* WHAT...Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected, with local wind gusts 55 to 60 mph in Pomeroy and Alpowa Summit. * WHERE...Plummer, Kellogg, Downtown Spokane, Clark Fork, Osburn, Tekoa, Pinehurst, Sandpoint, Pomeroy, Oakesdale, Davenport, Fernwood, Uniontown, Coeur d'Alene, Mullan, Worley, Colfax, Airway Heights, Spokane Valley, Priest River, Clarkston, Moscow, Pullman, Rockford, Fairfield, Rosalia, St. Maries, Eastport, Genesee, Dobson Pass, Athol, Bonners Ferry, Hayden, Wallace, Fourth Of July Pass, La Crosse, Alpowa Summit, Potlatch, Schweitzer Mountain Road, Lookout Pass, Post Falls, and Cheney. * WHEN...From 4 PM this afternoon to 4 AM PST Friday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Antecedent conditions from previous high winds could lead to tree damage.
A fresh blanket of excitement is building at Schweitzer Mountain Resort this December 18, 2025, with over 6 inches of new snow expected in the next 24 hours and more than 12 inches forecasted through the weekend. Schweitzer Mountain Resort is a popular ski destination in Idaho known for its diverse terrain, stunning views, and uncrowded slopes.
Wind
Humidity
Overnight temperatures dipped to a crisp 22.5°F, preserving the current 28-inch snowpack. While this sits nearly 40% below average for this time of year, the mountain’s robust snowmaking operations are working overtime to supplement Mother Nature’s efforts, ensuring a steadily improving base. With 9.6 inches SWE, the snow is dense and skiable—ideal for confident carving and smooth rides across groomed terrain.
Though the resort experienced a delayed start to the season, anticipation is peaking as Schweitzer looks to open more terrain in the coming days. Recent news of Schweitzer being named the third-most affordable leading ski resort in the U.S. adds to the mountain’s allure for budget-savvy skiers. Despite early-season challenges, Schweitzer remains a humble, wintry playground in scenic North Idaho. Visitors are advised to check lift and trail updates daily, especially as storms roll in and snow totals climb. Keep an eye on the skies—the Northern Lights have made appearances across Idaho, and Schweitzer’s summit might just offer a front-row seat.
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, snow. the snow could be heavy at times. patchy blowing snow after 10am. high near 33. south wind 15 to 17 mph. chance of precipitation is 100%. new snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible.
Schweitzer Mountain Resort is expected to receive up to 12.7" of new snowfall in the next 5 days.
Idaho is seeing significant snowfall accumulation in central and south-central regions, with the heaviest 5-day forecasts concentrated near ski areas like Vienna Mine (43”), Cool Creek (40”), and Chocolate Gulch (39”). Banner Summit and Atlanta Summit, near the Sawtooth and Boise National Forests, are both expecting 39” of snow this week. Brundage Mountain Resort, adjacent to Bear Basin and Brundage ... Read more