SOLE Backcountry Film Festival returns for 21st annual screening
January 9, 2026
By Reader Staff
Selkirk Outdoor Leadership and Education will host its 21st annual Backcountry Film Festival with a screening Friday, Jan. 9 at the Panida Theater (300 N. First Ave.).
The all-ages event is intended to raise money for SOLE’s SnowSchool Experience Program, which has provided more than 36,000 hours of outdoor education to more than 4,800 underserved rural youth over the past 14 winters alone.
Doors open at 6 p.m. with the introduction and first film reel from 7-8:15 p.m. After an intermission, the second reel will play from 8:45-9:45 p.m., and closing remarks around 10 p.m.
The Backcountry Film Festival is produced by SOLE’s partner organization, Boise-based nonprofit Winter Wildlands, with its world premiere in Idaho’s capital city.
A screenshot from one of the films showing at the SOLE Backcountry Film Festival. Courtesy photo
The festival then tours to more than 100 showings around the world, featuring award-winning and juried films that celebrate human-powered experiences.
In addition to screenings, the event features a silent auction with gifts from local vendors, artisans and businesses, along with gear vendors, raffle prizes, beer for purchase and special surprises.
Tickets are available at the door or panida.org, and range in price from $10 for youth 17 and younger in advance (does not include a raffle ticket) to $30, which provides one local youth a free three-day SnowSchool program as well as three raffle tickets.
Other tickets are $15 in advance or $20 the day of the show for general admission, or $15 for youth 17 or under on the day of the show (all without raffle tickets, which cost $3 for one, $5 for three or $10 for five).
Finally, the festival features a Schweitzer chair life raffle, with one ticket for $25 or five for $100.
SOLE’s SnowSchool was recently honored as a National SnowSchool Flagship Site for its place-based experiential curriculum, which features a comprehensive watershed study, including snow science, winter ecology, conservation literacy, avalanche education, and outdoor living and travel skills. The program is open to all fifth-graders in the Lake Pend Oreille School District for free through the fundraiser.
“Grab your skis and backcountry buddies, and help underserved youth in our community get unplugged and connected to winter wildlands by attending this event for a great cause,” SOLE stated.
For more information and to donate, go to soleexperiences.org.
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