PARKS — Washington State Parks officials have set meetings in Spokane to discuss potentially sweeping changes in management of facilities at Riverside and Mount Spokane.

The meetings will be at Spokane Public Library Shadle Branch, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. as follows:

• Saturday, 3:30-5 p.m., specific to Riverside State Park.
• Monday, 6 p.m-7:30 p.m., for Mount Spokane State Park.

Similar meetings across the state will gather public opinion on whether the state parks system would be operated as a private enterprise based on profits generated at the sites or as a public conservation asset.

Other options include turning over more parks to local communities to operate as a non-profit attractions, officials said.

Officials also are asking the public to help them rank the top features of their state parks and what needs improvement, said Virginia Painter, parks spokeswoman in Olympia.

The cash-strapped parks system is trying to make a five-year management plan. The Washington Legislature had voted to wean the parks from all state general funding in the next few years.

Rangers and other staff positions at Riverside and Mount Spokane state parks were cut by 40 percent in Jaunary.

Click here for information about the planning effort and making comments.

HIKING — My Honey and I were city-hiking along the Spokane River today. I caught Meredith among blossoming trees near the Ft. George Wright Cemetery, with a backdrop of Mount Spokane still shrouded in snow.

WINTER SPORTS — Spokane photographer Brian Jamieson caught the flavor of the fun and action at Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park's Pond Skim event last weekend.

NORDIC SKIING — About 160 skiers responded to a survey posted on the Spokane Nordic Ski Education Foundation website last month.

Although the results haven't been fully compiled, club spokesman Brad Thiessen offered these observations of the trends:

What survey takers loved most about skiing at Mount Spokane:

• The variety and length of the trails
• Accessibility and proximity to Spokane
• Friendliness and the sense of community on the hill
• The beauty of the Mount Spokane trail area

The most common concerns:

•  Desire for an improved and larger Selkirk Lodge
• Better and more consistent grooming
• The Sno-Park fee system
• Toilets and a rest stop near the back of the trails

WINTER SPORTS — Signs have been poking up on Mount Spokane warning snowshoers they're no longer going to be tolerated hiking popular routes up to the mountain summit.

Indeed, the signs let snowshoers, hikers, backcountry skiers and others who want to access the summit of Mt. Spokane that they're not allowed to go up through the downhill skiing concession area.

This rule has been enforced against snowmobiles for many years. But now it's getting personal with one of the newest and fastest growing state park user groups.

Local snowhoer Chris Bachman contacted Randy Kline, Washington State Parks environmental program manager in Olympia, and asked him who is responsible for the signs and why.

Below is Kline’s reply. Note that if the ski area's planned expansion on the backside of the mountain goes through, even more access will be lost to the non-downhil public.

Greetings Chris,

 

As I understand it, hiking up the mountain on groomed trails in the concession area at Mount Spokane is not currently permitted – in speaking to the park manager, this is a State Parks decision related to safety and risk management. Snowshoe folks and backcountry nordic skiers currently use an alternate route that is outside the improved concession area that gets them up to Vista House. However, the proposed expansion area will occur within a portion of the area currently used by snowshoe folks and nordic backcountry skiers so – if they will not be allowed on groomed trails - we should begin looking at alternative means to accommodate these users in their desire to get up to Vista House. Thank you for the letting me know that this is an issue of concern .

Put away that garden seed catalog. Cross-country ski areas are enjoying the season’s best snow conditions.

Mount Spokane: New snow has accumulated every day this week with temperatures largely in the teens and 20s. XCers in most of the world would die for these conditions.

Tauber Angus Ranch: “We had 14 inches of new snow earlier this week and I’m wondering how to get word out to people that the skiing is fantastic,” said Cassie Tauber, operations manager of the working cattle ranch. Family members who love to ski groom miles of trails about 12 miles north of Sandpoint.

“Our trails are more gentle than a lot of areas, great for families, and we have a yurt,” she said.

Info: (208) 263-6400.

4th of July Pass: Enough snow has accumulated for gates to be closed, barring vehicles, and for groomers to pack miles of trails.

“I welcome a good late winter and early spring ski season, if only to make up for the deficit we suffered in December and most of January,” said Geoff Harvey, Panhandle Nordic Club.

Methow Valley: “So much snow, so much fun,” says the email from the Methow Valley Sports Trail Association. The area near Winthrop is bustling this weekend with a winter triathlon hot-air balloon festival.

Tonight's program on trekking in an exotic land is aimed at funding a local issue at Mount Spokane.

Spokane mountaineer John Roskelley will present a program on trekking in Bhutan tonight, 6 p.m., at the Community Building, 35 W. Main.

Donations benefit Save Mt. Spokane Coalition. RSVP: aswan@landscouncil.org.

The Spokane Mountaineers has voted to join The Lands Council in opposing a plan to expand the alpine ski area at Mount Spokane.

