OUTDOORS: Matt Schubert’s five best bets to do this weekend

• Snowshoe walk — The first of many ranger-led snowshoe walks will be offered today through Sunday atop Hurricane Ridge.

The one-mile walks last 90 minutes and will be offered for individuals and families at 2 p.m. today, Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting.

For more information on the walks, read today’s outdoors column.

• Steelhead class — If you can’t waste your time chasing after steelhead, you might as well start accumulating knowledge on the finicky fish.

Brian’s Sporting Goods and More (360-683-1950) in Sequim will offer another free two-day class focused solely on steelhead fishing Dec. 14 and 21.

The classes will run from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each night. Space is limited, so contact the store to reserve a spot.

• Snowshoe clinic — Jack Ganster of Survivor’s Outdoor Experience will hold a free introductory snowshoe clinic at Swain’s General Store, 602 E. First St. in Port Angeles, on Sunday at 11 a.m.

A former co-owner of Olympic Mountaineering, Ganster will cover all the basics needed to snowshoe the winter landscapes of the Olympics.

For more information on the clinic, visit survivorsoutdoorexperience.org or phone Ganster at 360-477-1619.

• Film festival — Get a healthy dose of winter inspirado by attending Saturday night’s Backcountry Film Festival at Bar N9ne, 229 West First St., in Port Angeles.

The festival includes various skiing and snowboarding films shot around the world and begins at 7 p.m. Admission is $10.

For more information, read today’s outdoors column.

• Holiday beatdown — Exhibit A on why the bowl system is now complete garbage: Washington somehow got in the Holiday Bowl after finishing 6-6.

I can understand the Huskies getting a spot in, say, the Las Vegas or Kraft Fight Hunger bowls with such a record.

But a rematch with No. 18 Nebraska, which already put a 56-21 hurtin’ on Dawgs in Seattle earlier this year? Wouldn’t Boise State make more sense in UW’s spot?

Anywho, right now Washington is a 13 ½-point underdog for the Dec. 30 bowl game. Who in their right mind thinks the Huskies will cover that?

If gambling were legal, I surely wouldn’t.

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