Schweitzer Mountain Resort in Sandpoint, Idaho does not have the name recognition factor of a destination like Vail or even Park City. For the skiers who have found this resort in the panhandle of Idaho, Schweitzer’s undiscovered status simply means uncrowded slopes. Not surprisingly, the ski area was picked by Skiing magazine as the “Best Place to Ditch the Crowds.”The 2,900 acres of skiable terrain make Schweitzer the largest resort in Idaho, exceeding better-known Sun Valley by about a third. The summit elevation of a relatively tame 6,400 feet makes Schweitzer a good choice for those susceptible to altitude sickness. From the summit, the ski area provides 2,400 vertical feet of skiing across two main bowls, Schweitzer Bowl and Outback Bowl. The mountain receives an average annual snowfall of 300 inches.
Assuming the region’s tendency for foggy conditions does not materialize, the scenic views are definitely a highlight of the Schweitzer experience. The centerpiece of the valley, Lake Pend Oreille, covering 148 square miles, may be smaller than Lake Tahoe, measuring 191 square miles, but Idaho’s largest lake may be just as picturesque. Located just 45 miles south of the Canadian border, Schweitzer is not as difficult to reach as it might seem. Many major airlines fly into Spokane, Wash., an hour-and-a-half drive away from the resort.
(Photo Credit: Schweitzer Mountain Resort)
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