skis with his two children ages 5 and 8.

This winter, SNSA’s traditional Nordic Kids program isn’t available because Selkirk Lodge is unavailable as a warm refuge for groups. There are two alternative options, however, and Halloran encourages Nordic families to sign-up for both at SpokaneNordic.org. • Option 1: SNSA-generated weekly emails on how to get your child out on snow, includes videos and tips and recommendations for you as a parent ($15). • Option 2: Scheduled 2-hour lessons, with one instructor, for groups of 5 or fewer; available every Saturday in January and February ($10 per person).

Though lessons begin outside of Selkirk Lodge, Halloran says, “Plan to have zero access to the lodge.” Be prepared to warm-up in your vehicle, bring your own hot cocoa in a thermos, and use the state park’s vault toilets. The lodge will be mainly available for the Nordic ski patrol. public health crisis, families need to check mountain websites and social media channels to stay updated on the latest operating policies. The four Ski the Northwest Rockies association resorts that help make this family winter sports guide possible (Mt. Spokane, 49, Lookout Pass, and Silver Mountain) have all invested considerable time and money to make getting your kids out to ski or ride this winter in a safe environment.

49 DEGREES NORTH MOUNTAIN RESORT— CHEWELAH, WASH.

Group sessions this season will only be available for ages 7+. Because children ages 4-6 need a “more hands-on approach, especially in the early stages of learning to ski or snowboard.” According to Snowsports School Director Alison Pasino, 49 Degrees North is offering a new Mommy/Daddy & Me Group Lesson. These 1.5-hour sessions, offered Saturday and Sunday mornings,

MORE KIDS PROGRAMS AT IDAHO RESORTS

The Ski Idaho association also offers a 5th/6th Grade Passport program that includes free skiing and riding at Schweitzer, Silver Mountain, Lookout Pass, and other Idaho ski areas. The program is available to kids from Washington and Idaho. Apply at skiidaho.us with an $18 processing fee and note blackout dates and other COVID related updates.

Schweitzer Mountain Resort in Sandpoint also has some great ski and snowboard lesson programs lined up this year. Families can register for lessons with the Ski & Ride Center, whether it’s a private one-hour lesson for a child up to age 6 or a semi-private 2-hour group lesson for ages 4-6. For ages 3 and under, private lessons are available and parent participation is strongly encouraged. Schweitzer’s Ski & Ride Center will have 2-hour group lessons for ages 4-6. The Children’s Center, onmountain day care, will have limited availability this winter—call or email before arrival. A limited number of day tickets will be available, sold in advance online, in order for local season-passholders to have priority access.

will teach kids how to slide on snow and give a parent teaching tools to help their child “continue practicing those skills after the lesson is over,” she says.

“Group sizes will be reduced for all age categories to allow for social distancing. We will also be offering more options for lesson times to help reduce crowding and spread demand out over the course of the day,” says Pasino. “We expect demand to be high, and availability may be limited, particularly on busy weekends and holiday periods. For anyone concerned about crowds, weekdays are a great option to consider.”

Private lessons for 1-5 people (all ages) are being offered this season for a set rate, providing a great value. This allows “guests the ability to stay in the comfort of their own family/friends bubble, get great coaching, and enjoy a day on the slopes with those they are most comfortable with,” says Pasino. Private one or two-hour lessons for Mommy/ Daddy & Me sessions are available daily (one parent and one child).

Parents can book lessons, buy lift tickets, and reserve rentals in advance at Ski49n.com.

LOOKOUT PASS SKI & RECREATION AREA— MULLAN, IDAHO

Private lessons for individuals, families, and self-organized small groups of family and friends are available with advance reservations—call (208) 744-1234 and ask for the Ski School Desk.

“If a family or friends group is comfortable taking lessons together or having their children take lessons together, we will happily accommodate them,” says Lookout Marketing Director Matt Sawyer.

Because the Free Ski School is not part of Lookout’s professional instruction program, and taught by volunteers, the planning process is still being figured out for 2021. But according to Sawyer there will be a free lesson program this winter. Check for updates and make reservations at Skilookout.com.

MT. SPOKANE SKI & SNOWBOARD PARK— SPOKANE, WASH.

The new management team at Mt. Spokane—General Manager Jim van Löben Sels; Director of Marketing Jodi Kayler; and Outdoor Recreation Manager (ski school director) Katrin Pardue—has been working on program offerings and modifying plans according to Washington’s Safe Start and Spokane County public health requirements.

