JANUARY
Skate Ribbon College Night
Show your current student ID to receive free skate rentals with admission ($5.25-$7.25). Students also are entered into a raffle for 49 Degrees North lift tickets and other mountain discounts. Thursdays from 4-9 pm through Feb 27. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. riverfrontspokane.com (625-6600)
Night Skiing
Mt. Spokane's night skiing schedule has expanded to four nights a week, every Wednesday through Saturday, from mid-December through mid-March. The mountain's full-service cafeteria stays open late, and live bands play most Saturday nights. Offered Wed-Sat from 3:30-9 pm, through March 14. $23. Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, 29500 N. Mt. Spokane Park Dr. mtspokane.com (238-2220)
Free Ice Skating Lessons
Riverfront Park offers weekly ice skating lessons at the Numerica Skate Ribbon, skate rentals included. Registration is available on site and lessons are available on a first-come, first-served basis. (Paid lessons also available; see website for details). Sundays at 11 am through Feb. 23. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. riverfrontspokane.com (625-6600)
KANtasy Night Tubing Sessions
This all-new event in the 2019-20 season offers "rockin' music" and colorful lights illuminating the tubing hill, with a roaring bonfire and snacks and beverages in Lodge 1. Offered Friday and Saturdays through Jan. 25, with sessions from 4-6 pm or 6-8 pm. $20. Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, 29500 N. Mt. Spokane Park Dr. mtspokane.com (238-2220)
Ladies' Day
Spend a special ladies-only Friday this with the best female coaches from the Mt. Spokane Winter Sports School. Includes three hours of instruction, coffee, lunch, two drink tickets at the apres party and door prizes. Fri, Jan. 10. $69; add lift ticket for $26 and rentals for $22. Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, 29500 N. Mt. Spokane Park Dr. mtspokane.com (238-2220)
Jackass Day
Fifty-two years ago, the mountain debuted as a small ski hill called the Jackass Ski Bowl. Silver continues to celebrate this history by, once a year, offering its original price of $12 lift tickets. Fri, Jan. 10 and Sat, Jan. 11 (Saturday special price for night skiing only, after 3 pm). Silver Mountain Resort, 610 Bunker Ave., Kellogg, Idaho. silvermt.com (866-344-2675)
Moonlight Snowshoe Hike
Quietly explore the meadows and woods around Mount Spokane. Guides, transportation (departs from Mead Yoke's, 14202 N. Market St.), headlamps, walking poles and snowshoes all provided. Additional information emailed after registration. Ages 16+. Offered Jan. 10, Feb. 7 and March 6 from 6-9 pm. $29. Register at spokanerec.org (755-2489)
Cross-Country Ski Lessons (49 Degrees North)
Learn to cross-country ski and tour the trails of the 49 Degrees North Nordic Area with the mountain's certified ski instructors. Ticket includes equipment, trail pass, instruction and transportation (departs from Wandermere Rite Aid, 12420 N. Division St.). Additional information emailed after registration. Ages 13+. Offered Jan. 11, Jan 19; Feb. 9 and March 8 from 9 am-4 pm. $55. Register at spokanerec.org (755-2489)
Lookout Winter Carnival
Annual activities include the famous "Wife Carrying Contest," a three-legged race and an egg-carrying contest, along with other festivities. Sat, Jan. 12 at 2 pm. Lookout Pass, I-90 Exit 0 at Mullan. skilookout.com (208-744-1301)
Ski & Snowboard Waxing Workshop
Learn how to choose the best wax for the conditions, and have expert guidance as you clean and wax your personal equipment. Experts recommend waxing your alpine gear every five trips to the mountain. Offered Jan. 14, 22 and 28 from 5:30-7:30 pm. $35/$55; registration required. REI Spokane, 1125 N. Monroe. rei.com/spokane (328-9900)
Avalanche Awareness
Whether you ski, snowshoe, snowboard or snowmobile in the backcountry, recognition of avalanche danger is an essential and potentially life-saving skill. This session introduces and explains where and why avalanches occur and provides a basic approach to managing risk in the backcountry. Learn to access local avalanche bulletins and weather reports, recognize basic signs of avalanche danger, and learn simple ways to help avoid avalanche danger. Thu, Jan. 16 from 6:30-7:30 pm. Free; registration required. REI Spokane, 1125 N. Monroe. rei.com/spokane (328-9900)
MLK Weekend
