Photo of Little Spar Lake by Holly Weiler
Sure Sandpoint is close enough to the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene areas to make it a day-trip destination for fall and winter adventures, but why not maximize your drive and adventure time with a multi-day stay? A two or three day trip also means you’ll have time to explore more trails or get several ski or snowboard days in followed by time to relax or explore town instead of making the long drive home.
If that all sounds like just what you need, here are some recommended bike or boot-powered fall adventures that will hit the spot. Once you’re ready to book the local place to call home base for your trip, check out Out There partner and advertiser Hotel Ruby Sandpoint, which offers a ton of amenities you’ll want from free bikes to borrow and cruise on into downtown Sandpoint to a ski locker room and sleds you can use to hit the local sledding hills with the kids. Your room also comes with a free continental breakfast and access to a heated indoor pool and hot tubs. But first you need to choose your favorite way to earn your hours on those super-soft pillows.
Fall Hikes around Sandpoint
Top on the list of Sandpoint-area treks for many hikers is the Scotchman Peak area. If you’re up for a challenging hike, take on the 7.6 mile out-and-back hike on the Scotchman Peak Trail that includes 3,717 feet of elevation gain. The reward includes expansive mountain views and a chance to see the resident mountain goats up top. Or try the trail to Little Spar Lake for slightly less challenging but equally rewarding hike. For more mellow hikes close to town without a lot of elevation gain, spend the day wandering the scenic, forest trails at Pine Street Woods.
Fall Mountain Bike Rides around Sandpoint
20 named mountain bike trails and loops for riders of all abilities await at Pine Street Woods, only a few-minutes-drive or pedal from town. A short drive up the mountain toward Schweitzer, the adjacent recreation district below the resort offers 40 miles of trails that range from flowy singletrack to more challenging, technical rides.
Photo by Amy McCaffree
Plan Now for Your Sandpoint Winter Trip
Fall is the time to begin planning and booking your winter adventures out of Sandpoint and Schweitzer. From your base at Hotel Ruby Sandpoint, spend your days skiing or snowboarding up at Schweitzer, cruising the Schweitzer Nordic trail system, or hiking, fat biking or snowshoeing closer to town in the Pine Street Woods. Your stay at Hotel Ruby Sandpoint includes access to a ski room with waxing tables, and places to store skis and snowboards, a heated indoor pool and two hot tubs, free breakfast, an on-site restaurant and bar, and dog-friendly rooms, all just a few minutes drive from Schweitzer and downtown Sandpoint.
(Sponsored article)
