Honoring the deep community roots of the area, the Crow’s Bench is named after a row of benches outside the local watering hole in nearby Hope, Idaho, that has been a gathering place for local “crows” for a long time.

“[The name] seemed like a really good fit and in keeping with how we all are after a day on the mountain,” says Dig Chrismer, Schweitzer’s Marketing Manager. “We sit around and cackle about our day!”

Natural wood graces most of the surfaces in a classic Alpine or Scandinavian lodge style, and wide windows bring the view of the mountain to your table. The dining room seats 50 with 15 seats at the bar where birds of a feather can gather next to the grand fireplace.

The menu is inspired by a range of Alpine cuisines, including Bavarian, French, and German. “In the Alps, cultures overlap, and that’s where the inspiration is coming from,” says Chrismer. “The chef is excellent, and the options are incredible!”

The opening menu offers starters like Maultaschen forest mushroom dumplings and Charcuterie. The Elk Carpaccio is made with regional Lake County elk loin. Main courses include Roast Game Hen with a German beer glaze—and, of course, there’s Strudel for dessert.  

The twist on the Alpine theme continues with innovative drinks such as Apres Ski and Bayerische Fizz cocktails and Swiss, French, and German regional wines and beers.

Dining is by reservation only (208.255.3051), with preference given to Humbird guests.

Learn more about the Humbird hotel at Schweitzer.

The post A New Delicious View at Schweitzer: Crow’s Nest appeared first on Out There Venture.

One early morning in Schweitzer’s lower parking lot, a group of mostly skiers circled up for an Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center Avalanche 1 course. Being one of the only snowboarders in the course, it was easy to spot the other soft-boot powder chasers, and that is where I met Emma Hall for the first time.

Over the next two days, Emma’s riding, attitude, and ability to learn and perform the recently acquired avalanche skills were incredible. In hindsight, I can’t image what it must have felt like for 15-year-old Emma (now 16) to take the course solo with a group of mostly male skiers twice her age.

A few weeks later, I spoke with Emma’s dad Adam Hall at Silver Mountain’s Doug E Fresh Banked Slalom event, and he talked about her passion for learning more about the backcountry and that Emma wasn’t the only teenage shredder in the family. It turned out younger sister Maddie Hall (14 years old) is just as passionate and driven to spend time up on the mountain.

The Halls’ home mountain is Schweitzer, and they are currently sponsored by the highly-respected 7B Skate Shop in Sandpoint. The past year both sisters have been working closely with a couple different snowboard manufactures to get partnerships started.

After competing in regional banked slalom races and getting multiple podium finishes, the two were invited to this year’s highly exclusive Dirksen Derby at Mt. Bachelor, Ore.

Meet Emma Hall (Age 16)

Emma’s relaxed and confident demeanor makes her seem in control of her snowboard destiny. Her love is big mountain riding, chasing powder, hitting cliff drops, and exploring the backcountry.

Attending online public school through the Connections Academy, Emma is stoked to take advantage of being home schooled this year so that she can go up to the mountain every day. I asked her if she has thought about college, and her reply said it all: “I am living in the moment. College, I am not for sure.”

The goal she does have in mind, she added, is to become a backcountry snowboard guide, and she has her sights on being a certified American Mountain Guide Association guide.

Meet Maddie Hall (Age 14)

Chatting with Maddie you’ll sense right away the fire inside her to be the best snowboarder she can. No doubt this will help her out as she continues to enter contests and hitting rails and jumps in the park.

“Park laps are fun,” she says, “but it depends on the day.” If there is new snow, she says, you can bet she’ll be out riding powder.

Snowboard Heroes

The sisters agreed their snowboard idol is Elena Hight, because of what she has accomplished in her career.

To my surprise, their second most inspirational rider was Jeremy Jones. Emma and Maddie said they respect his backcountry riding and say he is a “Rad Dad” just like theirs, which led the sisters to add that the most influential snowboarder to them is their dad.

