| Sandpoint is located on the 43-mile-long Lake Pend Oreille, and is surrounded by the Selkirk and Cabinet mountains. The Schweitzer Mountain ski resort is just minutes away making Sandpoint with outstanding attractions. Three state parks are within close range to Sandpoint, Farragut State Park, Round Lake State Park and Priest Lake State Park.Sandpoint is one of the West's greatest railroading towns, where the Burlington Northern, Montana Rail Link and Spokane International rail systems converge to create an active rail crossroads with more than 40 trains a day traveling through Sandpoint. Rail buffs come from around the world to see the trains.With more than 2,000 acres, the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, 30 miles north of Sandpoint, has an abundance of wildlife. The refuge developed hiking and cross-country ski trails. In autumn, the refuge plays host to literally tens of thousands of ducks, geese and swans migrating down the Pacific Flyway. Summer residents include bald eagles, rough-legged hawks, herons, geese and ducks. Visitors may also see elk, deer, moose or bear.Summer in Sandpoint: Sandpoint offers warm, sunny days with ample opportunity to sample the waters of 43-mile-long Lake Pend Oreille, golf, the alpine country of the Selkirk and Cabinet mountain ranges, and the unique shops, galleries, dining and many activities in Sandpoint's bustling downtown. Winter in Sandpoint: With an annual snowfall averaging 300 inches at Sandpoint, visitors come to Sandpoint to ski, snowboard, cross-country ski, snowmobile and more. Ice fishermen find plenty of prey under the frozen waters that hug the lakeshore. |