Schweitzer Mountain Resort

Good morning from the hill above Schweitzer's ski village. Thursday arrives quietly on the mountain: the resort is between seasons, with no published ski report yet and opening day set for November 27. Sandpoint woke to a crisp 40 degrees under fair skies; expect a pleasant, partly cloudy day near 71, with tonight dipping to 44. This morning's radar sweep showed a quiet panhandle — no precipitation on the map.

On opening day, December 4, 1963, Schweitzer Basin had exactly one way up: a mile-long double chairlift that carried skiers from the new day lodge at 4,700 feet to 1,700 feet of vertical above. A T-bar was added a month later, and that was the whole mountain. Dr. Jack Fowler of Spokane, the avid skier whose idea it was, had spent the late 1950s driving to The Big Mountain in Whitefish, Montana, eyeing a closer alternative on every trip past the snow-laden Selkirk slopes.

Did you know that October is one of the quietest — and prettiest — months to be on Schweitzer Mountain? The National Weather Service has Sandpoint sunny and 72 degrees today, with a mostly clear night dipping to 44. Up on the mountain it's cooler, of course: sunny and 59 at Schweitzer today, with a 42-degree overnight low. Thursday looks much the same — partly sunny and 72 in town, mostly sunny and 58 up top — before a front rolls through on Friday with a chance of rain showers.

Fall has settled over the Idaho panhandle in the most beautiful way — golden light on Lake Pend Oreille, crisp evenings, and a calendar full of reasons to get out. Here is your week ahead, October 6 through 11, from the mountain to the lake cities.

⏰ 3:00 PM Update

Well folks, I won’t sugarcoat it—it’s wet up here 🌧️. Temps ran high, the dreaded rain showed up, and it’s been blustery 💨. The national forecast for the week isn’t looking much better ☹️.

But we’re not discouraged! 🙌 Fingers, toes, legs, and eyes are crossed for colder temps and more wintry weather ❄️. So keep sending good vibes, prayers for snow, and maybe a little mountain magic. Here’s to manifesting East Coast weather (never thought we’d say that)! 🌨️✨