Heidi Boraski
Wintering in Blue Lake
Words by Jan Lee
Recreational opportunities don't stop when winter rolls around, especially in the Idaho Panhandle, where well-equipped RV parks can put you within a couple of hours' drive of dozens of skiing, hiking, and ice-fishing locations.
Located at the northern tip of Idaho, near Creston, British Columbia, the Idaho Panhandle is a favourite destination for winter recreation. However, the area is also an ideal destination for RV'ers who enjoy the quiet getaways and spectacular scenery that a Northwest winter has to offer. Historic Bonners Ferry, 56 km (36 mi) south of Creston, BC and the larger city of Sandpoint 91 km (57 mi) are ideal destinations for experiencing Idaho's rural charm.
Prepare before you go
For those who haven't yet experienced a snow-bound RV holiday, it's worth noting that winter RV'ing takes some advanced preparation. (Perry Mack has written an excellent article on some of the finer tips for wintering over in snowy settings – along with a valuable head's up.)
http://suncruisermedia.com/Home/resources/winter-rving-in-the-northwest/
Schweitzer Mountain resort
Schweitzer RV Parking
The degree of preparation and insulating you'll need to undertake depends upon the kind of rig you have. Some newer RVs can be equipped with an "arctic" package that reduces the need for winter skirting and offers more comfort in cold and hot weather conditions.
Still, it is possible to enjoy winter RV'ing by taking care to weatherize your rig properly. Ensuring your equipment works and familiarizing yourself with its capabilities and limits is a must with any RV travel, but particularly during the winter.
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Heidi Boraski
RV in the Winter in Blue Lake
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Heidi Boraski
Blue Lake Gazebo
Bonners Ferry: Idaho's true frontier town
Framed by the Selkirk and Cabinet Mountains and surrounded by sweeping vistas of ranch lands and forest, Bonners Ferry (Bonners as locals call it) still reflects its pioneer roots. Visitors can still see glimpses of Bonner's historic 19th-century architecture in many of its downtown buildings. The Boundary County Historical Museum also features exhibits that tell the story of the region's original inhabitants, the Kootenai Indian Tribe and the settlers that eventually made the Panhandle their home.
The downtown also offers several dining locations, including the Mi Pueblo Mexican Restaurant, which has a following as far away as Creston. For wine lovers, there is Heart Rock Wines tasting bar, which offers select wines and beers paired with reasonably priced appetizers.
RV'ers will find convenient accommodations at the Blue Lake RV Park, Naples, ID 14 km (8.8 mi) south of Bonners on U.S. 95. According to Heidi Boraski, who runs the resort with her husband James, the park gets a handful of seasoned RV'ers each winter. The sites overlook a private lake and winter hookups are close to washrooms, a convenience store, and laundry facility.
Boraski was quick to point out that residents planning to winter over will need to be sure to heat-insulate the water spigot and hoses appropriately, as well as install skirting when they arrive.
The Hemlocks RV Park and Generations Restaurant, 10 minutes (approximately 8 km (5 mi) east of the U.S. 95 junction on Highway 2 also offers winter hookups. The sites are semi-secluded and have running water and sewer. Guests can enjoy dinner and weekend brunch specialties at the adjoining restaurant.
For wildlife viewing, the Kootenai National Wildlife Reserve is open to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Visitors can park and trek in as the roads aren't plowed during the winter. The reserve is home to more than 300 species of wildlife and is a magnet for bird watchers.
Schweitzer Mountain resort
Sandpoint: Home of Schweitzer Mountain
Some 51 km (32 mi) south of Bonners on Highway 95 is the city of Sandpoint. The town dates back to the 1800s when the fur trader David Thompson mapped routes through what would become Idaho and eastern British Columbia. Exhibits at the Bonner County Historical Museum tell the story of these earlier days and Sandpoint's eventual fame as a ski destination, both on and off the slopes.
Schweitzer Mountain Resort is the region's number-one destination for winter recreation. At 1951 m (6,400 ft) elevation, it affords not only great skiing but spectacular views of Lake Pend Orielle and the surrounding mountains. Just about every winter sport can be found here, from snowboarding to heli- and cat-skiing. Visitors that prefer a more sedate way to see Idaho from the top of the mountain can also book a ride on the Selkirk Powder Guides' heated snowcat.
The ski resort features its own RV parking for self-contained units at $20 a night (3-night limit). There are no hookups, but skiers will enjoy the proximity to Schweitzer's slopes.
For smaller rigs and those who want to stay a bit longer, the Edgewater Hotel at the centre of Sandpoint offers a few winter RV sites near amenities. This is the last season for this popular RV park, which will give way to a bigger hotel in 2020.
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Rob Ryan
Ice fishing is a favourite winter activity in North Idaho.
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MMelo Maiolie/ IDFG
Winter holidays North Idaho style
There's something enchanting about spending the Christmas holidays in a small mountain getaway and both Bonners Ferry and Sandpoint capture that charm well. Visitors can find plenty of places to browse and shop for the holidays in both downtown Bonners and Sandpoint.
For holiday festivities in December and January, locals head to Schweitzer Mountain. Kids can ski alongside Santa or enjoy the tubing and snowboarding opportunities the resort has to offer. Schweitzer's New Year's party is a favorite for locals and visitors alike. January events include several festivities on the hill with fireworks, and great skiing and snowboarding. Log on to Schweitzer's website for a calendar of upcoming events.
Fishing enthusiasts don't need to hang up their poles during an Idaho winter. There are four popular ice fishing locations in the Panhandle, including Cocolalla Lake, 20 minutes (20 km/12 mi) south of Sandpoint. At least 9 species inhabit the lake, including rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and yellow perch — its most abundant resident.
"Ice fishing can be a little intimidating for newcomers, but it doesn't need to be," said Rob Ryan, regional fisheries manager in Coeur d'Alene. "Ice fishing does have some inherent qualities that require anglers to be cautious," the most important being ice quality and thickness. The IDFG publishes guidelines to help you determine the thickness the ice needs to be to fish safely, which is available on its website.
"Cocolalla generally freezes up most years and provides safe enough ice to fish," making it a good starting place for fishing, Idaho style said Ryan. Still, for those who aren't too sure about trekking onto a frozen lake, the highway pullouts above the lake can provide a good view of winter anglers in action and some of the more interesting winter scenery the Northwest has to offer.
Winter RV'ing: Where to Stay
Blue Lake RV
242 Blue Lake Rd, Naples, ID 83847
208-946-3361
The Hemlocks RV Park
73400 US-2, Moyie Springs, ID 83845
208-267-4363
Schweitzer Mountain Resort
10000 Schweitzer Mountain Road
Sandpoint, Idaho 83864
208.254.4104
https://www.schweitzer.com/events/
*A good paved road leads to the base of the mountain, which is at 1951 meters, but travelers may wish to assess the capability of their rigs to make the ascent first.
Sandpoint RV Park
56 Bridge St,
Sandpoint, ID 83864
208-263-3194
For more information about activities and attractions:
Bonners Ferry Chamber of Commerce
7198 US-95,
Bonners Ferry, ID 83805
http://bonnersferrychamber.org
208-267-5922
The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce
1202 N Fifth Ave,
Sandpoint, ID 83864
208-263-2161
Idaho Department of Fish and Game (Ice fishing tips and destinations)