Inland Northwest Winter Guide 2022/2023

RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF IT ALL

pokane, Coeur d’Alene, the Inland Northwest…

It’s a beautiful part of the world, and if you just look up a little above the horizon you’ll notice it’s overflowing with winter sports adventures ripe for the taking.

INSIDE WINTER GUIDE

AFTER-SKI FUN

From most vantage points around Spokane, you can see the white top of MT. SPOKANE, always beckoning to skiers and riders. A little ways north up the road from Spokane, nestled above Chewelah, you’ll find 49 DEGREES NORTH and its massive acreage. Out in Idaho, keep driving east on I-90 from Coeur d’Alene and you’ll hit SILVER MOUNTAIN’s spectacular gondola right in downtown Kellogg. Go a little farther, exactly where Montana starts, and you’re at LOOKOUT PASS, right in the way of big snow systems every winter. Looming high above Sandpoint and Lake Pend Oreille, SCHWEITZER spreads across the treeline, with commanding views to the south. And down that way, above Lake Cascade between Boise and McCall, TAMARACK offers the unique experience of being one of the newest regional resorts.

There’s tons to do down in the lowlands, from high-end dining to entertainment to one-of-a-kind shopping. Check it out starting on page 16.

Up in Canada, just barely over the border, it’s Rossland and RED MOUNTAIN with its twin peaks, Granite and Red. Near the west arm of Kootenay Lake and bustling Nelson, BC, sits WHITEWATER and its nearly 500 inches of annual snow. Head east, and you’ll find KIMBERLEY, known for sunny days and light powder coming off the Purcell Range. And almost in Alberta, say hello to the charming old mining town of FERNIE and its namesake resort’s five different bowls to spoil you.

Read on, get fired up and you’ll be making plans to come visit in no time. See you soon!

Information contained within this publication has been developed to the best of our knowledge and any omissions or errors are unintentional. All rights reserved. No part of this guide may be reproduced without permission of the publisher. For advertising information, please contact us at 509-325-0634. © 2022 Inland Publications, Inc.

DID YOU KNOW

When you add up the 11 resorts featured inside,you’ll find the Inland Northwest has a massivestash of winter adventure — all of them betweenonly 35 and 240 miles of Spokane. The totalverticality you can ski on those resorts is awhopping 20,965 FEET — 655 feet higher thanDenali. And the combined annual snowfall logs inat 2,650 INCHES — nearly as long as a Boeing 747!

INLAND NORTHWEST

Winter Map

Inland Publications, Inc., 1227 W Summit Parkway, Spokane, WA 99201 snowlander.com

STAY

TO

TRAVELING TO CANADA

As

DID YOU KNOW

Skiing started at Lookout Pass in1935; the following year, a ropetow was put in using parts froman abandoned wreck on the oldYellowstone Highway (now I-90).Its lodge opened in 1941 and is thesecond oldest in the Northwest.

Getting Here’s Easy!

Airports

have been having a bad year, but Spokane International Airport is different. It’s the second-busiest in the state of Washington, with three concourses and seven different airlines (including Alaska, Delta, Southwest, American and United), but it’s got a small footprint, is easy to navigate and quick to get in and out of (downtown Spokane is a 10-minute drive). Plus, it offers non-stop service to 20 cities, including Los Angeles, Phoenix, Dallas and even Atlanta. And of course you can get to and from Seattle, Everett or Portland in about an hour in the air.

Located atop the crest of the Bitterroot Range, straddling the state line between Idaho and Montana, Lookout averages 400 inches of snow per year. There’s a good chance that number will increase as the ski area expands into the higher terrain of Eagle Peak this winter. That expansion, off the backside of the mountain and mostly on the Montana side of the state line, will also nearly double the footprint of Lookout’s skiable area. Lookout may be growing, but one thing that will never change is its hometown charm that has been attracting loyal skiers and boarders from Spokane to Missoula since 1935.

There will be plenty of new runs to explore this winter as Lookout Pass expands adding 500 new acres of skiable terrain spread over 14 new runs. Our 2nd quad lift will take visitors to the top of Eagle Peak, off the backside of the existing ski area, which adds 500 vertical feet now offering 1,650 feet vertical. The new runs will challenge intermediate and advanced skiers.

ESCAPE THE CROWDS

If you want a skiing or snowboarding experience away from the crowds and without all those expensive bells and whistles, Lookout Pass is the place for you. It is an easy drive down I-90 from Spokane to the mountain, take Exit 0 located on the ID-MT border. “We’re not a destination resort with on-site lodging and all the congestion that comes with that,” says Matt Sawyer, Lookout Pass’s director of marketing. “Lookout’s always been a family-friendly, local ski area with a fun vibe.”

