TR: Schweitzer ID and 49 Degrees North WA 1.18-26.13

[Droogie]

My sister-in-law works in marketing at Schweitzer in Sandpoint Idaho. My wife, brother who lives in Nebraska and I took advantage of a solid SWA sale, the MLK day off from work to go up and visit and ski 7 days. Plus we had a free place to stay, free lifties and didn't need a rental car. The Schwiz is an excellent ski area. They have 2900 acres, 300 inches a year, 2400 feet of vertical and 1/3 the crowds of most colorado resorts. Before we got there Schweitzer had received 200 inches, but as luck would have it high pressure set in the week before we arrived and held strong most of the time we were there. It was actually NEVER icy anywhere and the last two days we did get some snow. We possibly were going to visit several other mountains such as Silver, Lookout Pass, Mount Spokane, Turner, but with no new snow anywhere else and free lifties the only other place we got to was 49 Degrees North in Washington. Oh well, I'm going back February 28-March 6 again and will hit more place up since we used all the free vouchers.



On with the pics!



Despite a week with no snow (below freezing temps) the Schweitzer side country on Big Blue had fresh snow to be found. Awesome turns to start, but then a bit of a bushwhack to get out.





Outback Bowl:









Sunset over the lake!



There were lots of inversions while we were there. Awesome views!





The views from up top on clear days are amazing!















The Schwiz is known for tree skiing:







On the 22nd we went to 49 Degrees North. Lifties were only $35 on Liftopia. This place is an awesome laid-back Mom and Pop joint. It kind of reminds me of a smaller Powder Mountain, UT. It had been 10 days since the last snow and I was still finding fresh snow in the trees. There was NOBODY here. When I come back in March this is definitely a place I'm going to hit up. They are closed Weds-Thursday so Fridays are often fresh. 49 degrees has 2350 acres, 1850 vertical, 300 inches annually, cheap lifties, great tree skiing and ZERO crowds.







They also have great tree skiing.





Sister-in-law and my wife.









Back to the Schwiz the next day and great views:









Over the past 2 seasons, I'm pretty sure I have have skied each of the 92 runs at the Schwiz at least twice.





Second to last day we received 3 inches of new snow and then 3 more inches the last day. Mrs Droogie in some fun glades!







Phinea's Forest!





More trees!







It was a great time and I am excited to come back in just a month! Woot!

[davidski]

That place is in the top five of where I wish to go -- worldwide, seriously, I don't exactly know why



I've loved your reports on it

[LakesideChutes]

Ah the memories, snow ghosts, the T-bar and the great terrain and of course Lakeside Chutes - great area, great vibe with little to no crowds

[swamphox]

looks really nice. pretty too.



where do u fly into? spokane?



for those of us who dont have a free place to stay care to suggest any lodging options?

[Droogie]

@davidski 286052 wrote:That place is in the top five of where I wish to go -- worldwide, seriously, I don't exactly know why



I've loved your reports on it



I have seen Schweitzer mentioned in a number of publications referred to as "The best place you have never skied". I have also seen Sand Point come up in lists of "Cheapest ski towns" or "Best ski town you have never been to". I have also seen it talked about as having some of the best tree skiing out there. I have been to over 40 ski areas and the Schwiz really is a fantastic place in all categories.



That whole region is vastly underrated for skiing if you ask me. If you base yourself in Sand Point you can get condos and hotels for really cheap. Outof Sand Point you have the following options to check snow reports and go where it is deepest:

Schweitzer: 15 min

49 Degrees North: 1:10

Silver Mountain: 1:25

Lookout Pass: 1:45

Mt Spokane: 1:35

Turner Mountain 2:00

The Powder highway in BC is 3 hours away.



You could also stay in Couer d'Alene and be closer to several of these areas.



Each of these mountains get 300+ inches or so (Turner 250), are uncrowded, very cheap, and have fun terrain and NO CROWDS. Powder days are actually powder days rather than powder hours you see in much of the country.



You fly into Spokane and it is an 1:25 drive to Sand Point.

[Droogie]

@swamphox 286062 wrote:looks really nice. pretty too.



where do u fly into? spokane?



for those of us who dont have a free place to stay care to suggest any lodging options?



Yep. Spokane.



The slopeside lodging is very cheap compared to other destination resorts out west. They also have your standard economy hotels like Super 8, Comfort Inn in the $59-70 a night range. Also, condos in town on vrbo.com can be rented for a good bit cheaper than say Frisco Colorado. While I was there I recall my sister-in-law mentioning a place that was like $29 or $39 a night. I can't recall the name of that place, it was not a chain hotel.

[ROYMERCER]

man what a find, your pics were off the chain! great job!!

[davidski]

@Droogie 286073 wrote: While I was there I recall my sister-in-law mentioning a place that was like $29 or $39 a night. I can't recall the name of that place, it was not a chain hotel.





you must find the name, I am a connoisseur of such establishments and it should be on my list

[marzski]

Great TR! Have been thinking about a tour starting from Spokane. Can drive across the border and spend a few days at Red Mountain in addition to Schweitzer and Whitefish.



Have heard Schweitzer has a Ski-3 Package: $162 for 3 tickets good any day, must buy before mid-Nov. Also a $99 Spring Pass starting mid-March until end of season.

[mommehK]

Gorgeous!