Sandpoint, ID

My friends and I attended Schweitzer’s last day open for the winter season this year, otherwise known as Tropical Daze. I was pretty excited about the festivities that were going to take place, a downhill dummy derby, the slush pond and music on the patio in front of Taps. It was looking to be a great day of fun. Parking was hard to find but I was delighted when they offered a free shuttle to the village from the lower parking lot, where we had parked.

We arrived just 30 minutes late and totally missed the dummy derby. My friends knew they had to do something to make it up to me (just so we are clear I was not the one who caused us to be late). My friends suggested that we go up to Taps for a few drinks before the next event started. I am not one to turn down going to Taps, so we headed up the stairs of the lodge and found ourselves a table. A pitcher of beer appeared in front of me and I suddenly felt better. Although I was bummed about the dummy derby I found my surroundings to be fun and enjoyable and my disappointment disappeared. The bar was filled with lots of people taking a break from skiing or like us, just hanging out during the last day.

A ½ hour later my friends and I were outside enjoying the slush pond. I had seen this on the local cable channel and thought it was hilarious and I had to see it in person. The slush pond is a hill with a pond of water at the end of it. The object is to go down the hill on either skis or a snowboard and make it across the pond without falling in. The competitors were mostly children as there were few adults who were willing to ski into a pool of icy water, however the adults seemed to be most successful in getting across the pond. I had a great time watching the final event of the day with my friends. After the slush pond was over we headed home and I announced to my friends that I intend on competing next year in the dummy derby, however the slush pond probably will not be in my future!

Tropical Daze at Schweitzer happens each year on the last weekend of the winter season, usually around early to mid-April depending on the snow pack that year. Tropical Daze offers many things to do in family, kid and/or adult groups over these two days. This year had a rubber duckie derby, King and Queen of the mountain, family fun poker, a downhill dummy derby, music on the patio and the slush pond event.

To get to Schweitzer: Take US hwy 95 to Schweitzer Cut-Off Road, turning left at the light (Wal-Mart will be on your right). Turn right at the T intersection on N. Boyer and go about a ½ mile where you will see the Schweitzer sign, turn left and follow the Schweitzer Mountain road about nine miles where you will reach the parking lot. If you want to park and ride on the bus to the top of the mountain, the parking lot is located on the left just after you turn on to Schweitzer Mountain Road, just before the railroad tracks.