TMI Tours of Coeur dAlene is offering snowmobile tours to our top 5 snowmobile destinations.   Idaho, Montana and Washington offer superb snowmobiling with lots of crisp, clean snow and miles of groomed and ungroomed trails throughout the Rocky Mountains.  Snowmobile rentals have become popular over the past few years with many companies offering full packages including bibs, boots, gloves, helments and goggles.  Accomodations in the mountains welcome this off-season boost to their economy and offer packages where you can snowmobile right from your door.  Here are our favorite 5 snowmobile destinations:

Whitefish, Montana

Home of Big Mountain Ski Resort, this beautiful resort town is the perfect place to begin exploration of the Flathead Valley by snowmobile.  Extending from Whitefish to the west entrance of Glacier National Park, down to the north shore of Flathead Lake, this area offers over 200 miles of groomed trails and 2,000 miles of forest service roads.  Riders will enjoy great hill climbs, powder play areas, wildlife viewing and spectacular ridgetop views of Glacier National Park and the Canadian Rockies.  Trails lead through fir forests, snow-dusted canyons and wide bowls rimmed with icy ridges.  Elevation of groomed trails begins just shy of 3,000 feet and reaches 7,000 feet in some areas.

Seeley Lake, Montana

This is small-town snowmobiling at it’s best.  Tucked between two mountain ranges, the Swan Range and the Missouri Mountains, Seeley Lake is one of western Montana’s most popular snowmobile areas.  Snow depths are fantastic and this community caters to snowmobilers with a variety of services.  Your adventure can start right from your front door, continue on the trail system into town and then on to the over 350 miles of groomed trails and ungroomed areas for exploration.  Lakefront accomodations and cabins are a great ending to a perfect day of riding and alternate activities include ice-fishing, ice-skating, snow shoeing or cross county skiing on the 18K cross-country ski trail system.

Island Park, Idaho

Island Park sits in a vast caldera created by an ancient volcanic eruption, possibly the largest symmetrical caldera in the world.  Located 30 short miles from the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park, Island Park is one of Idaho’s least restricted snowmobile areas.  With an average annual snowfall of 229 inches and over 500 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, Island Park offers riding conditions for every level of snowmobile enthusiast.  Horizons of snow-capped peaks beckon, powder blanketed valleys of white entice you off the groomed trails and the breathtaking scenery will stop you in your tracks.

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

This premier resort town is the perfect base of operations with access to hundreds of popular snowmobile trails and areas.  Snowmobilers will love our lakefront Coeur d’Alene Resort with it’s luxurious accomodations, lively lounges and restaurants plus relaxing spa services.  The Silver Valley, just 30 miles east of Coeur d’Alene is also the home to Silver Mountain Ski Resort and the famous gondola.  Kellogg and Wallace welcome snowmobilers right from downtown where you can start your trip with a hearty breakfast and continue out to the over 250 miles of groomed trails along the Idaho/Montana border.  Sandpoint is a quick 45 minute drive north and has many well groomed trails higher than 7,000 feet in the Selkirk, Purcell and Cabinet Mountains Ranges.  Also the home to Schweitzer Ski Resort, it offers great family entertainment and back country guided snowmobile tours.  75 miles north of Coeur dAlene lies pristine Priest Lake with an additional 700 miles of groomed trail, mostly forest service roads ranging in elevation from 2,500 to 6,500 feet.  From this area you can ride to the Idaho/Canada border by back country.

Mt. Spokane State Park, Washington

Just over the Idaho/Washington border is Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park.  Mt Spokane State Park has over 50 miles of groomed trails encompassing the ski area.  Riders can enjoy dark, old-growth forests, open sub-alpine meadows, ice-covered streams, a 1935 log cabin with a cozy wood stove and a tri-state view from the summit.  Romantic guided night rides including a delicious dinner are popular during clear, full-moon evenings for that someone special in your life.

Contact Linda or Rhonda at TMI Tours in Coeur d’Alene for details on these and many other exciting snowmobile destinations.  We are the experts for unique and adventurous vacation ideas in the Pacific Northwest. 1-800-975-7775 or info@tmitours.com

It is definitely fall here in Northern Idaho.  The cooler weather tends to curtail our outdoor activities while we wait for the snowfall to kick our winter festivities into gear.  This is the perfect time of year for a hike to enjoy the warmth of local, natural hot springs and the beautiful fall scenery.  Just a short road trip will bring you to three great, local Idaho hot springs located about 100 miles southwest of Missoula, Montana.  TMI Tours of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho can provide you with detailed hiking maps, driving directions and hotel recommendations for stays along the way.

