Priest Lake Trails Set To Swing Into Action

Sun., Jan. 3, 1999

Rich Landers Outdoors Editor

Priest Lake, Idaho-area entrepreneurs have a lot of white space they’re trying to fill with skiers.

“If the snow gods are good to us, this is an incredible place for cross-country skiing,” said Debbie Wilkins, Forest Service recreation coordinator for the Priest Lake Ranger District.

The Forest Service is teaming with the Priest Lake Golf Course and Hill’s Resort to groom a 40-kilometer cross-country trail system, which was groomed for the first time last week.

On the east side of the lake, Priest Lake State Park also has several kilometers of ski trails.

A shortage of snow stalled grooming efforts before Christmas, but Cindy Hatala, who’s upgrading the nordic potential of the golf course this year, hopes to have the system looking pretty for Cross Country Idaho Days next weekend.

Hatala is keeping the golf course club house open as a nordic center on winter weekends this year.

On Saturday, however, the hot drinks and snacks will be complementary, she said. Waxing and skiing seminars are planned at the club house beginning at 9 a.m., followed by free ski lessons.

Equipment rentals also will be available, but pre-registration is required by Wednesday. Call Priest Lake Golf Course at (208) 443-2525, or Mountain Gear in Spokane at 325-9000.

Cross Country Idaho Days feature free access to plowed areas that normally require an Idaho Park N Ski permit, including Fourth of July Pass.

Most state parks waive the normal $2 day-use fee.

In addition, many state parks and nordic ski areas are sponsoring events and clinics for the occasion.

Farragut State Park east of Athol, Idaho, plans to offer free beginner nordic skiing lessons plus refreshments and ski videos beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday. A guided night ski tour is set to begin at 6 p.m. Info: (208) 683-2425.

Round Lake State Park south of Sandpoint has no organized activities planned for next weekend, but when conditions allow, the park grooms seven miles of ski trail and plows a portion of the lake for ice skating. Info: (208) 263-3489.

Fourth of July Pass ski area is set to be groomed by Panhandle Nordic Club volunteers, who will have the refreshments and a fire going in the warming hut.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.