Special offer

SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN REAL ESTATE. I’d love to get a sale from this, but…

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Resort Realty, Sandpoint, Idaho SP37235

SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN REAL ESTATE.  I'd love the sale from this, but...

Chair 4 by Kent Anderson

Here’s the deal. I just got off the mountain.  You can see from the pictures what I was dealing with.  No clouds, no wind, bright sun and some of the most breathtaking views in the world.  Sandpoint, Idaho and Schweitzer Mountain have, once again, lived up to all of my lofty expectations.  …So, as a Realtor®, I have a dilemma.

views at SCHWEITZER BY Kent Anderson

long bridgeDo I blatantly promote the area and reveal to the world what we have here in North Idaho so I can selfishly profit from the ensuing real estate sales and, in so doing, risk tainting the natural purity of Sandpoint and the surrounding area by enticing outsiders to invest here?  Might the new arrivals who I, inadvertently, lured here not be in tune to the “vibe” we have going?  As the old saying goes, “O.K., you’ve discovered Sandpoint, now keep it to yourself!”  Or am I feeling too self-important?  Do my little blogging sites really impact enough people to mess up the good thing we have going here?  Then again, what if everyone did this?  Why is it O.K. for me to expose the beauty of Sandpoint to the world but, God forbid, I can’t have anyone else jump into the blogging pool.  Conflicted?  …d'ya think?

 

The reality is, we’ll NEVER become another Vail.  (I love to pick on Vail).  I need not worry about tainting our “purity”.  Yes, I guess we are the same distance from Spokane as Vail is from Denver.   That is the only similarity, however. Denver is the largest city in the Front Range Urban Corridor.  The population of the Front Range Urban Corridor is estimated at 4,251,663.  (Compare that to Spokane and surrounding area of only 600,000).  We’ll never enjoy the massive human influx that Vail has come to expect.

 

Lake Pend OreilleOh, I know, Vail doesn’t have a lake (a giant lake) like Sandpoint but does that really matter?  Who cares about our pure water resources and endless 4-season recreational opportunities? 

 

crowdWho cares that our elevation is around 2,000 feet in the valley?  Altitude headaches at the big Colorado ski areas only last a couple days.  It’s worth putting up with that just to get the opportunity to “schmooze” with the hoards of skiers in the lift lines.  Silly Schweitzer Mountain doesn’t get lift lines.  We don’t have that wonderful “schmoozing” opportunity.  In fact, it’s tough for most of us to garner the strength to ski all day…with no lift-lines, our ski day consists of actually skiing.  Maybe that’s why Idaho skiers are so much better (O.K., that’s a low blow).

 

In summation, enjoy today’s pictures.  The beauty is unmatched.  The skiing was good, not great.  Skiing this early in the year, however?  THAT IS GREAT!  The powder is coming.  It always does…and when it comes, it LASTS!  (Another major difference between us and Vail – Don’t get me going).

Jenny Kotulak
RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage - Oakville, ON
Broker - Oakville Ontario Real Estate

Hi Kent, It's hard to keep a good thing a secret.  I'm sure "if you tell them, they will come"  Just be selective lol.

Dec 01, 2009 02:26 PM
Kent Anderson
Coldwell Banker Resort Realty, Sandpoint, Idaho - Sandpoint, ID
from Schweitzer to the Lake

Hi Jenny,  I know.  Nothing stays the same.  Thanks for stopping by!

Dec 01, 2009 02:51 PM
Andrea Swiedler
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Kent, you may be single-handedly responsible for the hoards of people that flock to Sandpoint after those photos! Can you live with that?

Seriously, what a beautiful place, really breathtaking, wow is all I have to say! I never tire of your scenery!

Dec 01, 2009 10:56 PM
Shawn Taylor
GLG Realty - Hayden Lake, ID

Kent, After moving to Sandpoint from Vail I agree with all of the above, oh yeah, and that big beautiful lake-an added bonus!

Dec 02, 2009 06:36 AM
Kent Anderson
Coldwell Banker Resort Realty, Sandpoint, Idaho - Sandpoint, ID
from Schweitzer to the Lake

Hi Andrea - Thanks for the kind words about our wonderful little hideout up here in North Idaho.  People were actually flocking here in '05 - '07.  Now, with this economy, it has definitely slowed down.

Mr. Taylor - You know what they say..."Come for the skiing, stay for the Lake".  It always shocks me when I see my friends (with "like" interests to mine) choose Colorado over North Idaho for their retirement mecca.  Are you kidding?  You and I have both emigrated from Colorado to here.  Is there any comparison?  See you on the slopes!

Dec 02, 2009 08:00 AM
Kent Anderson
Coldwell Banker Resort Realty, Sandpoint, Idaho - Sandpoint, ID
from Schweitzer to the Lake

BTW, Andrea - I noted your spelling of "hoards".  Mine has been corrected.  Thanks!

Dec 02, 2009 09:49 AM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Kent Kent Kent !!  All the folks in Vail read your post, and they are on their way:-) HAHAHA!

Dec 02, 2009 01:43 PM
Kent Anderson
Coldwell Banker Resort Realty, Sandpoint, Idaho - Sandpoint, ID
from Schweitzer to the Lake

Hey Mary,  I figured you would get a laugh out of this.

Dec 02, 2009 01:50 PM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Kent  You don't need to become another Vail - that would be a setback  :)

Dec 04, 2009 05:19 PM
Kent Anderson
Coldwell Banker Resort Realty, Sandpoint, Idaho - Sandpoint, ID
from Schweitzer to the Lake
Hi Karen - I hate to bash Vail too much. I've had some epic days of skiing and nightlife at Vail...I guess I just wouldn't want to live there. Thanks for stopping by!
Dec 05, 2009 02:59 AM
Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind
KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate - Tucson, AZ
Broker/Owner

GOOD MORNING KENT!  We are packing our bags -- my goodness - would you just stop "blatantly" promoting my future retirement city! -- Gab 

Dec 05, 2009 10:11 PM
Kent Anderson
Coldwell Banker Resort Realty, Sandpoint, Idaho - Sandpoint, ID
from Schweitzer to the Lake

Hey Gab - Sorry.  I just get so excited!  (not so much today...cold and blowing like a banshee - The lifts are closed due to the high winds).  How did your tests go?

Dec 06, 2009 07:27 AM