By Everett Potter

For most American skiers, Schweitzer Mountain has long been a sleeper of a Western ski resort. Located in Sandpoint, Idaho, it’s a true skier’s mountain in the rugged Selkirk Mountains of the northern Idaho panhandle.

Schweitzer, which joined the Ikon Pass this year, is the largest ski resort in Idaho and neighboring Washington. The resort is independently owned and has 2,900 acres of terrain, including two bowls and tree skiing that is among the best in the West. It’s known for its uncrowded slopes. For beginners and intermediates, there’s a wide choice of groomers. There’s also Nordic skiing and tubing. It also offers access to snowmobile tours, snowcat and heli-skiing operations through partner, Selkirk Powder. The summer season is busy, thanks to miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. The closest big city is Spokane, Washington, 90 minutes away.

Locals in the northwest have long seemed to prefer that their mountain remains under the radar. This winter, however, it looks like Schweitzer will finally have a moment in the limelight. The resort’s new 31-room Humbird hotel is accepting reservations for February 1, 2022 and beyond … continue reading