JERRY JOHNSON HOT SPRINGS

This delightful group of user-friendly, primitive hot springs awaits you at the end of a short 1 mile hike through beautiful forest along the east bank of Warm Springs Creek.  The trailhead is located off  U.S. 12 at Warm Springs Park and the 1 mile hike is easy on a 2 person-wide path.  Hot water tumbles into several creekside rock pools  and further up the path is a meadow with groups of shallow soaking pools. 

WIER CREEK HOT SPRINGS

This secluded, primitive hot springs and creekside soaking pool can be reached via a sometimes difficult and rocky half-mile path in the Clearwater National Forest.  Natural mineral water flows out of several springs down the mountainside where it is channeled into a large 8-10 person rock-bottom pool.  Water flows into adjoining smaller pools reached by a short, steep path.  Parking is off U.S. 12 at mile marker 142 at a deep turnout on the inland side of the highway.   The unmarked, unmaintained path follows the west side of the creek closely.

STANLEY HOT SPRINGS

You are going to have to do some hiking to reach this one-a series of delightful rock and log soaking pools in Huckleberry Creek canyon at the end of a rugged 5.5 mile trail in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.  Natural mineral water flows out of a canyon bank, tumbling through a series of log and rock pools.  There are spacious campsites for backpackers  near the springs and a drive-in campground located at the trailhead.  Turn off U.S. 12 at the Wilderness Gateway Campgound, through the campground to the trailhead sign for Trail 211 near the bridge.    Follow Trail 211 for 4.5 miles and then Trail 221 for another mile to a large open meadow containing the hot springs pools.

U.S. 12 is designated the Lewis and Clark Scenic Highway between Lolo, Montana and Lewiston, Idaho.  This byway contains several Lewis and Clark points of interest marked along the way as well as stunning scenery, raging rivers and abundant wildlife.  Why not take a little road trip this fall, enjoy our natural hot springs and experience the great outdoors.  For details, accomodations and information regarding these and other great local hot springs destinations, contact Linda or Rhonda at TMI Tours in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.  We are the experts on unique get-a-ways in the Pacific Northwest.  1-800-975-7775 or info@tmitours.com

 

Idaho is famous for her fly fishing streams and with the cooler fall weather approaching, the trout will be biting.  Fall is a splendid season in the Idaho mountains with warm days, cool nights and beautiful colors.  The latest rage in fly-fishing on Pacific Northwest rivers is an elegant casting technique known as “Spey Fishing”.   Born over 150 years ago on the streams of the northern Scottish highlands, spey casting is being reborn on the heavily vegetated streams and rivers of Idaho.  Not only do you need no backcast space and can fish water unreachable with single-handed rods, but spey rods allow precise control of the fly as it moves through the water. 

 

The Steelhead on the Clearwater River are the perfect catch for Spey Anglers.  The Clearwater River is famous for the large “B-Run” Steelhead that return to the spawning areas after two years in the ocean.  Many of these great fighters will weigh 20 lbs. or more.  This fishery is supported by the worlds largest Steelhead/Salmon Hatchery, located at the confluence of the North Fork and the mainstem of the Clearwater near Orofino.

 

TMI Tours offers “Stay n’ Spey” packages with 3 nights of accommodations  on the Clearwater River and 2 days of meals and professionally guided fishing.  This beautiful lodge is surrounded by the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and three of the original eight Wild & Scenic Rivers protected by Congress in 1968.  Each handcrafted log cabin offers spacious accommodations, private hot tub, large outdoor deck with grill and a convenience kitchen as well as spectacular river  and mountain views.  Meals can be enjoyed at the café located in the main lodge.  Packages start at $750.00 per person with limited availability until October 15^th.  Call Linda or Rhonda today to reserved your Spey Fishing Adventure in Idaho’s vast wilderness. 1-800-975-7775 or info@tmitours.com

 

Sandpoint, Idaho is one of North Idaho’s favorite get-a-ways for locals and tourists alike.  It is quaint and quirky with local artist galleries, earthy shops and local crafts as well as stunning scenery and white sand beaches.  Sitting  on the shores of beautiful Lake Pend Oreille, nestled between the Selkirk and Cabinet Mountain ranges,  Sandpoint offers an abundance of summer and winter activities.

