A Postcard from Sandpoint, Idaho

We wanted a year-round vacation spot of our own, and Sandpoint has fit the bill. In fact, in spring, we can even ski one day and golf the next. Lake, mountains and an easy lifestyle is what we've bought with our new second home.

   

About Sandpoint, Idaho

With a forty-three mile long lake as its centerpiece, Sandpoint seems to be almost too good to be true. The lake, with over 111 miles of shoreline, offers boating, hiking and every watersport you'd want. Then there's the skiing and winter activities at nearby Schweitzer, the 2nd largest ski resort in Idaho. Outdoor recreation combined with a small, rustic and lovely town makes Sandpoint ideal for a year round vacation home. 

Surrounded by the Selkirk and Cabinet Mountains in Northern Idaho, Sandpoint offers gorgeous views from every point. Up on the mountains, you see the lake; on the lake, you see the lush or snow covered mountains. The combination of lake and mountains creates a feeling of abundance with so many recreation choices. A second home at Sandpoint, Idaho is also a sound investment, as there is a strong vacation rental market.

Local History

The first inhabitants were the Kalispel Indians, who fished on the lake, and lived off of roots they dug up. The current town dates back to the 1880's, with the old city hall built in 1909. The main activity was the timber industry. However, water was the critical factor in the town's history. As part of the Columbia River basin, the issue of whether the Pend d'Oreille should be dammed or not was as controversial as whether the state of Washington should be able to get as much water as it wanted. While the progress of the day demanded that the Albeni Falls dam be constructed in 1950, Sandpoint residents were victorious in insuring that the lake would not be raised higher than its normal highpoint.

An Average Lifestyle in Sandpoint, Idaho

Laid-back, rustic yet sophisticated, people in Sandpoint like to do things. The list of cultural activities almost matches the outdoor recreation. Basically, this is a fun place to vacation all year round. Simple, uncrowded, economical living. The residents are determined and strong-willed, as evidenced by their strong stand in protecting the area from potential damage a dam might bring.

Housing

Much of the land (45%) in the county is Forest, owned by the US Government. This creates a natural lid on development, keeping the housing market fairly strong.

Housing options include lake front, river front and lake view condos; ski chalets, cottages, and simple single family homes. Since people come for vacation, there is a strong rental market, with the high season for visitors in the summer, and over the winter holidays.

Median Housing Costs: $111,100.00

Things to Do in Sandpoint

·        Paddle on Lake Pend Oreille by the light of the full moon to Fisherman's Island

·        Rent a houseboat on the lake

·        Square Dancing

·        Mountain Biking and Bicycling

·        Horseback Riding on a guest ranch

·        Watch National Mountain Bike Championships

·        Boating, fishing, swimming, waterskiing on Lake Pend Oreille

·        Hunting and hiking for the outdoor enthusiast

·        Skiing at Schweitzer Ski Resort

·        Cross Country skiing at the State parks

·        Snowmobiling

·        Shop at Coldwater Creek marketplace

·        Tour and taste at Pend d'Oreille winery

·        Golf

·        Shop for antiques

·        Hike, bike, camp, fish at one of four state parks nearby

·        Cruise the lake on a turn of the century boat

Cultural Activities in Sandpoint

·        The Festival at Sandpoint. Annual music festival

·        Musical Theater and Drama at Panida Theater

·        Weekly summer outdoor Concerts

·        Bluegrass Festival

·        Pend Oreille Arts Council events

·        Bonner County Historical Society and Museum

Near-By Excursions

·        Hike on 2,000 acres at the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge ( 30 miles north)

·        Take the Montana Rockies Rail Tour

·        Upper and Lower Priest Lake

·        Drive to the Canadian Rockies

Location
In Bonner County between the Selkirk Mountains in North Idaho's Panhandle region. Only an hour's distance from Coeur D'Alene and the Canadian border, Sandpoint, Idaho is located directly on the northern shore of Lake Pend Oreille.

Elevation: 2085

Size: 3.9 sq miles.

Distance to other major cities

Spokane, Washington: 71 miles

Seattle, Washington: 399 miles

Getting To Sandpoint, Idaho

Trains from all directions converge at Sandpoint. While there is a small craft airport at Sandpoint, the nearest large airport is at Spokane, Washington (80 miles).

Weather
Four seasons, with over 300 inches of snow in the backcountry; warm, dry Indian summers in the fall and spring skiing in April;

Annual Average Temperature: January: 25; July: 64.9

Annual Average Snowfall: about 50 inches in the winter

Demographics and Economics

Population: 6,835

Growth Rate: 1990- 2000: 22% (County grew  by 38%)

Median Age, 2000: 36.5 years

Median Household Income: $32,461.00

Principle Industries
Formerly timber, now tourism and recreation, and Coldwater Creek Mail Order catalog