OUTDOOR RIGS -- It's no surprise to anyone who's scanned the Mount Spokane cross-country ski area parking lot on a winter weekend.

Subaru rules in this area where people want a sure bet for getting up a snowy winter road to home as well as to a ski area -- a fact confirmed recently by the market-research firm Nielsen Scarborough.

According to survey data, 1 out of every 10 car owners in the Spokane area owns a Subaru. That's a rate just a hair higher than Seattle.

Nationally, just 1 out of 35 car owners chose Subaru.

The data was brought up recently by Gene Balk, blogger for the Seattle Times,who wondered if the impressive little full-time all-wheel-drive vehicles should be considered for state car status.

• For the record, the Landers family has only two Subarus in its fleet.