Family Road Trip - Silver Mountain Resort

by Erin Peterson

Featured in Spokane Coeur d'Alene Living Magazine

Do you want to escape to the tropics but only have an I-90 budget? The comforts of warm water, a cold cocktail and the benefit of a short drive are waiting for you if you plan your trip to Silver Mountain Resort. Located just off of the freeway in Kellogg, Idaho, this indoor waterpark and ski resort is not just an exciting destination during the winter, but a fantastic summer getaway for the whole family. It may be only an hour from Spokane, but it feels like another world entirely.

LUXURIOUS LOFTS

If you want to extend your fun beyond just a day trip, you can stay overnight at the plush Morning Star Lodge. We chose the one bedroom Loft Suite which had a king bed, a queen and two twin beds so that it would accommodate the whole family. The boys delighted in the curved staircase leading to an upstairs television viewing room where they could relax and have time to themselves. We preferred sitting in front of the fireplace with a great bottle of local wine.

LOCAL EATS

We always love poking around in the local area for worthwhile hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and this trip gave us the chance to find some treasures. Moose Creek Grill is located in a historic home and has some surprising dining options. Our favorites were the Seafood Diavolo pasta, ordered just how you like it from mild to spicy or the vibrant salmon with almond pesto.

The cozy Radio Brewing Company had a fun and funky series of beer flights to choose from, and a fantastic beer cheese pretzel or rich poutine-inspired gravy covered fries.

ROMANTIC CHARM

Looking for a chance to rekindle your romance? They have you covered there, too. Select a luxurious condo suite with a fireplace, and relax in the hot tub with a bottle of huckleberry champagne as the stars come out. I was lucky enough to convince my husband to tag along as we shopped the quaint antique stores in town, which definitely inspired the love in my heart (bless his). Every Friday throughout the summer, they offer a Ride and Dine package where you can ride the world famous gondola to a savory mountain top barbecue (don’t miss the huckleberry ribs) featuring a great lineup live musicians showing off their craft.

ADVENTURE

The resort offers a variety of packages that include discounted activities like golf, biking, the waterpark and rafting, or you can venture off the property for even more outdoor fun. You can choose from so many different local outfitters to help you find the best spots for fishing, ATV and offroad adventures. We opted to go on a rafting excursion and it was a lifetime memory that we will never forget. Imagine rolling waves, paddling with all your might, and then clinging to an inflatable boat for dear life and smiling the whole way through. My oldest son fell off three times in a row, but we recovered him quickly by pulling him up by his life vest as he grinned from ear to ear. We all felt like explorers in the wild, untamed northwest wilderness.

Looking for something a little more relaxing? There is a well-curated train museum and mine tour that you can explore. You can also try your hand at huckleberry picking in the mountains. You’ll just have to convince a local to let you know where their secret spot is.