Stay and play on Lake Pend Oreille in one of Sandpoints newest upscale waterfront developements.  This marina village offers lakefront and mountain view bungalow rentals with full kitchens and full outdoor decks for enjoying bar-b-ques or watching the sunset.  Each cottage comes fully furnished and includes lake access with boat and watersport rentals, membership to the fitness center and access to 9 miles of walking and biking trails that meander through the forest, wetlands and lakeshore.  The village cafe offers casual dining for lunch and dinner and a small market offers snacks, beverages and boating supplies.  Sandpoint is just minutes away for further dining options, supermarkets and sightseeing.

While in Sandpoint, be sure to visit the Cedar Street Bridge Public Market.  Built on a bridge that spans Sand Creek, this public market has windows that look out over the creek and houses some interesting restaurants and gift shops.  Another beautiful place to visit is the Sandpoint City Park with it’s pristine white sand beaches on Lake Pend Oreille.  With food concessions, BBQ and picnic areas, tennis and basketball courts, volleyball and horseshoe pits as well as two marinas, it is a fun place for family and swimming.

Schweitzer Mountain is just a 10 mile drive from Sandpoint and is a refreshing alternative when the heat of summer gets a little uncomfortable.  Ride the Great Escape Quad lift to the top of the mountain and take in a view that will leave you breathless.  Enjoy the cool mountain breezes at the top of Schweitzer where you’ll find hiking and mountain bike trails as well as huckleberry picking and local wildlife.  The Mountain Activity Center can arrange for participation in the Kids Day Camp, Disc golf, Geocaching, wall climbing and bungee trampolines, tennis, lawn games or a movie in the Selkirk Theatre.

TMI Tours has great packages and optional activities available for all the top destinations in North Idaho.  Contact Linda or Rhonda at info@tmitours.com or 1-800-975-7775 for more information and reservations.

 

North Idaho is beautiful!  Priest Lake, Lake Pend Oreille, Hayden Lake, Coeur d’Alene Lake..these are just a few of the better known lakes that dot this region.  But there are many, smaller, secluded lakes set into the bowls of the mountain ranges that surround North Idaho.  These alpine lakes are the secret destinations of fishermen, hikers and backpackers or viewed by  the lucky few that venture to the air. 

 Daily seaplane tours from Coeur d’Alene are available for 1/2 hour scenic flights over Lake Coeur d’Alene,  to all day charters which can include lunch and shopping at Sandpoint or Priest Lake.  Lake Pend Oreille and Priest Lake offer seaplane facilities, lakeside marinas and full-service resorts open during the summer for breakfast, lunch and dinner and they are easily accessible from the water. 

 Coeur d’Alene also offers a thrilling helicopter service available for scenic tours or charter with advance reservations.  There isn’t a better way to view the cliff-clinging mountain sheep on the backside of Lake Pend Oreille or the waterfalls through the deep, majestic canyon of the Moyie River,  than by helicopter.   These tours offer a great photographic opportunity with the large bubble windows and their ability to seek out the wildlife that thrives in our majestic mountains.  Indulge in some history by viewing the devastating site of the 1967 Sundance Fire, which burned over 50,000 acres of prime forest in just 9 hours or the site of the famous 1910 fire which leveled most of the Silver Valley and burned 3 million acres in just two days!  You’ll see the remnants of abandoned mines and towns hidden away in the hillsides of rural Idaho, old railroad tunnels and trestles, and the rivers that wind their way throughout our beautiful neck of the woods. 

Contact Linda or Rhonda at TMI Tours, located in downtown Coeur d’Alene for more information and reservations for any of these scenic airtours or charter availability and prices.

1-800-975-7775 or email at info@tmitours.com

Ask anyone who has ever been there and they will tell you– Priest Lake is one of the most beautiful places on earth. It has that perfect combination of wilderness and civilization that tempts you to return again and again. Nestled high in the Selkirk Mountain Range of North Idaho, surrounded by thick forest and rugged peaks, Priest Lake has earned the name of Idaho’s Crown Jewel.

