Coeur d'Alene, ID

Last weekend my husband and I went on a youth leader’s retreat with our church to Silver Mountain’s new indoor water park called Silver Rapids. I had never been to Silver Mountain before at all so it was all a new experience for me, but it was very fun! On the day we went, even though it was in August, it was a chilly 65 degrees, which made me glad the park was indoors. After we checked into the hotel, we changed into our swimsuits and headed to the park. It was nice and warm inside the park so getting in the water wasn’t a huge shock (the water was pretty warm too).

The park had quite a few attractions to keep kids (and adults) of all ages having fun. There was a lazy river where you just grab a tube and float around the flowing current that goes in a big circle. This can be very relaxing as long as you don’t run into one of the many waterfalls located on the sides or get splashed by kids running by in the water without a tube (which can be fun too). There is also a younger children’s play area located above the lazy river that has very shallow water and multiple areas for kids to play and get squirted (including 2 mini waterslides that adults can go on too). In addition to these, there are also 3 waterslides located on an upper level, one that involves up to 4 people riding in a big raft down a waterslide.

The most popular attraction with the teenagers is the “FlowRider Surf Wave”. This is basically a constant created wave that you can either boogie board or surf on (if you can stay on, which many people can’t). It’s created by a steady wide stream of water traveling 35mph that allows you to stay in one place while riding the moving water. Even if something like this doesn’t interest you, it can be very entertaining to watch people attempt to do so (and very often fall in the process). And if you happen to get tired of all the water rides, there is a hot tub in the park that you can sit in to relax and unwind.

While there are many attractions in the water park, it’s easy to have had your fill of everything and need a break (it took me 4 hours personally). Luckily, Silver Mt is more than just the water park. They have a nice little outdoor courtyard within walking distance of the water park that has fire pits and full fireplaces for those chillier nights (especially during the winter).

Silver Mt is perhaps best known for their gondolas that take you up to the top of the mountain, whether to ski/snowboard in the winter or just to sightsee in the summer. A round trip ride in one of these gondolas will cost you $18 a person, but if you are a guest at the hotel, it is only $16. Admission to the water park is free with every room reservation at the hotel, where you will get as many water park tickets as the maximum room occupancy for your room is. Patrons renting a room can purchase additional water park tickets for $27 each (or $10 if you’re just supervising and aren’t going on any of the rides). There are only certain times that people not renting a room can buy tickets to the park- these are at the discretion of Silver Mt. **Here’s a tip: go to this site to get two free tickets to the water park for use on Friday, Aug 22 only: http://secure.kxly.com/sales/silvermntvippass.html

Right now through September 30th they are running a family of 4 special that includes 1 night of lodging and 4 tickets to the water park for only $149. This would be the same for 4 friends or 2 couples who all stay in the same room. For additional specials, you can visit their website at www.silvermt.com. Located only 45 miles east of Coeur d’Alene, Silver Mt is just off exit 49 off I-90 in Kellogg, ID.