The Schweitzer Ski Resort in northern Idaho is one of the most popular ski resorts in Idaho. The Schweitzer ski area is a favorite even among some of Idaho’s other ski resorts, which include Sun Valley, Soldier Mountain, Tamarack Resort and Silver Mountain. With six chair lifts and an annual snowfall of more than 300 inches, Schweitzer Ski Resort is rarely devoid of skiers during the Idaho winter. Schweitzer Ski Resort is found about 10 miles northwest of the small town of Sandpoint near Lake Pend Oreille.
The Schweitzer ski area takes its name from a Swiss hermit who lived in the area; Schweitzer is a name in German for a Swiss person. Although he lived most of his life near what is now the Schweitzer ski area, little is known about what that life entailed. He passed away before the Schweitzer Ski area become a popular place for skiers in about 1933.
Although it was possible to ski Schweitzer in the 1930’s,
it would not be until the 1960’s that the main double
chairlift was opened and began to draw record numbers
of skiers. The day lodge was also opened in the
1960s, an updated version of which is still located toward
the top of the lift at 4,700 feet. Over the years,
Schweitzer Ski Resort has added multiple chairlifts and
has developed further into a popular destination for skiers
from around the Pacific Northwest and Canada.
The Schweitzer Mountain ski area today has multiple ski runs, with the longest being about 1.7 miles in length. The Schweitzer Mountain ski area is also home to a ski village, which features two different lodges on-site for skiers wishing to stay near the lifts. It is also possible for Schweitzer ski enthusiasts to stay at one of the many hotels and condos in the town of Sandpoint, which is only about a 15 minute drive from the base parking lot of the Schweitzer Mountain ski area.
For snacks on the mountain when you ski Schweitzer, food is offered at both lodges, as well as at a cafeteria and coffee shop on the mountain. There are lockers available in the cafeteria area for anyone who wants to ski Schweitzer and bring along their own food for the day. Lift tickets are available for a full day, half day, or full season of skiing and can be purchased online or in person at the mountain. Daytime hours are from 9am until close (when it starts getting dark). Night skiing is also available and begins at 3pm.
