TURNBULL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Swans love Turnbull. Bluebirds love Turnbull. Eastern kingbirds, cedar waxwings and even hooded mergansers love Turnbull. Birders love Turnbull because birds love Turnbull, and it's easy to see why. The 23,000-acre wildlife refuge on the edge of Cheney provides a safe haven for birds to mate, feed, nest and migrate across pine forests, wetlands, meadows and riparian habitats. Grab your binoculars, your camera or your friend, and in just a 40-minute drive from Spokane, you'll get the chance to see some pretty cool avians in their beautifully preserved and welcoming home. You may also get to see magnificent wildflowers or a young bull moose, but what are those compared to a northern harrier, an evening grosbeak or a horned grebe? (EB)
2nd PLACE: Saltese Flats Wetland
3rd PLACE: Bowl and Pitcher, Riverside State Park
NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Higgens Point, Lake Coeur d'Alene
Best Athlete
RYAN NEMBHARD, GONZAGA MEN'S BASKETBALL
While Gonzaga fans might've initially known Ryan Nembhard simply as the brother of his NBA-playing Zag brother, Andrew, the younger sibling certainly carved out his own distinct legacy with his sterling play this season. Nembhard has put together one of the best point guard seasons in NCAA history, not only leading the country in assists (325) by a wide margin, but he set the Gonzaga and West Coast Conference single-season assist record, and ranks Top 10 all-time in dimes dished over one campaign. His vision and passing have kept the Zags afloat all year, while hitting some big shots himself when needed. For a program that's seen its fair share of elite point guards, it's tough to argue that Nembhard doesn't belong among the top tier of Zags floor generals. (SS)
2nd PLACE: Ben Gregg, Gonzaga Men's Basketball
3rd PLACE (tie): Yvonne Ejim, Gonzaga Women's Basketball, and Brady Hiestand, UFC
Best Golf Course
KALISPEL GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
Standing on the first tee at Kalispel Golf and Country Club, you know you're in for a good round. Not only is the course stunning, with perfect greens and long, verdant stretches of fairway, but it provides a tough mental challenge for even the low handicap golfers among us. The iconic stretch from hole 7 to 13, where every other hole is a par 3, is unique among courses in the area and brings a fun challenge to beginner and scratch golfers alike. Throughout its 100-plus-year history, the course has been played by many notable golf greats such as Lee Trevino, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and eight-time major champion Tom Watson, who currently holds the course record of an 11-under-par 61. Though you probably can't beat that, the course is our readers' favorite for a reason. (MP)
2nd PLACE: Indian Canyon Golf Course
3rd PLACE: Downriver Golf Course
NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Circling Raven Golf Club, Worley
Best Skatepark
HILLYARD SKATEBOARD PARK
Hillyard Skateboard Park is the area's best for its 12,000-square-foot concrete course, entirely designed and built by Grindline Skateparks Inc., but that misses the point of what a skatepark means to a skater. The bowls and steep drop-ins build character and confidence and teach new and old alike how to skate or, better, how to fall. Being one of the first skateboard parks in Spokane (built in 2003), many will never forget Hillyard as the spot where they learned how to do a kickflip or a 50-50 grind over the railings. It's the best because it's forever ingrained in the minds of those who first shredded there. Some of those folks maybe even created skate videos using a camcorder, trying to mimic their professional idols featured in Thrasher Magazine. (VCM)
2nd PLACE: Joe Albi/Dwight Merkel Skatepark
3rd PLACE: Riverfront Park Skate & Wheels Park
NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Coeur d'Alene Skatepark
Best Place to Ski
49° NORTH MOUNTAIN RESORT
Hitting the slopes and shredding fresh powder with 90 runs and seven lifts is why 49° North has become a favorite among snow sports enthusiasts around the Inland Northwest. The options for Alpine and Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and enjoying a day or weekend of fun leave plenty of opportunities for new experiences. Whether it's a day with family going down beginner's trails like Gold Shoot or hitting the black diamond with your experienced friends, 49° North delivers excitement at every experience level. The streamlined process at the Experience Center, which is your one-stop shop for rental equipment, lessons and repairs, makes it easy to get what you need and start bombing downhill in the snow. (VCM)
