Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort, was named to Skiing Magazine's Top 25 Ski Resorts, and #3 for Tree Skiing, so, if you like downhill, slalom, or even back country skiing, this should be your first choice. We have a page for Cross Country Skiing, and one for Snowboarding and Backcountry.
Of course, skiing is #1, so to see info about all of our ski resorts, visit Skiing in the Inland Northwest.
While you may be the next Bode Miller, for those that are seeking other things to do during winter months, here are some good choices.
First of all, Sandpoint has a great Winter Carnival and Mardi Gras, and there are music venues, poetry slams, and all kinds of events. To learn more, go to our Calendar of Events.
Here are some other choices:
Fishing
Last year, with such a big snow fall, we had a good ice freeze over many local bodies of water. Every day, while crossing the Long Bridge, ice fisherman could be seen dropping their lines within a hundred yards of shore from downtown Sandpoint. The smaller lakes are great places to catch Perch, bass, and trout. To learn more about area lakes, check out our Lakes Guide. For streams and rivers, go our Rivers Guide.
Hiking, Snowshoeing, & Walking the Area
There are few places that are groomed well enough to venture out without some help to walk on the snow. However, there are a few. For instance, off Brisboys is a trail at the second entrance off Lakeshore that is not known to most, but is fabulous. Others that don't always require special gear are the 2-miles of path on the Pedestrian Long Bridge that runs alongside the Long Bridge (Highway 95). This is one of the best because of the views of Lake Pend Oreille.
Dover Bay resort has nine miles of fabulous paved paths, and many are groomed in the winter. These are free to the public, and the scenery is outstanding. Here is a map of their Master Plan.
One of our favorite charities was the forming of the Bonner Healing Garden. We sponsor their website. Even in the dark of winter, it is a place to sooth the soul.
The new Pend d'Oreille Bay Trail was donated much by the Ross Hall family, and goes approximately two miles to a place called Black Rock along Lake Pend Oreille. Park next to the water treatment plant next to Seasons at Sandpoint. You don't have to use the trail. The railroad often plows the roads along the tracks for service purposes, so you can walk the small peninsula between the lake and Sand Creek.
Try some of the area parks. City Beach isn't bad, but there are many to choose from. To learn more about area parks, visit our Parks & Camping.
Parks
Okay, so in the paragraph above, we mentioned area parks, but the State and Federal Parks are wonderlands in themselves, and often you can find great waterfalls.
Here is a list of Campgrounds. Here is our Parks & Camping.
Sleigh Rides
We are an area known for its Icelandic ponies, and horses are a way of life in North Idaho. For more info about horseback riding, view our page on Horses & Horseback Riding.
Here are some that offer sleigh rides near Sandpoint and in North Idaho:
Western Pleasure Guest Ranch
1413 Upper Gold Creek
Sandpoint, ID 83864
(208) 263-9066
(888) 863-9066
Stillwater Ranch
6282 Dufort Road
Sagle, Idaho 83860
(208) 263-0077
Mountain Horse Adventures
206 N. Fourth Ave #132
Sandpoint, ID83864
800-880-8310
208-263-TROT
Snowmobiling
There are few places in the world better for snowmobiles than Priest Lake. Contact the Priest Lake Trails & Outdoor Recreation Association at 208-443-3309. To learn more check out Snowmobiling Priest Lake. However, you can find places for snowmobiling off Rapid Lightning Creek, Trestle Creek, and so many other areas.
Winter Riders in Sandpoint has great info (208-263-5868).
Peak Adventures offers survival training and avalanche training, but their forte is Cat Skiing. Very cool stuff here.
As mentioned before, the Selkirk Powder Company offers great guided tours. This the snowcat-skiing and snowmobiling outfitter takes you to the best locations in the Rockies and Pacific Northwest. With it's headquarters right on the summit of Schweitzer Mountain Resort, SPC skis and snowmobiles in 4,000 acres of epic terrain directly behind the burgeoning 3,000 acre ski resort. Prompt access to your full day of guided skiing begins at or before 9am. You can expect up to 8 runs and 10,000 to 14,000 vertical.
Selkirk Powder Company
Lakeview Lodge, Schweitzer Village
Sandpoint, ID 83864
- Phone: (208) 263-6959
- Toll Free: (866) 464-3246
Send an Email
www.SelkirkPowderCompany.com
Nearest City: Sandpoint
Location: Northern Idaho, at Schweitzer Mountain Resort
Directions: Schweitzer Mountain Rd from Highway 95
Priest Lake Nordic Center has miles of groomed trails (208-443-2525), offers spectacular scenery, plus connects to miles more of trails to Hannah Flats.
Priest Lake State Park
314 Indian Creek Park Rd.
Coolin, ID 83821
- Phone: (208) 443-2200
- Fax: (208) 443-3893
Send an Email
www.parksandrecreation.idaho.gov
Nearest City: Priest Lake
Location: Northern Idaho, 33 mi. N. of Priest River
The Indian Creek Unit of this state park is 40 miles north of the community of Priest River on the east shore of scenic Priest lake. A plowed parking lot, restrooms, and a gift shop service the 5 miles of groomed trails. The Lone Star trail provides scenic views of the lake and is rated for skiers who have beginner to advanced ability. The Old flume loop offers beautiful scenery and is rated for beginners to intermediate skiers.
Season: Winter
Hours: Daylight
Fees: $4.00 motor vehicle entry fee
Near MacArthur Lake, the Roman Nose and its Alpine lakes is a favorite destination, though this takes a bit more stamina.
At the National Forest Entrance near Trestle Creek is another great area. Don't just go to this entrance for some backcountry fun. Drive a little further on Highway 200 to experience the best part of the International Selkirk Loop. This follows several miles of the 111 miles of coastline of Lake Pend Oreille, and the views are spectacular. There are several places to pull over and take in the view.
Tour the backcountry on National Forest lands; contact Sandpoint Ranger District (208-263-5111) or the Bonners Ferry Ranger District (208-267-5561) for maps and more information or look up the Daho Panhandle National Forests website.
Rental gear is available at Schweitzer's Ski and Ride Center (208-255-3070) or in Sandpoint at the Alpine Shop at 213 Church (208-263-5157), or at Outdoor Experience at 314 N First Ave. (208-263-6028).
Each of the ski resorts has offerings, so to learn more about all the area resorts, check out our Skiing & Snow Sports page.
Wildlife
Our area is surrounded by National Parks, State Parks, and Wildlife Refuges. It is hard to be in North Idaho and not see nature everywhere. Spotting moose and deer are a daily occurrence. Even eagle and osprey are viewed every day of the winter. A little less often we spy elk and bear. Choose any of the forests, and you can be so close to nature in just minutes. One of the best areas is the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, 30 miles north of Sandpoint near Bonners Ferry. This 2,774 acre refuge was established in 1965, and is one of the jewels in our crown.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at any time.
Gary Lirette
Realtor, Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby's International Realty
Host of North Idaho Business & North Idaho Arts & Adventure on KSPT and KBFI
208-610-1384
garyplirette@nctv.com
To learn more about North Idaho, Sandpoint, and Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort, visit the community websites:
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