explore at new heights
What is it that makes a place or an experience tug at our deeper nature? Here it starts with the jaw-dropping beauty of Lake Pend Oreille and surrounding mountains – a kind of beauty you find in national parks, but offered here without the maddening crowds. Add experiences that feed the senses, from hiking and biking, to swimming, boating, climbing and horseback riding. Come discover a deeper sense of being.
Amazing winter getaways start with amazing places and things to do in those places – and you can’t do much better than Sandpoint and Schweitzer. The largest ski resort in Idaho and Washington delivers astonishing views, uncrowded slopes, and a perfect mix of beginner-to-expert slopes, not to mention some super dining and après ski options. Off the slopes find
experience our nature in every Season jump in and
Adventure year-round
Winter here is wildly wonderful. Our ski mountain, Schweitzer, is the largest in the region, with 2,900 acres of terrific terrain for all abilities, 92 named runs and 10 lifts. Off the mountain, there is XC skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating and snowcatting. And while winter and summer may get the glory ... the renewal of springtime and crisp colors of autumn provide their own delight. Cherish every moment.
sandpoint's events calendar
february 2026
13-22 Sandpoint Winter Carnival. Our town's "antidote to cabin fever" has music, festivals and events downtown plus torchlight parade and fireworks show at Schweitzer. SandpointWinterCarnival.com
21, 22, 28 Summit Sunrise Breakfast. Watch the sun rise while enjoying a sumptuous breakfast at Schweitzer's mountain-top Sky House – with a head start for the day's first tracks. Nine dates in March as well. Schweitzer.com
28 Mega Demo Day. The region's largest demo day event, with the newest ski and snowboard gear from a 20-plus brands at Schweitzer. Prizes, samples and fun! Schweitzer.com march 2026
6 Sky House Snowcat Dinner. At Schweitzer, six-course dinner with wine pairings, served at the mountain-top restaurant. Schweitzer.com
13 Derina Harvey Band. Award-winning Celtic rock group plays our town's premier live music hall, The Hive. LiveFromTheHive.com
20 Gothard Sisters. Celtic folk group present high-energy songs and ballads, Irish step dancing at the Panida Theater. Panida.org april 2026
11-12 Schpring Finale. Classic Schweitzer party tops off the ski year, with a Cardboard Box Derby, costumes, prizes and fun. Schweitzer.com 25-May 3 K&K Fishing Derby. Annual fishing derby with big prizes for the big, 20-pound-plus lunkers in Lake Pend Oreille. LPOIC.org
24 From Sandpoint With Love Opera Soiree. Exquisite chamber opera at the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint. SandpointConservatory.org may 2026
2 Farmers Market Opens. Season kicks off, with markets every Saturday and Wednesday through October at Farmin Park. SandpointFarmersMarket.com
2 3/4 Minus Cykeltur. Gravel grinder with 52and 76-mile routes on mixed-surface roads plus a twist of single-track. PanhandleGravel.com. 9 Long Bridge Half Marathon. Run the iconic shores of Lake Pend Oreille, in half marathon, 10K and 5K courses. PriestLakeRace.com.
14-16 Lost in the '50s. 39th annual car show with hundreds of rides on display and parade, plus dance concerts and parties. LostInThe50s.com june 2026
12 Schweitzer summer opening. Scenic chairlift rides, plus activities from climbing wall to zip lines to biking and hiking. Schweitzer.com
12 POAC ArtWalk. Pend Oreille Arts Council's summer-long art shows kick off with artist receptions at venues around town. ArtInSandpoint.org 13-14 Renaissance Faire. Celebrate all things Middle Age - equestrian thrills, choreographed combat with real weapons, magic, music, dancing, food and fun. SandpointRenFaire.com
20 CHAFE 150. One of the premier road rides in the nation, the CHAFE has routes of 150, 80, 42 and 25 miles, and a 3-mile family fun ride. Plus 55 75-mile gravel routes. CHAFE150.org
20-21 Race the Wolf. Trail races at Schweitzer offer distances from 5K to full marathon, with challenging terrain and elevation gains. PriestLakeRace.com
25 Summer Sampler. Sandpoint's finest restaurants provide tasty delights, with music and libations in Farmin Park. SandpointChamber.org
27 Monarch Grind. For the stout of heart and bicycle, this 59-mile gravel ride has 7,878 feet of elevation gain. PanhandleGravel.com
july 2026
4 Independence Day. Enjoy the classic parade downtown and fireworks show at Sandpoint City Beach; nearby Hope and Clark Fork also have celebrations.
