Six different ways to embrace winter in North Idaho
It’s easy to have some enthusiasm for winter when snowflakes first fly, making Christmas lights and holiday decorations all the more picturesque. But when the snow is still falling in March, that initial enthusiasm can give way to the winter blahs. If that’s where you find yourself, here are six different things to do that might just help you fall back in love with winter.
1. Rent a fat bike. Just because there’s snow on the road doesn’t mean you have to abandon cycling. Instead, embrace the white stuff and rent a fat bike and take the the trails. For beginning riders, you can get the hang of those wide tires on fairly flat terrain at FOURTH OF JULY SUMMIT LOOP. The more experienced rider will find groomed trails with steeper climbs at CANFIELD MOUNTAIN NATURAL AREA. For more tips on where to ride or to rent a bike, stop into COEUR D’ALENE BIKE CO. Half-day to 24 hour rentals range from $55-$75.
2. Go downhill skiing. North Idaho is blessed with an abundance of excellent ski hills. Embrace winter at SILVER MOUNTAIN RESORT, where part of the experience is a scenic gondola ride, not to mention epic glade skiing. Live music and a packed event calendar extend past winter all the way into April. Stay at the MORNING STAR LODGE at the heart of Silver Mountain Resort’s Gondola Village, and you’ll receive complimentary admission SILVER RAPIDS, the resort’s indoor waterpark. SCHWEITZER’S vibrant village is also a draw, with slopeside lodging and 2,900 acres of lift-serviced terrain which ranks Schweitzer as among the largest resorts in North America. LOOKOUT PASS also has some bragging rights, including a reputation for the best snow, with an average of more than 400 inches of light, dry powder annually.
3. Go tubing. Nothing makes you feel more like a kid than sliding down a hill in an inner tube. And nothing makes you feel like an old man like having to walk back up the hill. So head to SILVER MOUNTAIN or SCHWEITZER where a magic carpet will whisk you back up the hill.
4. Go ice skating. FRONTIER ICE ARENA, has open skating times on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. In addition to skating classes for both children and adults, the arena offers time for hockey practice, curling, broomball and is even available for birthday parties.
5. Head to TRIPLE PLAY. There’s no end to the fun at TRIPLE PLAY FAMILY FUN PARK, from the arcade games, bowling, and laser tag, to the Raptor Reef indoor water park, where it’s always a balmy 86 degrees, even when winter remains in full force outdoors.
6. Take a cruise. While you may think boating is best in warmer weather, the snowy beauty of lake Coeur d’Alene is absolutely majestic. THE COEUR D’ALENE RESORT offers a variety of scenic cabin cruises throughout the winter, including hot cocoa cruises, which feature a hot cocoa bar for adults and kids.
Special Events
Comedy Nights at the Inn
MARCH 1-2
Spend two nights laughing when the Inn hosts back-to-back comedy nights featuring Tim Homayoon (March 1) and Kenny Smith (March 2). $8-$17.50; Ages 21+; 7 pm; Coeur d’Alene Inn.
Scenic Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises
MARCH 1-3
Sit back and enjoy the 90-minute scenic tour of the lake. A hot cocoa bar will be available on-board with hot cocoa for the kiddos, and spiked cocoa for the adults. $10-$15; Noon and 2:30 pm; See visitcda.org for more details.
Wine, Stein and Dine
MARCH 2
Enjoy tastings from over 85 wineries and breweries, along with delicious food from a dozen local restaurants at the 23rd Annual Wine, Stein and Dine. This event also features live music by Bill Bozly, a great silent auction, photo booth and more. $45; 7-10 pm; Greyhound Park and Events Center; see visitcda.org for ticket purchase locations.