Lookout Pass has always had the best powder—and this year there are 500 new acres of it. Our new Eagle Peak expansion means fresh terrain, 14 new runs, and a second quad chairlift. It’s an affordable family and friends ski day that’s easy to reach via I-90.

The largest ski resort in Idaho and Washington offers something for everyone. Located in the Selkirk Mountains in North Idaho, the resort has more than 2,900 acres of terrain and an average annual snowfall of 300 inches. Beginner skiers and snowboarders can check out the mountain’s mellow green and transitionary blue runs, while experts can challenge themselves on the steeper black diamonds. The mountain has 92 named trails — more than enough to occupy skiers of all ages. The mountain, which overlooks Sandpoint Idaho and Lake Pend Oreille, is known for tree skiing and high-angle grooming.

Good news for skiers who don’t like waiting in lines: Schweitzer is upgrading their six-person Stella high speed chair lift with 14 new chairs — increasing the lift’s total capacity. The upgrade will help skiers and snowboards get up the mountain and access tree skiing and long runs on the mountain’s Outback Bowl. On the front side of the mountain, four new snowmaking guns will provide more consistent snow cover in the early season.

MASTER THE MIDWEEK

If your schedule allows, Sean Mirus, Schweitzer’s marketing and special events director, recommends visiting on a weekday when the mountain is less crowded. “You’re gonna have the place to yourself,” Mirus says. “Whether it’s a half day or a full day, skiing in those off times is always going to be a benefit.” Mirus says the resort’s season passes are also a good bet for skiers hoping to hit the slopes often. The snowfall is expected to be top-notch this season, Mirus says, so you might as well make the most of it.

As the old saying goes, the journey is often better than the destination. In the case of Silver Mountain, the journey is on par with the destination. In order to start tackling the slopes in Kellogg Idaho, skiers and snowboarders must first take the scenic gondola up the mountain. Then, take any of Silver Mountain’s six lifts to their myriad of intermediate and advanced trails. Put

The all-new Jackass Snack Shack is in a bigger building and better than ever. This pit stop, located at Midway Chair 4, is stocked up on snacks and beverages, and also includes a new restroom. The Silver Mountain team is dedicated to ensuring their runs are in tip-top shape for skiers and snowboarders alike. This year, another groomer has been added to the fleet of vehicles that maintain the slopes. Silver Mountain is also expanding its inbounds terrain with a new run located off of Chair 2. Though the run is yet to be named, the area is naturally gladed and known to hold a tremendous amount of powder, perfect for navigating the mountain with ease. When you’re ready to warm up inside the Mountain House, you can enjoy the updated interior that features new carpet and paint.

FLEX ON ’EM

can save big bucks at

RUNS52

LIFTS

INCHES ANNUAL SNOWFALL

With its 5,889 foot peak looming over the city, Mt. Spokane truly is Spokane’s mountain and its proximity has made it a favorite among locals for decades. The mountain’s 1,704 acres are home to six lifts serving 52 runs. The vast terrain park attracts ’boarders and freestylers, while the abundance of expert runs descending from the Vista House and on the backside are a sanctuary for advanced thrill seekers. The robust and affordable ski school — it’s the only non-profit ski area in the region — makes it a haven for the young and inexperienced as well.

After a massive expansion in 2019, followed by a pair of COVID-hampered seasons, Mt. Spokane is now undergoing a 10-year strategic growth plan with subtle changes around the mountain adding up to a massive improvements on the whole. This season, visitors can look forward to an increase in entertainment with more live music. When hunger strikes, a redone kitchen with an expanded menu will be there to hit the spot. On the slopes, an expanded grooming team will work to keep the corduroy in top shape.

SKI AFTER WORK

“We have the most night skiing in the region, and we’re so close to town that it makes it super easy to come up here after work and get some runs in,” says assistant manager Jodi Kayler. Mt. Spokane offers the most night skiing in the region, with 16 runs illuminated until 9 pm, Wednesdays through Saturdays, starting December 16. With a trip from downtown Spokane up to the lodge taking just over an hour, it really is one of the rare mountains that can be enjoyed after working a 9-to-5.

Consistently voted one of the best places to ski & snowboard by readers of the Inlander, Mt. Spokane provides exceptional skiing and snowboarding for all ages and abilities. With 52 runs, 7-day-a-week operations, an epic terrain park, and a robust ski school, this special place offers something for everyone.

