For some, snowboarding is all in regards to the mountain and terrain. However for me, a ski trip is in regards to the expertise. I wasn’t certain what to anticipate from snowboarding in Idaho after I headed out to discover three of the state’s ski areas in North Idaho.
Throughout my journey I visiting Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Lookout Move, and Silver Mountain Resort and realized that every mountain has its personal distinct character and cater to various kinds of skiers. In case you are trying to go snowboarding in Northern Idaho, let me break each down with their execs and cons so you may resolve which is the most effective match for your loved ones.
The brief model is:
- Silver Mountain Resort: greatest for households with expertise snowboarding that take pleasure in quite a lot of on and off mountain actions resembling snow tubing, snow shoeing, and indoor water park.
- Schweitzer Mountain: largest resort with path choices for all ranges, wonderful views, and nice facilities.
- Lookout Move: superior affordability and no-frills snowboarding with wonderful terrain.
Snowboarding in Idaho: What to Count on
Be aware: My journey was hosted by Ski Idaho and Silver Mountain Resort. I acquired complimentary ski tickets, leases, lodging, and meals. All opinions are my very own.
I visited Idaho as a part of a press journey with Ski Idaho (however all opinions are my very own.) Ski Idaho represents 18 completely different resorts, resembling Solar Valley, Bogus Basin, Soldier Mountain, and others, masking 18,000 acres and 28,000 vertical ft. For functions of this journey, we had been centered on the resorts in northern Idaho.
Ski Idaho additionally runs the thrilling fifth and sixth-grade passport program. For $29, fifth graders can ski 3 times in any respect 17 resorts and sixth graders can ski twice at 17 of the resorts. Fairly a deal!
The ski resorts in Idaho vary from the well-known Solar Valley to the smaller mom-and-pop sorts mountains like Lookout Move. There are steeps, timber, backcountry, cat snowboarding, newbie slopes, terrain parks, and every little thing in between.
The distinction I discovered from my experiences snowboarding again east in locations is the welcome lack of crowds. Granted, I used to be snowboarding on Tuesday by Thursday, however not as soon as did I’ve to attend in a carry line. By no means did somebody whiz by me and throw me off my recreation. I by no means had bother discovering a line down the path. And it was no downside in any respect discovering a free desk within the lodge.
The folks had been additionally so pleasant. I didn’t encounter any grumpy lifties. The folks within the lodges had been completely happy to strike up a dialog. And the locals didn’t thoughts an excessive amount of clueing you in on a few of their favourite runs.
A number of the mountains had been even surprisingly reasonably priced. Even attending to Idaho wasn’t too exhausting from the East Coast, only one cease in Seattle or Denver earlier than flying into Spokane. And Spokane has 17 direct flights from California and the Pacific Northwest.
So when you consider a vacation spot ski trip, put Idaho in your radar.
Silver Mountain Resort
At Silver Mountain, what stood out most for me was how best the resort is for households. With snow tubing, snow shoeing, a three-mile lengthy gondola, beautifully-appointed village lodging, and an indoor water park that rivals the likes of the Nice Wolf Lodge, what extra are you able to ask for in a ski resort? To me the one disadvantage is that the terrain at Silver Mountain Resort is healthier suited to households that already ski than learners, however extra on that later.
Silver Mountain Resort is simply about 30 miles from Coeur D’Alene and 70 miles from Spokane Airport. The resort is simply off Interstate 90 and really straightforward to seek out. Silver Mountain presents each ski and snowboarding over two mountain peaks and 1,600 skiable acres.
There’s a whole of two,200 vertical ft and 77 trails, the longest of which is 2.5 miles. Silver Mountain Resort will get over 300 ft of snow a yr and presents tree snowboarding, wide-open groomers, powder snow, and backcountry entry.
Whereas there’s a snow sports activities faculty and magic carpet newbie space, solely about 20 % of the paths are newbie. Silver Mountain is 40 % intermediate terrain, however a few of these intermediate trails have a reasonably good pitch so not nice for nervous intermediate skiers like me.
