Hip, hip, hooray for Sandpoint

SANDPOINT — At this point, local tourism advocates probably have a hard time remembering all of Sandpoint’s accolades.

The town received yet another national media mention recently — this time from Men’s Journal, which ran a travel section article by writer Eric Hansen singing Sandpoint’s praises. Titled “Idaho’s Hippest Mountain Town,” Hansen praises Sandpoint’s cultural sensibilities, its recreation and its fine local products. The article is viewable online in the travel section of www.mensjournal.com.

“Art galleries outnumber ski shops two to one in this tiny town in Idaho’s panhandle, where 7,500 inhabitants — hippies, jocks, artists and powderhounds — decline to believe that a ski town can’t also be urbane and cultured,” Hansen writes.

Of course, Schweitzer Ski Resort earns a mention in the article thanks to its 2,400 vertical feet and its friendliness to hardcore skiers and snowboarders and casual families alike. Laughing Dog Brewery also snags a name-drop, as does The Lodge at Sandpoint and the town’s many artists.

“In the six-block historic district, boutiques run by former back-to-the-landers sell everything from impressive landscape photography to chainsaw-carved bear statues,” Hansen continues. “We recommend swinging by the Laughing Dog Brewery for a tour and tasting after you’ve already decided if you want a whittled grizzly. A few Dogzillas later, they look pretty appealing.”

According to Kate McAlister, president of the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, it’s no secret why the awards are piling up. Certainly there’s the natural beauty and the variety of art and music to factor in, but it’s easy to forget the number of warm, welcoming people the town holds, she said.

“What I like best about our ‘hip’ town is the really great people who care about each other,” she said. “I always think of us as ‘hipsters’ — that’s how we roll.”