49 Degrees North is extending three of the new runs added last year — Alpine Steel, Gunslinger, Tin Star — further up so that patrons can now drop in from Silver Ridge, not just Beaver Slide. Also, a new masticating attachment for its PistenBully winch cat (affectionately nicknamed “Chop Chop”) can chew up brush and stumps on steep slopes like Sluice Box and Last Chance. For skiers and boarders, this translates to smoother terrain and runs being open earlier than ever before.

Skiing

Back Country Skiing

RUNS

The Whitewater ops team has been busy laying the groundwork for a new lift set to open for the 2023-24 season and have expanded overall parking capacity by nearly 15%. Coming March 2023, is the new Hummingbird Lodge and Campground. The new facility will be the place for RV camping, backcountry rentals and all your nordic ski needs; the tent campground will open for summer of 2023. (They’ll even be bringing in new EV charging stations.)

Deep in British Columbia’s Kootenay region exists a one-of-a-kind experience. For those with a passion for epic winters, in a most unique and authentic setting, there is a place. Paradise is found in alpine bowls of bottomless powder, gladed trees as far as your gaze can stretch, and abundant natural hits to keep you smiling long past the last chair. Located just a 20-minute drive from the City of Nelson, BC, which features over 40 restaurants, a thriving arts and culture scene, an abundance of accommodations, hot springs, and a winter vibe second to none.

FOR THOSE BORN TO ROAM

Whitewater Ski Resort offers one ride tickets starting at $40 for those looking to explore Whitewater’s extensive backcountry terrain. Avalanche safety training courses are available throughout the season giving you the necessary knowledge and skills to manage avalanche terrain. Don’t forget, there is no wifi or cell service at Whitewater, so make sure to organize a meet up spot with the rest of your group prior to arrival.

PLACE there is a ROAM for those born to

Photo by Stephan Malette

LodgingCat Skiing

The Constella: A Cabin Collective comprises six overnight cabins and a central clubhouse, creating an utterly unique, on-mountain ski-in-only experience at RED. With a completely overhauled experience for the 2022-23 winter, these individually named cabins dish up a night under the stars, with dinner, baggage transportation, a full bar, games, outdoor firepit and morning breakfast options all at the beautiful central Clubhouse. The Constella has quickly become our most FOMO offering, as it provides direct skiable access first thing in the morning. “Shred. Sleep. Repeat.” has never felt more accurate.

BACKCOUNTRY WONDERLAND

RED Mountain is a place of powerful contrasts. It’s the oldest resort in Western Canada, yet also the home of the most significant terrain expansion in the last decade; proudly Canadian yet located only minutes over the USA border in the snowy Kootenay Mountains. You can stay a snowball’s throw from the lift at a clean, modern hostel, kick back at a slopeside condo or in a boutique hotel. You’ll find famous tree runs, pristine powder, glorious groomers, Ikon Pass access and the only snowbound taco truck in Canada. You’ll love the unpretentious vibes and massive terrain — 3,850 acres, among the 10 biggest in North America.

RED is a great ski resort, but it’s also a great jumping off point for loads of epic backcountry destinations. Mt. Roberts, Mt. Kirkup and White Wolf Ridge are all nearby. RED is all about taking every safety precaution in the backcountry, and they even have a BCA Wireless Beacon Training Park, where you can practice with your avalanche transceiver. One great option is to hire Summit Mountain Guides out of Nelson to lead you safely through some of Canada’s most beautiful terrain. Another way to all those untracked glades and bowls is Big Red Cats, offering daily cat ski trips right from RED’s base area.

tame crowds and wild shredding are just the

A powder day at Fernie will be the best skiing of your life. Delivering over 2500 acres of skiable terrain, up to 37 feet of snow in a season, 142 named runs, five alpine bowls, state-of-the-art snowmaking and grooming equipment, and an exceptional beginner’s area, Fernie is a true winter playground. Epic snow. Big lines. Vast mountains. A historic town complete with stories and legends. Interesting characters. Passionate people. This is Fernie. Where legendary skiing and snowboarding fuse with real stories from locals, pioneers, ski bums and freeskiers in one of the most classic Rocky Mountain ski towns in North America.

Kimberley Alpine Resort receives an average snowfall of 13 feet in a sea son, featuring North America’s largest gladed terrain. Kimberley also boasts the best combination of sun and light Purcell powder of any other resort in Canada. With more than 1,800 acres of terrain, 80 named runs and glades and a variety of ski-in/ski-out accommodations, there’s plenty to discover. Your experience includes a newly enhanced beginner’s area, long interme diate trails and steep terrain for the advanced skier. Located in the Purcell Range of the Canadian Rockies, Kimberley offers stunning scenery and a relaxed atmosphere that lets you make the most of your winter getaway.