The opposite disadvantage to the newbie terrain at Silver Mountain is that to get again up the mountain, it’s essential use a reasonably slender cat monitor to recover from to Raise 5 or Raise 3 (since Raise 5 is usually closed in the course of the week.) I discovered this path a bit terrifying as a result of though it was a really gentle grade, there’s a steep drop off on one facet that made me very nervous (and I’m not even terrified of heights.) I feel that is one factor I simply have to get used to when snowboarding in Idaho.
This is the reason I feel that Silver Mountain is nice for households which are skiers — not as a lot for pure learners. The exception could be in the event you come to benefit from the different resort facilities.
Snow Tubing & Snow Shoeing at Silver Mountain Resort
Silver Mountain presents 4 lanes of snow tubing on weekends and holidays. Tubing periods final for 2 hours however don’t fear, you received’t tire your self out climbing again as much as the highest of the hill. The magic carpet will whisk riders and their tubes again as much as the highest for one more enjoyable run.
Along with tubing, Silver presents a one mile out and again snowshoeing path. The path begins on the Mountain Home and traverses downhill by a winter wonderland of snow coated timber. Whenever you attain the turnaround level, hike uphill to the Mountain Home, the place sizzling chocolate and heat meals is obtainable to buy. snowshoeing path by the woods. Entry to the path is free with a gondola ticket from the village to the bottom lodge and snowshoe leases can be found within the Silver Mountain Sports activities rental store.
On my final day of snowboarding, my ft had been actually hurting so after lunch, I traded out my skis for snowshoes and took to the path. They supply a path map (though the path is pretty properly marked) and an emergency contact quantity. You simply have to register with Ski Patrol earlier than you permit and once you get again in order that they will hold monitor of everybody on the paths.
My trek by the woods was stunning and, whereas there have been some uphill components, it wasn’t too difficult. I did work up a sweat however the hardest half was climbing again up the bunny hill on my return to the lodge.
The views had been positively definitely worth the work. Particularly once you get to a lovely viewpoint overlooking the valley and slopes within the background.
Silver Rapids Water Park
A serious spotlight of vacationing at Silver Mountain is certainly the Silver Rapids Water Park. The water park is simply open for company of the Morning Star Lodge within the Village. Admission wristbands are included in your keep.
Once we visited mid-week, the water park was solely open from 4pm to 9pm, making it nice for aprés ski. I used to be actually shocked by how giant and what number of options Silver Rapids provided.
There’s an in-park snack bar and two sizzling tubs, together with an upstairs lounge space and cabanas for hire. The non-adventurous can benefit from the North Fork lazy river, Miner’s Island with two physique slides, play areas, and a large tipping bucket.
Little ones will benefit from the Pollywog Pond with two kiddie slides and a bungee swing and the Cub Cove spray deck.
Journey seekers will get their thrills on the Moose Sluice household raft journey and two tube slides. Simply understand that these are fairly darkish at evening! You may give the FlowRider a attempt to even take browsing classes.
Children may even play basketball on the Hoop Lagoon or cross the lily pads at The Crossing.
Household Lodging on the Morning Star Lodge
Positioned within the village, steps from the gondola, the Morning Star Lodge presents nice lodging choices for households. There are studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom suites which are well-appointed and provide the facilities that households want like a full kitchen, washer and dryer, and double sinks within the rest room with a deep soaking tub.
Every constructing additionally presents ski/bike storage, a sizzling tub, a enterprise middle, and loads of comfortable public areas to hang around.
I used to be actually impressed by the standard of the lodging. The one disadvantage was that the partitions between suites had been skinny (I might hear somebody clearing their throat subsequent door), so I might make sure that to maintain noise down, particularly throughout quiet hours. And if in case you have mild sleepers, pack some ear plugs.
The Village
With a location proper off the freeway, at first look, Silver Mountain feels extra suburban than resort city. The benefit is that you may simply get to native eateries like Hill Road Depot.
In fact, there are eating choices proper within the Village, together with Noah’s Canteen and Mountain Cafe. I used to be additionally impressed with the desk service choice at Mogul’s Lounge on the Mountain Home on the mountain. The meals was surprisingly good and recent for an on-mountain lodge.
Whereas there are different lodging choices round, the comfort of staying on the Morning Star Lodge within the Village can’t be beat.