Priest Lake is approximately 25 miles long and consists of two lakes connected by a 2-mile thorofare. Upper Priest Lake is accessible only by trail or by water, offering a solitude you just won’t find at North Idaho’s other lake destinations. Lower Priest Lake is a vacation paradise with numerous campgrounds, marina’s for boat access and lakefront resorts offering vacation cabin rentals, fine dining and access to water sports. Priest Lake is also famous for it’s fishing offering trophy size Mackinaw as well as brook trout and cutthroat in the alpine lakes and streams that occupy the Priest Lake Basin.

Vacation rentals are at a premium during the summer season on Priest Lake and reservations are required. You will find accomodations lean toward log cabins set in the forest with stunning lake views, furnished in true western flavor with full kitchens and natural stone fireplaces. There are plenty of restaurants and lounges serving delicious breakfast, lunches and dinners as well as enticing you with that Priest Lake favorite–the huckleberry. You’ll find it in everything from your pancakes to your daiquiri’s and it is a treat not to be missed. Without a doubt, Priest Lake has some of the best huckleberry picking in the State of Idaho, combining the perfect elevation with the perfect climate.

If you are looking for outdoor adventure, the rugged area surrounding Priest Lake offers unlimited hiking, mountain bike and ATV trails. Streams tumble down the rocky hillsides into amazing waterfalls and pools and the mountains are dotted with alpine lakes. The shoreline of Priest Lake offers easy hiking and great opportunities to view all kinds of wildlife. Kayaking, canoeing and water skiing are available from the beaches of the resorts as well as evening campfires and real western bar-b-ques.

For vacation assistance with reservations for Priest Lake, please call Rhonda or Linda at 1-800-975-7775 or email info@tmitours.com. Flights can be arranged into Spokane International Airport or one of the private airstrips located at Priest Lake. Let us help plan your perfect vacation into the Idaho wilderness this summer on beautiful Priest Lake, Idaho.

Renting a lakefront home or cabin on Lake Coeur d’Alene is the perfect way to enjoy all that our area has to offer. Our luxury home and cabin rentals come with all the amenities you require for a summer vacation on the lake—private homes complete with beautiful lake views, open air decks, sandy beaches, dock space for boats, jet skis, and more.

Water sports are a huge part of lakefront living on Lake Coeur d’Alene. Water skiing, boogie boarding, wakeboarding, and tubing all are available right from your own private dock. We’ll be happy to arrange instruction for beginners too. Personal watercraft rentals are a great way to see the lake and a sure fire way to add some excitement to your day. We can arrange jet ski or wave runner rentals by the day or by the week.

If you have never experienced the thrill of sailing your own boat, this is the perfect place to try it. Lake Coeur d’Alene always has gentle breezes on the water and we can arrange for you to learn with one of our sailing experts. The perfect ending to a day of sailing is refreshments on the deck at Silver Beach where all the local sailors meet and hang out!

Your vacation won’t be complete until you’ve spent the day exploring the 130 miles of shoreline on a private lake tour. Armed with sun tan lotion, cool drinks, and a gourmet lunch, we can show you the most beautiful, secluded lake homes, wildlife drinking at the water’s edge, and the world’s only floating golf green. Enjoy lunch and a swim at an uncrowded beach or go ashore to enjoy one of the lake crowd’s favorite watering holes. Learn about the rich and lively history of this lake and the small towns that still thrive along its shores. Please email us or call us at 1-800-975-7775 for availability and additional information about cabin and house rentals.

There is something very alluring about the open road and destinations unknown. Renting a recreational vehicle for your vacation is a great way to bond with your family and still experience that sense of open road adventure. TMI Tours takes the guess work out of renting an RV and planning an open road vacation by offering stocked RV’s with dishware, linens, BBQ’s, operating instructions, and pre-planned itineraries.

The Pacific Northwest has rugged, unspoiled national parks, sparkling clean lakes and rivers, and uncrowded campgrounds and RV parks. We can find and reserve your overnights according to your interests and the amenities that are important to you and your family. You can enjoy the fun and excitement of camping, yet retain the comforts of a full kitchen, TV, DVD, private bathroom, and shower. The kids will love traveling in their “home on wheels” and children of all ages enjoy old-fashioned campfires complete with stories, songs, and of course, s’mores!

