Proposed cross country ski trails on Spokane golf course approved

A proposal to put two cross country ski trails on the Indian Canyon Golf Course will move forward.

The Spokane Park Board approved the pilot-program unanimously last week.

But, despite the snow on Friday and Saturday the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department did not groom any trails. Ryan Griffith, the city’s assistant recreation director, said that in addition to snow, temperatures have to stay consistently cold. Sunday and Monday’s warmer weather would have undone any work the department did.

Griffith said to effectively groom they need “a good amount of snow and with the temps consistently cold.”

When the city does start breaking trails, both at the Indian Canyon Golf Course and other areas, that information will be posted to on the Parks and Recreation Department web page and Facebook, Griffith said.

The Indian Canyon cross country ski trails will include a three-quarter-mile intermediate trail and a .81-mile beginner trail. The trails will be groomed by park staff and are open to cross-country and skate skiing. Trailhead access is at Whittier Park, adjacent to the golf course. The proposal is a pilot program to see how, and if, Spokane’s golf courses can be open during winter.

The city is also considering grooming the Riverside State Park Seven Mile Airstrip, Antoine Peak north of Spokane Valley, Palisades Park, the Finch Arboretum and the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex. Some of these trails may be created as early as this year.

The Spokane Nordic Ski Association is not involved in the city effort, although they support it. The new trails will compliment the 37 miles of trail that already exist on Mount Spokane.