The one solution to ski Silver Mountain Resort is to take North America’s longest gondola journey to the bottom lodge up the mountain. The three-mile, 20-minute journey saves you from driving up a twisting mountain street and presents up some fairly views alongside the best way.
Silver In the course of the Summer season
Enjoyable at Silver Mountain doesn’t finish in the summertime. Silver presents the most effective lift-served mountain biking within the Pacific Northwest. There are over 35 trails, two lifts, and loads of new mountain bikes to hire.
Along with mountain biking, households can take pleasure in mountain climbing, disc golf, mountain high barbecues, huckleberry choosing, wildlife viewing, and scenic gondola and chairlift rides.
If mountain biking isn’t your factor, you may also journey the Path of the Coeur d’Alenes, a 72-mile paved path with a trailhead within the Silver Mountain car parking zone.
I’ve additionally heard nice issues in regards to the Galena Ridge golf course from my {golfing} good friend. And close by you may have interaction in fishing, rafting, four-wheeling, tubing, scenic drives, and hikes.
Silver Mountain has every little thing households are in search of in a four-season resort. See extra choices for the greatest household ski resorts within the U.S.
Schweitzer Mountain Resort
When you consider large ski resorts, what involves thoughts? Giant crowds? Lengthy carry traces? Once I heard that Schweitzer Mountain Resort is the biggest ski space by acreage in Idaho, that is what I anticipated. However I used to be fallacious. It was really very approachable and cozy.
Of the three resorts that I visited, I’ve to confess that Schweitzer Mountain Resort was my total favourite. The mix of individuals, trails, facilities, and the close by city is simply what I search for in a ski vacation spot. And the dearth of crowds didn’t harm both.
Schweitzer Mountain Resort is positioned in North Idaho, about two hours from the Spokane Worldwide Airport. I used to be really fairly shocked to study that I’m not the one one from New England to ski Schweitzer. They really get an excellent crowd from the Boston space.
Altogether, Schweitzer has 2,900 acres of skiable terrain and greater than 1,200 acres are tree snowboarding. The summit is at 6,400 ft and presents attractive views of Lake Pend Oreille. Truly, one of many good issues about Schweitzer is that you just get these fairly views even from the highest of the newbie hill, so that you don’t should be an knowledgeable to expertise the great thing about the realm.
The one robust factor in regards to the location is that you just do have to make your method as much as the village, which is at 4,700 ft, and is reached by a winding mountain street that may get fairly slippy when it snows. It’s good to have pretty quick access although to the city of Sandpoint on the lake in case you are prepared to make the drive.
Sandpoint is a cute mountain city with boutiques, eating places, espresso outlets, a few native breweries, and even a vineyard. And due to the lake, the city is definitely busier in the summertime than the winter so the companies can actually flourish with year-round guests.
Snowboarding at Schweitzer
Schweitzer presents 9 lifts masking two open bowls and 92 designated runs. There’s every little thing from an old style T-bar, to comfy and quick doubles, triples, quads, and even a 6-pack.
Whereas solely 10 % of the mountain is newbie, 40 % is intermediate and that gave me loads of terrain to discover. I wasn’t going close to the 35 % that was superior and 15 % which are knowledgeable. Ski Journal voted Schweitzer “The Greatest Saved Secret in North America”.
Because it was my first cease in Idaho, and my first time snowboarding within the West, I knew it could take slightly getting used to the variations in snow and elevation. I began off within the newbie space, which you really ski down from the village and are available again up on the Musical Chairs carry. It was a pleasant straightforward path to get my ski legs again and benefit from the view. After just a few runs, I used to be feeling adequate to bypass a lesson and actually hit the mountain.
One factor that I actually take pleasure in a few ski resort is when there are mid-mountain choices for inexperienced and blue terrain so I don’t have to go all the best way to the highest till I really feel comfy. That was the case at Schweitzer so I spent the morning snowboarding the entrance Schweitzer Bowl. All the things felt very approachable, not complicated or intimidating, and that actually helped put me comfy.
As exhausting as it’s to get out of my consolation zone, I did head as much as the Sky Home on the summit to fulfill my group for lunch. I’m glad I did as a result of the views had been much more breathtaking from the very high and the snow ghost timber had been eerily stunning.