“Our top priority is to provide the opportunity to shred the stoke, while keeping customers and staff safe and healthy,” says Pardue. The on-mountain Snoplay Daycare is closed this season, so the Mini Mites group lesson program will only be a two-hour session. Many of Mt. Spokane’s other lesson programs, however, will be provided this winter.

“We are limiting numbers of students per group to two pods of 12 people for each age group. Our Minis will only have 6 total students per group,” Pardue says. In addition, meeting points for class groups will be spread out around the base area in order to prevent crowding. Three-day Holiday Camps and multi-week packages for Saturdays and had leashes that looped around her boots

Sundays are also available.

Make online reservations for lift tickets and lessons and check program updates at Mtspokane.com.

SILVER MOUNTAIN RESORT— KELLOGG, IDAHO

Families can schedule private or semiprivate lessons for all ability levels with 24-hour advance reservations required. Lessons for weekends and holiday periods must also be booked online, at least 24 hours in advance.

7-12, is only offering group sessions for “Never-Ever” (Level 1) and Beginners (Level 2) this season. Because the on-mountain daycare is closed, the Prospectors programs for kids age 6 and younger is cancelled. Plans have not yet been announced for Silver’s ALL Mountain Kids Club.

Find complete program details and updates at Silvermt.com.

Amy McCaffree first learned to ski in 9th grade with Friday night lessons at Ski Acres, at Snoqualmie Pass, through her school’s Ski Club. Her first set of used skis The Silver Kids lesson program, for ages

(no brakes). Now she alpine skis with her ski-patroller husband and their two children at Mt. Spokane.

AMY ON OGOPOGO AT BIG WHITE. // PHOTO: SHALLAN KNOWLES

SKI THE NW ROCKIES ASSOCIATION 5TH GRADE SKI FREE PASSPORT

This popular program helps get 5th graders out on the slopes for free. There will be a few COVID-related changes this year, including blackout dates on Saturdays, holidays, and possibly ski race days. Even with those changes it’s still an extraordinary deal for 5th graders. To participate, parents need to submit an application with a $20 processing fee at 5thgradeskipassport.com. The passport provides three free days at all participating ski areas with a parent/guardian present. Visit 5thgradeskipassport.com for more information on blackout dates, other COVID related updates, and additional offers for lessons and rentals for families of 5th graders.

EVERY TIME I’m on the mountain, witnessing the next generation of skiers and snowboarders tearing it up, I feel hopeful and excited for the future. These kids—thanks to their parents, instructors, and coaches— are daring, brave, and strong, from the bunny hill toddler snowplowing S-turns to the pre-teen blazing down a black diamond. Here are four local rippers, ages 12 and younger, to look for this season at their local Ski the NW Rockies association affiliated ski resorts. (Personal disclosure: One is my son.)

Little Rippers of the Inland NW By Amy McCaffree

LIBBY COLLINS, SKIER, AGE 12

• HOME MOUNTAIN: Silver Mountain; also trains at Mt. Spokane and Mt. Hood (Oregon). • FAVORITE RUNS AT SILVER: Tall Paul, SOB, the race course. • LEARNED TO SKI AT AGE 2: “I was taught by my mom and dad, which helped me to become the skier I am today. By the time I was around six I started ski racing.” • LOVES SKIING BECAUSE: “It’s a very motivational sport, and it tests your limits. You have the choice to push yourself as hard as you want. There are endless things to work on while you are skiing because you will always have room to improve.” • SKI RACING: Silver Mountain Alpine Race Team (SMART) since 2014. Coaches include Andru Miller, Halli Densley, and Kosuke Imamura from Silver Mountain, and Dan Henry from Mt. Spokane. • SKI BUDDIES: Mom because “she is an amazing skier and always makes it fun,” and SMART teammates. • GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: “Coming back strong after being out for over a year with several injuries.” • MOST MEMORABLE SKI DAYS: “Going to Mt. Hood for the first time; shredding powder all day during a massive powder dump; and night skiing with friends…Although those were all really fun, one of my favorites has to be sleeping in the lodge on Silver Mountain with the ski team and staying up late hanging out.” • OTHER RECREATION: Hiking, biking, camping, swimming, softball, volleyball, ski racing camps during summer and fall, and doing CrossFit “to get stronger.” • FUTURE AMBITION: Become a member of the U.S. Ski Team and compete in the Olympics.