Head to Sandpoint for the long weekend and enjoy live music in Taps, the Deschutes Brewery Woody Wagon, twilight skiing and the Northern Lights Spectacular and fireworks show on Saturday night. Jan. 18-20. Schweitzer Mountain Resort, 10000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd., Sandpoint, Idaho. schweitzer.com (208-263-9555)
Night Skiing at 49
Night skiing is great for the whole family and a fun way to see the mountain in a different light. Rentals are available at half-day pricing, no lessons are offered. Offered Jan. 18 and Feb. 15 from 4-8 pm. $5 with three cans of food. 49 Degrees North, 3311 Flowery Trail Rd., Chewelah. ski49n.com
Mt. Spokane Snowshoe Tour
Learn the basics of snowshoeing during a guided hike on snowshoe trails around Mt. Spokane State Park. Pre-trip information is emailed after registration. Includes snowshoes, instruction, walking poles, trail fees, guides and transportation (from Mead Yoke's, 14202 N. Market St.). Ages 13+. Offered Jan. 18; Feb. 16 and 23; March 1 and 21 from 10 am-2 pm. $29. Register at spokanerec.org (755-2489)
Banff Mountain Film Festival
The Banff Mountain Film Festival rolls into Coeur d'Alene with mountain culture, adventure and sport. Fri, Jan. 24 and Sat, Jan. 25 at 7 pm; Sun, Jan. 26 at 6 pm. $20. Schuler Performing Arts Center, 1000 W. Garden Ave., Coeur d'Alene. brownpapertickets.com/event/4430696 (208-769-7780)
Mt. Spokane Brewfest
The annual brewfest is back, offering beer and cider tasting at multiple locations on the mountain, along with a barbecue, live bands and prizes. Sat, Jan. 25. Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, 29500 N. Mt. Spokane Park Dr. mtspokane.com (238-2220)
Winter Trails Day
This national event offers opportunities to try snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, and to discover the fitness benefits of these easy-to-learn sports. More than 100 events from coast to coast are planned this year to celebrate Winter Trails through the entire month of January. (Details for Schweitzer's activities TBA.) Sat, Jan. 25. Schweitzer Mountain Resort, 10000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd., Sandpoint, Idaho. schweitzer.com (208-263-9555)
Cross-Country Ski Lessons (Mt. Spokane)
Learn the basics of cross-country skiing at Mt. Spokane Selkirk Nordic Area, taught by Spokane Nordic Ski Association certified cross-country ski instructors. Fee includes skis, boots, poles, ski area fees, instruction and transportation (departs from Mead Yoke's, 14202 N. Market St.). Ages 13+. Offered Jan. 25 and 26; Feb. 15, 16, 22 and 23 from 9 am-3 pm. $51-$53. Register at spokanerec.org (755-2489)
Winter Encampment at the Spokane House
Washington State Parks, the Friends of the Spokane House and the Riverside State Park Foundation showcase what the Spokane House fur trade post was like in the 1820s during the winter months. Hear from a Spokane tribal educator, enjoy fiddle music of the era, learn about daily trade post life, and participate in a guided 1-mile snowshoe hike. (RSVP by Jan. 21; limited to 55 people.) Sat, Jan. 25 from 12:30-4 pm. Free; Discover Pass required. The Spokane House, 13501 Nine Mile Rd. friendsofspokanehouse.com
Lookout Mountain Brewfest
Activities include the fourth annual snow bowling contest (2 pm) and plenty of beers to taste and brats to eat. Sun, Jan. 26. Lookout Pass, I-90 Exit 0 at Mullan. skilookout.com (208-744-1301)
FEBRUARY
Cross-Country Ski + Moonlight Dinner
Wander peacefully through the woods on snowshoes and then enjoy a meal of lasagna, salad, bread and more from Greenbluff Fresh Catering. Cost includes equipment, dinner and guides; some cross-country ski experience is recommended. Sno-Park and Discover Pass required. Ages 18+. Offered Feb. 8 and March 7 from 6-9 pm. $50. Meet at Mt. Spokane State Park Selkirk Nordic Lodge. Register at spokanerec.org (755-2489)
Nice Turns Free Trial Run
This annual clinic is designed to help existing skiers get out of a rut and improve their skills with personalized coaching with a small group at a similar level, intermediate or above. Feb. 16-17. Schweitzer Mountain Resort, 10000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd., Sandpoint, Idaho. schweitzer.com (208-263-9555)
Souper Bowl Spokane
The 15th annual women's snowshoe and cross-country ski event supports the Women and Children's Free Restaurant and Community Kitchen. Activity options include the Sasquatch Search and a poker snowshoe or ski event, along with a 1980s theme, soup and snacks. Take a shuttle bus from Mt. Spokane High School ($10). Sun, Feb. 2 at 8:30 am. Mt. Spokane State Park, Selkirk Lodge. souperbowlspokane.com ♦
