Recreation

Skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, golfing, hiking, horseback riding, boating, camping, berry picking…so much to do, so little time!

Life is short, live somewhere fun!

Lake Pend Oreille and Priest Lake offer the area with all the watersports we can handle! From swimming -- with water temperatures warming nicely to the 70s as summer progresses -- to water skiing and boating, fishing for the huge Kamloops and mackinaw trout or the peaceful sport of kayaking. Right downtown, don't miss the Sandpoint City Beach, a splendid park with sandy beaches and a paved srolling path at water's edge. All sorts of boat rentals are available, but if you don’t want to be in the driver’s seat take a cruise around the lake on the “Shawnodese”. Tours leave daily in the summer.

Schweitzer Mountain Resort, 11 miles from Sandpoint, is the leading ski and snowboard resort in the Inland Northwest. Schweitzer boasts two magnificent natural bowls encompassing 2,900 skiable acres, 2,400 feet of vertical drop, with 69 named ski runs served by a high-speed quad, six-pack and four double chairlifts. Schweitzer is currently adding 2 more high speed lifts to replace an old double chair! There are also groomed cross-country ski trails. Don’t forget about summer on the mountain! Schweitzer runs chairlift rides during summer, offering easy access to the resort's peaks for hikers and mountain bikers and magnificent views of Lake Pend Oreille and surrounding mountains. 208-263-9555. www.schweitzer.com

Basic Staging Rules

Round Lake State Park. South of Sandpoint 10 miles on Highway 95 and two miles west on Dufort Road, this intimate state park offers more than just seven miles of marked and groomed cross-country trails. Depending on conditions, you may also put on the ice skates, jump on a sled, grab the fishing pole, or enjoy a picnic. There is a $2 per vehicle fee; annual Idaho State Park passes are available for $15. For a map or more information call 208-263-3489.

Farragut State Park. Located on the southern tip of Lake Pend Oreille, about 40 minutes driving time from Sandpoint via Highway 95, Farragut is one of the crown jewels of Idaho state parks. It offers more than 9 miles of groomed trails with easy terrain and great views of the southern end of the lake. 208-683-2425.

The Sandpoint Winter Riders Snowmobile club (Rick Hoffman 208-263-4930) recommends checking out Roman Nose peak, the Sundance Fire area near Bonners Ferry, Drew Creek Loop, Pearson Creek, Upper Pack River and Trestle Creek.

Priest Lake Winter Recreation Trails, The Priest Lake Ridgerunners Snowmobile Club (Elkins) 208-443-2432, Priest Lake Chamber of Commerce 208-443-3191, U.S. Forest Service and Priest Lake State Park offer a detailed map of the Priest Lake trail system. Recommended trails include North End Trail, Two Mouth Loop, Boulder Trail, Beaver Creek to Beaver Pass and Reeder Bay. Maps are $1 and support the Priest Lake Groomer Association. Contact Priest Lake Ranger Station at 208-443-2512.

Snowmobile Licenses. Registered out-of-state snowmobilers are required to purchase an Idaho sticker. Call Bonner County Division of Motor Vehicles 208-265-1430.

Horse Back Riding and Sleigh rides. Western Pleasure Guest Ranch, 16 miles northeast of Sandpoint, offers sleigh rides in a rural setting for groups and couples. Horse back riding is the main activity at the ranch. Call 208-263-9066. www.westernpleasureranch.com

Hiking trails in the lower elevations become free of snow from mid to late spring. There are a cluster of good choices at this time of year south of town on the lake's west shore. The easy 2.1-mile Mineral Point Interpretive Trail contours along Lake Pend Oreille about 14 miles south of Sandpoint near Garfield Bay, with magnificent views across the lake to the Green Monarchs. A bit further south is the Maiden Rock Trail, a steep 1.5 mile trail that leads down to a Forest Service recreation site on the lake. Also nearby is the Evans Landing Trail, leading 2 miles down to a beach at the landing.

Camping. Summer is the high season for hikers in the high country of the Selkirk and Cabinet mountains surrounding Sandpoint. There are well more than 100 maintained trails within a couple hours drive of Sandpoint, ranging from easy strolls to waterfalls and panoramas to multi-day backpacking trips through spectacular backcountry landscapes where you may spot rare wildlife. There are also more than two dozen fine state and federal campgrounds.

Whitewater rafting season on local rivers begins in April as snowmelt swells streams, and generally lasts well into June. The best whitewater thrills are on the Moyie River, 40 miles north of Sandpoint, with a nine-mile run that includes numerous Class III and one -IV at high water. A bit easier for beginners is the Priest River, 30 miles west of Sandpoint, where there is a good eight-mile Class II-III stretch.

International Selkirk Loop, a 280-mile driving loop through two countries -- U.S. and Canada -- and two states -- Idaho and Washington -- traverses spectacular scenery. Brochures available at Chambers of Commerce and visitors centers, or by calling (888) 823-2626. www.selkirkloop.org

StoneRidge Golf and Recreational Community rests about 50 minutes south and west of Sandpoint with an 18-hole championship-level golf course with challenges for all levels of gofers. StoneRidge is on a small lake with two restaurants, a range of lodging and vacation rentals and full fitness facilities. 208-437-3148

Priest Lake Golf Course is a beautiful 18-hole golf course offering over 6,500-yards of challenging golf on a course nestled among the lush foests and wetlands so characteristic of the Priest Lake Region. They have a driving range, putting greens, and restaurant in quiet beauty! (208) 443-2525.

The Idaho Club is a private golf and lake retreat. The amenities include an 18 hole Signature Jack Nicklaus Golf Course, a full service spa, health club, pools, tennis courts, a marina, hiking and biking trails. Call Jill Mix with Century 21 On The Lake to find out more about this amazing real estate development. (208) 610-3939