Winter settles in fast around here. The hills go quiet, mornings stay dark, and most of us start craving a change of scenery. The good news? There are plenty of quick trips within a few hours that’ll scratch that itch without much planning. Whether you’re after snow, hot coffee with a view, or just a different main street to walk down, here are five solid options for a weekend escape.

Sandpoint is one of those towns that just works in every season. In the winter, it slows down in the best way. You can ski or snowboard at Schweitzer, grab lunch downtown, and stay somewhere with a view of Lake Pend Oreille. The drive up alone is worth it once the mountains start to show snow. It’s the kind of trip that feels far away but still fits into a weekend.

This one’s a favorite when you want a mix of nature and “town.” The lake in winter? Quiet, reflective, beautiful. The main drag in Coeur d’Alene still has life—restaurants, shops, places you can wander awhile. Drive up as the light fades, stroll the lakefront, have dinner facing water and snow-tipped trees.

There are some great festivals and events in the winter season around Thanksgiving and Christmas. A fan favorite is the Holiday Light Show and parade the Friday after thanksgiving.

If you’re willing to stretch your three-hour window (and check road conditions), this one rewards you big. The drive through the Silver Valley is scenic when the snow first hits. At the pass—you’ll get big mountain vibes. Whether you ski, snowshoe, or just sit and look out over snowy ridges, it feels like you’re stepping into a winter world. A little more effort, but worth it.

Here’s the “stay-local” option: You don’t need a far drive to feel like you’ve changed places. When snow falls on the Palouse hills, everything hushes. Steptoe and Kamiak give you high vantage points, sweeping views, crisp air. Take a drive out early, bring a thermos, watch for hoarfrost on old fences, maybe stop in town for a warm meal. The beauty is quiet and right here.

That’s it! There are so many great places to

That’s it for this week! Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this, send it to some friends who might enjoy it, too. Let’s build our community together.

Until next Thursday,

Keep the Faith