Tourists can take many incredible road trips in Idaho during winter. Sandpoint and its neighboring environs are an absolute delight for anyone who enjoys being outside. Sandpoint experiences four seasons that couldn't be more different from one another, and each one has its own charm. Winter is not an exception to this rule. The backcountry around Sandpoint receives an annual average snowfall of 300 inches, so outdoor enthusiasts go there to snowboard, ski, snowmobile, cross-country ski, and participate in a wide variety of other winter sports.
Even though they are located in the heart of the Cabinet and Selkirk mountains, which surround the dazzling waters of Lake Pend Oreille, ice fishermen are able to discover a plentiful supply of prey at the depths of the frozen lake near the shoreline. Here’s a list of 10 ways to have the most fun while planning your trip to Sandpoint.
10 A Night At The Western Pleasure Guest Ranch
The Western Pleasure Guest Ranch is a hidden gem located on over 900 acres of rolling grasslands, towering pines, and beautiful vistas of the Selkirk and Cabinet mountains not far from Sandpoint. The 10,000-square-foot wood lodge serves as the ranch's nerve center and is the place where guests' ideal vacations get underway. Riding outside in the spring and summer is a breath of fresh air, a whirlwind of the colors and views that the great outdoors has to offer. During the winter months, rides outside can be romantic and comfortable.
9 A Blast At The Winter Carnival
The annual Winter Carnival in Sandpoint, Idaho, is a great time for locals and visitors alike. Because of its proximity to Schweitzer Mountain Resort, this location is ideal for holding the Winter Celebration. Many fun activities at the Winter Carnival may be enjoyed by individuals of all ages. Annually since its establishment, the Winter Carnival has been hosted by the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce. In one of the surrounding restaurants, visitors may enjoy local specialties and wines. Annually, hundreds of people go to Sandpoint's downtown for the Original Taste of Sandpoint, an event recognized for displaying the culinary and alcoholic expertise of the city's best eateries and drinking places.
8 Tasting Wine At The Pend D’Oreille Winery
Award-winning wines have been produced at this winery near Sandpoint since 1995. It is made using grapes from some of the best vineyards in the Pacific Northwest using time-honored French winemaking methods. Kylie Presta, who is also a co-owner, is extremely enthusiastic about viticulture and winemaking, while Jim Bopp, who is also a co-owner, works tirelessly to produce well-balanced and exceptional bottles. The Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Gris, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon made at Pend d'Oreille Winery have all won various awards.
7 Ice Fishing In Lake Pend Oreille
The exceptional fishing opportunities on Lake Pend Oreille make it one of the most visited lakes in the state of Idaho. More than ten non-native species of fish coexist in Lake Pend Oreille alongside the native Westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout. Sunnyside, located on Lake Pend Oreille's northeastern edge, is a popular destination and, when the ice is good, a profitable fishing site. Trout are a rare catch for anglers, who instead target Perch. The Big Lake is so successful; even northern pikes are thriving there.
6 Bonner County Historical Society Museum
A visit to the Bonner County Historical Museum, which overlooks Lake Pend Oreille and is housed in the park's gorgeous Lakeview Building, is the perfect way to spend a chilly winter afternoon. Picnic tables, a playground, tennis courts, and an arboretum maintained by the Native Plant Society are just some of the features that visitors may enjoy at this park. The Festival at Sandpoint is held in August on Memorial Field, which is next to Lakeview Park and features a boat launch. Some displays explain the tale of the Kalispell and Kootenai people, who have lived in Bonner County the longest, while others show how the area's first settlers farmed, logged, and mined.
5 The Panida Theatre
A wide variety of concerts, plays, fine art films, and other events occupy The Panida Theater's winter season at Sandpoint's historic performing arts complex. In 1927, the Panida Theatre was opened to the public as a vaudeville and cinema theater. Its name then, as it is now, reflects its purpose: to bring outstanding performances to the people of the Panhandle of Idaho. Sandpoint's cultural life revolves around the Panida, and the success of the restoration efforts there have sparked new revitalization efforts elsewhere in the region.
4 Farragut State Park
The beautiful Farragut State Park, one of many beautiful spots to visit in Idaho, is only a half-hour drive south of Sandpoint. Guests may spend the night at one of more than 220 campsites spread around this massive state park, which covers an area of over 4,000 acres. The park's fascinating past as a naval training camp during World War II is only one of the many attractions that bring people here all year round. Following the assault on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the U.S. government quickly responded by building the Farragut Naval Training Center in 1942. Over $ 160,000,000 was spent on its construction, and in its four years of use, it saw almost 300,000.
3 Snowshoeing
It's true that doing exercise throughout the winter months might be challenging owing to the weather, but that doesn't mean people should let it get them down! Snowshoeing in Sandpoint is among the many things to do in Idaho that can be found anywhere; there are miles and miles of terrain where one can stretch their legs and take in the scenery. Snowshoeing can be done in a variety of beautiful locations, including mountain routes, national forests, Schweitzer Mountain, and Priest Lake, to mention just a few.
2 Skiing Or Snowboarding
Schweitzer Mountain Resort, in the far southwestern corner of Idaho, is an awesome place to hit the slopes with skis or a snowboard. This 2,900-acre ski area is ideal for families and powder seekers alike because of its low visitor volume. Although it lacks the massive crowds of other major western United States ski and snowboard destinations, the amenities are developed sufficiently to make youngsters and beginners feel at home. Expert and advanced riders will find enough challenging and enjoyable terrain on the mountain.
1 Snowmobiling
The Selkirk Mountains are a popular destination for tourists looking for world-class snow and scenery. The Selkirk Loop area is well-known amongst snowmobilers for its early and heavy yearly snowfall, as well as its vast, accessible terrain that includes both groomed tracks and backcountry routes. All winter long, the towns along the Selkirk Loop open their doors to snowmobilers, providing them with somewhere to stay, food, and gas, and the tourist centers are excellent resources for learning about the best routes and where to locate the most powder. It’s certainly worth keeping in mind when planning your trip to Idaho.