* WHAT...Mixed precipitation expected. Snow accumulations of 1 to 4 inches and ice accumulations up to one tenth of an inch south of Chewelah and Sandpoint. * WHERE...Tiger, Fruitland, Chewelah, Metaline Falls, Metaline, Schweitzer Mountain Road, Orin-Rice Road, Northport, Springdale-Hunters Road, Sandpoint, Eastport, Ione, Flowery Trail Road, Deer Park, Bonners Ferry, Athol, Colville, Clark Fork, Kettle Falls, Newport, and Priest River. * WHEN...From 4 PM this afternoon to 1 PM PST Friday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday evening and Friday morning commutes. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Light snow Thursday Night is expected to change to a wintry mix Friday morning.
Happy New Year from Schweitzer Mountain Resort! Schweitzer Mountain Resort is a popular ski destination in Idaho known for its diverse terrain, stunning views, and uncrowded slopes.
Wind
Humidity
As of January 1, 2026, the mountain is welcoming skiers with a snowpack depth of 43 inches. While that's around 36% below average for this time of year, conditions remain rideable thanks to continued snowmaking efforts and cooler overnight temperatures at 33.8°F. A light dusting of 1.3 inches is forecast in the next 24 hours, but the real excitement builds later this week, with over 16 inches expected in the next five days—perfect timing to refresh the trails and open up more terrain.
The resort is buzzing this season, recently making headlines as one of the most affordable premier ski destinations in North America. Schweitzer’s addition to the Ikon Pass family has already drawn more visitors and expanded its reach. While twilight skiing has been temporarily paused, operations are otherwise in full swing, and anticipation is high for the official 2025-26 season launch. For now, early-season runs are carving up nicely across groomed trails, and with a solid 14.4 inches of Snow Water Equivalent, conditions should only improve. Bundle up and prepare for powder—it’s shaping up to be a memorable start to 2026 on the slopes.
Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) shows how much water the snow holds. This is ideal for year-to-year tracking of real snowfall and water resources. Measurements from Schweitzer Basin.
Snowpack depth measures how much snow has accumulated in the area. This is a key indicator of powder quality, trail coverage, and how epic your runs are going to be this season at Schweitzer Mountain Resort.
Recent air temperature fluctuations at Schweitzer Mountain Resort impact snow quality and stability, from powder to slush.
Schweitzer Mountain Resort is located in the Selkirk Mountains of northern Idaho. The resort offers stunning views of Lake Pend Oreille and the surrounding peaks. Some of the key mountain ranges and aspects of Schweitzer Mountain Resort include:
1. Selkirk Mountains: Schweitzer Mountain Resort is situated within the Selkirk Mountain range, which is part of the larger Columbia Mountain range. The Selkirk Mountains are known for their rugged terrain, deep snow, and stunning alpine scenery.
2. Schweitzer Peak: The resort's main peak, Schweitzer Peak, stands at an elevation of 6,400 feet and offers a vertical drop of 2,440 feet. It is the highest point at the resort and offers a variety of terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.
3. Outback Bowl: Located on the backside of Schweitzer Peak, the Outback Bowl offers some of the most challenging terrain at the resort, including steep chutes and glades. It is a favorite among advanced skiers and snowboarders looking for a thrill.
4. Lakeview Bowl: Situated on the front side of Schweitzer Peak, Lakeview Bowl offers stunning views of Lake Pend Oreille and the surrounding mountains. This area is popular for its wide-open groomed runs and tree skiing.
5. Colburn Mountain: Located adjacent to Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Colburn Mountain is a popular backcountry skiing destination for those looking for untouched powder and challenging terrain.
Overall, Schweitzer Mountain Resort offers a diverse range of terrain and mountain aspects for skiers and snowboarders to explore, from gentle beginner slopes to steep chutes and glades for the more advanced riders.
Some of the best trails to try out include Stella, Little Blue Ridge, and Ridge Run. An interesting fact about the resort is that it was originally developed by Jack Fowler, who was inspired by a visit to the Swiss Alps in the 1950s. For beginners, the resort offers easy trails such as Midway and Musical Chairs. For après-ski, head to Taps, a popular bar located in the village with a great selection of craft beers and live music on weekends.
Night Skiing | Yes |
Lift Count | 10 Lifts |
Hourly Lift Capacity | 12502 per hour |
Base Elevation | 1207 Meters |
Terrain Park | Yes |
Acreage | 2900 Acres |
Established | 1963 |
Run Count | 92 Trails |
The ski area received 0" of new snowfall since yesterday.
Weather today, a 30 percent chance of snow, mainly after 4pm. mostly cloudy, with a high near 28. southwest wind 6 to 10 mph. new snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Schweitzer Mountain Resort is expected to receive up to 16.91" of new snowfall in the next 5 days.
Northern Idaho is seeing the heaviest new snow and forecasts this week. The Schweitzer Basin near Sandpoint is forecasted to receive up to 16 inches of snow over the next five days, with a current snowpack of 43". Nearby sensors at Bear Mountain and Hidden Lake show similar snow activity, with 5-day forecasts of 19" and 22", respectively, making Schweitzer ... Read more