[Imissutah]

I just moved to Spokane, and am looking for any info on backcountry skiing / boarding, or groups who go on a regular basis.

[CaptainFaris]

This isn't a "real" answer, because I just got some backcountry skis myself this week for use within Spokane on the Centennial Trail (when the temps drop back like earlier this week and it snows again). So I'm interested in the answers as well. Especially, I'd like to know if we can just take our skis to the same forests we hunt in during deer season... Such as up past Deer Lake (40 miles) where I hunted last November. But previous inquiries into backcountry skiing near here yielded answers about Mt Spokane (29 miles) and Sherman Pass (100 miles) as well as the North Idaho and other official ski areas. I used the Mt Spokane cross country groomed trails once last year with a group as a beginner. I'm really just an advanced downhill skier who wants to ski without driving to costly slopes. Next Saturday Jan 28 at the Sitzmark Ski Area 160 miles northwest from here will be a backcountry ski festival http://altaiskis.com/2017/01/20/2nd-annual-altai-skis-demo-and-ski-festival-sitzmark-ski-area-january-28th/#lightbox/1/. This is promoted by the Altai ski maker featuring the silly short fat skis that I just bought. My one day using them on the trail in town was "fun" (in a beginner who thinks he ought to be an expert sort of way). But I'd like to get to this festival to learn more. But... 160 miles... And I'm legally blind and can't drive a car. I have an AWD SUV but my wife doesn't do snow sports... So if someone would drive my car (and me) ... If we get more snow in Spokane itself, I'll let you know now the Beacon Hill mountain bike trails (1 mile from my house, along the Centennial Trail) work for backcountry skiing... Phil

[treeswarper]

Sitzmark is accessed by paved roads. You should be fine getting there once you find a driver. The last part of your drive will be on a good, plowed county road. I'm afraid that's all the input I can give. I lived in that area eons ago and will try to move back this year. We used to run up to Sitzmark to downhill ski in the afternoon. You will also find the Highlands Snow Park nearby. It is a groomed cross country ski area. I think you might need a snowpark to do that. You can easily look it up. On your way, if you go via Sherman Pass, you might check out the rail to trail that takes off from Republic. I think it is skiable if it has snow on it. That's all I can think of.

[mountainsandsound]

Check out: panhandlebackcountry.com There is definitely a group of Spokane folks who like to go backcountry. For steep descents, the Selkirks seem popular with a core group of people, and snow machines are pretty handy for access. The lookout pass area of Idaho/Montana is also popular and easily accessible from I-90. Sherman pass has some cool terrain, much of it seems a bit more mellow and perfect for backcountry Nordic skiing. I'm just passing this info on, I haven't visited these spots yet during the winter. If anyone is interested in meeting up for some backcountry cross-country type touring, PM me. I cross country ski at Mt Spokane a lot but I like going up ungroomed roads and moderate terrain and I'm about to buy a better setup for such pursuits.

[bchiker]

Turns all year is a good resource. Although you do tend to see more posts for western washingtion vs Spokane

[Schenk]

yes, panhandlebackcountry.com is a good place to get info about the area. "7B Backcountry" is a good public facebook group too. (7B is the license plate prefix for Bonner County, ID). Check out the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center reports for clues on where people go too.

[tmatlack]

The Stevens Creek access for Dishman Hills/Rocks of Sharon is not "backcountry" but there are cat tracks and trails leading up to the radio towers and climbing rocks. It is much better for snowshoeing(depending on cover) but just someone out for a scouting/recon mission could find some turns somewhere up there...once again depending on cover. tom

[DIYSteve]

TAY for sure. Also check in with the TGR mags.

[joker]

You could try a PM on Turns All Year to username "russ" who has been living out there for some years now. I haven't picked his brain on spots out there but I know he's ventured into Idaho (and the border with Montana for some mellow sidecountry at Lookout), and I think he's spent time up at Mt Spokane as well. Not sure what else he's dug up nearby, but he's good at hunting out the fun!

[Treehugger5]

St Regis Basin, Willow Creek, Copper Basin. All in Idaho, easily accessed off of I-90. If you want, come into the Spokane REI and ask for the guy who backcountry skis at least 2xweek there.