Schweitzer Upgrades Lifts and Amenities for 2012-2013 Winter

News Release

09/05/12

For Immediate Release

Media Contacts:    

Sean Briggs - 208.255.3031

Marketing Coordinator

Dave Kulis - 208.263.9555 x2210

Marketing & Sale Director

Schweitzer Upgrades Lifts and Amenities

for 2012-2013 Winter

Over $1 Million Invested for Capital Improvements

Sandpoint, ID – Schweitzer Mountain Resort is spending over $1 Million in capital improvements for the 12/13 season. Projects include doubling the size of the Gourmandie market, remodeling the interior of the Ski and Ride center, replacing the drive and chairs on Musical Chairs, replacing the electrical system on the Great Escape Quad and upgrading lodging amenities.

“We are excited about another round of resort upgrades specifically designed to enhance the overall guest experience,” said Tom Chasse, President and CEO of Schweitzer Mountain Resort. “These improvements will be felt throughout the resort as we continue to evolve The Schweitzer Difference.”

Schweitzer’s beginner lift, Musical Chairs, is becoming more efficient by installing a new variable speed drive and new chairs with outside bales. The outside bales allow easier loading, especially for beginner skiers, and include a restraining bar. These improvements should increase the upload capacity and create a more user friendly lift. The high-speed Great Escape Quad’s electrical system is being redesigned and replaced creating a more efficient and reliable lift.

In the village, Schweitzer’s Ski and Ride Center layout is being completely redesigned to enhance the customers experience when renting equipment or booking a lesson. The new floor plan allows guests to seamlessly flow from registration to rental products. The Source retail shop will be moved to the South side of the building. The exterior of the Mill Building received structural upgrades to the frame, new windows, siding, and cosmetically pleasing accents that fall in line with other structures in the Schweitzer village.

The Selkirk and White Pine Lodge located directly in the Schweitzer village have completed phase two of room upgrades. These upgrades include new LCD HD televisions and new media chests in each room of the White Pine and Selkirk Lodge. The Selkirk Lodge also received new tables and chairs in each room. Phase one was completed last summer with new bedding.

Gourmandie, the specialty foods market which features fine groceries, craft beers, cheese, and wine, has doubled in size. The larger storefront, located in the White Pine Lodge, includes additional seating to accommodate the growing popularity of its relaxing après scene and wine tastings.

Schweitzer’s Ski and Ride center will have two Surly Pugsley Snowbikes available to rent during the winter season. Snowbikes will be allowed on Schweitzer’s cross-country trail system; however details on rules and routes have yet to be determined.

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About Schweitzer Mountain Resort
Schweitzer Mountain Resort is quickly rising in the ranks of the nation’s top destination resorts with 2900 acres of amazing terrain and renowned tree skiing. Located in the rugged Selkirk Mountains of the northern Idaho panhandle and the northwest Rocky Mountains, Schweitzer overlooks the town of Sandpoint and Lake Pend Oreille. Schweitzer is well known for its two massive bowls, uncrowded slopes, breathtaking views and amazing gladed terrain. For more information on Schweitzer Mountain Resort call 877.487.4643 or visit www.schweitzer.com

4th Annual Scenic Half

News Release

For Immediate Release

August 23, 2012

Media Contact:

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce

Mack Deibel, (208) 263-2161

4^th Annual Scenic Half

Big beautiful race in our small town takes advantage of the new edition of Sand Creek Bike Path and starts a positive initiative for local youth runners

Sandpoint- The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce and partnering sponsor, Cor24 Fitness, are excited to present the 4^th Annual Scenic Half Marathon/10K/5K is rejuvenating runners by utilizing the brand new Sand Creek Bike Path. Happening Sunday, September 16^th starting at 8:30am and ending at noon.

Last year, more than half of our runners were from outside of Idaho. This means these runners brought in friends and families to eat, shop, stay and fuel their cars here in Sandpoint during a typically slow time for our community. This race adds to the economic vitality of Sandpoint and the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is proud to allow the community the opportunity to have one last boost in business before fall gets into full gear.

This year, as a part of the event’s giving back program, the Scenic Half Marathon is purchasing the track suits for the Sandpoint High School’s Cross Country Race Team. These youth are our future and the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce and Scenic Half Race Committee are excited to support local youth runners.

