Gondola Takes Up Bikers, Skiers

There’s still snow, but Silver Mountain Resort has opened for the summer season.

The Gondola will run from Kellogg to the lodge on the mountain from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends only through June 28 and then daily through the summer months.

Backcountry skiers can still find enough snow to ski some slopes. Mountain bikers should call ahead to see if the trails are open for the summer. When they do, bikers will find new trails, including a mile-long beginner loop and a nine-mile route back to Kellogg.

Gondola tickets are $6.95, $3.95 for kids ages 7-12, $8.95 for mountain bikers with their bikes, $20 for a family pass.

For information call the mountain office at (208) 783-1111.

Just press the button

Shutterbugs who want to get more serious about their hobby can head to Port Townsend in July or August for a six-day photo workshop by professional photographer Ron Long.

Daily activities include lectures, critiques and a dawn-to-dusk shooting session with overnight processing.

The workshops are July 13-19 or Aug. 17-23; cost is $470. Lodging is at the Harborside Inn and is not included in the price of the workshop. For information, call Long at (604) 469-1651.

Where do we like to go?

A survey of favorite vacation destinations for families conducted by Better Homes and Gardens offers these insights: The top five destinations were ocean/beach (41 percent), historical sites (40 percent), city (38 percent), a lake (37 percent) and family reunion (30 percent).

Attention novice anglers

Next Saturday is a free fishing day at Bonaparte Lake in the Okanogan National Forest.

A couple of competitions will be held for kids ages 14 and younger and the Washington State Department of Wildlife will stock the lake with rainbow trout, which will include some prize winners in the bunch.

Smokey Bear will be in attendance from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and there will bee food available.

The campground at Bonaparte Lake will be open and is the center of the activity; for information, call the Okanogan National Forest at (509) 826-3275.

, DataTimes