COEUR D’ALENE CASINO

Worley, ID 1-800-523-2464 • cdacasino.com

AT COEUR D’ALENE CASINO, revel in the beauty and serenity of our exciting resort casino. With a championship golf course, world-class spa, accommodations, award-winning cuisine and the hottest casino games, the perfect getaway begins here. We offer a premier hotel experience that makes each guest feel right at home. With 300+ hotel rooms to choose from, you’ll enjoy deluxe amenities and picturesque views of the surrounding landscape.

GAMING

Welcome to the home of the most million-dollar jackpots in the Inland Northwest. Our 60,000-square-foot casino floor features 1,200 gaming machines, video blackjack and more.

SPA SSAKWA’Q’N (pronounced “sock-wock-en”)

Spa Ssakwa’q’n offers premier spa services, 7 days a week. Featuring unique facials, massages, and body treatments to best serve your relaxation needs. CDACasino.com/spa

DINING

Discover award-winning restaurants at Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort. Savor the delectable taste of local products, including wild Nisqually salmon, prime beef, and other chefselected ingredients at Chinook Crafted by Chef Adam Hegsted The Restaurant’s warm hospitality, tranquil ambiance and superior cuisine make it a perfect way to wind down and enjoy the evening.

With a laid-back atmosphere complete with a glowing fire and rustic décor, Red Tail Bar & Grill features specialty items reflecting the region, along with refreshing libations.

Also enjoy a delicious and healthy lunch at Twisted Earth Grill, or grab a quick bite to go at Huckleberry Deli CDACasino.com/dining

PUB & GRUB PACKAGE

NOW – JUNE 1st, 2023 STARTING AT $164.95

Package includes a one-night stay in a Mountain Lodge Room, $40 food and beverage credit and two Pub & Grub T-shirts.

Use code WINPUBGRUB to book now!

Little Dragon Eatery

NOW OPEN

Experience our all-new dining venue at Coeur d’Alene Casino. Little Dragon Eatery offers great options for quick and easy dining for lunch and dinner. Come enjoy your favorite Asian-inspired dishes like cashew pork, orange chicken, pork fried rice and more.

See cdacasino.com for more details.

is

, all-season destination on 3,500 acres, 90 miles north of Boise. From on-site lodging, dining and event space to the full range of outdoor recreation in the Idaho mountains, there’s adventure for any season. The winter brings 2,800 feet of vertical on 2,000 mountain acres for skiers and snowboarders. You’ll find the people are friendly, kind and quick to welcome all with open arms. We’re always up for an adventure and eager to have a good time with others, regardless of their ability level. No matter who

quick to invite

to join the Tam Fam.

winter sports adventure based around Spokane checks all the boxes, as there’s a lot more to experience beyond the world-class skiing and snowboarding options. Down in the SpokaneCoeur d’Alene lowlands, there are all kinds of options for dining, entertainment and shopping. Here’s a sampling of just a scratch at the surface, from French to vegan food, and from vintage shops to fine artworks by the region’s best artists. And as always, the local venues are offering up a full slate of great events all through the winter.

Enjoying the great outdoors means you’re bound to work up an appetite, and there have never been more options for dining in Spokane. Head west, to EAST, at Northern Quest Resort & Casino, for pan-Asian favorites like steamed dumplings, Tokyo style ramen, and house specialty grilled black cod skewers, all served up in a contemporary space. If you’re in the market for something more Continental, consider FRANCAISE, a newcomer in the South Perry district, serving up approachable French cuisine including classic steak and fries.

CHEERS!

Take a break and enjoy a beverage at one of Spokane’s many purveyors of beer, cider, wine and distilled spirits. The MARYHILL WINERY tasting room is at Kendall Yards, while UPRISE BREWING is just to the west, with elevated pub food. East of downtown, you’ll find NO DROUGHT BREWERY in Spokane Valley and UP NORTH DISTILLERY in Post Falls.

If meat and potatoes just aren’t your thing, RÜT, a vegan gastropub may have what you’re looking for. Dive into a Rüt Burger with charred tomato jam, or share an order of buffalo cauliflower wings while enjoying a craft cocktail. BARK, A RESCUE PUB offers both creative food and the potential to change your life. Share a house-specialty Fry Board and after you’ve eaten, consider adopting one of the pets available courtesy of the pub’s partnership with the Spokane Humane Society.

