While some destinations wind down their busy season as the snow begins to fall, that’s not true in Spokane, Washington. People in Spokane don’t hibernate. In fact, Spokane comes alive in the winter with numerous adventures and activities awaiting locals and travelers alike. If you’re looking for some family-friendly fun, here are six activities to try this winter in Spokane.
Skiing or Snowboarding
Skiing and snowboarding are two of the most popular outdoor winter activities in Spokane. If you’re a newbie to skiing, you’ll find several types that are popular in Spokane. The first is the standard downhill or alpine skiing, which is the type of skiing most people know of. Resorts utilize lifts to take you to the top and drop you off to ski or snowboard to the bottom.
Another popular type of skiing is cross-country skiing, also called Nordic skiing. The routes are more gentle and flat than downhill skiing runs. In this sport, you usually use human power to get up hills rather than a lift, as you do with downhill ski slopes.
There is also snowcat skiing. This type of skiing is less common and involves hopping in a snowcat machine (a vehicle designed for snowy and icy terrain) that takes you to a remote mountain with only a few other skiers.
Snowboarding is also different from skiing. Skiers use a pair of skis, while snowboarders are strapped onto a single board. If you’re new to either activity, skiing might be easier for a first-timer on the slopes.
Looking for where to go skiing or snowboarding? There are five popular ski resorts and parks within a two-hour drive of Spokane:
Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park
Located around 55 minutes from downtown, Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park attracts winter sports enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. The park is nearly 14,000 acres and offers year-round recreation. Mount Spokane has a peak of 5,889 feet, which is the tallest spot in the county. You can also go night skiing here, and there are 16 different available runs.
Silver Mountain Resort
Located just over an hour from downtown Spokane, Silver Mountain Resort features skiing, snowboarding, an indoor water park, and golf. This resort also boasts North America’s longest gondola. You’ll find seven lifts, including the gondola, and 67 ski runs.
49 Degrees North Mountain Resort
49 Degrees North Mountain Resort is a little over an hour’s drive from downtown Spokane. It’s Washington’s second-largest ski resort and has five chairlifts, one surface lift, 1850 feet of vertical drops, and more.
Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area
Located about an hour and a half from Spokane, Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation area is situated on the Idaho and Montana border. It has been operating every winter since 1935 and has an average yearly snowfall of 400 feet. Since the resort straddles the border, you can be skiing in two states on the same run!
Schweitzer Ski Resort
Schweitzer Ski Resort is praised for its family-friendly atmosphere. It’s located about an hour and 45 minutes from downtown, is open seven days a week, and offers a wide variety of activities, including traditional downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and even snowcat skiing.
Snowshoeing and Snowmobiling
Skiing and snowboarding aren’t the only ways to have fun in the snow. Snowshoeing and snowmobiling are other popular winter activities in Spokane. Ski parks like Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park have more than 18 miles of groomed trails for snowmobiles and plenty of other trails that are ideal for snowshoeing. Many hikers transition into snowshoeing when winter hits. At Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, there are dedicated snowshoe trails so you can go at your own pace and not worry about running into skiers.
Snow Tubing
Snow tubing may still be an option this winter on Tubing Hill at Bear Creek Lodge. As of the time of this post, there isn’t enough natural snow, and temperatures haven’t been cold enough for them to make their own, but they are accepting group reservations. Reservations will be required for all visits.
Ice Skating
During the winter, Spokane’s Riverfront Park is home to Skate Ribbon, a unique skating trail. If you prefer to watch from the side, grab a spot at one of the three fire pits along the way and order some hot cocoa from the SkyRink Cafe. The Skate Ribbon is unlike any skating rink you may be used to. This is a 650-foot-long route that even has inclines to give skaters a completely different experience.
If you prefer a traditional rink and want to keep warmer, you can also check out public ice skating at Eagles Ice Arena. During the winter months, they offer 90 minutes of public skating each day.
Holiday Light Show
Riverfront Park is home to more than just an awesome ice skating experience in winter. There’s a free light show year-round, but there are special holiday light show editions throughout the year, as well. There is a holiday season show that runs for two weeks over Christmas and a special New Year’s Eve show this year.
Wine Tasting
If you’re looking for something a little less strenuous this winter, why not consider going wine tasting? Spokane’s Cork District has more than 20 wineries, tasting rooms, and wine cellars. They are spread out in Spokane Valley, Green Bluff, and downtown Spokane. In downtown, most wineries are within walking distance, making it easy to enjoy a leisurely stroll to taste wines from several different wineries.
Winter activities can fluctuate due to weather and other circumstances. Be sure to contact your destination before heading out.
What’s your favorite winter activity in Spokane? Do you have one that we missed? Reach out to us to let us know what else we should add to our winter activities list.
Do you want to explore more of Spokane in style this winter? Be sure to check out the latest sales and specials we have available at Wendle Ford. Contact us or stop by our showroom today to see what we have in stock. Let us help you get behind the wheel of a new Ford SUV or truck today.
Featured Image via Flickr by xuriken
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