KENDAL BRUMET, SKIER, AGE 11

• HOME MOUNTAIN: Lookout Pass; dualpass holder this season at Lookout and Silver Mountain. • FAVORITE RUNS AT LOOKOUT: Montana Face, Lucky Friday. • LEARNED TO SKI AT AGE 2: Parents and one year of ski school. • LOVES SKIING BECAUSE: “I’m adventurous and I love going fast down hills.” • SKI BUDDIES: Mom and Dad because “they always give me great tips.” • SKI RACING: Lookout Pass Ski Team member since age 6; coached by Tom Carter and her mom, Libby (Dad, Jamie, oversees course maintenance). “Slalom is my favorite because I get to hit the gates. I like going through tight turns. Going through a slalom course is like going through trees, and my coach Tom always says if you can dodge a gate you can dodge a tree.” • FREE SKI VS. RACING: “I love to do both. When I’m racing, I have my heart set on racing. When free skiing, I love the powder and skiing through the trees, and like to free ski with my friends.

• GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS SO FAR:

(1) Being chosen as a “forerunner” for a college race event, which means skiing the slalom course so officials can check gate placement; (2) Making it across the pond skim. • OTHER RECREATION: Volleyball, camping, and swimming. • FUTURE AMBITION: “I’d like to race as long as I can. I’d love to race in the World Cup—if not, the local Northwest Cup. And maybe if I stopped liking it, I would go into coaching because I love kids and seeing them succeed in what they love to do.” • SKI ADVICE: “Everybody crashes. You don’t have to be perfect at skiing, you only need to be the best you can be.”

LANDON MCCAFFREE, SKIER, AGE 10

• HOME MOUNTAIN: Mt. Spokane; dual season passholder at Schweitzer and Mt. Spokane, 2018-2020. • FAVORITE RUNS AT MT. SPOKANE: Jump Hill, Big 200, Gates Park, Smuggler’s Notch. • LEARNED TO SKI AT AGE 2: Parent-taught, no ski school. • LOVES SKIING BECAUSE: “It’s fun to get out onto the mountain. I like the thrill and adrenaline of going fast. I like skiing in the trees because there’s often lots of powder there. People typically go on the same paths, but Daddy and I go where people haven’t skied and we sometimes find a foot of powder.” • SKI BUDDY: “My favorite person to ski with is my dad because he taught me how to ski and he’s a really good skier. I was 5 years old when he first took me down Whiplash, a double-black diamond run at Schweitzer. I’ve gone down almost all the double-blacks now at Schweitzer.”

• ON BEING THE SON OF A SKI PATROLLER:

“It’s fun to help out by ‘doing sweep’ with my dad at closing time (at Mt. Spokane), and my family gets to hang out in the patrol lodge.” • GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: “Jumping off a big rock, 8 feet, into powder on Siberian at Schweitzer. The second time I went much further, about 12 feet, and did a somersault into the snow and lost both my skis.”

• WHY HE FREE SKIES AND DOESN’T RACE:

“I enjoy free skiing because I can go on all the runs I like, can go wherever I want on the mountain, and ski with Dad on the weekends. When I ski, I like to relax and not worry about anything.” • OTHER RECREATION: Fly-fishing, soccer, biking, and camping. • DOWNTIME DURING WINTER: Building motorized chairlifts with LEGOS. • FUTURE AMBITION: “Get better at jumping off big rocks and go skiing at other big mountains.”

OLIVER (OLLIE) PECK, SKIER, 5 YEARS OLD

• HOME MOUNTAIN: 49˚ North. • FAVORITE RUNS: Hobbit Forest • LEARNED TO SKI AT AGE 1.5: Parenttaught. First day on skis at 1½ years old; first ski full season at age 2, going 1-2 times a week throughout the season. “We don’t have our kids in lessons [yet], because we both have a deep history in ski education,” says Oliver’s dad, Nate, who formerly worked as assistant director of 49’s ski school and director of training for Stevens Pass. (Ollie’s 2-year-old sister started skiing last season.) Ollie’s mom, Carrie, was a ski instructor at 49. “I think going forward we’ll get Ollie involved with instruction from other people.” • ENJOYS SKIING BECAUSE: “It’s on snow and I like it. I like going through the forest.” • SKI BUDDIES: Uncle Reuben and friends Takoda, Maddi and Fiona, Mason, Caleb, and his sister, Maple. • GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: “Going down from the top of the mountain,” says Oliver. Dad says, “I’m really proud of how he’s very methodical. He takes risks but he’s very calculated…as he makes his way down the mountain. [Last spring] he just started skiing by himself (without support), top to bottom, on all green runs. And he can handle some blue runs.”

• MOST MEMORABLE SKI DAY FOR DAD

LAST SPRING: “Ollie had taken a big fall and was pretty rattled. But he [got up and] skied the run, which was a little out of his comfort zone, and then he kept going after it again, after another lift ride. He had determination even though it was hard— and probably above his skill level—rising to the challenge and learning on the slope, applying what he knew to skiing on more difficult terrain.” • OTHER RECREATION: Swimming, climbing, bike-riding, hiking, exploring nature. • FUTURE AMBITION: “I want to go off very, very big jumps!”