At GANDER & RYEGRASS, diners choose from several prix-fixe options for either three- or six-course Italian dinners. The menu changes day-to-day. Add wine pairings to complete this one-of-a-kind experience. If elegance is what you’re after, darling, you must look no further than EMMA RUE’S, a “luxe cafe” with a 1920s’ Euro-inspired setting. Of course, cocktails and specialty coffee drinks are on the menu, but there are also plenty of savory and sweets as well. 

getaway

Emma Rue’s

Bark, A Rescue Pub

davenporthotelcollection.com

@davenporthospitality

AFTER-SKI FUN

RETAIL THERAPY

Grab a shopping bag and hit the streets to enjoy one-of-a-kind shopping at the wide variety of locally owned shops. For guys, you can’t go wrong with a visit to ANDERSON & CO. inside downtown Spokane’s River Park Square, featuring personal service and brands like Peter Millar, David Donahue and Hickey Freeman. For the gals, stylists are on hand at LI LA BEAUTY in Liberty Lake, to offer help choosing from the shops’ carefully chosen collection of “just the right vibe” women’s clothing and accessories.

Meanwhile, kids just want to have fun, and perhaps nowhere is better for that than a visit to WHIZ KIDS toy store also in River Park Square. Adults can get in on the toy-testing, too, as older kids-at-heart, will require a lengthy visit to explore the selection of vinyl, books, barware and gifts at FINN BOY RECORDS, BOOKS & CURIO on North Monroe.

ENTERTAIN ME!

F or active entertainment, it’s hard to beat a visit to BLOC YARD BOULDERING GYM, where the whole family can safely scale new heights. Anger issues? Check out HATCHET THROWING at Heber Hatchets or Jumping Jackalope. If that’s all too much effort, enjoy live music on most weekends at the cozy ZOLA, or laugh the night away at SPOKANE COMEDY CLUB. Damon Wayans will be in the house Dec. 1-3, with Eddie Griffin stopping by Feb. 3-4.

If it’s the house that could use some attention, stop in at THE BOHEMIAN’s two locations in Spokane Valley and in north Spokane, where more than 50 local creators’ works are on display, with styles ranging from farmhouse to modern. And don’t miss the opportunity to check out THE ART SPIRIT GALLERY in Coeur d’Alene. Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2022, the gallery features premier regional artists in a relaxed setting. 

Your Seat Is Waiting!

NOVEMBER

One of the driest wits you’ll ever encounter belongs to DAVID SEDARIS, who’ll bring his tales of life in France to the Bing Crosby Theater on Nov. 19. With more than 10 million books in print, he’ll be sharing stories from his latest, HappyGo-Lucky. In Spokane, there’s nothing bigger than GONZAGA BASKETBALL, and this may be their biggest home game yet. The legendary Kentucky Wildcats will take on the Zags on Nov. 20 at the Spokane Arena, with double the capacity of the McCarthey Athletic Center.

DECEMBER

The holidays are always known for the lights, and out at the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center you’ll find the “Ultimate Winter Light Show.” From Dec. 2 through Jan. 1, NORTHWEST WINTERFEST sets up their sparkling displays for a self-guided tour through a multicultural extravaganza. One of the highlights of every classical season is the staging of THE NUTCRACKER. A co-production between the Spokane Symphony and State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara, there are five performances running Dec. 1-4, all staged inside the sumptuous, historic Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox.

JANUARY

Perhaps the most Western of all entertainments is bull riding, and nobody does it better than the PROFESSIONAL BULL RIDERS The Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour will roll into the Spokane Arena Jan. 14, featuring 40 of the world’s best riders trying to tame some of the meanest bulls around. They took their talents from Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and now the Temptations have their own Broadway musical. AIN’T TOO PROUD TO BEG will take the First Interstate Center for the Arts’ stage Jan. 17-21, featuring classics like “My Girl” — just one of their 42 top ten hits.

FEBRUARY

The Spokane Civic Theatre is back for their 75th anniversary, and THE 39 STEPS is one of the highlights, running through Feb. 12. A riff on the Alfred Hitchcock classic, this time it’s staged with only four actors hilariously attempting to play all the roles. Bring your appetites, because it’s that time of year — INLANDER RESTAURANT WEEK runs Feb. 23-March 4. Regional restaurants of all kinds offer up special threecourse menus for a fixed price. Good luck getting around to everything that sounds good, but it’s fun to try! 

Finn Boy Records, Books & Curio

IN STOKED

The snow doesn’t slow us down! Enjoy the abundant fat bike, nordic, & snowshoe trails at Pine Street Woods, Schweitzer, & more.

There’s nothing like a day on the slopes at Schweitzer. Why not keep the magic going? Enjoy Twilight Skiing, Starlight Racing, and more!

The Sandpoint Winter Carnival is back in February featuring live music, fire dancers, pub crawls, carnival games, and K9 keg pulling!

The excellent restaurants, breweries, cafes, and taverns in Sandpoint offer something for everyone. Come hungry, leave happy!