How To Spend Your Winter Break In CDA
Whether you live or vacation in CDA, you might be wondering what the cold season offers to do for fun. Below are just a few activities and attractions to entice you outdoors, even in the coldest months.
Winter Break Vacation Ideas
ICE SKATING
Ice skating is an especially popular activity when it gets cold. While skiing or snowboarding attract many people, they can be pricey pastimes. It is also time-consuming to get to a ski resort, and it is not worth the trip unless you spend all day. Plus, you need to have a certain skill level. By contrast, ice skating appeals to a more general crowd, is relatively inexpensive, takes about a couple hours, and is located right in town.
One of the newest, beloved attractions to CDA is Coeur d’Alene On Ice, a pop-up, full-sized, seasonal ice skating rink. Nestled by the lake in downtown CDA, Coeur d’Alene On Ice is located in McEuen Park, surrounded by lake views, hills, and evergreens. Wrap up your skate time by the fire pit with loaded hot cocoa and other treats available right at the rink! Rent a cozy igloo for a prolonged, memory-making visit with friends and family or a very special date night! If you are a local, consider a season pass!
SKIING OR SNOWBOARDING
Coeur d'Alene offers many downhill skiing options for those who might want a bigger challenge. Silver Mountain in the nearby town of Kellogg is home to North America’s longest gondola!
Other downhill skiing options near Coeur d’Alene include Schweitzer Mountain near Pend Oreille, ID, and Lookout Pass on the Montana/Idaho border. If you head west into Washington, you can visit Mount Spokane for more Pacific Northwest skiing!
THE COEUR D’ALENE RESORT
For a cozy night or weekend away, stay at the CDA resort. A favorite local attraction, the resort boasts an infinity pool turned winter hot tub, offering snow-capped mountain and lake views. The resort hosts two fireworks displays during the holiday season, and the tree lighting ceremony is an unforgettable tradition, taking place the Friday after Thanksgiving.
The resort also offers lake cruises through the holidays, a spectacular lights display, and adventure lake tours. Private charter cruises are also available year-round.
DOWNTOWN COEUR D’ALENE
Sherman Avenue runs straight through downtown just off the lake, boasting many popular restaurants, some of which made it onto the Food Network! Tony’s On The Lake offers a traditional Italian meal with a lake view, while Kaiju and Shiki have fantastic sushi. Boutique clothing, tourist shops, and coffee shops line the charming street to keep everyone happy.
Downtown is small enough that most things are within walking distance. With Christmas lights and iconic older buildings, you will feel like you have entered a magical holiday village.
Spend some time over winter break in Coeur d’Alene this year and do it all! You can go ice skating, including taking lessons, snag some loaded hot cocoa by a fire pit, and then stroll the winter wonderland streets of downtown to wrap up a fun day with dinner out. Visit CDA On Ice to book reservations and find out more about how to keep your family entertained this winter!