There are two main draws to Sandpoint, Idaho, that bring visitors from all over the world to explore this magical small town in the northern panhandle of Idaho: Lake Pend Oreille in the summer and Schweitzer Mountain Resort in the winter.
As someone lucky enough to call Sandpoint, Idaho home, I’ll let you in on a secret. Schweitzer in the summer is a dream for outdoor lovers who crave mountain adventure with minimal crowds. Open trails, fantastic weather, and activities for every age range make Schweitzer a must-do when visiting Sandpoint in the summer.
Here are our top ten favorite activities on Schweitzer in the summer.
Before You Go
Bring a light sweater for the top of the mountain. The higher elevation can make it windier and chillier.
Schweitzer is home to many black bears. Be sure to bring bear bells for your bike and bear spray if you’re hiking.
Mountain Biking
Come summertime, everyone flocks to Schweitzer to ride the mountain’s 40 miles of beginner to advanced trails. Schweitzer offers bike rentals, day passes, and summer passes for the mountain biking enthusiast. Thrill seekers can enjoy descending 1700 feet down the mountain, while those looking for a calmer ride can bike the 20 miles of cross-country trails. For mountain bikers who want even more terrain, you can connect from Schweitzer to the Little Sand Creek Basin trail system for a descent of 4000 vertical feet.
Hosted E-Bike Ride
If you want to explore Schweitzer on a bike but want a little more guidance, then a hosted e-bike ride is a must-do. The guide takes the time to teach you how to use an e-bike and then takes you on a two-hour adventure through the trails of Schweitzer. You’ll get to see the backside of Schweitzer and learn about the unique flora and fauna of the area. This is one of our favorite things to do on Schweitzer in the summer, and we recommend it for anyone who wants a little bit of adventure and some stunning views.
Huckleberry Picking
Foraging for huckleberries is an annual summertime tradition in North Idaho. The hardest part about huckleberry picking is finding the precious huckleberry patches! Luckily, Schweitzer takes out the guesswork and offers two tours; a huckleberry shuttle ideal for all ages and a huckleberry picking e-bike ride for anyone over five feet. You can of course take to the mountain to find the huckleberries yourself, but going on a tour will ensure you know you’re actually picking huckleberries.
Hike the Nature Trail
The most popular hike on Schweitzer is the Nature Trail, a 2.5-mile one-way trail with a 1700-foot elevation gain. Considered a moderately challenging hike, you’ll feel your thighs burn on this stellar hike with world-class views at every turn. The reward for all your work is making it to the summit and having a cold beverage at the Sky House. You can also choose to take the chairlift up and hike down, but hiking up means you can take the chairlift down for free. Schweitzer has other phenomenal hikes, including the easier and shorter Summit View Loop and Stewart’s Loop.
Disc Golf
An excellent activity for anyone looking for affordable fun on the mountain is to bring your own discs and play 18 holes of disc golf for free! The first nine holes are down at the Village, and the second half is at the summit. You can also rent discs at the activity center for a small fee.
Scenic Chairlift Ride
Sit back and relax as you take a scenic chairlift ride to the top of Schweitzer or down to the Village. The sights from the chairlift are phenomenal and include summer wildflowers and Idaho’s largest lake, Lake Pend Oreille. If you’re lucky, you can spot black bears, moose, deer, or bald eagles. At the summit, you’ll want to snap a photo of the breathtaking views that include Idaho, Washington, Montana, and Canada.
Drink and Dine
A day at Schweitzer needs to include trying out the fantastic food offered at the resort. Sky House sits at the top of the mountain and is a perennial favorite for its delicious food and scenic views. Down at the Village, we’re partial to Gourmandie for its artisan sandwiches and Powder Hound for its mouthwatering pizzas. The newest addition to Schweitzer, Crow’s Bench in the Humbird Hotel, is a sleek restaurant featuring alpine-inspired dining at its best. A great choice if you’re looking for cocktails and more upscale dining. Something to keep in mind is during summer hours, dining options are on reduced schedules so always check with Schweitzer staff on availability.
Ultimate Fun Pass
If you’re visiting Schweitzer with kids, a great option is to buy an Ultimate Fun Pass which gives you unlimited access to the trampoline jumper, the 25-foot climbing wall, the zipline, the chairlift, and one sack of jewels for the Cranky Jennings Sluice Box. The first time we tried out the Ultimate Pass, our child begged us to return to Schweitzer. He couldn’t get enough of the climbing wall! You can also choose to pay for those activities individually. A must-do with kids.
Horseback Riding
Explore the alpine forest atop a horse on a guided ride with Mountain Horse Adventures. Perfect for horse lovers, the 2.5-hour ride is a leisurely tour that lets you slowly take in Schweitzer’s famous views and includes a stop at the vista, Picnic Point.
Northwest Winefest
Every year, Schweitzer has a two-day festival where you can sample award-winning wine from the Pacific Northwest region. While wine tasting is an adult event, the festival is family-friendly and features live music, arts and craft vendors, local food, and various popup activities.
Those are our top picks for fun summer activities on Schweitzer, but that’s not all they offer. From pickleball courts, basketball courts, a playground, a full-service spa, luxury accommodations, geocaching, and more, Schweitzer is a fantastic summer destination.
Feature image credited to Live a Wilder Life.
Christina Grance and Brad Benoit are the wife/husband duo behind the adventure travel blog, Live A Wilder Life. Former full-time travelers turned part time nomads, they live with their wild son and an ornery cat in North Idaho where they spend every second they can dreaming up their next big trip. They specialize in outdoor travel for the everyday adventurer and love helping people to plan or discover their next trip. You can read their travel guides and tips at their travel website or follow along @liveawilderlife.
Published on August 8, 2024
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