Schweitzer Mountain Resort in Idaho & Escape2ski provides info on; vertical drop 2400ft/732m, total trails 92, closest airport 91mi/147km, lifts 10, & more.

The ski resort is located in the Selkirk Mountains of Northern Idaho, near the town of Sandpoint. It opened on Dec 4, 1963, the vision of Dr. Jack Fowler, a dentist from Spokane, Washington, an avid skier that frequently travelled to Montana to ski and wanted a ski destination that was closer to home.

The town of Sandpoint has a history deep in the forest products business and before the opening of Schweitzer Mountain Resort in 1963, summer tourism was another way the economy of the local area prospered. Today, Schweitzer Mountain Resort supports winter tourism as it has earned a reputation as a destination for skiers and snowboarders.

In 1988, it became known as Schweitzer Mountain Resort and since then, the area has grown by leaps and bounds to become a year-round family-friendly resort destination with lodging, dining, modern lift equipment, terrain parks and overall terrain that will satisfy all ability levels.

Ski Magazine once voted Schweitzer Mountain Resort “The Best Kept Secret in North America”. The ski resort is located high above the town of Sandpoint, Idaho, where on a clear day you will enjoy incredible views of the area and Lake Pend Oreille below.

On the Slopes

• Schweitzer Mountain Resort is comprised of two Bowls, Schweitzer Bowl at the front main area and the Outback Bowl on the backside. Each area of the mountain is well serviced with a total uphill capacity of 15,900 people per hour. On a clear day, the view from the summit of Schweitzer can hardly be placed into words; you must see it for yourself to fully appreciate the scenery below.
• The terrain on Schweitzer Mountain Resort can be described with the following words challenging, powder, steep, groomed, great fall lines, and long runs. The Basin Express services a great selection of blue intermediate terrain with long runs and wide-open slopes. Midway is a particular favourite along with Ridge Run.
• The Outback Bowl is a place where memories are made, from the great terrain of Cathedral Aisle and G-3, located off the Stella Chair and the advanced terrain of Lakeside Chutes, Upper Kaniksu, to the aptly named intermediate run, Have Fun – there’s too much great terrain to sum up a few sentences.
• If terrain parks are more your style, there are three Terrain Parks to choose from. The Terrain Garden is a small park, perfect new entrants to the world of terrain parks with smaller jumps and jibs. The Stomping Grounds Terrain Park is where the action is. This larger park features all the challenges that an experienced park enthusiast needs with jumps, rails and boxes. Check with the park staff or customer service about the park entry requirements.
• Schweitzer Mountain Resort provides a great atmosphere for families to be together and enjoy quality time on or off the mountain. The uncrowded slopes are great for newcomers to skiing and snowboarding who need a little extra room to practice their new sport.

Off the Slopes

• If you stay on the mountain you will enjoy the quaint and cozy village that offers several lodging choices, a pub to meet and exchange a story or two about your day, as well as fine-dining options for later in the evening.
• Customer service at Schweitzer Mountain Resort is excellent. Everyone takes prides in their work and takes great care to provide a wonderful lasting experience for their guests.
• Prefer to leave the Mountain Road drive to someone else then take the Shuttle bus with service from the red barn located in the parking lot at the bottom of the Schweitzer Mountain Road to the Mountain. The cost is $3.00 round trip and is cash only.
• Off mountain activities include Hermit’s Hollow Tubing Center, ziplining, snowshoeing and over 18mi/30km of groomed and track-set Nordic trails. Note: a Nordic pass is required to access the Nordic trails. Another popular activity in the area is cat skiing and snowmobile tours from Selkirk Powder. Visit their website, selkirkpowder.com for more details.
• Prefer to stay in town or want to explore what lies below? Venture into Ponderay or Sandpoint where you will find many types of accommodation, shopping, a great selection of dining and tourist attractions that include art galleries and museums. When the temperature is favourable and sufficient ice is available, outdoor ice skating and sledding is another activity option.
• The SPOT Bus offers scheduled transportation around Ponderay, Sandpoint and Dover. This is a “ free ” service for everyone. During the winter ski and snowboard season the Blue Route connects to the Red Barn at the bottom of the Schweitzer Mountain Road. From there, you can ride the shuttle to Schweitzer Mountain Resort.