Lifestyle
Climate & Environment
Located at 2,085 feet, Sandpoint has a four-season climate with average highs in the summers of 81.2 degrees and average lows in the winter at 21 degrees. Sandpoint receives an average of 33.3 inches of annual precipitation and an average snowfall of 87.8 inches (with variances for the higher elevations). The hottest month is July, coldest is January, wettest is December, and driest is July.
The beautiful weather in the summer allows locals to enjoy a day in the sun at City Beach, sail across Lake Pend Oreille, horseback in the Cabinet or Selkirk Mountains, and more; while the winter season provides ample snow to alpine ski, snowboard, cross country, or telemark at Schweitzer Ski Resort or in the surrounding backcountry.
Looking for current conditions?
Schweitzer Snow Report and Web Cams
Healthcare
The Bonner County Hospital serves the greater Sandpoint area stretching to the Canadian border, Washington, and Montana reaching a population of 50,000. The hospital is a full service acute care facility accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, as well as a member of the Voluntary Hospitals of America. As a non-for-profit hospital, they are operated with the guidance of a board of directors. They are continuously upgrading technologies, exploring new services, and seeking employees who demonstrate the very best in patient care.
Arts & Entertainment
The arts of Sandpoint have been alive since the Panida Theatre opened in the early 1900’s. This town has always blossomed talented artists such as photographer Ross Hall and musician Kristy Osmunson. Locals enjoy the talent of the area with a host of events like the Festival of Sandpoint, the Artists’ Studio Tour of North Idaho, and the Arts & Crafts Fair. There are also galleries aligning downtown's corridor, theatrical performances at the infamous Panida Theatre, and arts programs through the Pend Oreille Arts Council and Arts Alliance.
Recreation
Sandpoint has five city parks, two golf courses, one ski resort, three state parks, and two national forests. In a town of approximately 8,000 people, there is ample room to recreate with the focal point of Lake Pend Oreille and Schweitzer Mountain Ski area.
4,000 scenic acres alongside the southern tip of Lake Pend Oreille; camping, fishing, biking, frisbee golf, hiking and cross-country ski trails
Idaho Panhandle National Forest
Provides trail guides and maps for national forests. Offices located in Federal Building on Highway 2 in Sandpoint.
Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge
Near Bonners Ferry, 30 miles north of Sandpoint
Located in downtown Sandpoint, the lake offers swimming at City Beach, fishing, boating, sailing, and other recreational opportunities.
Camping, fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling on and around beautiful Priest Lake.
11 miles south of Sandpoint in Sagle with a scenic lake, camping, fishing, hiking, ice skating and cross country skiing.
11 miles from Sandpoint, this first-class ski resort offers year-round recreation including both alpine and nordic skiing, snowshoeing, snow cat tours, biking, hiking, geocaching, and more.
25 miles from Sandpoint in Athol is the Northwest's largest theme park with over 65 rides and attractions.
