Almanac: Sandpoint, Idaho

Population 6,000County: 35,000

Elevation 2,100 feet

Price Of A Median Single-Family Home In Sandpoint $119,200

Price Of A Median Single-Family Home In Bonner County $89,600

Property Tax Sandpoint $899.24

Property Tax Bonner County $592.95

Main Businesses Tourism, Timber, Coldwater Creek headquarters

School Population Elementary 1,084; middle and high school 1,958

Local Ski Area Schweitzer Mountain Resort

Vertical Rise 2,400 feet

Skiable Acres 2,350; 55 named runs

Average Annual Snowfall 300 inches

Season Pass adults, $599; kids through high-school, $349

Lift Ticket adults, $35; kids, $25; children 6-and-under ski free.

Best Local Events Pend Oreille Arts Council’s concert series at the community-owned Panida Theater. For a down-home good time, come during the Winter Carnival held in late January. Locals participate in a parade, chili cook-off and build snow-sculptures.

Locals’ Favorite Restaurants Ivano’s for classic Italian and great service. The Beachhouse for fresh fish, local steaks and the best view. DeLuna’s for unique breakfasts and tasty baked goods. Swan’s Landing for the view and great dinners served with panache.

Locals’ Favorite Hangouts In town: Eichardt’s Pub, 16 taps, the best microbrews and live music. On the Mountain: Pend Oreille Brewing Company, hand-crafted beers, the best view in the Village. Young and Wild: Conlan’s Pub or The Cow Paddy.

Best Places to Stay A few high-end choices: The Selkirk Lodge at Schweitzer (208-263-9555); Edgewater Resort (208-263-3194); Coit House Bed and Breakfast (208-265-4305). Budget: Super 8 (208-263-2210); Monarch Inn (208-263-1222).

Best Kept Secrets Hardcores: Find a local to take you backcountry skiing in the 30-mile-distant Cabinet Mountains.

Information Chamber of Commerce, (208) 263-2161, www.keokee.com; Schweitzer Mountain Resort, (208) 263-9555, www.skischweitzer.com.

Ski Towns: Sandpoint, Idaho

Ski Towns Photo Essay: Sandpoint, Idaho