In most places, “Spring” is a gentle suggestion of flowers and light jackets. In Sandpoint, Spring is a full-contact sport. It’s the only time of year where your garage looks like a chaotic gear explosion of wax, grease, mud, and fiberglass.
If you’ve ever wanted to ski, bike, climb, golf, and boat all in the same 14 hours of daylight, Welcome to the March Mashup. Here is your play-by-play guide to the ultimate Bonner County multi-sport day.
1. 8:30 AM: Soft Turns at Schweitzer
Start high. Schweitzer is currently in its “Schpring Finale” era (closing day is set for April 5th this year). Head up early to catch the groomers before the sun turns the pack into mashed potatoes. The Basin Express is spinning, and with a summit temp sitting right around 29°F, the “corn snow” is at its peak. It’s fast, it’s fun, and there’s no better way to wake up than a 2,400-foot vertical drop.
2. 11:30 AM: Hero Dirt in the Lower Basin
As you descend the mountain road, swap the bibs for chamois. While the high-country trails like Basin to Crest are still under six feet of snow, the Lower Basin and Syringa trail systems are prime. Thanks to the recent melt-freeze cycles, we are hitting “Hero Dirt” territory—tacky, fast, and just enough mud to make you look like you earned it.
3. 1:30 PM: Sun-Warmed Stone at Laclede
Load the rack and head 10 miles west of Sandpoint to the Laclede Rocks. These south-facing crags act like a giant solar oven, absorbing the midday heat. While Chimney Rock is still an alpine winter wonderland, Laclede is dry and ready. Throw on your climbing shoes and tackle Hornet’s Nest (5.8) or Railyard Blues (5.10c). The view of the Pend Oreille River from the anchors is the best “lunch break” you’ll ever have.
4. 3:30 PM: A Quick Nine at the Idaho Club or Elks
Yes, the clubs are out. The Idaho Club typically targets late March/early April for its spring awakening. The Elks can be even earlier! Even if the full 18 isn’t rolling yet, the driving range and the lower holes near the Pack River are where the locals gather to shake off the winter rust. There is something surreal about lining up a putt on a Jack Nicklaus Signature course while looking up at the snow-capped Selkirks where you were skiing just hours ago.
5. 5:30 PM: Glassy Waters on Lake Pend Oreille
End the day where everything in Bonner County eventually leads: the water. The lake is at its winter draw-down level (around 2051’), but the launches at City Beach or Dover Bay are open for business. The water is “refreshing” (read: 40 degrees), but the wind usually dies down at dusk, leaving the surface like a mirror. Whether you’re in a kayak, a dry-suited paddleboard, or a motorized craft, there is no better place to watch the sun dip behind the mountains.
