There has been a thread circulating on Instagram about Schweitzer with several inaccuracies that’s created some concerns about our intent to operate this coming winter. I can assure you that we are planning for full operations, 7 days a week, incorporating all front and backside lifts in their typical winter schedule (as weather and conditions allow) from now until April 10, 2022. 

We're getting closer and closer to opening day for our 2021/22 ski season and there are a few new things to look forward to this winter.

As we get ready for the 2021/22 ski season, Schweitzer CEO & President, Tom Chasse shares some thoughts on how the mountain will operate this coming winter. 

Reflecting on last season, we know that one of our biggest challenges was parking. In general, spaces are limited on the mountain and when you compound that situation with Covid, no carpooling, and limited shuttle usage, the situation became even tougher. 

Introducing Schweitzer's Newest Bar & Restaurant - Crow's Bench. Opening for the 2021/22 winter season.

It’s been a little while since I’ve reached out to everyone with an update on how things are going.  All in all, we feel like the winter is going pretty well. Compared to some parts of the country, we are very lucky. A couple of areas that keep popping up in guest surveys and comments are parking and lift lines.

Since the spring of 2019, the Schweitzer team has been busy working on our latest project, the new hotel in the village. Once complete, Schweitzer will have an additional 31-unit boutique hotel offering some of the most comfortable ski-in/ski-out accommodations in the Pacific Northwest. The new hotel will also feature a restaurant and bar with outdoor seating facing the village core. It has been several years since we started crafting plans and looking over renderings, but once we finally broke ground, it felt great to start building this newest chapter in our Schweitzer story.

Due to an overwhelming lack of compliance with our mask policies and social distancing in the rental shop, day lodge, and lift lines during twilight skiing, I have made the decision that Schweitzer will not be offering twilight skiing over the MLK holiday weekend - Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Jan 15 – 17, 2021. 

Here we are in December, with a couple of weeks of operation under our belts. We’re making progress as we adapt to the Governor’s roll back to stage 2 and the Panhandle Health District mask mandate, but we still have work to do.

It was great to see everyone this past weekend! I’m sure it was as exciting for you to be back on the mountain as it was for me. As good as it was to be on my skis again, I wish I could say the opening weekend went off without a hitch, but that was not the case.

With most ski lodges and hotels imposing limited capacity this winter due to COVID-19, why not bring or rent a camper or RV instead? Most resorts don’t allow for overnight parking, but Outside Online found ten ski hills (Including Schweitzer!) across the country that have dedicated lots for your cabin on wheels. 

As we inch our way towards opening, I thought I would update you on our indoor operating plans. The state of Idaho has reverted to stage 3 of Covid precautions which will have an impact and require a few changes. 

As we get closer to our opening day, we have had many inquiries about Snowsports School programs, day care and lessons. Here’s where we currently stand with regards to those programs ...

Snow in the village this week has created somewhat of an urgency to complete all our on-mountain improvements while we refine our protocol for the coming winter season. We have had many questions about parking, transportation and shuttle services so let’s take a closer look at these now.

As we continue the transition to our winter season, I thought I would reach out to all the Schweitzer community members on the mountain with an update with regards to day tickets. Please feel free to share this message with anyone else who might be impacted by day tickets sales ...

Now that the summer season has come to an end, we are transitioning toward winter. We are working diligently on refining our operating plans with a strong focus on staff and guest safety. While we’re excited to re-open our doors, there is still a significant amount of anxiety and stress associated with the uncertainties this pandemic presents. 

As we look ahead to the transition from a successful summer season to what’s expected to be a winter season that is different from recent years,  I thought I would address a few of the questions that arose after our first message about the 2020/21 ski season.  

"In an effort to provide full disclosure and transparency, I wanted to take a moment and fill you in on some of our current thoughts surrounding the Covid-19 environment at Schweitzer." - Tom Chasse, Schweitzer Mountain Resort CEO

We’re sure we are not alone when we say the last few months have been a whirlwind … months that could not have been conjured even in our worst nightmares.

From a global pandemic that put our beloved sport (and the rest of the world) on hold; to the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and now Rayshard Brooks; to the protests that followed around the world and in our own community - it is an unsettling and uncertain time to be alive. 

Local author and writer for Out There Outdoors, Amy McCaffree, has some great advice about tackling Schweitzer's Blue Squares as a family and enjoying the best kind of french fries for lunch!