Blog #1: Schweitzer Mountain Resort. “Steep hills, good people, and a lake. This is who and what we are”.
The trip started on a sunny Saturday morning at Spokane International Airport. We quickly rented a car, eager to start our hour and a half long journey to Schweitzer, Idaho. One thing to mention is we rented a car because we would be later driving down to Wyoming. Typically, and as the rest of the group did, you’d hop on a bus to the resort. On a previous trip to Schweitzer, we’ve rode the bus, and it’s not something to miss. Especially after the snack and beverage (😉) stop. After our quick stop for lunch and coffee in Spokane (recommendations below), we were on the road!
Spokane Falls
Located on the Spokane River in the Central Business District. Fun fact, the City Spokane was initially named “Spokane Falls”.
The energy was high and a lot of Dave Matthews was played. On the way up to the Ski Resort, we passed by the town of Sandpoint, a really cool small town. It offers many dining options as well as coffee shops and boutiques, and has a very relaxed and laidback feel. We drove up Mountain rd and parked at the top of the hill to get a good look at Lake Pend Orielle. The lake is absolutely beautiful and worth spending the time to explore. We’re currently in the process of planning a trip in the summer to enjoy the lake in its prime.
Lake Pend Orielle
It’s the largest lake in Idaho and was glacially formed during the Ice Age! The south end of the lake was the second largest naval training ground in the world during World War II.
We finally arrived to the base of the Schweitzer mountain around 5pm (due to many photo stops) and checked into the Selkirk Lodge. The check-in was a breeze. We opted to park our car in the free lot under the Humbird hotel (their newest addition, finalized in February 2022), but they also offer paid parking options. After settling into our room, we headed over to the Taps Bar where they host the welcome dinner. Idaho famous baked potatoes were served buffet style. The welcome dinner is the best way to start the trip as it gives you in-depth info of the mountain terrain, resort amenities, and general tips that you’d otherwise miss. During the dinner, Kim, the group sales lead, invited us on a mountain tour for that next morning. 8:30am was the meet-up time the next morning so we decided to take it easy the rest of the night. We got a quick night cap at the Crow’s Bench and hit the hay.
Humbird Hotel
The Resort’s newest addition. It was built using cross laminated timber construction, highlighting the region’s connection to the natural surroundings. Learn more about the awesome history behind the inspiration here.
That next morning, we took advantage of the 20% of breakfast and coffee (resort-wide) group discount* and treated ourselves to some lattes and breakfast burritos. There’s truly nothing better than getting ready for a bluebird powder day while drinking an oat-milk latte. At the base of the mountain we met up with the group, (20ish of us) Kim, and Cass (another awesome group sales team member). They divided us into two groups, one for the experts and go-getters, and one slower-paced group. Both groups covered the same trails just at a different pace.
You will not want to miss this tour!!! It’s no doubt the best way to start the trip. Not only do you get a really good feel of the mountain in two short hours, but you also get to learn about it from a unique perspective. The raw, honest, and exciting perspective of a long-time local. Schweitzer has two bowls and both have awesome terrain to explore. Schweitzer Bowl, or the front bowl, is accesible right off the village and is a great place to start. We found that it tends to be sunnier on this side so it’s a great side to lap when the sun is playing hide-and-seek. It’s hard to imagine that an even bigger area of the mountain lays over the ridge. The Outback Bowl, or the back bowl, is just as cool as it sounds. It’s filled with challenging tree skiing and long fun groomers. We spent a lot of our time exploring the tree runs off Cedar Park Express and Stella.
The mountain is comprised mostly of intermediate and advanced terrain. It’s broken down to 10% Beginner, 40% Intermediate, 35% Advanced, 15% Expert. For seasoned skiers and riders, it’s music to the ears. The area boasts 2900 skiable acres, 92 trails plus open bowl skiing. A week long trip almost feels like it’s not enough time to ski it all. Additionally, Schweitzer is independently owned and operates 100% private land and proud of it!
Schweitzer Village
A great view of the Village and Schweitzer Bowl.
Undoubtedly, Schweitzer is a hidden gem. The resort boasts unparalleled advantages: skiing powder days on weekends without waiting in lift lines, a cozy ski-in-ski-out village equipped with great dining options and bars, and a community of friendly locals and staff who make each visit unforgettable. It's no wonder that our groups keep returning here, time and time again!
