About Sandpoint's Schweitzer

If you remember North Lake Tahoe 20 years ago, you will appreciate Sandpoint today. These photos from yesterday say it all. The "immaculate Sandpoint/Schweitzer Winter" continues. In fact, today I rode my bike 20 miles in the bright/warm sunshine...this marks the 12th straight month of outdoor biking! That is truly amazing...especially considering I was skiing Schweitzer Mountain's soft powder on a 105" base yesterday just 11 miles from downtown Sandpoint!

No wonder we've been recently awarded, "Best Ski Town In The U.S." (Rand Mcnally), "Most Beautiful Town In America" (USA Today) and, for you investors out there, Most Under The Radar Ski Town (Sunsets Magazine)!

The photo below is not from yesterday. I thought it might be worth a look (for the uninitiated) to see downtown Sandpoint on the shores of Pend Oreille.

Well, this came as a bit of a surprise. I love it here in Sandpoint but...#1 ski town in the U.S.? The folks at Rand McNally really do love us. I guess I can just sit back now and fend off the onslaught of buyers hoping to be a part of this bonanza. I'm thinking that may not happen but our notoriety certainly can't hurt business. The great part of this is our geographical location...Sandpoint is located in a narrow valley between Lake Pend Oreille and the Selkirk Mountains. We're just not going to get a massive population explosion with sprawling neighborhoods. There's no room here!

I'm still perplexed by the #1 ranking, however. I've lived in a few pretty exceptional "ski towns" and, not knowing the criteria Rand McNally used in claiming Sandpoint the #1 ski town in the U.S., I would have to say that there are more than a few ski towns who could lay a stake to the #1 claim. Who can beat the restaurants and nightlife in Aspen and Vail? How about the powder in Park City? Then there's Telluride, Jackson, Taos & Sun Valley. ...but, who's counting.

As I write this, however, it is hard to argue with Rand McNally's findings. I skied today (we call it a lunch break) for the 5th consecutive deep powder day. I didn't require a snorkel but I did get my share of "face-shots". Tonite we'll be heading to Trinity At City Beach for their thin crust chicken pizza and a "very" cold adult beverage. (By the way, the photo above was taken from there last summer. It's about 300 yards from downtown Sandpoint). Yes, we can argue who's #1, but,I must admit, the arguement would fall on a few deaf ears around here.

Linked here is The Sandpoint Daily Bee's take on the ranking from this morning's paper.

To the left is a portion of the Schweitzer North Bowl on the back side. The sun is peeking through a perfect powder day.

To the right is the front of Schweitzter Mountain Resort.

If you look around the ski world, races and events are being canceled on a regular basis. Snow coverage is shockingly low and, in Europe, almost non-existent. Schweitzer Mountain is the exception and I, for one, am happy to ride this wave as long as I can. As of this post, Schweitzer has the 9th deepest snowpack in North America and has enjoyed 2900 acres of skiable/open terrain since the first week in December.

Today marks the 2nd day of the SCHWEITZER NORTHWEST (FIS) CUP, a high level, FIS licensed giant slalom running January 5 - 8. The racers are getting their moneys-worth this year with extremely fast conditions and no significant snowfall expected for several days. They call this "boilerplate" conditions and it suits the "racing mentality" just fine.

More important than the fast course is the fact that the great conditions at Schweitzer insures a vibrant economy for Sandpoint! In fact, next weekend Schweitzer hosts The Western Region Devo Downhill Speed Series...a six-day major ski event consisting of two USSA downhills and two FIS super-G's. Due to the lack of snow at Mammoth Mountain in California, Schweitzer once again scores a major event bringing 1,000's of competitors, spectators and their entourage to Sandpoint, Idaho.

The one thing Sandpoint does have in common with much of the USA this winter are the incredibly mild temperatures! While the temps have remained cool enough at Schweitzer to insure big snowpack, the conditions in town have been wonderfully mild.

I was thrilled to take the Bianchi out on January 4 for a twenty mile bike ride and followed that up with a pleasure ride on the F650 GS yesterday. Biking in January, whether it's on a bicycle or motorcycle, is a treat to cherish. The remainder of my spare time this winter (when I'm not skiing, that is) has been working on the backyard landscaping project I'm entrenched in. Since there is NO frost in the ground, I've been able to complete a huge project that had been scheduled for next Spring!

As most of you are aware, I'm pretty smitten by Sandpoint and the rest of North Idaho. If we have many more winters like this, however, I'm not sure I'll be able to handle my good fortune. Bring on the winds and the brutal temperatures! Let's get real!

(By the way, I should be clear...the average high temperature in Sandpoint's coldest month is a mild 35 degrees F. Not too shabby.)

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It has been a special year so far at Schweitzer Mountain. While so many ski areas are struggling with some pretty strange weather, Schweitzer has been blessed with some massive early storms. See you on the slopes!

Thank you to the entire Activerain community! You guys are the BEST!

With fresh powder from the last snow and a sunny day beckoning, I took a leisurely drive up to Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort and snapped these shots along the way:

Road up to Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort

Entering Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort

Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort

View of Lake Pend Oreille from Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort

Gary Lirette, featured in Where To Retire magazine and host of the Tuesday noon local radio shows: North Idaho Business as well as North Idaho Arts.

E-mail Gary or call 208-610-1384
Read Gary's Blogs

Tomlinson Sandpoint Sotheby's International Realty

200 Main Street
Sandpoint, Idaho

208-255-3474

www.SandpointID.net - To learn all about Sandpoint and North Idaho

www.RealtySandpoint.com - For Sandpoint Realty

www.SkiSchweitzer.net - To visit Schweitzer Mountain's Community Web