The Scenic Half course is a fast, hard out and back course which runners love. Offering a 10K and 5K race, along with the Half Marathon, makes the event something for all types of runners to enjoy and participate in. By implementing the new Sand Creek Bike Path into the mix, the course is going to be even more scenic and beautiful for all participants. This new change means the Sand Creek Bike Path will be closed to community citizens on Sunday, September 16^th, from 6am-1pm. We appreciate the community’s cooperation and support of this amazing endurance race which brings more than 400 runners in from outside of Idaho.

Early bird registrations prices are set to go up on September 1^st so if you or your friends are thinking of running, please sign up early. There are no day of registrations. Packet pick up and last minute registration is Sept 15^th from 2-6pm at the Chamber Headquarters, 231 N 3^rd Ave. Register online by visiting Active.com or going to www.scenichalf.com.

We appreciate the community’s support and would like to thank our sponsors: Partnering Sponsor: Cor24 Fitness; Silver Sponsors: Bonner County Daily Bee, Bonner General Hospital, Inlander, KPND, Litehouse Foods, Staples, Outdoor Experience, Taylor & Sons Chevrolet, Trinity at City Beach, Washington Trust Bank, Winter Ridge Natural Foods Market; Bronze Sponsors: D.A. Davidson & Co- Jim Zuberbuhler, Evans Brothers Coffee, Frontier Communications, Headache Hammock, Pend Oreille Health Care, Pend Oreille Midwifery and Birth Center, Sandpoint West Athletic Club, Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Sun Rype, White Cross Pharmacy; Supporting Sponsors: Allen and Karen McClelland, Chris and Judy Thompson, Clif and Carol Warren, Costco Wholesale, Eye Care For You, Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, LaQuinta Inn & Suites, Jim Hutchens, PA, Mountain Horse Adventures, Panhandle State Bank, North Idaho Insurance, Ruby’s Lube, Specialty Auto Glass, Sleep’s Cabins, Xhale Pilates Studio.  

For more information, contact the Chamber at 263-2161 or scenichalf@sandpointchamber.com. Go online and connect with them on Facebook, www.facebook.com/scenichalf or www.scenichalf.com.

Sponsorships and Booths Available for Annual Community Health and Safety Fair

Are you in a health or safety related industry? The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is presenting the 5^th Annual Health and Safety Fair, organized by the Health and Safety Committee, to promote the well-being of area residents by partnering with health care professionals to provide needed services is the best place for you to reach and educated the community about your services. The fair was created with all of our community members in mind. Come meet Sandpoint's local health care community, explore their services and how they can help you with your health care needs. The fair is also a place citizens can go and find many services including, but not limited to: free screenings, lipid profiles, low cost testing other health services.

Located at the Bonner County Fairgrounds and happening on Saturday, October 20, during the hours of 10a.m.-2p.m. sponsorships and booth spaces are available for all budgets to promote your products and services. The fair is a premier event and a wonderful chance to promote your business and reach a group of core consumers.

The Health and Safety Committee has been meeting for the last two months gearing up for this event and expanding the offerings of the event. As the Chamber does every year, they’ve strived to innovate and evolve this event to make sure it is even bigger and better for the community. This year, to increase the number of citizens we are offering four different workshops and short sessions where speakers are going to tackle four topics and reach all age groups. The event is going to be advertised in the Bonner County Daily Bee and on KPND/K102, as well as to all the Chamber Members. Posters, flyers, social media and traditional advertising efforts working together will once again make this event larger than previous years.

The speakers and workshop sessions include: Christina Hefley, DPT, Cornerstone Physical Therapy & Aquatics, “Preventing Work & Sports Related Injuries”; Brian Casey, B.S., M.Ed., Alzheimer’s Association, “10 Warning Signs of Dementia”; Trevia Rawlins, LCPC, Rawlings Community Counseling, “Staying Sane While ParenTEEN”; Audrey Buck, RD, Bonner General Hospital, “Stopping Diabetes in Our Children.”

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce wishes to thank the generous sponsors of the Health and Safety Fair. Partnering Sponsor: Bonner General Hospital; Major Sponsors: Life Flight Network.

Join the action at this year’s Health and Safety Fair, highlight your business, and show the community what you have to offer as a healthcare or safety business. For more information or to register as a sponsor, please call (208) 263-2161 or visit www.sandpointchamber.org/healthandsafety.html to download the form.