DOWNHILL SKIING. Spend a day snowboarding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing or hiking at Schweitzer Mountain, located only 9 miles from downtown Sandpoint, Idaho. It is a quick jaunt up the switchbacked Schweitzer mountain road to the Inland Northwest’s top ski resort; its size and numbers make Schweitzer one of the biggest ski resorts in the nation: Three high-speed chairs (two quads on the front side and one six pack on the back), four double chairlifts, plus Idyl-Our T-bar, a beginner's Magic Carpet® and a handle tow; the top elevation at 6,400 feet is stunning with panoramic views of the Selkirk and Cabinet Mountains with 2,400 feet vertical from top to base; There is 2,900 skiable acres not counting backcountry (ski at your own risk), 82 named runs; and night skiing on weekends during the season pre-determined schedule. Click www.schweitzer.com to visit their website or phone 208-263-9555 or 800-831-8810; the snow phone is 208-263-9562.

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING. The quickest route to swooshing through groomed backgrountry and incredible scenery is Schweitzer Mountain Resort, where you can kick, glide or skate on over 5 miles of trails (208-263-9555). Round Lake State Park, located 10 miles out of Sandpoint off of Dufort road, also has 2.5+ miles of various groomed trails for diagonal stride and backcountry areas for off trail (208-263-3489). Farragut State Park maintains a 9.4-mile groomed trail system 25 miles south of Sandpoint on Lake Pend Oreille located next to Bayview. Farragut boasts incredible views of the lake and surrounding mountains (208-683-2425). Priest Lake Golf Club and Nordic Center continues to groom their Nordic trail system that connects to Hill's Resort and Hannah Flats trails, totalling more than 7 miles of groomed trails (208-443-2525). Rental gear is available at Schweitzer or one of the ski shops downtown.

COMPETITIVE SKIING & BOARDING. On our local mountain, Schweiter Mountain Resort, the Schweitzer Alpine Racing School provides racing education (classes) and sponsored events (almost every weekend) throughout the season. All SARS club programs aim to improve skills and the love for snowsports, as well as provide appropriate training to Junior Olympic-bound racers. Programs are offered for alpine skiing, snowboarding and Nordic skiing.

ICE SKATING. When the weather is right ice skating is great right downtown at Sandpoint City Beach where the Sailboat Marina is in the sumemr or on Sand Creek below the Cedar Street Bridge. Local residents will also often keep the snow clear for skating at the south end of Third Avenue, where it terminates at the old pier in Lake Pend Oreille. For a full afternoon of skating we suggest you go to Round Lake State Park, 10 miles south of Sandpoint, where park staff usually keep a bonfire lit and speedskating and regular courses swept. To get there, drive 10 miles south on Highway 95, then west two miles on Dufort Road, the entrance is on your left.

SLEDDING. Schweitzer Mountain Resort has a two lanes for great action in a new area called Hermit's Hollow Tubing Center open Fridays-Sundays; or you can ride Airboards during night skiing on Fridays and Saturdays through the Enchanted Forest at Schweitzer Mountain. A second fine sledding hill is at Round Lake State Park, located on Dufort Road, with a 1,000-foot path to the lake. We would like you to remember sledding is always at your own risk!

SNOWMOBILING. It's one of the most popular and fun ways to reach the untouched perfect skiing and snowmobiling conditions in our area. Snowcat trails around Sandpoint and Priest Lake in the Selkirk Crest are renowned for having "Some of the best skiing conditions in the world". For guided rides at Schweitzer, contact Selkirk Powder Company at 208-263-6959 or 888-GO-IDAHO.

CAMPING. Those brave enough to experience camping or build a snow cave, Round Lake State Park remains open during the winter season for hearty campers who want to bring their own water and use a latrine. You can ice-fish, skate, sled, cross-country ski and enjoy a toasty bonfire.

ATHLETIC CLUBS. If you want to take your sports indoors come winter, Sandpoint West Athletic Club located at 1905 W. Pine St, has all the gear and courts to keep you busy all winter long: 25-meter indoor pool, outdoor recreation area, racquetball, wallyball, basketball, weight training, stair machine, bikes and rowing machines, treadmill, aerobics, sauna and spa. Daily rates, monthly passes and year memberships are available. Also, Natural Fitness at Superior and Ella has a complete line of cardiovascular, weight and circuit machines.