With winter on the horizon, now is the season for enjoying mother nature’s most loved and hated present: snow. While some shovel it with contempt, others take time to build snowmen and go sledding; and some even take it to higher levels by strapping on their skis and enjoying a day or weekend at the local ski resort.
Often, families and friends flock to the slopes of the most popular ski resort they know of; however, if you’re Dr. Ken Collins, a Spokane Cosmetic Dentist, you know that visiting less popular resorts – especially one in particular – is often a better option.
“The terrain is amazing,” Collins says. “The snow is great; no lift lines; it’s very affordable; it’s easy to get to. Yeah, it’s sort of a hidden skiing getaway. Nothing like Colorado where you gotta go wait in line.”
So what is this “it” he speaks of? It’s no place other than Schweitzer, a ski resort located in Sandpoint, Idaho that has become one of the best kept secrets in ski getaways. Named after a Swiss hermit, it seems like destiny that the location should be relatively unknown; however, it’s a hidden treasure for those who are aware of its existence.
With roomy skiing paths, picturesque views, and easy accessibility, Schweitzer is definitely the ideal location to enjoy all of what winter offers. Still a bit of a secret in the skiing world, Schweitzer has a lot to offer skiers who are fortunate enough to stumble upon it. After all, what skier wants to bypass pristine, unheralded mountains and snow?
Schweitzer – Not Your Ordinary Ski Resort
Typically, when you picture a ski resort, you think of crowds of people, lift lines, high prices, and lots of waiting. However, Schweitzer is one place where the commonalities of most ski resorts just don’t fit. Here, visitors get the chance to explore 2900 acres of land in the Selkirk Mountains without the hassle, hustle and bustle associated with other resorts.
Of course, visitors can expect larger crowds of tourists on the weekends and during the holidays; but for the most part, Schweitzer is enjoyed by locals and visitors who are in on the secret.
The lack of crowds is what truly makes Schweitzer an ideal place to ski. Less visitors means less lines, less waiting, and more freedom to roam down the mountains without having to worry about whether the next skier is on the same path. Without crowding, skiers of all ages can truly enjoy the slopes without being rushed.
A Resort for Everyone
Unlike some ski resorts, Schweitzer aims to please everyone of all ages and skiing abilities. The resort offers classes by professional instructors for both adults and children. In fact, Dr. Collins and his family enjoy Schweitzer so much, it has become one of their yearly holiday visits.
“Every Christmas we go to Schweitzer and stay in our condo for a week,” he says. “It’s just a great time of family, getting away and going skiing. My kids are all ski racers; so they have training camp that week; so they’re busy doing their thing, and my wife and I can just have fun and ski, and it’s a really good time.”
Secrets are meant to be kept, but Schweitzer is one secret that skiers and snowboarders are surely going to want to know details about. While it may be classified as a secret or simply
Schweitzer is easily accessed, affordable, and yet still remains on the lower side of “well known.” Since the resort was recently named 2011-2012’s Best-Kept Secret by Ski Magazine, don’t be surprised if this secret gets out fast. an undiscovered resort; we prefer to call it a diamond in the rough.
Our guest author, Ashley Page, writes for Off-Topic Media.
Photos courtesy of Schweitzer. Special thanks to Dr. Ken Collins for taking time to speak with us. Dr. Collins can be reached at his Spokane cosmetic dentistry office.
Collins Dentistry & Aesthetics
3151 E. 28th Ave.
Spokane, WA 99223
509.532.1111