Idaho: Sandpoint, Schweitzer Mountain Summer Family Fun - Chairlifts, Horses, and Digglers.
About 12 miles north of the city of Sandpoint is the resort area of Schweitzer Mountain. Our 30-minute drive along a gorgeous, winding road was filled with anxious moments. Vacationing with teens can be unpredictable and new places come with risks. Will it be as cool as the images on the website?
According to our teens it was actually cooler – way cooler. During the summer months Schweitzer Mountain is a secret vacation spot with a friendly atmosphere. The quaint mountain village setting populated skiers, snowboarders and tubing enthusiasts during the winter month offers families a laid back, easy summertime atmosphere absent of crowds and lines. The central court is transformed daily into a climbing wall/bungee jumping carnival. Kids of all ages stand around the outer circle, watching other kids of all ages climbing and jumping, flipping and squealing as they climb and jump and do summersaults in the air. It was obvious our family was going to fit right in without effort.
Here’s the scoop. Daytime brings families who have driven up the mountain to participate in Schweitzer’s many day activities but evenings are quiet at the top. During our brief stay we felt like we had our own private resort. We loved the heated swimming pool and discovered three hot tubs all with a view of the mountain. Watching the full moon over the mountains and lake was all the incentive we needed to stay on the mountain just one more night.
Bonus points: Guests may select a movie from the movie library, and watch it in Selkirk’s own private movie theater - just big enough for one or two families. Insider tip. The lodging for a family can even be cheaper than many spots in Sandpoint, so you might want to “bed down” at Schweitzer, and take trips down into the city, rather than the opposite.
Chairlifts and Digglers. Our first afternoon included a scenic chairlift ride up the mountain, then biking and “Diggling” down. Wondering what a Diggler is? Digglers are (as my husband put it) “scooters on steroids!” They are tall scooters with a foot plate that is three times longer and wider than a normal city scooter plus Digglers have brakes just like the mountain bikes. The benefit of riding the Diggler - besides the fact that you probably never have before - is that for those new to the sport of downhill mountain-biking, it offers the option of an easy ditch. As my daughter put it, “I can just hop off whenever things are getting a bit too scary for me.” My husband and our 16-year old rode Digglers down, whooping and squealing the whole way.
Mountain bike anyone? Beginners welcome they said to me! So, I opted for the mountain bike and had a great ride. Just FYI - I had never tried mountain biking before but from my Schweitzer Mountain experience I can honestly say it is not essential to be a seasoned expert to try it and enjoy it. One only needs to be ready for a thrill and able to take a spill (I did, very early on, just getting used to the brakes and the speed of things). I meandered slowly, using my brakes liberally while my husband and daughter sped on ahead for most of the ride. I caught up with them about half way down when they stopped for a drink of water and to appreciate the mountain wildflowers and the awesome view of Lake Pend Oreille.
Need to know: The ride is a little over 4.5 miles long and took us almost an hour to descend. Experienced riders will make it down the mountain in half that time, and then go back up the chair lift to try the more advanced hill the second time.
Bonus points: Wednesdays in August they have twilight bike adventures for all ages and levels - cool!
Back in the saddle. While we were busy cruising down the mountain our 13-year old opted to go on a three-hour horseback trail ride. The horses made their way up to picnic point (you can also hike to the point) and there they all rested and took in some more amazing views. She loved the ride and her horse of course! And Matt, her trail guide, was great.
Need a lift? After the three of us had finished our trail ride, we waited for Sarah, and begged her to ascend the mountain with us for our second trip. She finally relented and was very glad she did. We got some drinks and sat on the ride as it took us up and down the mountain. I learned that some folks picnic on the lift, just going up and down again and again while eating lunch - an awesome idea, right?
Need to know: It is possible to purchase one-ride tickets or unlimited ride tickets. I would definitely suggest the unlimited ride tickets in order to ascend more than once. When we visited (late July) there were only two dozen riders so we never had a line and could just stay on for as long as we wanted. Tickets for the chairlift ride, climbing wall, bungee trampoline, Digglers, and bikes may be purchased the bike rental shop located in the village.
There are three places to eat. The Mojo Coyote Cafe - coffee, quick and yummy sandwiches, smoothies, baked goods, etc. (You’ll be lucky if Cassandra is working! she’s wonderful.), Pucci’s Pub, where we got a great grilled sandwich our first night on the mountain, and then the Chimney Rock Grill, where we had a fabulous dinner of smoked chicken and beef as well as fun appetizers, too. Need to know. There are two grocery spots, but they are only open with a limited selection in the summertime, so I recommend you bring your groceries up the mountain with you when you come.