5 Beerfest. Annual tasting for craft beer aficionados with 20-plus tasty beers from regional breweries. SandpointChamber.org
10-12 Antique & Classic Boat Show. Classic boat parade on Sand Creek, and beautiful wooden boats dock all down the boardwalk downtown. InlandEmpireACBS.
18-19 Northwest Wine Fest. A tasting event in Schweitzer's alpine glory, with chairlift rides, music and more. Schweitzer.com
30-Aug 9 Festival at Sandpoint. Premier concert series brings world-renowned musicians for eight mainstage performances, under the stars along Lake Pend Oreille. FestivalAtSandpoint.com.
August 2026
2 Long Bridge Swim. Premier 1.76-mile swim for all abilities with unusually fine views for spectators from the bridge. LongBridgeSwim.org
7-8 Bonner County Rodeo. Bull riding, roping barrel racing and more at the fairgrounds. BonnerCountyFair.com
8-9 POAC Arts and Crafts Fair. Annual event downtown has dozens of booths with sculpture, ceramics, fiber, photography, paintings, woodworks and more. ArtInSandpoint.org
15 Aether's Traverse. 34-mile gravel grinder from Sandpoint to top of Schweitzer with 6,300 feet of elevation gain. PanhandleGravel.com
18-22 Bonner County Fair. Old-fashioned country fair with farm animals, crafts, community booths, food and entertainment. Bull riding and a demolition derby. BonnerCountyFair.com
september 2026
4-5 Artists' Studio Tour. Self-guided driving tour of working studios of painters, sculptors, photographers and glass artists. ArtInSandpoint.org
5-7 Fall Fest. Schweitzer closes out the summer with beer tasting, music, chairlift rides and activities. Schweitzer.com
october 2026
17 Harvest Fest. Sandpoint Farmers Market closes out the season at Farmin Park. SandpointFarmersMarket.com
november 2026
Schweitzer Opens. It happens during Thanksgiving week most years ... snow gods permitting! Keep an eye on Schweitzer.com
21-29 K&K Fall Fishing Derby. Autumn fishing contest for the lake's big ones, with prizes and glory for the biggest catches. LPOIC.org
27 Tree Lighting and Santa's Arrival. Lighting ceremony at Jeff Jones Town Square and visit from Santa opens the holiday season in Sandpoint. SandpointChamber.org
december 2026
23-24 Ski with Santa. The jolly old gent will be at Schweitzer, with holiday cheer for good girls and boys of all ages. Schweitzer.com
31 Schweitzer Family Friendly New Years Eve Tubing Party. Bring the family and enjoy a tubing party to celebrate the new year. Schweitzer.com
February: Winter Carnival at Schweitzer
May: Lost in the 50's
July-August: Festival at Sandpoint August: Arts & Crafts Fair
Our mountains have your number. If you're a hiker or mountain biker, come discover the 200-plus trails in the Selkirk and Cabinet Mountains that surround Sandpoint.
Mountain Biking Trails
MTB Schweitzer Mountain. Schweitzer and the adjacent Little Sand Creek watershed offer terrific mountain biking on more than 40 miles of trails. Many afford outstanding lake views to complement the heartpumping climbs and descents.
MTB Syringa + Pine Street Woods. The Kaniksu Land Trust provides the new Pine Street Woods trail system, and helps maintain oversight for the adjacent Syringa trails, with more than 20 rides ranging from easy to expert... barely two miles from downtown Sandpoint.
MTB Forest Service. There are many excellent single track rides developed on Forest Service trails and maintained with the help of volunteer rider groups. Notable rides are Brush Lake, with a fine moderately easy six-mile loop; Gold Hill, 2.9 miles uphill to a nice viewpoint, and potential connection to additional trails; and Lost LakeMineral Point trails with various loops comprising 10 miles or more in scalable difficulty.