The Sky Home is a superb place to heat up and have a meal and beverage. I used to be impressed with the views, decor, environment, and the menu picks, which ranged from noodle soup to a chimichurri rooster sandwich or racelette potatoes.
Getting down was slightly more durable. Fortunately the connecting trails at Schweitzer weren’t practically as slender because the cat tracks that terrified me on the opposite mountains. I psyched myself out on one steep part and blew my confidence, then it’s all down hill from there (actually.)
Fortunately I used to be capable of take my time and make it by. Total, I used to be fairly pleased with how I did given it was my first time again on skis in over a yr, and on a brand new mountain, completely different snow, with fellow skiers that had been only a wee bit intimidating to me.
Given how a lot the opposite skiers in my group additionally loved Schweitzer, I really feel comfy recommending it to all ability ranges.
WHERE TO STAY AT SCHWEITZER
Whereas Schweitzer isn’t a sprawling mountain resort, there are nonetheless loads of choices for meals and lodging each down within the city of Sandpoint, and within the village. We stayed within the Selkirk Lodge, proper on the base of the mountain within the village.
It isn’t fancy, and has the texture of a ski in/ski out lodge, but it surely was comfy, cute, and really handy! The room sorts range and have choices for households, singles, {couples}, and teams. My double-queen room was fairly giant with a little bit of an odd form and toilet configuration (sink and self-importance on one facet of the door to the room and a separate rest room with rest room and tub on the opposite facet.)
The lodge has all of the facilities you can need although. A heated outside pool and two sizzling tubs in a Nordic Spa-like setting with views of the mountain, eating on the Chimney Rock Grill or Mojo Coyote Cafe, a exercise room, a altering room with a bathe for refreshing after snowboarding if in case you have already checked out, and even a mini-movie theater.
There are additionally different lodging choices within the village together with condos at White Pine Lodge and Pink Cricket condos, in addition to privately-owned mountain houses that yow will discover on VRBO.
There are actually loads of household actions at Schweitzer Mountain Resort too. There’s snow tubing on Friday nights and weekends, village campfires, stay music, special day fireworks, child’s crafts and actions, and even three films day by day within the Selkirk Theater.
For adults that need to unwind, there’s a spa, wine tasting occasions, yoga, and “wind down Wednesdays” with free appetizers and stay music from 4-10 pm.
Lake View Lodge is another choice for those who need to take pleasure in a brown bag lunch or make the most of the meals courtroom. Upstairs, you may attempt a neighborhood beer at Faucets Lounge. Altogether, there are twelve meals and beverage choices on the mountain, simply make sure you verify what’s open when.
Lookout Move
If the bar in Cheers was a ski mountain, that mountain could be Lookout Move. Full of colourful characters, it’s a spot for locals to frequent and guests to look at and revel in. Positioned on the border of North Idaho and Montana at Exit 0 on Interstate 90, Lookout Move ski space provides you that uncommon alternative to ski in two completely different states (and two completely different time zones) in in the future.
Whereas Lookout Move might not be well-known exterior of the North Idaho area, I believed it packed an excellent punch, making it an pleasant day journey even for guests spending time on the different resorts within the space. First up, Lookout Move is understood for getting essentially the most snow of any ski resort in Idaho. With that quantity of snowfall within the space, it’s no surprise if it’s the second oldest ski resort in Idaho.
Subsequent, snowboarding at Lookout Move is shockingly reasonably priced. Raise tickets vary from $55 midweek to $73 on holidays for adults. In fact it’s even cheaper for teenagers, particularly these making the most of the Ski Idaho Passport.
Snowboarding at LookOut Move
In case you are in search of tremendous difficult terrain, you could be higher off at one other mountain. Nonetheless, since I’m an “superior newbie” to intermediate skier, I discovered Lookout Move proper up my alley. In fact, 30 % of the mountain is rated black diamond or double black diamond and there are many glades and locations to scout out powder stashes (simply observe a type of locals who know the place to go.)
However the knowledgeable skiers I used to be with discovered the mountain slightly mellow. Once more, mellow makes me completely happy. As a result of then I can ski comfortably and confidently and really work on my method as a substitute of focusing my psychological power simply on staying in management.
