Winter Wonderland

By Liv Stecker

Florida’s beaches, they are not, but if the residents of Washington’s geographical postage stamp don’t know how good they’ve got it in the recreation department, even in winter, then they’re missing out. Sure, there’s snow, and lots of it. There’s ice, and wildlife, early sunsets, late sunrises, and some pretty nippy temperatures to contend with, but if you step out into the crisp air and the crunchy snow in the sunshine and can’t appreciate the smell of fresh, healthy winter, there’s a good chance you might be dead.

North Stevens, Pend Orielle and Ferry Counties all contain well-kept winter recreation secrets. From state land crisscrossed with Snowmobile trails, to remote peaks and cozy cabins at the end of a long snow shoe or cross country ski path, to ice covered lakes rich waiting for the seasonless fisherman, we’ve got it all. Including a commercial ski hill that keeps things real and affordable for the locals and visitors alike, there is no lack of winter recreation in this corner of the state.

Strap on your pack boots, turn on the four wheel drive and follow us through the deep powder to a line up of adventures that you didn’t know you were missing!

• ·       49 Degrees North (ski49n.com , 509-935-6649)– is a commercially competitive ski hill that boasts 2,325 acres of pristine territory towering eastward of Chewelah. Seven different ski lifts transport you to the top of two separate peaks and a slew of runs ranging from difficult, highly technical to slow easy routes for begginners like me, who spend as much time on their bum as they do on their board.

• ·       If swooshing and sliding downhill aren’t your cup of tea, or maybe shelling out the cash for a lift ticket isn’t in the cards this season– hit up the trails around the Little Pend Orielle Wildlife Refuge east of Colville for some scenic snowshoeing and cross country skiing, and visit with the resident deer, elk, otters, moose, bobcats and more birds and fish than we can reasonably list here. Visit The Fish and Wildlife Service at fws.gov or call (509) 684-8384 for regulations and information.

• ·       Snow Peak Cabin located near the top of Snow Peak in Ferry county, just above the Kettle Crest Trail is a cabin built and maintained by the Colville National Forest, available to reserve by the night. This quaint little shelter is accessible by the not-faint-of-heart  snow shoers or nordic skiiers in search of a spectacular winter adventure. Pack in your own food and water and warm up by a woodstove in the wilderness.  Visit www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 for more information.

• ·       If you’re in the mood for International Galavants, hop over the border to Rossland British Columbia and give the slopes at Red Mountain Resort a go.  Take a spin on the downtown ice skating rink or try you hand at the Luge during Rossland’s Winter Carnival during the 4^th weekend of January. Check out tourismrossland.com and www.cbp.gov for international travel information.

• ·       Colville National Forest plays host to a large assortment of snowmobile parks from Albian Hill, east of Republic, to Mill Creek, between Colville and Ione, and Flowery Trail, just up the hill from Chewelah. Hundreds of miles of groomed routes with trailhead parking lace the beautiful and wild forest country, interspersed with protected state land. Most of these parks post grooming updates and trail system maps on the state website, parks.wa.gov , or call Colville National Forest at 509-684-7000 for information. Sno-Park permits are required at most locations.

• ·       The town of Republic stages it’s own WinterFest, also the third weekend in January, so if you don’t feel like braving the international border crossing, take a scenic drive over amazing Sherman Pass and get in on the hot wing contest, ice wine tasting and whatever you do, don’t miss the Out House Races. Ferrycounty.com

• ·       If sledding is more your speed, and you have been on the lifelong quest to find the Ultimate Sledding Hill, look no more, and put away the non-caloric silicon-based kitchen lubricant. At publication, we had many contenders for “Best Sledding Hill Ever”, including Dominion Mountain outside of Colville, the Metaline Golf Course, and Riverview Camp’s sledding luge for innertubes (there’s a small fee there) between Metaline and Cusick. But for everybody within a 20-mile radius of Northport, the answer was obvious: the infamous “Party Hill” just a little way up Sheep Creek road.

• ·       Also located in the far Nor’East (Sullivan Lake Area) is the Frater Lake cross country ski trails, Noisy Lake snowshoe trail and a plethora of snowmobile areas. Check in with the Sullivan Lake Ranger District on the Colville National forest for more info about those not-so-hot spots: 509-446-2681

• ·       For the truly hardy, or implants from the Midwest (yes I am talking to you, Minnesotans), believe it or not, you can quench your thirst for ice fishing on the 38 acre Williams Lake, 14 miles north of Colville, you can catch 10-13 inch rainbow trout in a winter-only fishing environment open December 1 – March 31. Rainbow Resort in Inchelium is also a great spot for rainbow trout, eastern brook and big mouth bass during the winter months.

Before you pack it up and head to Aspen, Colorado or Banff, Canada for a winter outing, make sure you stop and smell the snowflakes in our very own back woods. Most local DNR or Forest Service employees can help you find the perfect niche for whatever winter sport or pastime you prefer. Sno-Park passes that are required on state lands (and to access some federal spots) are available at a wide variety of vendors that are listed online at parks.wa.gov, along with any additional information you might need. Remember to pack smart and play safe – always be prepared for the worst-case scenario but plan for the best!