Link up to maps, groups and more on our MTB Page: www.VisitSandpoint.com/mtb
SELECT MTB TRAILS
Find trails and info at VisitSandpoint.com/hiking Hiking Lunch Peak
HIKING Trails
There are scores of trails where the best – or only –mode is by foot. Hike to one of dozens of high alpine lakes, explore wildlife-rich estuaries and refuges, scale a mountaintop to get forever views or take a multi-day backpack into pristine roadless areas.
Hiking the Selkirk Mountains
Mountain Biking the Cabinet Mountains
Biking Trails at Pine Street Woods
LODGING
MOTELS, HOTELS AND LODGES
REAL ESTATE / DESIGN / BUILDERS
Springhill Suites
RV CAMPINGPARKS
Country
The
Lunch Peak Lookout
Sam Owen Campground
Whiskey Rock Campground (no fee)
Farragut State Park
Green Bay Campground (no fee)
877.444.6777
SandpointIdaho.gov under Parks & Rec, at Sandpoint City Beach
CountryInnSandpoint.com, Sagle park-like setting
TheWoodsinSagle.com
Sagle, open year-round, tenters welcome
Recreation.gov, rustic forest lookout cabin
Recreation.gov, on Lake Pend Oreille in Hope
On
Pend Oreille’s east shore, dock, beach
ReserveAmerica.com, on Lake Pend Oreille, cabins
Vault toilet, picnic area, tent sites on Pend Oreille Round Lake State Park
Springy Point Recreation Area
ReserveAmerica.com, open year-round in Sagle
shady sites on Pend Oreille River
HWY 2 WesT/lacLede/priesT RIVeR/priesT laKe/neWPOrt
Albeni Cove Recreation Area
Priest Lake State Park
Priest River Recreation Area
Riley Creek Recreation Area
USFS Priest Lake Ranger Distric
Recreation.gov, on Pend Oreille River, picnic areas
year-round, canoes, cabins
playground, bike campsites
on Pend Oreille River, playground
group sites, tenting on Priest Lake
Bottle Bay Resort
DINING
ResTaURanT
113 Main Sandpoint 208.946.5309 Steak and Seafood
Barrel 33 Sandpoint 208.920.6258 Small Bites
Bottle Bay Resort & Marina, Seasonal Sagle 208.263.5916
Cabinet Mountain Coffee, Seasonal Schweitzer Mountain 833.854.7669 Coffee and Pastries
Chimney Rock Grill, Seasonal
Connie's Café & Lounge Sandpoint 208.255.2227 American
Crow's Bench
Dish at Dover Bay Dover 208.265.6467
Evan's Brothers Coffee Sandpoint 208.265.5553 Coffee, Sandwiches
Flavors of Phoenicia Ponderay 986.209.8548 Lebanese Cuisine
Gourmandie
Schweitzer Mountain 208.255.3084 Wine, Specialty Market
Jalapeño’s Mexican Restaurant Sandpoint
Lakeview Café, Seasonal
Marigold Bistro
Schweitzer Mountain 833.854.7669
Matchwood Brewing Co. Sandpoint
MickDuff’s Company Beer Hall Sandpoint 208.209.6700 Pub Food with Flair
MickDuff’s Company Brewpub Sandpoint 208.255.4351 Popcorn, or BYOF
Mojo Coyote Café
Schweitzer Mountain 208.255.3037 Café
Panhandle Cone & Coffee Sandpoint 208.265.8996 Coffee & Ice Cream Pend d'Oreille Winery Sandpoint 208.265.8545 Modern
Smokesmith
MickDuff's Beer Hall
Connie's Cafe & Lounge
219 Lounge
Matchwood Brewing
Oreille Winery
Igloos at The Dish
Sweet Lou’s Restaurant & Bar