2nd PLACE: Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park
3rd PLACE: Schweitzer
Best Place to Snowboard
MT. SPOKANE SKI & SNOWBOARD PARK
A mountain for locals, by locals, Mt. Spokane's slopes are the closest to the city. It's not just convenience that sets this peak apart. Catering to snowboarders with the largest terrain park in the region — and a dedicated lift that serves the terrain park and only the terrain park — Mt. Spokane leans all the way into its snowboarding side. With 52 runs across over 1,700 acres, the mountain provides more than enough options to keep boarders entertained throughout the day. Even into the night, too, as the expansive offering of lighted runs allow for shredding well after the sun has gone down. (WM)
2nd PLACE: 49° North Mountain Resort
3rd PLACE: Schweitzer
Best Outdoor Rec Supplies
REI
No matter how you like to enjoy the great outdoors, so abundant in this corner of the Pacific Northwest, it's nearly guaranteed you'll find what you need to make those excursions more comfortable and enjoyable at Spokane's outpost of REI. From hiking and camping goods to cycling and snow sports supplies, REI stocks gear from top brands at competitive prices (on top of its great membership benefits). Plus, rentals and a used gear trade-in program cater to recreationalists on a budget, tight on space, or testing the waters before making a large investment. The staff are always friendly and super helpful, whether you're trying to find blister-free hiking boots or other personalized product recommendations. The folks who work at REI, after all, love the outdoors as much as their customers do. (CS)
2nd PLACE: The General Store
3rd PLACE: Solnix
NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Black Sheep Sporting Goods, Coeur d'Alene
VOTER COMMENTS
BEST SNOW SPORTS SHOPSolnix
"Solnix [formerly Shred Sports] really makes you feel like a friend more than a customer. They also have a wide variety of high-quality products at a reasonable price." (Sam S.); "I've been a frequent customer for years, and I've never had a bad experience. Great shop to support!" (Jeff R.); "The best selection of performance ski and snowboarding equipment in all of Eastern Washington." (Jonathan D.)
2nd PLACE: Spokane Alpine Haus
3rd PLACE: Sports Creel
NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Sportsman & Ski Haus, Coeur d'Alene
BEST PLACE TO PLAY PICKLEBALL
Power Pickleball Club
"Well-thought-out design and court layouts. The staff has been very helpful and cheerful. We LOVE playing here!" (Wanda J.); "Great facility, sound dampening unlike many facilities that have noise." (Philip F.); "They are SO fun! If you haven't discovered these guys, you gotta!" (Gabriella L.);
2nd PLACE: The Press Pickleball Club
3rd PLACE: HUB Sports Center
NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: PEAK Health & Wellness Center, Hayden, Post Falls
BEST BIKE SHOP
The Bike Hub
"The entire staff is skilled, friendly, professional and knows how to take care of the customer. Bike Hub is my exclusive shop." (Adam B.); "They are detailed about custom fitting your choice of bike." (Kathy E.); "As someone who worked in several bike shops during my school years, I have pretty high standards, and the Bike Hub is an excellent one. Great mechanics and a very honest service department." (Luther M.); "They do a lot of work on local trails and help staff and organize events!" (Riley T.)
2nd PLACE: North Division Bicycle
3rd PLACE: Wheel Sport Bicycles
NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Vertical Earth, Coeur d'Alene
BEST DISC GOLF COURSE
Whitewater Disc Golf Course
"Whitewater [formerly Downriver] has multiple layouts and allows for varying skill levels." (Cody S.); "Back 9 is very technical after remodel." (Taras N.); "New, clean, fun." (Andre A.); "Maintained beautifully even through difficult weather/seasons." (Rachael A.)
2nd PLACE: Camp Sekani Jamboree
3rd PLACE: High Bridge Disc Golf Course
NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Farragut Disc Golf Complex, Athol
