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Other Winter Activities
near Sandpoint & North Idaho
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, Snowshoing, & 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:
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
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Priest Lake Winter |
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
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Phone: (208) 443-2200
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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
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Roman Nose Lake |
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.
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