area Activities
ART / MUSIC EVENTS
WATER RECREATION & RV RENTALS / MARINAS
GOLF COURSES
Summer
/
Farragut State Park
ACTIVITIES / HORSEBACK RIDING
208.683.2425 More than 40 miles of trails to explore. ParksAndRecreation.Idaho.gov Pine Street Woods
Priest Lake Ranger District
Priest Lake State Park
Round Lake State Park
Sandpoint Ranger District
Schweitzer
Western Pleasure Guest Ranch
208.263.9471 180 acres of rolling hills, healthy woodlands, and beckoning trails. KaniksuLandTrust.org
208.443.2512
Abundance of trails in the Selkirk Mountains. Fs.usda.gov/ipnf
208.443.2200 Hiking and biking trails, boating and other activities. ParksAndRecreation.Idaho.gov
208.263.3489 Three trails surround 58-acre lake. ParksAndRecreation.Idaho.gov
208.263.5111 75 trails on over 270 miles of developed routes. Fs.usda.gov/ipnf
833.854.7669
208.263.9066
Zip line, chairlifts, hiking, mountain biking and more. Schweitzer.com
Trail rides, lessons and more. WesternPleasureRanch.com
TOURS / CHARTERS / LAKE CRUISES
Albeni Falls Dam Tour
208.437.4617 Guided tours of the powerhouse. Nws.usace.army.mil Go Fish Charters
Lake Pend Oreille Cruises
Long Drift Outfitters
208.97.5020 Flyfishing, lake-fishing, family packages and private dock pick-ups. GoFishCharters.org
208.255.5253
303.917.2822
ICE FISHING & SKATING
Public cruises and private charters available. LakePendOreilleCruises.com
Guided fly-fishing and float trips along the Kootenai River. LongDriftOutfitters.com
The Pond Ice Skating Rink Public ice arena for ice skating, hockey and winter fun for all. SkateThePond.com
Round Lake State Park
Sandpoint City Beach/Sand Creek
208.263.3489 Staff-maintained skating on the lake. ParksAndRecreation.idaho.gov
208.263.3613
Staff-maintained skating downtown. CityofSandpoint.com
SKIING / SNOWBOARDING / SNOWSHOEING / SNOWMOBILING / SLEIGH RIDES
Farragut State Park
208.683.2425 7.5 miles of groomed ski trails. ParksAndRecreation.idaho.gov
Pine Street Woods 208.263.9471 180 acres of beckoning trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. KaniksuLandTrust.org
Priest Lake Husky Tours
Priest Lake Nordic Center
Schweitzer
Western Pleasure Guest Ranch
208.964.7615 Sled dog driving experience with daily mountain trail tours. PlHuskies.com
Groomed Nordic trail system. PriestLake.org
833.854.7669 Skiing and snowboarding, tubing,snowshoeing, catskiing and snowmobile tours. Schweitzer.com
208.263.9066 Horse-drawn sleigh rides, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. WesternPleasureRanch.com
SOLE 928.351.7653 Intentional experiential education programming throughout the Inland Northwest and beyond! SoleExperiences.org
The Pond Ice Skating Rink
Cedar Street Bridge Public Market
The Idaho Club Golf Course
CASINO
Best Western Kootenai River Inn Casino
MUSEUMS
Bonner County History Museum
208.267.8511 3 casino rooms, one non-smoking, and 500 gaming machines. KootenaiRiverInn.com