They treasure their dad’s love for snowboarding and for passing it on to them and point to his supportive and motivating approach to sharing the sport with them in a way that also gave them room to grow on their own.

The Hall sisters’ energy, passion, and drive is the core of what it means to be a snowboarder, and their energy and love for riding snow is contagious and exactly what the Inland Northwest snowboard culture needs.

T. Ghezzi is Pacific Northwest raised and believes we should respect the land, spend time in nature, explore, adventure, hike, and never stop the pursuit to ride powder.

Editor’s update: At the Dirksen Derby, December 17-18, 2021, Maddie ranked 3rd in the Grom Girls division (age 10-14), and Emma ranked 5th in the Teen women’s division (age 15-19). Event results available online.

This story originally appeared in the November-December 2021 print issue.

Find more stories about snowboarding and other notable young snowboarders and skiers in the OTO archives.

The post Sister Shredders, Emma & Maddie Hall appeared first on Out There Venture.

Since breaking ground in the spring of 2019, Schweitzer Mountain Resort has been working to complete a new hotel project in the village. The 66,580 square foot, 31-unit hotel complex will be a ski-in, ski-out property that will provide essential arrival services and slopeside accommodations for Schweitzer’s year-round guests.

In tribute to the area’s logging history, Schweitzer has chosen to name the new hotel after the Humbird Lumber Company, once the economic lifeblood of the Sandpoint area.

“In the early 1900s, the Humbird Lumber Company provided steady employment and an all-encompassing community for its workers,” explains Schweitzer CEO and President, Tom Chasse. “The mill transformed Sandpoint from a male dominated logging settlement of 400 people to a bustling small town of 3,500 brimming with families. The spirit of Sandpoint and Schweitzer is rooted in the foundations laid by these persevering characters and our new hotel celebrates that history.”

Humbird, designed by Portland based SkyLab Architecture, will feature cross laminated timber (CLT), board formed concrete, and large expanses of glass permitting the natural views to frame the experience in each guest room and in the 50-seat restaurant and bar.

“The addition of Humbird will enable us to address the lack of accommodations on the mountain,” Chasse adds. “It’s challenging at best to find a room over weekends and holidays so the additional units will help ease that lodging crunch.”

Schweitzer anticipates Humbird being available for guests during the 2021/22 winter season.

The post New Schweitzer Hotel to Open for 2021/22 Ski Season appeared first on Out There Venture.

Schweitzer and Resource Synergy plan to utilize the National Ski Area Association’s (NSAA) Sustainable Slopes methodology which was adopted by the industry in 2000. Schweitzer has also recently joined the NSAA Climate Challenge. Through this program, Schweitzer commits to taking actions that will target and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “Our unspoiled mountain environment, amazing views, and plentiful snowfall are some of the reasons Schweitzer is so special. Not only is investing in sustainability the right thing to do, but it’s a business imperative,” says Schweitzer Mountain CEO, Tom Chasse. Check out some of the substantive sustainability upgrades in the works at Schweitzer.com/sustainability/.

The post Schweitzer Invests in Sustainability appeared first on Out There Venture.

If your kid skis faster down the bunny hill than it takes to ride the chairlift, then that kid is ready for intermediate trails. In order to transition to the intermediate skill level, kids (and adult skiers) need to go beyond their comfort zone—steeper terrain and greater speed for practicing balance and form while turning and stopping.

But nothing freaks out a young skier like feeling too overwhelmed or scared on a challenging run, whether it’s being too intimidated by the slope angle or rough snow conditions. Which is why a sunny day on the mountain with soft snow, like a quintessential bluebird day, is a great time to venture beyond the bunny hill. Soft snow allows for smoother turns and a more forgiving cushion for falls, whereas with crusty or icy snow conditions on that same run, not having edges be able to dig well into the snow for turns and stops can feel (and be) dangerous to young skiers. With the approach of spring, take advantage of softer snow conditions, and with only a few weeks left in the Northwest ski season, every day counts.   