Our first time on the mountain was short but packed with fun and memories. Other things to do on the mountain include tennis, swimming, hiking (LOTS of really great trails), catch and release trout fishing, weeklong adventure camps for kids, live music, “movies on the mountain” and of course, huckleberry picking. We can’t wait to go back and do some of the things we did not have time to do on our last visit. I would recommend two nights, three days on the mountain for your first visit. You may want to extend that if you are using your Schweitzer room as “base camp” and driving down to Sandpoint to enjoy that great city, too.
Teen talk about the mountain, chairlifts, and Digglers. (Comments from Sarah age 13.) Schweitzer Mountain Resort was absolutely amazing. It has just about everything so if your whole family wants to take a trip somewhere and can't agree on one, Schweitzer is perfect-a-mundo. Like I said, it has, like, everything. I'm talking a lot of stuff. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, swimming, tennis, Frisbee golf, mini-bungee jumping, rock wall climbing, and you can even ride up and down the ski lift while eating lunch! Oh and then there's Diggler riding. I have no idea what the name means, but I think they are pretty cool. They're long, thick-wheeled scooters that have handle bars with brakes. Also, since I was standing up while riding I could just hop right off when I wanted. So, if somebody doesn't exactly want to go mountain biking, give 'em a Diggler!
Schweitzer Mountain by horseback. It totally depends on what your butt can handle. I, for instance, ride ho
rses all the time so I was fine. Before the ride each of us was matched to a horse based on our skills in the saddle. Our trail guide, Matt, was experienced and very knowledgeable and he encouraged questions. The ride was three full hours of pure beauty. When we arrived at the destination on the top known as Picnic Point the view of Lake Pend Oreille and the valley below the mountain was breathtaking. Wow! I just sat there taking mental and real pictures the whole half hour while the horses rested. You'll want both! I personally had a great time and would definitely do it again. Oh, yeah. Bring your camera and water bottle.
Schweitzer Mountain by ski lift. I was super afraid about going on the ski lift but as soon as I swallowed my fear and sat down on the lift I was happy knowing I made the right decision. I was worried that it would rock in the wind and that it would be easy to fall out but I was wrong. Riders can decide whether or not to pull a bar down in front and the lift is really stable. It didn't rock at all. Man, make sure you don't close your eyes, either. If anybody would have taken a picture of me, gaping at the mountainous beauty that photo would be everywhere. I looked pretty silly but it was so worth it. I stole my sister’s camera and took a picture of every angle – like 20 times. I can't really explain how amazing going on the ski lift was for me.
Editor’s note: Summer at Schweitzer Mountain Resort. During the summer months the resort conducts an Adventure Day Camp which provides fun and structured activities for children age 6 to 11. Each session contains five days of activities on the mountain including crafts, hiking, chairlift rides, huckleberry picking, swimming and more. Plus participants may try the climbing wall and bungee trampoline with their new friends. Each week is tailored to fit the wants/needs of the kids participating. Transportation is provided for all campers.
Location on the planet. Schweitzer Mountain Resort 10000 Schweitzer Mountain Road Sandpoint, ID 83864. (208) 263-9555 or toll-free 1-877-ITS-IN-ID (1-877-487-4643), or log on to
www.schweitzer.com Planning details. About Sandpoint Idaho. Nestled at the base of the Selkirk Mountains in North Idaho's Panhandle region, the community of Sandpoint is 60 miles south of the Canadian border and 75 miles northeast of Spokane, Washington. A community of approximately 7,000 residents call Sandpoint home. Nestled along the northern shore of Lake Pend Oreille (pronounced Pon-der-ray) Sandpoint is as a premier tourist destination. Get more details at
www.sandpoint.com Bonus points: Checkout things for kids in Sandpoint by logging on t0
www.sandpoint.com/Entertainment/kids.asp Mountain Horse Adventures offers daytime trail rides on Schweitzer Mountain, and in the Cabinet Mountains near Sandpoint Idaho as well as rides by moonlight. Mountain Horse Adventures 10000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd, Sandpoint, ID 83864, US (208) 263-TROT (8768); book through the Mountain Activity Center (208) 255-3081 or
www.mountainhorseadventures.com Content and images provided by Kelly Czech and daughter Sarah. Copyright 2010.