TMI Tours offers a wide variety of optional activities such as whitewater rafting, mountain biking, helicopter and seaplane tours, parasailing, jet skiing, waverunners, boat rentals, horseback riding, and guides for hiking and fishing. We have all the information you need to start planning a RV vacation as well as recommendations for great places to stay and play in the Pacific Northwest. Please call Linda Bruno or Rhonda Sand at 1-800-975-7775 for more information about our exciting RV vacations.

Nestled into the rolling hills of agricultural northern Idaho is a Bed and Breakfast so unique, you’ll think you’ve slipped back into another era. Step back into rural America without phones or electricity—just the simple peace of the surrounding hills and the clean smell of fresh produce still on the vine. Mary Jane’s Farm offers wall-tents enclosing a full size bed covered with soft quilts, a woodstove, lanterns for light, each with its own farm style décor and of course, a full farm-fresh breakfast each morning. Each tent has its own outdoor kitchen providing a hot plate, campfire pit, and kitchen sink for cooking your own lunches and dinner. You may bring food with you, or pick fresh from the organic gardens all around you as well as purchase any of the organic meals offered on the farm.

During the day, learn about organic farming, pick fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs or gather farm-fresh eggs. Lend a hand with the many changing activities of the farm or just relax in a hammock, enjoying the cool, fresh gardens. Be sure to visit the historic flour mill where wheat is still ground to flour the old fashioned way. If you like to explore–hike, walk, or bike the miles of back roads and trails surrounding the farm or take a short drive into town to visit the quaint shops. Learn more about this unique and relaxing experience by contacting Linda Bruno or Rhonda Sand via email at info@tmitours.com or telephone at 1-800-975-7775.

Coeur d’Alene—what a beautiful and exciting vacation destination! Summer is the best time to enjoy our clear mountain air, sparkling jewel of a lake and the tasty restaurants and shops downtown. Even the name is fun as it rolls off your tongue…Coor de lane. Located just 39 miles from the Spokane International Airport, you can get here easily from just about anywhere in the world.

Picturesque downtown Coeur d’Alene invites you to stroll along shady Sherman Avenue and enjoy the numerous shops, restaurants, and pubs. There is always something going on downtown with wine-tastings, the farmers market, artist galleries and outdoor concerts. Just a short walk from downtown is City Park with the public beach and it’s gently sloping sand, perfect for kids of all ages. Whether you come to play in the water, picnic in the park, sail a catamarran, parasail or take a scenic float plane ride, you can do it all on Lake Coeur d’Alene.

TMI Tours can arrange accomodations to fit any vacation request. We offer everything from private lake homes and cabins to romantic couples retreats with jacuzzi suites or spa services. The Coeur d’Alene Resort offers lakefront hotel rooms with balconies and world class dining and amenities. There is a wide variety of hotel and motels located through out Coeur d’Alene offering waterparks, indoor/outdoor pools and family suites.

Lake cruises are a popular way to see the scenic shore and bays of Lake Coeur d’Alene and a fun way to spend a warm summer day. Whether you prefer to charter a private sightseeing tour or join one of the regularly scheduled cruises, TMI has a latest prices and schedules as well as local availability. Power boat rentals are available by the day or half-day as well as kayaks, sailboats, canoes, paddle-boats, jet skis and more.

Fishing just comes naturally to North Idahoans and there is nothing we love more than showing off our talents with a fly-rod. Whether you are an experienced fisherman or just learning, we can offer excellent guide services on any number of local rivers and lakes. TMI Tours offers sportsman’s packages for any number of days and we have a wide selection of local fishing lodges to choose from.

 

Oh, and did I mention golf? Coeur d’Alene is home to at least 13 local golf courses, some public and some private. TMI Tours has a unique golf package that will get you into some of the most exclusive clubs around, courses that aren’t open to the general public . We are home to the world’s only floating golf green, part of the Coeur d’Alene Resort’s famous golf course and a wonder in itself.

 

Come check out our amazing little “City by the Lake” this summer. Contact Linda or Rhonda at 1-800-975-7775 or info@tmitours.com for all the latest events and great vacation ideas for the Pacific Northwest.