Winter is getting closer at Schweitzer, even if the lifts are not spinning yet. The resort is in its quiet off-season, with tentative opening day Friday, November 27, conditions permitting, so enjoy the panhandle's fall calendar while the countdown builds.
Ski-season energy leads in Sandpoint. The inaugural Sandpoint Idaho Film Fest closes Friday and Saturday, October 23 and 24, at 7:00 p.m. at the Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., with Premiere Night and Closing Night and awards. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and advance tickets are 20 dollars. The nights highlight selections across 11 categories, including Action Sports winners on Saturday, and feature a silent auction for a Schweitzer season pass and a raffle for a snowboard. On Thursday, October 22, at 6:30 p.m., the festival screens Caution: Terrain, with a Q&A upstairs at Eichardt's Pub, 212 Cedar St., free with donations suggested. On Saturday, October 24, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Kaniksu Land Trust celebrates the Sled Hill Grand Opening on W. Pine Street in Dover, a free celebration of a beloved winter sledding place, with music, food, games, a pumpkin patch, and folk school demonstrations. Also Saturday, Silver Mountain hosts its Winter 2026 Job Fair at Noah's Canteen in Kellogg.
The Film Fest fills the early week too. On Monday, October 19, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., the Sandpoint Cinema Takeover in Ponderay screens Anne Packard: An Artist's Resolve and the Idaho-filmed feature NALOX, tickets 5 dollars. On Tuesday, October 20, at 6:00 p.m., R-Night brings a 21-and-older showcase of darker films to Idaho Pour Authority, 203 Cedar St., free with donations suggested. On Wednesday, October 21, at 6:30 p.m., Sally! screens at the Heartwood Center, 615 Oak St., tickets 5 dollars.
Sandpoint stays busy beyond film. Pend d'Oreille Winery, 301 Cedar St., hosts live piano Tuesday and Wednesday, October 20 and 21, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., and the Festival at Sandpoint 2027 poster unveiling Thursday, October 22, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Connie's, 323 Cedar St., holds cribbage Monday at 6:00 p.m., trivia Wednesday at 7:00 p.m., and a bluegrass jam Thursday at 5:30 p.m. High Step Society plays The Hive Friday, October 23, at 7:00 p.m., and the Masterpiece Ball follows there Saturday, October 24, at 6:00 p.m.
Around the panhandle, Coeur d'Alene hosts the 3Cs Holiday Craft Faire Friday, October 23, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Saturday, October 24, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds. Haunted Harbor Cruises run October 23 to 31 from Boardwalk Marina, 40-minute cruises departing 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. In Post Falls Saturday, October 24, the Pumpkin Bowl runs 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Warren Field, and Allklean Trunk or Treat runs 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. In Bonners Ferry, the SPIRITSONG and BOUNDLESS choirs present A Journey in Song Saturday, October 24, at 7:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Enjoy this golden stretch of fall around Schweitzer and the panhandle, and keep an eye on that November 27 countdown.