Schweitzer Mountain Resort

Schwetizer often comes up on ski magazine "best unknown spot" lists -- and for good reason. This growing mountain has superb terrain, dependable snow, easy access, and great views. The mountain is in north Idaho, just shy of the Canadian border, and overlooking the chocolate-box-cute town of Sandpoint as well as the sprawling mountain-ringed Lake Pend Oreille (say "pond-er-a"). The front of the mountain has open learner slopes that lead to steeper bowls, while the backside has never-ending cruisers that shoulder into steep-dropping runs with sparse trees. The mountain is big enough that it rarely feels crowded, though there can be good deals if you can manage a mid-week stay.

The Schweitzer Mountain Resort is truly a hidden gem of skiing in the US. Located near the town of Sandpoint, Idaho on the banks of Lake Pend Orielle, Schweitzer offers an amazing experience for both skiers and non-skiers and doesn't have the high prices and crowds associated with more famous ski resorts in other parts of the Rockies.

There are nine ski lifts along Schweitzer Mountain and several black, blue, and green courses. People of all levels and tastes can obviously find something to like about Schweitzer, but the resort's real fame likes in it's tree-skiing routes. Tree-skiing (as you can imagine) involves skiing down a wooded slope along a semi-marked trail. It's definitely not for beginners, but if you're a good skier and you'd like to try your hand at tree skiing, then Schweitzer is the place.