PAGE 12 • AUTUMN 2007 THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION AUTUMN 2007 • PAGE 13
SAILING DESTINATION
Sandpoint, Idaho • by Bram Fiebelkorn
For more information ...
Visit www.seasonsatsandpoint.com,
www.sandpointonline.com or
www.sandpoint.com.
either end of the lake, providing great
day sailing opportunities. The city’s 18-
acre sandy beach park, which juts into
the middle of the lake, offers a great
place to tie up. Because 75 percent of
the lake’s 111-mile shoreline is public
property, there are plenty of calm spots
to anchor for a peaceful evening.
The long stretches of wild shoreline
also provide many protected coves with
calm conditions for water skiing,
A kayaker enjoys a lake sunset. Photo by Chris Bessler
wakeboarding, swimming and lounging
Photo by Chris Bessler
on the beach.
(Top) Lake Pend Oreille offers beautiful views and lively winds throughout a six month season.
M
ajestic, snow-capped
trout fishing, mountain biking and golf.
Fish are bountiful in the clear, cool
(Below) The Parade of Boats proceeds down Sand Creek during the Wooden Boat Festival that
mountains and lush forests
In winter, the area offers 2,900 acres
lake waters. Northern Pike, Tiger
of fresh powder for skiing and
Sandpoint hosts each July, attracting classic wood craft from around the Inland Northwest.
provide a stunning backdrop
Muskie and the giant Kamloops trout,
for inland sailing on pristine Lake Pend
snowboarding at Schweitzer Mountain.
legendary for pushing nearly 30
alongside firepits and al fresco dining
Oreille (pronounced Pond–er–ay) at
Sailors will find perfect conditions for
pounds, are frequently reeled in. Bald
areas. Its many amenities include a
Sandpoint, Idaho.
sailing on the 43-miles-long Lake Pend
eagles, ospreys, bears and moose can
three-story 11,000-square-foot resort-
Oreille, as well as 111 miles of
all be found in residence.
style clubhouse, aptly named The
Located in Northern Idaho just 60
Retreat, The Spa at Seasons with an
beautiful shoreline. Boaters will
miles south of the Canadian border and
appreciate the strong winds from the
Sandpoint is also home to a number of
array of rejuvenating services for the
75 miles northeast of Spokane, Wa.,
southwest and deep water – at some
private resorts that cater to boating
sailor, as well as fire pits, dining
Sandpoint is a hidden gem offering
parts 1,200 feet deep. Winds regularly
enthusiasts. One of its most impressive
alcoves and viewing decks, where
stunning lakefront mountain scenery.
blow at 10 to 12 knots, making it a
is Seasons at Sandpoint, a luxury
residents can soak in the majestic
With its small-town Pacific Northwest
perfect site for the numerous regattas
residential resort on nine acres of
scenery. Seasons is also a stone’s throw
charm and superior setting, Sandpoint
held here every summer.
lakefront property, designed in harmony
from Sandpoint’s unique downtown,
is a virtually undiscovered outdoor
with its natural environment. Seasons’
which offers plenty of shopping and
paradise, one that is already being Lake Pend Oreille offers, on average,
mix of luxury and the great outdoors is
cultural activities. Each summer, music
called the “Next Lake Tahoe.” seven months of sailing each year. The
unique and inviting. All 154 one-, two-
fans are treated to the Festival at
Sandpoint has already merited a season opens in April with six weeks
and three-bedroom condominium
Sandpoint, which has showcased Willie
mention in the New York Times, which dedicated to the spring racing series, and
homes and the eight townhouses at
Nelson, Natalie Cole, the Beach Boys
raved about its “old west atmosphere in boaters will find comfortable, enjoyable
Seasons have views of Lake Pend
and the Doobie Brothers. An arts
a sporting paradise.” sailing through October. Throughout the
Photo by Trish Gannon Oreille and feature fireplaces, wood
haven, Sandpoint boasts nearly two-
season, there’s plenty to do for any sailor. Tyler Clay Cochran of Sandpoint devours his
cabinetry, natural stone countertops
dozen galleries located in town and the
Sandpoint owes its charm to the The Sandpoint Sailing Association holds
way through his piece of fruit at a Fourth of and wood and porcelain floors.
surrounding area.
surrounding Cabinet and Selkirk many weekend regattas and a Thursday
July watermelon-eating contest.
Mountains and beautiful, Lake Pend night race series, and the city’s
For boaters, Seasons offers a private
The town’s winery, which won Idaho’s
Oreille, Idaho’s largest body of water. recreational department hosts a growing
trailer boats and offers plenty of nearby
80-slip private marina where boats can
Winery of the Year in 2003, offers
The magnificent mountains and deep youth sailing program.
parking, while the south end of the lake
be docked just steps from home. The
tours for visitors. During Sandpoint’s
blue lake await outdoor enthusiasts
offers a crane to hoist the larger boats.
resort also boasts a boat club with
annual Lost in the 50s celebration,
who will appreciate the area’s world-
Access to Lake Pend Oreille is The lake regularly hosts big J/22 class
rental boats available for residents.
held the third weekend in May, the
class hiking, boating, horseback riding,
convenient. The city-owned Windbag boats, J/24s and a fleet of J/80s. Ranger
Overlooking the lake are viewing decks,
whole town’s clock turns back some
Marina’s ramp is outfitted to handle 20s and Holder 15s can be rented at
a swimming pool and four hot tubs
continued on next page Photo by Chris Bessler
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