Holidays 2004: Schweitzer, Idaho | Travel + Leisure
  • E-mail to a Friend
  • Print Print
  • RSS RSS
  • AddThis

Holidays 2004: Schweitzer, Idaho

Brown W. Cannon III

Plus

From December 2004

WHY NOW Set far up in the Idaho Panhandle (60 miles from the Canadian border and a 90-minute drive from the Spokane airport), the up-and-coming Schweitzer Mountain Resort delivers challenging slopes, small-town charm, and feather-light snow without putting a dent in your wallet.

WHERE TO STAY The Selkirk Lodge and the White Pine Lodge (10000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd.; 800/831-8810 or 208/263-9555; www.schweitzer.com; Selkirk doubles from $135; White Pine doubles from $229), both centrally located high on the mountain, anchor Schweitzer's compact ski village. White Pine is a post and beam-style resort made up of modern one- to three-bedroom condos with full kitchens, gas fireplaces, and sensational views of Pend Oreille Lake. With a slight European flair, the Selkirk features pine furniture, a slopeside pool, and wintry prints of 1930's Idaho.

CHRISTMAS DINNER Order a glass of Pend d'Oreille Winery's Cab-Merlot to accompany seared duck breast with huckleberry reduction at the Chimney Rock Grill (10000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd.; 208/255-3071; dinner for two $60).

HIT THE SLOPES Whether you're an expert skier or a snowplow queen, you'll want to ride the Great Escape Chairlift to Schweitzer's 6,400-foot summit—on a clear day you can see all the way to British Columbia. To explore the backcountry, enlist the Selkirk Powder Co. (866/464-3246; www.selkirkpowderco.com). Their guided tours cover 4,000 acres of untracked powder via snowmobile and snowcat.

STOCKING STUFFERS Drive carefully to reach the town of Sandpoint, nine miles down snow-packed switchbacks, to find hand-forged iron candlestands and Bella Note linens at Cabin Fever (113 Cedar St.; 208/263-7179; www.cabinfeverltd.com). A block away, mail-order giant Coldwater Creek (334 N. First Ave.; 208/263-2265; www.coldwatercreek.com) is built on the town's Cedar Street Bridge. In addition to its large selection of stylish Western wear, there's a wine bar overlooking the river.

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS Danceworks & Co. perform "A Danceworks Christmas" on December 16 at the 1927 Spanish Mission-style Panida Theater (300 N. First Ave., Sandpoint; 208/263-9191; www.panida.org). On December 18, Schweitzer Village hosts its traditional Christmas Tree Lighting (expect carols, mulled wine, and hot cocoa). The annual Winter Carnival, complete with a torchlight parade down the mountain, takes place January 15. —Kimberly Brown Seely

2004 Holiday Destinations:
Bocas del Toro, Panama | Schweitzer, Idaho | Darjeeling, India | Dublin, Ireland | St. Bart's | Versailles, France | Taipei, Taiwan | Cooperstown, New York | Frankfurt, Germany | San Francisco
MAIN

Also within this article:
The information in this story was accurate at the time it was published in December 2004 but we suggest you confirm all details and prices directly with any establishments mentioned. The quality of offerings and services tends to change over time.