Just because the snow is falling in the upper elevations doesn’t mean Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness isn’t making big plans for the winter. In fact, the group is excited about the snow.

“We don’t slow down in the winter,” said FSPW executive director Phil Hough. “Upcoming in the next few months are our Winter Tracks program, multiple snowshoe hikes, outdoor education opportunities and some social events as well.”

The winter snowshoe season is getting kicked off on Jan. 7 with a trip up Regal Creek. The plan is to ski, snowshoe or hike depending on conditions and make it up to the scree field along the Regal Creek trail to check out the beautiful views.

There are also not one, but two snowshoe adventures planned around the Ross Creek Cedars. The first is Sat., Jan. 21 and the second is a Monday trip on Feb. 6. Both promise amazing views into the Scotchman Peaks and across to the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness.

For a change of pace, there’s the East to West to East Fork Blue Creek Meander on Jan. 28. It’s a snowshoe loop through varied terrain that follows old roads and game trails on the point of land that lies between the East and West Forks of Blue Creek.

FSPW also has some outdoor education opportunities available this winter. Courses are led by expert tracker and wildlife researcher Brian Baxter. On Feb. 4, he’ll be leading an animal tracking and sign interpretation class that includes some eyes, ears, nose and hands-on tracking experience. Then on April 1, he’s leading a Winter Birding class that will also include some fun field time.

If you’re interested in volunteer opportunities, FSPW is hosting Winter Tracks for area schools for the third year in a row. This program gets students from elementary to high school ages outdoors in the winter and FSPW’s knowleable volunteers teach them about common mammals of the area, tracking, identifying trees and principles of Leave No Trace. There will also be a kick-off for volunteers in the form of a tap takeover at the Idaho Pour Authority on Jan. 4 with Ecliptic Brewing out of Portland, Ore. These educational programs are taking place throughout the winter in both Idaho and Montana, so contact FSPW if you are interested in helping out.

Lastly, the Friends are planning some social events as well. First is FSPW’s 11th anniversary party on Jan. 27 at the Little Panida in Sandpoint. The event will be an evening of movies and music with updates on the proposal, but most importantly, celebrating 11 years of Friends. There will also be a Sip & Shop at the Pend d’Oreille Winery in Sandpoint on Feb. 23. This event is both a fundraiser and an excuse to have some food and a glass or two of wine with other FSPW supporters.

For more details about these events, please visit the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness website at www.scotchmanpeaks.org, go to the Facebook page www.facebook.com/ScotchmanPeaks or write to info@scotchmanpeaks.org.