2004 DTR - Schweitzer Mountain, Idaho

What's up with this place and why haven't I heard of it? This seemed to be the question running through our heads on the way to this hidden beauty. This was not an intended stop along the tour. For one, I didn't know that it existed and second, what is in northern Idaho other than Kyzinski's napalm factory and your pick of pagan cults? But we had a day to kill on our way to Washington, so it was agreed we should investigate. This is one of the more beautiful areas we have seen on this tour. The town of Sandpoint sits on Lake Pend Oreille, just a 9-mile drive up the hill to Schweitzer Mountain. Sandpoint is the kind of town that is asking for a real estate explosion. For personal safety concerns I don't feel comfortable relaying the prices I was quoted on rent and property here, you are just going to have to see for yourself.

Here is the long and short of it: Schweitzer rocks! It is so sick up there. You feel like you are looking over Loch Ness or something. Snow-covered mountains rise out of the lake below giving the resort a definite advantage in the scenery department. The seven lifts that take you around the hill give you options ranging from the endless powder fields we all dream about to the double black diamond dogs that litter the backside. Big enough to keep you plenty busy yet small enough to find your way around, I doubt you could encounter any problems here if you tried. There is one thing though, if you like waiting in lift lines this is not the place for you. I couldn't catch a break, no people to cut me off, no Nazi lifties to play power games with. What to do?

Now here is where it gets interesting. No crowds, beautiful views, and friendly folks sound about right for a secret spot like Schweitzer, but a snowboard park? Yep. And a damn fine one if I do say so myself. I heard someone say it reminded them of a video game. There are tons of options here. On one side you got a rail garden, known to me as the pain parade and on the other are the most perfect jumps you could ask for. All of this made possible by Richard Rominger, a veteran in the park builders union. This will all be showcased on March 12,13, and 14 at The Stomp Games. There is going to be a rail jam, slopestyle and boardercross with a generous cash booty for the winners. Call Schweitzer Mountain Resort for details.

SNOWBOARDER Magazine's Best of Schweitzer Mountain:
Best place to have fun regardless of the conditions
Honorable Mention: Best View