Head to the Gem State’s panhandle and Schweitzer Resort for deep snow, an abundance of craft brews, and thin crowds.
EAT
The star of the show in Sandpoint is Crow’s Bench, the ground-floor restaurant in the Humbird Hotel serving up hearty fare like fondue, wild game meatballs, and elk loin. On the mountain, grab a quick beer inside the Rowdy Grouse yurt and lunch at The Outback, a classic backside outpost with smoked meats and retro decor. For après-ski, plan a (responsible) DIY brewery tour, with visits to MickDuff’s Brewing Company, Utara Brewing Company, and Laughing Dog Brewery. Make your final stop around dinner time at Matchwood Brewing Company, where you can enjoy pulled pork totchos and buffalo cauliflower.
PLAY
The big draw at Schweitzer is the 2,900 acres of expansive downhill terrain with abundant tree skiing. But don’t sleep on the resort’s 20 miles of cross-country terrain, either, which quietly winds through snow-dusted Engelmann spruce, Western hemlock, and cedar trees. If you’re traveling with nonskiers (or just need to give your quads a break), take a guided snowshoe hike, join a snowmobile tour, or pedal around on a fat tire bike. Kiddos will also love the Hermit’s Hollow tubing park. Wherever the day’s adventures take you, treat yourself to a recovery massage at the new Cambium Spa, located inside Selkirk Lodge.
STAY
All 31 large rooms at the Humbird Hotel face southeast—and that’s no accident. Each is outfitted with a gigantic window and comfy bench seating for gazing out at Lake Pend Oreille, the largest lake in Idaho (and, as legend has it, the home of a Loch Ness-stye monster called the Paddler). Scandinavian-inspired decor fills every guest room and public space, including the light-filled Glass Room, a family-friendly common space with panoramic windows and a contemporary free-standing fireplace. For hopping on Zoom calls in between ski runs, there’s a spacious, glass-paned coworking space on the second floor.
