Where is Chidwick School of Fine Woodworking located?
CSFW is located in the Bitterroot Valley, approximately half an hour south of Missoula, Montana. Precise directions will be provided upon registration.
What is the best way to get to CSFW?
Depending on where you are located, you might choose to drive or fly to Chidwick School of Fine Woodworking.
Driving from the East or West via freeway is easy and scenic, via I-90, which comes right through Missoula. Driving from the West via US Hwy 12 over Lolo Pass is windy and steep, but spectacular. Driving from the South, beautiful US Hwy 93 winds up through Salmon, Idaho and runs the length of the Bitterroot Valley.
For those who prefer to fly, it should be noted that, although Missoula has a full-service airport, it is significantly more cost efficient to fly into Spokane. The drive from Spokane to Missoula, through the mountain passes of northern Idaho, is stunningly beautiful from start to finish, making the distance quite bearable.
Can you suggest any local options for lodging?
There are several possibilities for lodging, but students should be aware that rooms can fill quickly and reservations should be made as far in advance as possible. Our recommended options are listed here:
Haus Rustika—Bed & Breakfast (3 miles away, rural setting) $50-65/night plus seventh night free
Four rooms, full breakfast, gardens and walking paths, shared bath, shared kitchenette and sitting room, private guest parking entrance
Grace Will, Host 1-406-777-2291, rustika@marsweb.net
Bitterroot River Bed & Breakfast—Bed & Breakfast (8 miles away, riverfront setting) $85-115/night
Four rooms, furnished with antiques and original art, one room with private Jacuzzi, fireplace, wireless internet, massage therapy available, private bath, tv, riverfront property, covered porch, full breakfast
Tim & Shelley Hunter, Hosts 406-777-5205, www.bitterrootriverbb.com
Stevensville Hotel—1910 Historic Hotel (8 miles away, small downtown setting) $65-110/night
Seven rooms, recently renovated, authentic period furnishings with deluxe linens and handmade quilts, antiques and art throughout, continental breakfast, wireless internet
Gene Mim Mack and Robbie Springs, Proprietors 1-888-816-2875, www.stevensvillehotel.com
Fifth Street Guesthouse—Stevensville Hotel Annex (8 miles away, small downtown setting) $110-135/week
Eleven rooms, shared bath, full-size kitchen and living room, cable TV, wireless internet Gene Mim Mack and Robbie Springs, Proprietors 1-888-816-2875, www.stevensvillehotel.com/guesthouse.html
The River House—Vacation Rental Home (6 miles away, riverfront setting) $160/night plus seventh night free
Two bedroom, two bathroom, enclosed sunroom, sleeps 4-6, four acre park-like setting, extensive river access, fully-equipped kitchen with basic food staples, garage, large deck, washer & dryer, gas fireplace, linens, BBQ, wireless internet
Nancy Dillon, Owner 406-273-2509, www.vrbo.com/69951
Seven additional Stevensville vacation rental homes are available at vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/montana, click on Bitterroot Valley, Stevensville
What tools will I need to bring with me?
Most of the tools needed for your class will be available for your use here at the school, however, you are highly encouraged to bring your own set of hand tools. The following is a list of tools that will be needed during your class:
Chisels
Rotary drum sanders
Marking tools
Square (I recommend Incra)
4-1/2” Right angle grinder (I recommend DeWalt or Milwaukie)
Hedgehog grinding wheels
5” Random orbit sander
Rasps and files
Microplane files
Spoke shave
Digital or dial calipers
Fine-toothed pull-saw
Quick clamps
How do I get the wood for my project?
For the woodworker, choosing lumber is a very personal process. Because there is such a wide range of species and grades of lumber, this decision is best left for each student to make. Therefore, you will be responsible to supply the lumber for your own project. Andy will, however, be more than happy to assist you in this process. If transportation of the lumber is impractical you may choose to drop ship it directly to the school or purchase some of the stock Andy has on hand. Both of these options will require plenty of notice to ensure that your wood is available and here on time for the class.
What is there to do in Montana?
The Bitterroot Valley is such a beautiful area, filled with so much to do, that you will wish you were here for much longer than just the two weeks of the class. With any extra time you have, you might enjoy hiking local trails, fishing the Bitterroot, the Blackfoot and/or the Clark Fork rivers, boating, horseback riding, mountain biking, exploring ghost towns, museums, the University of Montana, or the National Bison Range—just to name a few of the many wonderful local options.
Of course, if you are interested in extending your trip by a few days, you will want to visit Flathead Lake (2 ½ hours north), Glacier National Park (3 hours north-east), or Yellowstone National Park (4 ½ hours south-east). There is plenty to see and do under the Big Sky.
Are meals included in the price?
Each weekday, a continental breakfast consisting of fresh bakery items, fruit, coffee, tea and juice will be available before the start of class. A mid-morning snack will also be provided. Then at noon time, a hot and hearty main meal will be enjoyed together. And although the dishes offered will vary widely from day to day, each luncheon will be nutritious, hearty and delicious.
Students are on their own for dinner meals, with the exception of a Friday night BBQ at Andy’s house. Information about numerous local restaurants will be available upon arrival. Options run the gamut from the favorite hole-in-the-wall burger joint, serving enormous 12 oz. burgers with all the fixin’s; to a fresh and creative gourmet Italian place with a very diverse menu just a few minutes up the road; to a world-class steak house which serves up not only a great steak, but the finest Montana hospitality as well—and everything in between.
What does a typical day look like?
The class will generally run from 8am to 5pm. During longer classes, instruction takes place Monday through Friday. Two week classes allow for an optional guided fly fishing excursion on Saturday, available at extra cost. During two week classes, instruction will be completed by the end of Thursday of the second week, with the last Friday available for an optional open-shop day to complete as much as possible.
The shop will be open most evenings for any students who may need extra time to catch up. The shop will be closed on Sunday and we encourage you to use the day to enjoy the beautiful Bitterroot Valley. Information about interesting activities and day trips, as well as local churches, will be available.
What does the listed tuition price include?
The price includes the instruction, course materials, copies of templates, use of shop facilities and equipment, a light continental breakfast and mid-day snack, gourmet lunches and one mid-week barbeque dinner (BBQ available for classes of one week or longer). Unless specified otherwise, the tuition does not cover the cost of the project wood.
Other than tools and wood, what do I need to bring?
Students might wish to bring a shop apron and a camera to document their experience. Also, it should be noted that wireless internet is available. Students who will be in Montana long enough to enjoy some recreation time might want to bring hiking and/or fishing gear. The Bitterroot Valley’s weather is generally much more moderate than that of the rest of Montana and typically features hot and dry summers, cool and moist spring and autumn seasons, and moderately cold winters. However, Montana weather is notoriously fickle, so students should check the weather forecast on-line before coming and then pack for a little cooler and a little warmer than what is predicted.
Will I need a car during my stay?
Although Andy can arrange to pick students up in Missoula, it is highly recommended that students arriving by air rent a car for the duration of the class. Public transportation is not available and students are on their own for lodging and dinners, which could range from a quick five minute drive to half an hour away. If two or more individual students flying into the same airport express interest in sharing the cost of a car rental, Andy can put them in contact with one another before the class, to make arrangements together.
How do I get my product home?
For those unable to transport their item home in their own personal vehicle, shipping is an important part of the CSFW experience. We want you to return home safely with your new piece of furniture. Depending on the class and the time available, we will help pack and arrange for safe transport home, however, you will be responsible for the actual shipping contract and payment arrangements.