6 tips for budgetfriendly skiing By Derrick Knowles

LIVING IN THE INLAND NORTHWEST we are fortunate that skiing and snowboarding are still affordable family activities. Our local resorts offer plenty of deals, and your family doesn’t need to look like you just stepped out of a Patagonia catalog to keep dry and have a day of fun sliding in the snow together. While skiing as a family may be a little more challenging this winter due to the ongoing pandemic, the benefits of getting outside for fun and exercise will be more important than ever this winter. These tips will help you and your kids get out there this season and save money in the process.

1. LIFT TICKET & SEASON PASS DEALS: One of the easiest ways to save money if you plan to ski and snowboard several times this winter is to take advantage of discounted season passes. Fall season pass sales typically end by the middle of November or earlier, although you should be able to buy a full-priced pass after sales end. This year many local resorts may restrict lift ticket sales on busy days due to concerns about overcrowding, which means having a season pass that gives you and your family nearly guaranteed access, especially on weekends, will be more worth it than ever. Some resorts offer family season passes too with more savings. If you only plan to head to the mountains a couple times, check your local resort’s website for any promotional deals.

2. BUY USED GEAR: Buying used ski and snowboard equipment and apparel is a no-brainer for cash-strapped families. In more normal times, ski swaps have been the place to go for great deals on everything from boards and boots to jackets, ski pants, and gloves. This year Northwest ski swaps have been canceled, so it may take more effort to find quality used gear. Try shops like Spokane’s Rambleraven Gear Trader or Play It Again Sports that sell quality used gear, thrift stores where you can occasionally score incredible deals, and sites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. For more details, check out the article on used gear by Amy McCaffree on page 37.

3. BORROW WHAT YOU NEED: If you have friends or family who ski or snowboard with their kids, ask around to see if any of them have old gear they’ve grown out of that you or your kids could borrow. Most people are happy to have a friend use old ski or snowboard equipment that would otherwise be gathering dust in the garage.

4. LEASE OR RENT: Several ski shops in the Inland Northwest lease or rent ski and snowboard equipment. Spokane Alpine Haus has a popular Jr. Ski/Snowboard Season Lease program that facilitates huge savings on needing to replace equipment that many kids grow out of after a season or two. Local resorts also rent equipment, although having your gear rental or lease lined up as early as possible will be more important than ever this season as more pandemic-weary people flock to the mountains.

5. SKI OR RIDE WITH WHAT YOU’VE GOT: Many budgets are tighter this year than they have been in years and buying new or even used gear may be out of the question for some of you. If that sounds familiar, this may be the year of making the old gear you have work. Spruce up old and beat-down boots with a new pair of insoles. Fix old jackets and pants with stickon gear patches. Let the kids ride on boards that might be a bit too small for them and wear jackets and pants that might need some creative adjustments to fit right. Anything is better than forfeiting all that quality outdoor time a season on the ski hill provides.

6. BROWN BAG IT: With a fall surge in COVID cases and the potential for mask mandates and limits on the number of physically distanced individuals that will be allowed in lodges at one time, packing your own lunches, snacks, and beverages will help you save money and stay healthy. Get creative and think beyond brown bag staples. Bring an ice chest to keep tasty goodies from freezing, hot beverages and soup in insulated bottles, your own utensils and plates, several quarts of drinking water per person, garbage and recycling bags, a gas grill for some quick tailgate BBQ or heating up treats like frozen burritos in foil, and lawn chairs if the parking lot isn’t full and the weather cooperates. //

You’ve known me as bootfitter, ski-tuner and shop rat. Now I’m the owner. ~Mark Beattie

Coming Soon To Spokane Valley Climbing ° Backcountry Skiing ° Mountaineering ° Outdoor Accessories

playing in the snow

WHEN IS THE RIGHT AGE to introduce a child to skiing or snowboarding? That question is best answered with more questions. Will your child be walking by this winter? Does your child like the snow, tolerate the cold, and enjoy new challenges? Are one or both parents motivated to drive the child up to the mountain to spend rewarding yet occasionally frustrating hours on the bunny hill teaching them basic skills? Is another family member or trusted mentor willing to take that task on? Is your child old enough for lessons?

