Best Ski Stays in Spokane, Washington
Ski stays in Spokane work as city bases for the Inland Northwest slopes: Mount Spokane State Park lies roughly 30 miles northeast of downtown, while Silver Mountain, Schweitzer and Lookout Pass sit farther out along the interstate corridors in Idaho. Four hotels suit a ski weekend: Quality Inn Oakwood on the north side, DoubleTree by Hilton Spokane City Center beside the river, The Davenport Grand downtown and Ramada by Wyndham Spokane Airport. None stands at the base of a lift, so what you are buying is a warm bed, parking and an early start (check road conditions before you leave).
Spokane is an Inland Northwest city of roughly 230,000 people built around a river that drops through downtown in a series of falls, with Gonzaga University to the north and the Palouse hills to the south. Winters bring real snow, summers run hot and dry, and the mountains are close enough to be a weekend habit. Locals ski after work and still eat dinner in town (daylight shrinks fast in December).
Where to stay
Which Spokane hotel suits a ski weekend
A Spokane ski stay trades slope-side convenience for services: hot breakfasts, laundry, restaurants and an airport 15 minutes away from most hotels. Mount Spokane is the nearest ski area, and the larger resorts in Idaho and northeast Washington are day trips by car. The four hotels below differ mainly in direction, north toward the park or west toward I-90 (keep traction tires or chains in the trunk from late autumn).
Road access decides a ski weekend, and Quality Inn Oakwood has the best geography for it: it sits on the north side, five miles from downtown and 12 from Spokane International Airport, which puts you on the way toward Mount Spokane State Park and away from downtown event traffic. The indoor heated pool and hot tub stay open 24 hours, a decent reward after a cold day on the hill, and pets are welcome. A free breakfast at the Q Corner Café covers the early start, and free coffee and fresh-baked cookies wait in the lobby (parking is on site).
DoubleTree by Hilton Spokane City Center suits skiers who also want a conference-style base: it is connected to the Spokane Convention Center, runs alongside the Spokane River and counts skiing among its nearby activities. The outdoor pool is seasonal, so winter evenings belong to Spencer's steaks, the fitness centre and the long wine list. Pets are allowed, and Shutters Cafe cooks breakfast to order with Starbucks coffee before the drive north. The 24-hour business centre helps if work follows you to the mountains (confirm the current parking arrangement when you book). The river path outside the door gives an easy rest-day walk.
The Davenport Grand is the downtown choice for a long weekend that mixes ski days with city evenings. It connects to the Convention Center, sits only 100 metres from Riverfront Park and runs an airport shuttle between 05:00 and midnight, handy for guests who fly into Spokane International and rent a car at the terminal. Marble walk-in showers help tired legs recover, and the lobby espresso bar opens the morning before the drive. Shops, galleries and restaurants are within five minutes' walk for the après-ski hours (a concierge helps with local road conditions). Gonzaga's campus and the Spokane Arena sit a short drive north for game days.
Ramada by Wyndham Spokane Airport is the practical option for arrivals: it stands in the airport complex, 2 minutes' walk from the entrance, with a free daily buffet breakfast, an indoor pool, a hot tub and a free shuttle. Rent the car, load the skis and join I-90 or the highways north without crossing downtown. An outdoor fireplace, a garden and Remington's Lounge and Grille make the evening easy after a late flight, and Riverfront Park is 15 minutes away by car for a rest-day walk (airport-side parking is on site for guests). Hot coffee in the lounge helps before an early drive.
A traveler's perspectiveI recommend Quality Inn Oakwood as a ski base on the north side of Spokane, the side closer to Mount Spokane: the indoor heated pool and hot tub are open 24 hours, which suits a late return from the slopes, and breakfast is free for an early start. Downtown is five miles away, so I would plan dinner as a short drive.
The Davenport Grand, Autograph Collection
Spokane
556 reviews
Attached to the Convention Center, 100 metres from the park
Check availabilityWhy guests love itOn a short city stay the location does the work: Riverfront Park is 100 metres from the door, the shops and galleries are within 5 minutes' walk, and the airport shuttle runs from 05:00 to midnight. Rooms are roomy enough for a small family, with privacy curtains for early mornings and a marble shower after the walk. An espresso in the lobby starts the day before the park opens (the concierge is on site).
Quality Inn Oakwood
Spokane
492 reviews
Heated pool open around the clock on the north side
Check availabilityWhy guests love itA family rolling in from the interstate after dark will find the pool still open, which settles the kids before bedtime. The fridge and microwave in the room handle snacks and leftovers, and the free café breakfast saves a first-morning stop. The dog comes along without fuss. The trade-off is distance: downtown Spokane is five miles away, so every sightseeing outing is a short drive, not a stroll (parking is straightforward on site).
Ramada by Wyndham Spokane Airport
Spokane
1,632 reviews
Two minutes' walk from the airport with free breakfast
Check availabilityWhy guests love itA family on a travel day will like how little there is to plan: the entrance is 2 minutes away on foot, the shuttle is free and the buffet breakfast comes without an extra charge. The indoor pool and hot tub use up the children's energy, and the garden with an outdoor fireplace gives parents a quiet spot. Riverfront Park is 15 minutes by car (pets are allowed).
DoubleTree by Hilton Spokane City Center
Spokane
256 reviews
Connected to the Convention Center, beside the river
Check availabilityWhy guests love itFamilies visiting for a tournament or convention save the most time here, since the venue is attached and nobody has to find a parking spot. The seasonal outdoor pool is a treat in summer, and breakfast at Shutters Cafe is cooked to order. The river path starts a few steps outside, handy for burning off energy. In winter the pool is not an option, so plan other evening activities.
Local tips
- 1Carry traction tires or chains from late autumn, because the road to Mount Spokane and the I-90 passes toward Idaho can require them after fresh snow.
- 2Check Mount Spokane State Park conditions the night before, then leave early so the drive from Spokane finishes before the lifts and the parking lots fill up.
- 3Pick Quality Inn Oakwood on the north side when the plan is a quick run to Mount Spokane, since it keeps you clear of downtown traffic and event crowds.
- 4Book Ramada by Wyndham Spokane Airport for late arrivals, because its free shuttle and 2-minute walk to the terminal save real time after a long flight.
- 5Keep dry boots and gloves in the car, since the hot tubs at Quality Inn Oakwood and Ramada reward cold feet after a full day outside on the snow.
- 6Allow extra driving time for Silver Mountain, Schweitzer or Lookout Pass, because these Idaho resorts sit much farther from Spokane than Mount Spokane does.