The first thing on my calendar is a yurt ski trip in the Bitterroot Mountain Range near Lost Trail Ski Area. Wilderness River Outfitters operates the Ridgeline and Stateline Yurts which allow winter sports enthusiasts premier access to Lost Trail Ski area, sidecountry, and backcountry.
This year, snowfall seems to be getting a late start. Lost Trail Ski Area will open soon, but not without more snow. The mountain is tentatively scheduled to open on December 9, snowfall dependent. Fingers crossed the powder piles up so we can spend Christmas break on the slopes, as the mountain will be open daily from December 16-January 3.
For me, November is a month of planning and preparing my home and mindset for the coming holidays and winter months in general. For my household, this means stocking the woodpile, the freezer, and the wine cellar.
Green grass and wildflowers peek through, framed by the snowcaps of the surrounding mountains. The beautiful surroundings make Salmon an ideal spring retreat.
The small Cessna rattled slightly, hitting a pocket of rough air as we topped the ridgeline and got our first view of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. The river was wide and slow here, surrounded by gentle sloping banks of new growth pine that belied the craggy landscapes, rushing white water, and soaring side peaks that awaited just downstream. After a smooth landing by our talented pilot, I climbed out after the other passengers—two women who would be my hiking companions for the week.
Salmon, Idaho’s proximity to the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness makes it a popular destination for wilderness visitors of all stripes. This accessibility also attracts wilderness enthusiasts and professionals who make Salmon their home year-round.
More than just a thoroughfare to the wilderness, Salmon is a destination unto itself. A few days in town before or after a backcountry journey provides the perfect balance to any rugged excursion.
Salmon Valley offers no shortage of outdoor space, one of my favorite spots for winter recreating is on the slopes of Lost Trail Ski Area…
Nestled on the edge of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, Salmon, Idaho’s convenient outdoor access has long attracted nature lovers and sportsmen alike. When combined with the relatively small population, the town provides the perfect getaway for the outdoor enthusiast in search of more space and less people.
…eventually, Idaho was on a stay-at-home order that would last until April 30. During that time, Salmon residents have had varying responses to the challenges that COVID-19 presents. Some of us exhausted Netflix, others quickly tired of Zoom meetings, and most of us have had ample time to think.