If you answered yes to the first two questions and one or more of the following ones, then this winter, when we may be cooped up more than normal, might be the perfect time to get them started on the slopes. If it doesn’t feel like the right time or the financial stars aren’t aligning this winter, getting your child outside to play in the cold and snow as much as possible is a great backup plan. Playing outdoors in the winter will get kids accustomed to having fun in cold, wet conditions and prepared for learning to ski or snowboard next season. Here are a few ideas for having outdoor winter fun.

1. Play in the Snow: The best way to help distract kids from cold and wet weather is to play with them in it. Have a snowball fight, build a fort or igloo, make a snowman or snow angels, make your own sledding hill out of piled up snow, visit a local sledding hill, or hunt for wildlife tracks in a local park or natural area.

2. Go Snowshoeing: Hiking in the snow on plastic snowshoes (available in kids and adult sizes at REI and adult sizes for rent at Rambleraven Gear Trader in Spokane) doesn’t require a lift ticket and is easy for just about anyone to learn. Snowshoeing can get the whole family enjoying winter outside together at a minimal cost and is a great start for a family looking to eventually

SKI RACING PROGRAMS TAKE YOUNG SKIERS TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Is ski racing a good fit for your child? If they already have basic ski skills and can get their skis off and on, ride the lift, and go to the bathroom by themselves and show an interest in taking their skiing to the next level by learning new skills, it just might be. Kids do not need to already be super strong skiers to get involved in a ski team. Dan Henry, executive director and head coach of the Mt. Spokane Ski Racing Team notes that it’s a great way for kids to learn new skills and become great all-mountain skiers.

Inland Northwest ski race teams will likely be making some changes to their programs to limit pandemic related health risks and keep kids and parents safe. Registration for these ski racing teams should begin as normal this fall but check in early to keep up to date on any COVID-related changes to each mountain’s ski race program. • Mt. Spokane Ski Race Team: Mssrt.org • 49 Degrees North FAST Program: Ski49n.com/mountain-services/race-program • Lookout Pass Race Team: Skilookout.com/race-teams • Schweitzer Alpine Racing School (SARS): Sars.snowproportal.com (OTO) get into alpine skiing and snowboarding.

3. Go Tubing: Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, Silver Mountain Resort, and Schweitzer Mountain Resort all have tubing hills where tubes and a pull back to the top are included with a ticket. The great thing about tubing at a resort is that kids also get to experience the mountain environment and watch people skiing, snowboarding, and riding chairlifts. Bear Creek Lodge on the way up to Mt. Spokane also offers tubing.

4. Try Cross-country Skiing: With simple cross-country ski gear that you can pick up new or used from many shops around the Inland Northwest, including Rambleraven Gear Trader and Fitness Fanatics in Spokane, or rent from shops like REI, a family can get great exercise and have quality time outdoors. It’s also a great way to introduce kids to sliding on boards strapped to their feet.

5. Backcountry Skiing for Kids: If you are concerned about taking your child up to the resorts on busy weekends during the pandemic, consider buying a pair of Balla Hok skis from Curlew, Wash.-based Altai Skis (Altaiskis.com). These ski/snowshoe hybrids for kids have a climbing skin embedded into the bottom of the skis. You can get them with universal, free-heel bindings that work with normal winter boots. Throw in some ski poles and assuming you have your own backcountry gear or a pair of adult Hoks, you and your child can explore safe, mellow slopes well away from any avalanche danger in a local park, resort sidecountry, or snowy forest road or rolling hills. (Derrick Knowles)

TIPS FOR KEEPING KIDS WARM OUTSIDE

Make sure your children stay warm while playing in the snow, whether they’re skiing or snowboarding or tubing. “Layer-up in synthetic clothing— children can always take layers off if they get too hot,” says Mt. Spokane Ski School Director Katrin Pardue. A phrase to remember is “Cotton Kills, and Jeans are Mean.” A base-layer made of merino wool or a synthetic material like polypropelene will insulate as well as wick away sweat. Fleece makes a great mid-layer, like a vest or jacket.

Outerwear coat and snow pants should be both waterproof and windproof—what’s typically referred to as being “weatherproof.” In addition, provide your kids with handwarmers; choose mittens rather than gloves, especially for younger kids; and secure the cuff or mittens or gloves either under or over jacket sleeves-cuffs.

“Make sure children drink plenty of water…and use the bathroom right before lessons,” says Pardue. “Eat a good breakfast and have something warm during lunch…to heat up their little bodies.” (Amy McCaffree)

TOP LEFT: MT. SPOKANE TUBING, PHOTO COURTESY OF MT. SPOKANE // TOP RIGHT: BACKYARD COOKING WITH SNOW // GAVIN MAKES A SNOWSTORM. PHOTOS: SHALLAN KNOWLES