Roskelley, a mountaineer and former Spokane County commissioner, has been an outspoken opponent to adding a chairlift and opening ski runs on what's now considered the “backside” of the Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park.

WINTER SPORTS — Last night's storm dumped about 10 inches of new powder on the Mount Spokane cross-country ski trails, so much so fast the groomer couldn't keep up with it.

Deja vu.  It was like heading up to the mountain 30 years ago before big groomers.

A backcountry skiing Mecca.

People venturing out and breaking trail for others to follow.

I heard one guy grousing that the trails weren't groomed to perfection as he tried to plow through five inches of powder that had fallen after the groomer has passed.

He simply had the wrong tools on his feet for the conditions.  Skiers on classic or touring skis had big smiles on their faces.

It was a great day to step out in the winter woods and back in time.

NORDIC SKIING — A few skis got tangled during the mass start for 250 competitors in the 34th annual Langlauf 10-kilometer cross-country ski race Sunday at Mount Spokane.

But the event went smoothly and, as usual, the field feasted on soup an treats before hanging around, listening to a fiddle-accordian band. Then they stepped up to an award ceremony that handed out medals, ribbons and thousands of dollars worth of prizes to participants regardless of how fast they put away the course.

See results and winners of all age groups here.

See a gallery of photos here.

It's the classiest nordic skiing event in the region.

The fastest skiers through the foggy conditions were Brad Bauer, 38, of Seattle, the overall winner in 27:33, and Deb Bauer, 46, of Spokane, the top female in 33:01.

WINTER SPORTS — Washington's Winter Recreation Advisory Committee today approved $300,000 to purchase an larger snowcat groomer for the 30-kilometers of nordic trails at Mount Spokane State Park, reports George Momany, the Spokane-region representative on the panel.

The appropriation should allow the state park staff to begin widening trails this summer to accommodate the new groomer.

Steve Christensen, Mount Spokane State Park manager, has been campaigning for a larger groomer for years.

“It will cost more in the beginning, but it will save money in the long run,” he said.

“The smaller groomers we've been using are underpowered for the amount and type of snow we get at Mount Spokane, and that results in more breakdowns,” he said. 

“Once we get the trails to the right width, a bigger groomer will be able to work a trail in one pass. That will allow us to groom more miles of trail faster without leaving the rough berm in the middle that you get from double-pass grooming. Skaters will love that.”

The Spokane Nordic Ski Education Foundation will be calling on volunteers to help trim trails this summer.

Coming Sunday:  The parking lot at Mount Spokane Nordic area will be jammed on Sunday (Feb. 12) for the annual Spokane Langlauf 10K cross-country ski race.

WINTER SPORTS — A great Souper Bowl turnout of women and girls made the most of a perfect day at Mount Spokane to ski, snowshoe and lunch for the benefit of the Women's and Children's Free Restaurant.

The bottom line: ‎280 women came out for the event, enabling volunteers to raise $12,872 for the Women's and Children's Free Restaurant, surpassing last year's effort.

Congratulate yourselves, ladies.

NORDIC SKIING —  The annual Langlauf 10-kilometer cross-country ski race, set for Feb. 12 at Mount Spokane, is offering a two-for-one $25 entry fee for skiers who enter along with a first-time participant.

Langlauf is the most popular nordic ski event in the region, featuring lottery prizes for everyone who participates. The fastest skiers get medals and ribbons, but everyone has a chance to win things like skis, restaurant meals and vacation accomodations at ski destinations.

Enter online at spokanelanglauf.org.

Need more info?  Call Fitness Fanatics, (509) 922-6080.

Bald Knob Snowshoe, Mount Spokane State Park from Tanner Grant on Vimeo.

WINTER SPORTS — Tanner Grant of Spokane video's his recent snowshoe trek at Mount Spokane State Park to give the uninitiated a glimpse of one oft the more popular routes from the main road up to the Bald Knob Picnic area. 

We parked on the road near the snowmobile parking lot (Discover Pass required) and made the short trip to the picnic shelter. With all the new snow in the last week the conditions were great, and lucky for us the weather couldnt have been better. Music by Jack Johnson, “All At Once.”

Grant also features a recommendation on how to come back down the mountain on the well-traveled route.

WINTER SPORTS —Sign-up is under way for an annual event known for encouraging women to take an adventurous yet enjoyable step into winter.

The seventh-annual Women’s Souper Bowl – which includes cross-country skiing and snowshoeing activities, free rentals and lessons, treats, prizes and lunch – is set for 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Feb. 5 based out of Selkirk Lodge at Mount Spokane.

The activities end in time to avoid conflict with the “other” Super Bowl on TV.

The events are open to women of all ages and athletic ability.

New to the Souper Bowl this year:

• The nordic ski race has been replaced with a cross-country ski trek to acquire poker hands to win prizes at the Souper lunch.
• Snowshoers will have special permission to trek on a portion of the groomed nordic ski trail system.

Cost: A $30 minimum suggested donation is requested for the Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant for registrations received by Friday (Jan. 27). Extra will be requested for late registrations.

