Best Part Of Spring Break Is The Fun Stuff Outdoors

Spring break doesn’t have to be a holiday for couch potatos.

Many teenagers don’t realize the opportunities for getting outdoors during the annual vacation.

Most North Idaho schools will close March 29-April 2. In the Spokane area, most schools are closing for the week of April 5-9.

Recreation areas and departments are stepping up to fill the void.

For example, a spring break bicycle tour in the San Juan Islands of Western Washington is being offered for teenagers by the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department.

Ski resorts and climbing gyms are giving special discounts to students during the first week of April.

Following are some of the great deals.

Bike the islands: The San Juan Islands bike tour is scheduled for April 5-10. The trip will be offered to teens 12-18 years old. The cost is $229, including all transportaion, food, guides and camping gear.

The expedition will be based on Shaw Island, where the bikers will camp at San Juan County park. The group will take ferries to ride on four other islands.

Mike Aho, city recreation director, said, “We’ve been doing this trip for 16 years. We have it down pat.

“It can get wet, but we have a shelter we return to.”

Trip routes depend on the ability of the kids. The guides know where they can and cannot go, Aho said. Distances range from 20 to 40 miles.

Bike rentals are available for $35 for the trip. Multi-speed bikes are recommended.

With only 14 spots available for the trip, kids should register soon.

Contact: Spokane City Parks and Recreation Department, 625-6200.

Climbing the walls: A special spring break climbing class, April 5-9, is scheduled at Wild Walls in downtown Spokane.

For just $35, students get a morning of instruction plus gear rental and five days of climbing time.

In other words, kids show up at 10 a.m. on April 5 for instruction. For the rest of the week, they have access to the climbing walls each day.

Wild Walls also is extending its hours to 10 a.m.-10 p.m. during spring break.

Many kids organize their own groups for getaways or birthday parties to get cheap rates any day at Wild Walls. Groups of five or more can get rentals, instruction and climbing for about $12 a person.

Contact: Wild Walls, 455-9596.

Bus to Mount Spokane: The best spring break skiing or snowboarding deal is April 7-9 at Mount Spokane, where students don’t even have to rely on their parents for transportation.

A special three-day spring break package for kids ages 8-19 includes lift tickets, lunches and transportation from McDonald’s restaurants. Cost is $80 for three days, or just $45 for kids who already have season passes.

Busses will serve the McDonalds at the North Division Y, Sullivan Road and Lincholn Heights. Kids will be picked up at 7:45 a.m. and dropped off at 5:15 p.m.

Ski rentals can be added to the three-day package for $20.

Pre-registration is required. Payment can be made over the phone with a credit card.

Mount Spokane is scheduled to close for the season on April 11, but could possibly stay open longer depending on skier demand.

Contact: Mt. Spokane Ski area, 238-2220, ext. 215.

Save your Silver: Special youth days are scheduled for April 1 and April 9 at Silver Mountain in North Idaho, featuring discounted $12 lift tickets for students ages 7-17. Children under 6 ski free.

Parents accompaning students also will receive reduced $19 tickets.

The special youth days will accommodate students whose spring breaks occur in different weeks.

The resort’s official season ends April 4, but facilities will be open for the April 9-11 weekend.

An even longer season is possible, depending on skier interest.

First-time skiers can get instruction. Rental skis cost $12, while snowboards and boots cost $20.

Currently, the resort is open Wednesday through Sunday, 8:15 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Contact: Silver Mountain, (208) 783-1111.

Lookout at the Pass: This small ski area on the Montana-Idaho border will close before the Spokane-area spring break, but the resort has activities planned for its final weekend that might be worth the trip.

A snowboard festival is set for Saturday, followed by downhill kayak races on March 28. Bring your own kayak.

Contact: Lookout Pass, (208) 744-1392.

Stay at Schweitzer: The Microtel at the base of Schweitzer ski area is offering reduced loging rates through the end of the season.

Schweitzer is holding a cross counrty ski race today with 5K and 15K courses. The $10 entry includes the $5 trail pass.

Only three of the ski area’s lifts will be operating the week of April 5-11. Student tickets cost $20. Contact: Schweitzer Ski Area, (800) 831-8810.

SPECIALS Ski resorts and climbing gyms are giving special discounts to students during the first week of April.

Outdoors editor Rich Landers contributed to this story.