Schweitzer readies for fun month

SANDPOINT — Winter is finally here and Schweitzer has a festivity-packed month in store for its guests, starting with its annual Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, featuring fireworks and a torchlight parade this Saturday.

A free family-friendly event, the snowcats will begin their descent down the mountain at 6 p.m. Five minutes later, the parade will begin, ending the night with fireworks roughly 20 minutes later. All times are approximate and weather permitting.

Guests may be allowed to walk in the parade, provided there are torches available. Those interested can go online to bit.ly/3tEFMnv to pre-sign the liability waiver for the parade. Pre-signing the waiver will not guarantee a spot in the parade, however, as torchlights will be handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Also this weekend is the Deschutes Red Chair weekend event on the mountain. Conditions permitting, a snow bar will be set up in the village, serving Deschutes beers from Friday through Sunday. Free music will also be playing all weekend as guests enjoy the event.

“Throughout the weekend, keep an eye out for the coveted golden keg hidden on the mountain, and take a picture when you've found it,” Schweitzer staff said online. “Show off the photo to the Deschutes team at the snow bar to receive your prize.”

Happy hour will take place Friday from 3-6 p.m. at the snow bar, with Jason Perry performing live at 7 p.m. Beer will be flowing from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, with a show from Fat Lady before and after the torchlight parade. On Sunday, the snow bar will be back at 11 a.m. and will flow until Snacks at Midnight plays at Taps at 7 p.m.

Later this month, on Jan. 24, Schweitzer will be heading down the mountain to offer a free screening of The Paradise Paradox at the Panida Theater. This film discusses the mental health crisis affecting America’s mountain towns and the solutions being developed in response.

Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. for a resource table talk followed by the film screening at 5:30 p.m.

And if that wasn’t enough, Schweitzer is offering its Toyota Free Ski Day on Jan. 26. Toyota owners will receive one free lift ticket for that Saturday if they show up in their Toyota, Scion or Lexus that day.

Toyota representatives will be stationed at the Red Barn at the bottom of the mountain handing out lift tickets. After 1:30 p.m., tickets will be available for pickup at Guest Services. The vehicle registration as well as a valid ID will be required for proof of ownership.

For more information about any of these events, contact the Schweitzer Activity Center at 208-255-3081.