Transportation: Sno-Park permits required for vehicles. Avoid the driving and parking hassles by reserving seats on chartered “Souper Bus,” which leaves Mountain Gear at 8 a.m. and stops at Mt. Spokane High School 8:30 en route to the mountain. Departs mountain at 1 p.m. Cost: $15.
  

WINTER SPORTS — Today's snow storm is doing its magic at area ski resorts.

“Powder Wednesday was epic at Lookout Pass today,” reports Bill Jennings from Lookout Pass Ski Area. “Early this morning we had 22 inches at the base and at least 30 inches at the summit. It’s been snowing all day.

“According to the National Weather Service, we are expecting another 2 feet of snow through Friday!

Mount Spokane reported 5 inches of new powder fell between the 9 a.m. opening and 1:40 p.m. — and it was still snowing.

49 Degrees North reported the storm has dumped about 6 inches today.

Silver Mountain says it's received 8 inches in the last 24 hours.

All the resorts should be getting much more.

WINTER SPORTS – Cross-country skiers can test their performance over the course of the season and take a stab at winning cool prizes by entering the four-race Selkirk Nordic Series at Inland Northwest venues.

The series schedule includes:

WINTER SPORTS — A flip-photography contest prompted local slope shredder Blake Sommers to create this nifty glimpse of folks giving a workout to the Mount Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park.  Check it out.

WINTER SPORTS —  Free-heel skiers and snowshoers have plenty of events to sample in the next two weeks. Among them:

Snowshoeing activites organized by Spokane Parks and Recreation include:

• Winter survival youth camp, Dec. 28-29, to learn snowshoeing and snow shelter building skills.
• Mount Spokane guided snowshoe tour with transportation, Dec. 31.
• Women’s guided  Mount Spokane snowshoe tour, Jan. 1.

Info: spokaneparks.org

Nordic skiing lessons, Dec. 31-Jan. 1, taught as a fundraiser by Spokane Nordic junior ski team at Mount Spokane. Info: email selkirkxc@yahoo.com or call 922-6080.

Idaho Ski-Snowshoe Free Day, Jan. 7, at 18 Park N’Ski area across the state. Skiing and snowshoeing lessons at Farragut and Priest Lake state parks.

Info: parksand- recreation.idaho.gov/

Winterfest at 49 Degrees North, Jan. 7-8.

Features more than a dozen activities, seminars and events. EPIC Hill Climb kicks it off on Jan. 7 followed by telemark and cross-country gear demos, free lessons, gate racing,avalanche seminars and evening nordic ski and snowshoe tours.

Jan. 8 includes a nordic ski race and paintball biathlon, plus tours.

Info: mountaingear.com.

Ferry County Rail Trail Ski Day, Jan. 14, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. based at trailhead north of Curlew.

Groomed trails as conditions allow, free ski lessons, gear and refreshments.

Info: ferrycountytrail.com.

WINTER SPORTS —  Kids ages 5-15 are the focus of the popular Nordic Kids cross-country skiing program at Mount Spokane, but parents who need a primer don’t have to sit around.

Spokane Nordic Ski Education Foundation is taking registration for Saturday skiing lessons that start Jan. 7 and run most Saturdays through March 3. Last year, 150 kids joined groups led by volunteer instructors through the season.

“This is a family sport, so we decided last year to have a lesson for parents who needed help with nordic skiing,” said Alison Liaboe, Nordic Kids co-organizer.

“That was a real hit. So this year, we’re offering three free lessons to parents who enroll their kids in the program.”

Also new, five of the volunteer coaches will be certified instructors.

Participants must become members of SNSEF ($30 per family).

Cost for the seven weekend Nordic Kids sessions is $50.

Sign up online.

NORDIC SKIING — Mount Spokane State Park's snowcat groomer is set to roll on the 30-mile nordic skiing trail system starting Thursday night, park manager Steve Christensen said.

A snowmobile groomer has been used to pack many of the trails and a good base is set for the big groomer to pretty up.

“We need more new snow to work with, but it should be good for this weekend,” he said.

A Washington Sno-Park Permit ($40 annual) is required as usual on vehicles for parking in the three Sno-Park lots used at Mount Spokane by snowmobilers, snowshoers and cross-country skiers. 

A Grooming Sticker (additional $40) must be attached to your Sno-Park Permit for parking at the Selkirk Lodge Sno-Park lot where nordic skiers take advantage of the excellent groomed trails.

A Washington Discover Pass ($30 annual) allows parking DURING WINTER only at the limited pull-out spots along the road that are not supported by the Sno-Park program, such as at the vault toilets just inside the park entrance.

Daily permit users beware:  Quirky language in the legislation that created the Discover Pass requires state park visitors who buy daily $20 Sno-Park Permits to ALSO have a daily $10 Discover Pass on their vehicles.  Park rangers are not happy with that deal, but that's the law they have to enforce until it's changed.