North Idaho is easy to get to, hard to leave
Photo courtesy of MATT SAWYER/Lookout Pass Ski Area Bob Ambrose, of Kalispell, Mont., carves a turn down Lookout’s Golden Eagle slope in November.
DEVIN WEEKS/BJNI file Chris White, general manager and chef of Cosmic Cowboy, hands a cup of pork belly mac and cheese to festival-goer Jarred Perona, with wife Holly, during the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association’s inaugural Mac and Cheese Festival in The Resort Plaza Shops in January 2018. The event was a huge hit and will return this month for locals and tourists to enjoy.
Photo courtesy of MATT SAWYER/Lookout Pass Ski Area Lookout Pass Ski School Director Chris Milam, of Wallace, turns down the Bonanza run during Lookout’s opening weekend in November.
JAKE PARRISH/BJNI file Thirty-year Army veteran John McRae smiles as he uses binoculars to view bald eagles on the annual “Eagle Watch” cruise on Lake Coeur d’Alene. The cruise, organized by The Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Department of Fish and Game and Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises, is free to veterans and their families.
After the holiday wreaths are taken down and the last New Year’s songs have been sung, North Idaho still has a vibrant charm that draws visitors to its winter wonderland.
Its snow-covered, tranquil landscape provides time for peaceful reflection as hikers and snowshoers breathe the fresh lake and mountain air, but in the warm indoors, businesses and restaurants continue to buzz as entertainment lures crowds for water park getaways, evenings of music in local pubs and more.
“The (Coeur d’Alene Convention and Visitors Bureau) develops a diverse, comprehensive annual marketing program designed to attract visitors here and encourage them to enjoy our abundance of attractions, events, dining establishments and ultimately stay in our hotels," said CVB executive director Mark Robitaille.
"As expected, winter tends to be a slower time of year for tourism as compared to summer, so we’re always looking for ways to increase visits which positively impact our regional economy."
The CVB’s clever “Snow Glad to See You” tagline for the 2018 winter season serves as a reminder that while it may be snowy on the outside, Coeur d’Alene visitors have plenty to do on the inside.
Mulligan’s Bar and Grille in the Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn at 506 W. Appleway Ave. is entertaining guests with live music from 6 to 8 p.m. every Friday and Saturday night.
Slate Creek Brewing at 1710 N. Fourth St. is hosting Friday night bingo with a $1 cash donation per card, and the proceeds will go to a different nonprofit every week. Play five in a row from 7 to 7:45 p.m., four corners from 8 to 8:45 p.m. and a round of blackout at 9 p.m.
Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruises will offer 2-hour eagle-watching cruises through Jan. 1. Information and tickets can be found at www.cdacruises.com/daily-cruises/eagles or by calling 855-379-5478.
The Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association’s Mac and Cheese Fest will warm guests from the inside out when it returns Jan. 19. Local chefs will set up in The Coeur d’Alene Resort Plaza Shops and put their own spin on the beloved comfort food, delighting taste buds of mac 'n' cheese connoisseurs of all ages. Beer tastings will be available for attendees 21 and older.
The event was so popular in its debut that a lake cruise and Resort overnight stay package have been added in its second year. The Mac and Cheese Dinner Cruise will be held Jan. 18 and will feature an “Around the World Macaroni and Cheese Menu” with pasta creations from Mexico, Italy and America.
"We found out last year our community had a love for mac and cheese, stronger than we ever could have imagined," said Emily Boyd, events coordinator for the Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association. "When mid-January rolls around in Coeur d’Alene, I think a lot of locals are itching to get out of the house and do something fun — and what better thing to do than indulge in comfort food? — making it a popular event with our locals."
Tickets for the Mac and Cheese Fest can be purchased www.cdadowntown.com/mac-cheese-festival in a variety of packages, including a VIP experience.
Boyd said she personally encourages visitors to come to North Idaho this time of year because visitors can "really capture a big piece of Coeur d’Alene’s heart in the winter: Frosted trees, a peacefully quiet lake, and personal interactions with business owners as they are not bustling around as quick as they are in the 'hot' season.'"
For those who crave the cooler temps and outdoors, North Idaho has a variety of mountains perfect for skiing, snowboarding, tubing and more.
Schweitzer Mountain is about an hour and 20 minutes north of Coeur d’Alene in Sandpoint. Guests can get out on the trails and slopes and enjoy activities including Saturday yoga sessions, northern lights parties, night races, live music and moonlight snowshoe adventures. Visit www.schweitzer.com to explore events and book stays.
East of Coeur d’Alene, Lookout Pass and Silver Mountain Resort call to winter wanderers.
Silver Mountain, about 41 minutes away in Kellogg, boasts Idaho’s largest indoor water park. Silver Rapids Water Park features the North Fork Lazy River, the Crossing obstacle course, the Moose Sluice family raft ride and loads of other fun for all ages. Outside, Silver offers two mountains, 73 trails, 1,600 acres of terrain, 2,200 vertical and more than 300 inches of annual snow. Go to www.silvermt.com for info.
On the Idaho/Montana border, Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area receives an average of more than 33 feet of snow on 540 acres with 35 named runs, the longest being 1.5 miles. Lookout offers three double chairs and a triple chair, a vertical drop of 1,150 feet, base elevation of 4,500 feet, summit elevation of 5,650 feet, two groomed terrain parks and more. Events include the New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade, the Winter Carnival — Family Fun Day and Wife Carrying Contest on Jan. 13, Mountain Brewfest and Snow Bowling Contest Jan. 27 and other fun throughout the season. Stay and play or ski and stay deals can be found at surrounding lodging locations in Mullan, Wallace and Kellogg. Info: www.skilookout.com