NOT ALL INTERMEDIATE RUNS CREATED EQUAL

At Schweitzer Mountain Resort, families with children of varied ability will find lots of diverse terrain and options to keep children excited during a day on the slopes. In fact, 40% of the downhill trails at Schweitzer are designated as intermediate runs. (Difficult terrain—black and double black diamonds—comprise 50% of the trails at Schweitzer.)

Slope ratings are relative to each individual mountain—to distinguish the difficulty level of a specific mountain’s terrain. For example, while most beginner terrain (labeled with a green circle) is relatively similar among ski mountains, there is a much broader spectrum beyond that as to what distinguishes intermediate and difficult runs.

As a ski mom, I always want to maximize my family’s time on the mountain and ensure my kids have a positive, safe experience that keeps them enthusiastic to ski and wanting more. This was especially true during their first three years of skiing. My husband and I first started teaching our kids to ski when each was 2.5 years old. Our daughter, now 8 years old, sometimes feels intimidated by steep terrain—more than she did a few years ago when she first skied down groomed black diamonds at Mt. Spokane. Meanwhile, our son, almost 10 years old, is basically fearless on the mountain and can ski essentially any terrain with his expert-skier dad (who’s been skiing for 41 years). One of our son’s favorite runs at Schweitzer is Whiplash, a double-black on the backside. Schweitzer’s diverse yet accessible terrain means our family can split off at the top of a chair and take different runs down—guys on a black diamond, girls on a blue square—and meet again at the bottom to load the chair together again.

Here are my recommendations for a blue square adventure day at Schweitzer, based on my family’s experiences:

First, become familiar with Schweitzer Mountain’s trail map and keep a paper copy of the resort trail map in your jacket pocket, or consult a trail map signage board so you know where you’re going and how to navigate your way around the mountain. Runs are organized according to chairlift access.

Front Side – Schweitzer Bowl: Starting from Schweitzer Village, if your child has never skied anything but the bunny hill at any mountain, be sure to warm up with a run or two on Schweitzer’s beginner trails, off Musical Chairs.

Basin Express: When ready for the first blue-square run, the Basin Express quad chairlift provides access to seven intermediate terrain. Begin with Gypsy, the easiest intermediate starter run at Schweitzer, which has a nice, gentle slope that’s more like a cat-track. (Repeat as desired.)

Next, try Midway, the first trail to the left off Gypsy (after getting off the Express chair). It has a slightly steeper pitch than Gypsy, and is not as long, but still a relatively gentle challenge. Other intermediate runs off Basin Express are Lower Sam’s Alley, a short and steeper intermediate run; Prime Time, a narrow run that is an old chair line; and Ridge Run, a more challenging intermediate trail with a variable pitch. My husband, who’s been skiing at Schweitzer since he was a young kid, says if a skier can go down Ridge Run and feel comfortable and in control, he/she is ready to go on the runs off Stella, on Schweitzer’s backside. Other ways to access Ridge Run are to begin from the summit via the Great Escape Quad or Lakeview Triple, and while you’re there enjoy stellar views of the surrounding peaks and Lake Pend Oreille (consult the trail map for directions).

Great Escape Quad: At the top of this chairlift, turn right and head down The Great Divide, a narrow (and busy) intermediate run that leads to the backside, Outback Bowl, or you can turn right onto Teakettle Trail and ski/ride back to the Village, connecting with Lower Stiles on the way.

If your family feels ready for the backside and the runs off Stella, follow The Great Divide to Down the Hatch (you can’t miss the left turn), then turn left onto Vagabond, a popular intermediate trail that leads to Stella.

Stella: Providing access to six intermediate trails, Stella is popular with families and each chair seats six people—which means even with a line the wait typically feels short. Cathedral Aisle, Zip Down, Stella’s Run, and Springboard are average intermediate runs, and some of my family’s favorites.

Cedar Park Express: Kaniksu, Snow Ghost, and Have Fun are three average-level blue-square trails off this new quad chairlift (installed summer 2019).