208.263.2344 Showcasing history and development of Bonner County. BonnerCountyHistory.org Museum at the Brig
SCENIC DRIVES
International Selkirk Loop
Pend Oreille National Scenic Byway
SHOPPING / STORES
Artworks Gallery
208.683.2425 History of World War II’s Farragut Naval Training Station. ParksAndRecreation.Idaho.gov
888.823.2626 Scenic drive through Idaho, Washington and Canada. SelkirkLoop.org
208.267.0822 33-mile drive through postcard-quality scenery. SelkirkLoop.org
208.263.2642 Sandpoint regional artists cooperative gallery of fine art, ceramics, glass, jewelry and more.
Sandpoint Shopping District Downtown Sandpoint variety of unique shops. Facebook.com/SandpointShopping
The Cedar Street Bridge Public Market Shops, local artisans and bistros with access to Sand Creek Trail. TheCedarStreetBridge.com
Schweitzer Village
Sunshine Goldmine
SPAS / TANNING
Best Western Kootenai River Inn Casino & Spa
Cambium Spa
Lake Life Wellness Center & Yoga Studio
Northpoint Spa, LLC
Wildflower Spa at Seasons
THEATERS
Sandpoint Cinemas
Panida Theater and Little Theater
833.854.7669 At Schweitzer Mountain. Fine outdoor clothing and gear, artists studio. Schweitzer.com
208.263.6713 A family owned and operated fine jeweler and goldsmith. Trusted for over 40 years, they are committed to reliable and conflict-free fair trade gem practices. SunshineGoldmine.com
208.267.8511 Fully staffed luxury day spa with a wide variety of treatments. KootenaiRiverInn.com
208.255.3074 Recovery services, cutting-edge therapies and more. Schweitzer.com/things-to-do/spa
208.264.0644 Holistic health, with acupuncture, yoga, massage, sauna, detox, more. LakeLifeACU.com
208.263.3211 Day spa offering massage, facials, nail services, hair service, as well as multiple wellness machines and tanning. NorthpointSpa.com
208.263.1103 Holistic and organic boutique-style spa. TheWildFlowerDaySpa.com
208.215.2060 First-run movies on six screens. SandpointCinemas.com
208.263.9191 Historic, community-owned theater in the heart of Sandpoint. Panida.org
WINERIES / BREWERIES / PUBS / COFFEE HOUSES
219 Lounge
208.263.5673 Full-service bar serving award-winning 219er brew, open 365 days a year. On Facebook Barrel 33
Evans Brothers Coffee Roasters & Café
Matchwood Brewing
MickDuff’s Brewing Company
MickDuff’s Beer Hall & Brewery Tasting Room
Pend d’Oreille Winery
208.920.6258 Wine, beer and ciders from local vendors as well as small bites. Barrel33Sandpoint.com
208.265.5553 Top 3 winner of America's best coffee house. EvansBrothersCoffee.com
208.718.2739 Award winning hand-crafted beer, food and live music. MatchwoodBrewing.com
208.255.4351 Brewing ales and root beer and serving pub fare. Mickduffs.com
208.209.6700 Live music weekends, games and tours available. Mickduffs.com
208.265.8545 Tasting room, tours, restaurant, special events, live music. POWine.com
INDOOR + OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
City Parks
Creations for Sandpoint
The Library
7B Lanes
Sandpoint City Beach Park
PonderPlay
Schweitzer
208.263.3613 City parks throughout Sandpoint. SandpointIdaho.gov
208.255.1782 Educational art and discovery play, inside the Cedar Street Bridge. CreationsforSandpoint.org
208.263.6930 Discovery, connection, and lifelong learning through books and other resources; accepts library cards from around the world. Ebonnerlibrary.org
208.255.BOWL Family fun with bowling, arcade, food, drink, and pool tables! Facebook.com/sandpoint7blanes
208.263.3613 Sandpoint's 22-acre premier park for swimming, picnics, volleyball & more! SandpointIdaho.gov
208.603.8508 Year round, climate controlled indoor play for kids 12 and under. PonderPlayNW.com
833.854.7669 Seasonal family fun with snow sports, hiking, biking, zip-lining, and festivals. Schweitzer.com
Lake Pend Oreille Cruises
The Historic Panida Theater
The Hive
City MAP
Selkirks-Pend Oreille Transit, known as the SPOT bus, is a free transit system that services Sandpoint, Dover and Ponderay. Buses circle the route once each hour going north or south, and the stops are marked with the SPOT bus sign. During ski season catch a connector to the Schweitzer shuttle. www.SpotBus.org • 208-263-3774
The Sandpoint, Idaho Visitor Guide is a publication of the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, and produced by Keokee media + marketing in Sandpoint. Cover photos by Woods Wheatcroft and Doug Marshall and courtesy photo from Schweitzer. Other inside photos by Brandon Puckett, Doug Marshall, Woods Wheatcroft, Amy Peterson, Marie DominiqeVerdier, courtesy photos from Schweitzer Mountain Resort and Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce members.
LAKE PEND OREILLE
DRIVE TIMES
Calgary, AB 7 hours
Creston, B.C. 1 hour
Glacier Park 4.5 hours
Missoula, MT 3.5 hours
Nelson, B.C. 2.5 hours
Portland, OR 7 hours
Priest Lake, ID 1 hour
Seattle, WA 7 hours
Spokane, WA 1.5 hours
Tri-Cities, WA 3.75 hours
Pend Oreille (pronounced pon-duh-ray) is French for “ear pendant” and was probably named by French Canadian fur traders.
