Location

Sandpoint, Idaho, is an eclectic mix of loggers, musicians, artists and entrepreneurs, drawn here by our vibrant culture, easy access to world class recreation and cozy mountain town vibe. Where else can you get in a few turns in powder or behind the boat before beginning your day?

We believe Sandpoint to be the finest small town in the United States but don’t just take our word for it:

Sandpoint’s an American eCity
Seems there are both brains and beauty around here: Sandpoint was named the 2013 Idaho eCity, an award by Google to recognize the strongest online business community in each state.

We’re a ‘telecommuting heaven’
Forbes magazine online named Sandpoint one of the best 10 cities to work long-distance from. Check out the August 23, 2004 story “The best places to telecommute.”

Setting is ‘second to none’
Travel writer with The Columbus Dispatch says Sandpoint has a “pleasant little downtown district” and its forte “lies in its natural beauty” in Travel Destination: Scenic Sandpoint in June 2014.

Picture-Perfect Mountain Town
Sandpoint was rated as one of “10 Picture-Perfect Mountain Towns” by USA Today in November 2013. “… This little township is a vibrant, happening haven in the wilds of northern Idaho.”

Idaho’s Hippest Mountain Town
Sandpoint’s a ski town that’s also “urbane and cultured” says a November 2013 story, “Idaho’s Hippest Mountain Town” in Men’s Journal. “As tempted as you’ll be to linger in town, the majestic Selkirk Mountains … exert a gravitational pull.”

Tight-knit with a frontier flare
National Geographic Adventure says Sandpoint is a “tight-knit mountain town that retains its frontier flare” in naming us a “best adventure town” in May 2012.

A best-kept, picture-perfect secret
Ski Magazine makes Schweitzer an editor’s pick for “Best-Kept Secret” thanks in part to “picture-perfect Sandpoint,” in their 2011-2012 Resorts review.

Schweitzer is ‘Sandpoint’s secret’
The Bellingham Herald says Schweitzer Mountain Resort is a ‘Sandpoint secret,’ and has something for everybody in a March 11, 2012 article.

Sandpoint a ‘prettiest winter town’
Travel & Leisure magazine ranks Sandpoint among the nation’s dozen “prettiest winter towns” in a March 2, 2012 feature.

Schweitzer an ‘underrated’ resort
CNN Travel lists Schweitzer Mountain Resort as one of 7 Underrated Ski Resorts, noting that it’s unlikely you’ll wait more than five minutes in the lift line, in a Feb. 24, 2012 feature.

A ‘Best Old House Town’
Our town’s many vintage residential homes caught the eye of This Old House, who in February 2012 named Sandpoint a “Best Old House Neighborhood 2012.” Read about it at This Old House.

‘No. 1 Ski Town in USA’
That’s what Rand McNally called Sandpoint when it named the country’s “Top Seven Ski Towns” in a January 17, 2012 roundup of the best mountain towns. Sandpoint won the top rating over the likes of Lake Tahoe, Park City, Mammoth and Jackson. Go read the Rand McNally story.

We’re ‘The Most Beautiful Town in USA’
Don’t take our word for it! That’s what USA Today and Rand McNally declared after sending traveling teams to determine the five best small towns in America. Sandpoint grabbed “Most Beautiful Town” honors in 2011 from among an initial 600+ nominees. Check the Best of the Road page.

A top under-the-radar ski town
Sandpoint’s small-town charm and great skiing win it accolades as “most under the radar ski town” in Sunset Magazine‘s “Top 10 Best Ski Destinations in the West.”

We’re at a crossroads for railfans
Sandpoint’s famous as “The Funnel” for railroads in the northern tier states, as USA Today writes in its August 2010 story “Idaho town draws railfans from around world”.

Seven reasons to visit Sandpoint
County Living Magazine says Sandpoint is a “small town we love,” and counts out seven reasons why in its June 2010 issue. Click to view a pdf (1.32 MB)

Who says you can’t have it all?
Sandpoint’s a good destination for second home buyers, says USA Today in its April 2010 story, “Having it all in Sandpoint.”

Sandpoint’s got some sparkle
“A true gem in this Gem State,” declares American Cowboy Magazine in a March 2010 ranking of “The greatest places to live in the West.”

Add to your winter bucket list
“Sandpoint, Idaho, may not be on your winter bucket list – but it should be,” says Big Sky Journal in their December 2009 article “Sandpoint Winter Carnival provides perfect haven“.

Leading the transition movement
N.Y. Times writes in-depth article on the Sandpoint Transition Initiative in their April 2009 story “The End is Near! (Yay!)”(registration required).

A ‘Top 10 Dream Town’
Sunset Magazine calls Sandpoint a “four-season outdoorsy resort that’s also a real town with a strong community spirit.” Click to see the September 2008 Top 10 Dream Towns list.

We’re a ‘market to watch’
Mountain Living Magazine says Sandpoint is one of 5 “mountain markets to watch.” Click to see its September 2008 market appraisal, What Market Slump? (pdf format)

Lakefront living in a tight-knit mountain retreat
National Geographic Adventurer describes Sandpoint as an “idyllic adventure haven… that will continue to to fight off land rushes and unsightly sprawl” in it’s August 2008 article, Idaho’s Last Stand.

We’ve got the goods this fall
The New York Times features Sandpoint and Lake Pend Oreille in a guide for “leaf lovers” published in October 2006. Click to read the full story: Fall Foliage; Bright Leaves, Big Country.

NY Times calls us a ‘Sporting Paradise’
“Sandpoint has always emphasized the outdoors life,” begins a New York Times article published in September 2006. Read the story about this popular resort town, an “Old West Atmosphere in a Sporting Paradise.”

Retirees find own private Idaho
Writes Business Week in its July 2006 issue, “It might sound like the middle of nowhere, but this funky community in the Idaho Panhandle pretty much has it all.” Read the story.

The cool Northwest’s hot property
So declared Outside magazine in naming Sandpoint one of the nation’s top 10 outdoor towns, in its August 2004 story “America’s Top Dream Towns.”

Sandpoint in USA Today
“It’s a Norman Rockwell-meets-Ansel Adams classic, brought to life every summer…” That’s how USA Today describes Sandpoint in a major feature story on our town, published Aug. 20, 2004.