Idyle Our T-Bar: If your family feels ready for a new challenge, ride the T-bar to access Little Blue Ridge Run—the longest trail at Schweitzer, at 2.1 miles, with some steeper sections that make it a more difficult intermediate run. The T-bar can be tricky even without riding with a child, so give yourself a positive pep talk and try it. When riding with a child, take the inside position, bend your knees, hang on, and stay in your lane as well as you can. When riding with a small child, the T-bar is going to come to the mid-way area of your back thigh or even lower, like the back of your knee. Awkward? Yes. But doable. (I crashed off the T-Bar with my son a few years ago—funny story, actually. Since we were almost to the top, we just took off our skis and hiked up the rest of the way.)

There are more intermediate runs than these at Schweitzer, but this is a good list to get your kids exploring other areas of the mountain and nudging them outside their comfort zone. And maybe in a year or two or five, you’ll all be going down Upper Kaniksu and Sundance together—two of my family’s favorite black diamond runs (minus our daughter).

Skiing growth requires year by year improvement. Do what you can, as well as you can each season. Remember this ski mantra: “If you’re not falling, you’re not trying.”

TIPS TO ENHANCE A FAMILY DAY-TRIP TO SCHWEITZER

Breakfast: Make sure your kids are well-fed before starting their first run of the day. Because Schweitzer is a two-hour drive from my home in Spokane, my kids are ready for a “second breakfast” when we arrive at Lakeview Lodge. We usually get a breakfast burrito from Cabinet Mountain Coffee Café, located on the main level (open Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and Friday-Sunday 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.) or a hot egg breakfast option from the Lakeview Cafe. There are also bagels, cinnamon rolls, muffins, scones, and other quick, belly-filling options.

Lunch: It’s better to go into the lodge too early than too late. Don’t wait until your child is grumpy or has run out of energy and bonked. (Avert an on-hill meltdown by keeping some handy snacks in your jacket or backpack while on the slopes.) Even when my family brings our own lunch, we always buy an order of French fries from Lakeview Cafe—there is something about hot, salty fries that tastes really good after skiing for a few hours. And the fries at Schweitzer are some of the best ski mountain fries we’ve had. There is also a small microwave and cold water dispenser in the brown-bag dining area of the lodge, so you can utilize these supplies for some BYO-hot cocoa or to warm-up food you brought. Eating or drinking something warm at lunch helps a child stay warmer while skiing.

Après-Ski with Kids: Hot chocolate is always a kid favorite after skiing. You can purchase at Lakeview Lodge, but if the cafeteria food service or Cabinet Mountain Coffee Cafe are closed, you can find it a Mojo Coyote Café inside the Selkirk Lodge (lobby level). But when you don’t have time to sit down and indulge—or because a kid can’t carry a cup and their gear back to the car—there are hot-beverage options off the mountain in the cities of Ponderay and Sandpoint. The Starbucks drive-thru at the intersection of Schweitzer Cutoff Road and Highway 95 has helped make the drive home more pleasurable many times for my family.

Amy McCaffree didn’t grow up in a ski family and only started skiing as a teenager, first taking lessons with her junior high Ski Club at Snoqualmie Ski Acres, in the Cascade Mountains. Now it’s her favorite winter sport, and being married to a ski patroller inspires her to always keep learning and improving her ski skills, and to push outside her comfort zone by venturing to steeper slopes.

The post Off the Bunny Hill: Schweitzer’s Blue Squares appeared first on Out There Venture.

The post SheJumps Get the Girls Out at Schweitzer Mountain Resort appeared first on Out There Venture.

There’s a good chance if you spend any time in the village at Schweitzer you’ll run into Mark and Colleen White. These two unofficial Schweitzer greeters are hard to miss with their welcoming smiles, infectious laughter, and endearing Texas drawls. Spending time with them on the mountain is delightful in any season.

