Welcome to the week of Monday, November 9 through Sunday, November 15 around Schweitzer Mountain Resort and the Idaho panhandle. The resort remains in its off-season, with no lifts turning yet, and Schweitzer plans to open on Friday, November 27, conditions permitting. This is the get-ready week of the year, and the calendar is led, as it should be, by skiing.
Thursday, November 12 is a doubleheader for winter lovers in Sandpoint. The State of Schweitzer runs from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Heartwood Center, 615 Oak Street, a free update on the latest resort news heading into the season. The same evening, Get Plowed fills Matchwood Brewing, 513 Oak Street, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Hosted by Kaniksu Land Trust with Pend Oreille Pedalers and the Sandpoint Nordic Club, it raises funds to keep the road to Pine Street Woods plowed all winter for skiing and snowshoeing.
The headline event arrives Saturday, November 14, when the Schweitzer Alpine Racing School Ski Swap runs from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Bonner County Fairgrounds in Sandpoint. Admission is 5 dollars per person or 10 dollars per family, gear drop-off is Friday, November 13 at noon, and the swap benefits SARS racing and freeride programs for local young athletes. A firm deadline closes the week: Schweitzer season pass sale prices end Sunday, November 15, so secure a pass before prices rise.
Sandpoint fills the rest of the week handsomely. On Wednesday, November 11, the Panida Theater, 300 North First Avenue, screens Shared Waters: Ktunaxa and the Coal Mines at 6:00 p.m., doors at 5:00 p.m., tickets 7 dollars, with a question-and-answer session after the film. Friday, November 13 brings comedian Myq Kaplan to the Panida Little Theater at 7:00 p.m. and jazz trio Duende Libre to the Heartwood Center at 7:00 p.m. Nick Jaina performs in the Panida Little Theater on Saturday, November 14 at 7:00 p.m., and the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint presents its 16th annual Fall Serenade on Sunday, November 15 at 7:00 p.m. at Little Carnegie, 110 Main Street.
Around the region, the World Ballet Company performs Swan Lake with a live orchestra on Tuesday, November 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the Schuler Performing Arts Center at North Idaho College in Coeur d'Alene. Downtown Coeur d'Alene hosts its free 2nd Friday ArtWalk on Friday, November 13 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., and Santa's Sneak Peek Week Cruises begin that day on Lake Coeur d'Alene. In Post Falls, Comedy Night at the Club brings Aaron Woodall to The Club at Prairie Falls on Saturday, November 14 at 7:00 p.m. Bonners Ferry hosts the Boundary County Winter Craft Fair on Friday and Saturday, November 13 and 14 at the Boundary County Fairgrounds.
However you spend it, this is a fine week to tune the skis, find a bargain at the swap, and enjoy our panhandle towns before the lifts start turning. We will see you on the mountain soon.