As a sophisticated newbie, I loved the terrain on the Montana facet a bit extra. Tamarack and Rainbow Ridge had been good straightforward blue trails the place I might let go and revel in myself with out stress. Particularly since, when snowboarding midweek, I actually had these trails to myself and didn’t want to fret about folks whizzing by me and throwing me off my recreation.
Chopping again over to the Idaho facet on Quicksilver gave me some coronary heart palpitations because it was a slender cat monitor with a steep drop off on one unguarded facet. There are additionally positively some more difficult blues and blacks for these with a bit extra ability and daredevil angle. However for me, I might be completely happy snowboarding Tamarack all day lengthy.
Navigating the time zones could be difficult. If you happen to plan a time to fulfill the remainder of your celebration, be sure you specify in the event you imply Mountain or Pacific, and know which facet of the mountain you’re on once you have a look at your telephone as it should mechanically change between the 2. Fortunately the lodge presents clocks in each time zones to assist hold it straight.
SUMMER FUN ON THE ROUTE OF THE HIAWATHA
Snowboarding doesn’t finish at Lookout Move till the top of April, however in the summertime the resort serves on the gateway for the Trip the Hiawatha Path. Trip the Hiawatha is the crown jewel of America’s rails-to-trails undertaking.
This all downhill path is 15 miles a technique, with a return shuttle to Lookout Move. Riders cease at Lookout Move to choose up path tickets, in addition to hire bikes, helmets, lights, and even trailers or tagalongs for youthful youngsters.
The mild 1.6% grade is ideal for households that don’t need to wrestle with hills, but in addition aren’t in search of the fun of mountain biking.
The Hiawatha path travels alongside Loop Creek Canyon throughout the Bitterroot Mountains. Alongside the trail, riders will go over 7 sky-high trestles and thru 10 tunnels — so maybe not the most effective for these with a powerful concern of heights or of the darkish. There’s no lighting within the tunnels (besides that literal “mild on the finish of the tunnel”), so headlamps are required and are to be stored pointed on the floor to mild the trail.
The trail makes use of the deserted Milwaukee Railroad grade between the historic outdated city website of Taft, Montana and the North Fork of the St. Joe River close to Avery, Idaho. It has been known as one of the crucial scenic stretches of railroad within the nation.
WHERE TO STAY Close to Lookout Move
The very best place to remain close to Lookout Move is the close by city of Wallace, Idaho. This quirky however quaint little city is about 20-minutes (all Interstate) from Lookout Move. Since this area has produced 25 % of the world’s silver provide, it has a colourful historical past as a mining city.
Apparently to maintain the miners completely happy, the federal government regarded the opposite method on many minor infractions to the purpose that bordellos and playing had been a going concern till 1988 (yup, that’s not a typo!) These have earned Wallace the nickname of Lawless Wallace.
Right this moment you may take a mine tour, go to the bordello museum (now there may be one for the bucket checklist), or take your image on the Middle of the Universe. They’ve declared that since it may well’t be confirmed fallacious, Wallace, Idaho is the Middle of the Universe and there’s a manhole cowl commemorating this honor.
The city middle is a quaint, misplaced in time kind of place, however you may also discover all kinds of eating places and brew pubs, together with the Metropolis Limits Brew Pub, which provides Lookout’s dwelling brew, the Loft Honey.
You received’t discover higher hospitality than on the Wallace Inn. Positioned simply off the freeway and walkable to the middle of city, the Wallace Inn presents an on-site cafe, plus an indoor pool and sizzling tub for a publish ski or driving soak. Run by the self-appointed Prime Minister of Wallace (I instructed you it was quirky, proper?), the Wallace Inn additionally presents shuttle service to and from the Hiawatha path and a few nice ski-and-stay packages.
In case you are heading to North Idaho for snowboarding or biking, be sure you add Lookout Move to your plans. Even in the event you break up your time between Schweitzer Mountain Resort or Silver Mountain Resort, plan a day at Lookout to take pleasure in all that recent snow and the mother and pop, old-timey vibe. And hold your eyes peeled for Cramer, he’s a neighborhood legend.