They both rip it up on the slopes during winter and are staples at Schweitzer’s summer events. Mark’s comedic nature is complimented by Colleen’s exuberance for adventure, and the two of them live life at Schweitzer to the fullest. It’s only after you’ve fallen under their charm that you realize something is missing. That would be Mark’s right arm. 

On a beautiful day in January 2017, Mark (58), Colleen (46), and their son Ashton (26), all passionate snowboarders, headed over to Little Blue Ridge Run to take advantage of some excellent mid-season conditions. “We had just gotten off the T-Bar, and strapped into our bindings when I said, ‘party of three, let’s go!’” explains Mark. “Less than a minute later, I was buried under the snow.” 

The accident happened so fast that Colleen and Ashton weren’t even aware Mark was missing. “We wondered if we had passed him so we headed to Stella and started asking people if they had seen him. At this point, I was 80% scared and 20% mad,” Colleen explains. “On the lift, I tried to call him and it went to voicemail. As soon as we got off Stella, I went straight to ski patrol.” 

At the same time Colleen and Ashton were starting to worry, Mark was wedged tight between two trees just off Little Blue with a severed artery causing him to lose a substantial amount of blood. “Luckily, my saving snow angel, a skier on the run, saw the accident but couldn’t locate me in the trees,” says Mark. “Her husband skied on to get ski patrol, and she waited by the spot where she was certain I had left the trail.” When ski patrol arrived and began to search the area, one patroller noticed a black crescent shape. Trudging through the snow, he realized it was Mark’s helmet. 

Time is of the essence in any accident situation and more so when a patient needs critical care. There is no question for Mark or Colleen that the quick thinking of Schweitzer’s ski patrol staff saved his life that day. Once Mark was airlifted to the hospital, his condition was determined to be severe. He had his clavicle, shoulder, and humorous repaired with metal bars and plates. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible to repair the core nerve in his right arm, and it was amputated in July of 2017. 

Flash forward to another sunny day at Schweitzer, this time it’s January 2019. Mark and Colleen have just finished a day of riding and they are happily chatting about their runs. “We work from our home in the White Pine, and so when we can get out to ride, we do,” says Colleen. “It was the big question if Mark would snowboard again, but this is what we love and where we love to be.”

“Schweitzer is our happy place still,” adds Mark. “After the accident, I waited to see if I could snowboard. I practiced on small hills only going about 18 feet the first time and that felt huge! I follow a pretty strict criteria now for riding. If on any given day I have three things not in sync, I don’t go. I’m looking to feel strong, have good weather, go when the mountain’s not too crowded, and I don’t head to unfamiliar terrain if I’m with new friends or guests. If any three of those aren’t in alignment, I’m back in the condo chilling.” 

For Mark the hardest part isn’t riding with one arm. He’s still working on healing and coping with some lingering pain from the accident. “Snowboarding really helps me fight off the periodic melancholy. Exercise helps distract me from the pain and the realization that I’m not the same person I was physically two years ago. Losing an arm is pretty humbling. But it’s also been unbelievably cool.” 

Mark and Colleen feel that the accident solidified their connection to the Schweitzer community. “We fell in love with this place when my parents moved from Texas to Moyie Springs 27 years ago,” says Mark. “As soon as we saw an opportunity to work remotely, Colleen and I knew we wanted to live here. Even after everything, this is where we want to be. Some days are hard for me on the mountain. I still get anxious when I’m riding Little Blue, but when I’m on my board and I’m in the zone, I’ve found my balance. Until I fall over that is!”

Dig Chrismer landed in Sandpoint 8 years ago with her four children after several years ricocheting around the world. These days she’s the marketing manager for Schweitzer Mountain Resort and is on a mission to prove that telemark skiing isn’t dead. 

The post On the Board Again: When Tragedy Strikes, Keep Riding appeared first on Out There Venture.

Jingle Bell 5K Run: Dress up in festive, colorful attire for this fun-run or walk on Dec. 7 at Spokane’s Riverfront Park to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation.  

Festivals & Tree Lightings: Regional events include Parade of Lights in Missoula (Dec. 7); Wallace Retro Christmas festival (Dec. 7-8 & 14-15); Holiday Fest & Tree Lighting in Pullman (Dec. 7), which includes a YMCA Kid’s Jingle Bell Fun Run; and the epic Christmas Lighting Festival in Leavenworth (Dec. 6-8, 13-15, & 20-22). 

Holiday Lights: Destinations include Manito Park’s Gaiser Conservatory  in Spokane, open Dec. 7-31 (extended dates this year); Luminaria Walk at Yakima Area Arboretum (Dec. 9-10); and Lighted Boat Parade along the Columbia River between Kennewick and Richland (Dec. 6 and 7). 

DIY moonlit fat bike, snowshoe, or cross-country ski adventure. The Cold Full Moon is December 12—also referred to as the “frost” or “long nights moon” according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.  

Christmas Tree Hunt: Cut down your own tree at a Christmas tree farm or make the hunt a National Forest backcountry adventure. Purchase a tree-cutting permit from your local U.S. Forest Service ranger office and follow regulations to harvest your own rustic fir tree. More info at fs.fed.us. (Can also harvest trees on BLM land.)

Ice Skating & Yoga at Riverfront Park: Riverfront Park Skate Ribbon is open daily, with free ice-skating lessons every Sunday, 11 a.m.-noon, and there are free yoga classes at the Pavilion on Tuesday evenings.   

Cross-country ski and fat bike in the city: When there is enough snow in Spokane and many other Inland NW towns, groomed trails may be available at select locations. In Spokane, that includes Indian Canyon Golf Course (ski only), Riverside State Park (ski and fat bike), and Dwight Merkel Park (ski and fat bike). All are free to use, except the state park requires a Discover Pass. More details at the City of Spokane website. 

Night Skiing/Snowboarding: Starting Friday, Dec. 20, Mt. Spokane’s alpine area remains opens for night skiing until 9:00 p.m. (earlier time this year), recurring Wednesdays-Saturdays through mid-March. (Note: Previous years night skiing ended at 9:30 p.m.) Sunsets and summit views of area city lights are spectacular. Other regional resorts also offer night skiing. 

Dress-up like Santa and ski/snowboard for free: On Dec. 21, Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park will host an all-day Holiday Party, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., as well as a Jingle Rails terrain park event. Anyone who dresses in a full Santa outfit receives a free lift ticket that day. Lookout Pass hosts its Santa dress-up and ski-free day on Dec. 22. 

Ski/Ride with Santa: On Dec. 23, Santa Claus will visit Schweitzer Mountain Resort to ski and ride with kids. Then on Dec. 24 he’ll fly to Lookout Pass, and also make time to visit Schweitzer on Christmas Eve for the annual kids’ balloon parade.   

New Year’s Eve Festivities: Watch (or ski in) the Torchlight Parade at Lookout Pass. Fun begins at 5 p.m. (see participation requirements online). Spokane’s Riverfront Park hosts a New Year’s Pavilion Party from 8 p.m.-midnight.

The post 11 Ways to Get Out There for the Holidays appeared first on Out There Venture.

Schweitzer also puts on several popular events throughout the summer, including the Huckleberry Color Fun Run and Walk August 5. With a 5k and 2.5k option, Chrismer calls it a must-do family event. You’ll receive a t-shirt, sunglasses, powder pack for the post-race village color toss, a gourmet hotdog with huckleberry and veggie embellishments, and a complimentary full-day scenic foot passenger chairlift ticket. Schweitzer’s Fall Fest (August 31-Sept. 3) is in its 27th year of bringing live music and craft beer to the mountain. This Labor Day celebration will have free live music every day, with regional wine and over 75 micro-brews and ciders. Kids can enjoy a soda tent, where they can mix their own flavors. This event marks the last weekend of Schweitzer’s summer operations, so be sure to visit the resort in all of its summer glory before then! Schweitzer.com. //

The post Summer Events and Activities at Schweitzer Mountain Resort appeared first on Out There Venture.