The Ridge at Paradise Valley is uniquely situated in a serene,
natural area that feels far from the hustle and bustle of the city
but is within reach of several major metropolitan areas and
internationally recognized tourist destinations – all within a day’s
drive or less. Read on below to learn about some of the cool
destinations ready to be explored from your home base in northern Idaho.
Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge
Driving time from The Ridge at Paradise Valley: 15 minutes
Just five miles west of Bonners Ferry, the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge holds more than 2,700 acres with more than 300 species of wildlife and migrating birds, plus hiking trails, auto tour routes and a visitor center.
Sandpoint, Idaho
Driving time from The Ridge at Paradise Valley: 35 minutes
Situated in Bonner County immediately south of Boundary County, Sandpoint is an artsy resort town of about 8,000 with frequent festivals and events, lots of shopping – including nationally renowned Coldwater Creek – as well as dozens of restaurants and art galleries. Found on the northwest shores of Lake Pend Oreille and at the base of Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Sandpoint is the gateway to the lake and the mountain, providing endless outdoor recreation any season of the year.
The Panida Theater, Sandpoint, Idaho
Driving time from The Ridge at Paradise Valley: 35 minutes
This historic downtown venue features frequent performances, the Global Cinema Café film series and an annual film festival inside a Spanish mission-style building that opened in 1927 as a vaudeville theater and movie house.
Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho
Driving time from The Ridge at Paradise Valley: 35 minutes
Idaho’s largest and deepest lake (1,200 feet) holds 111 miles of shoreline, is 43 miles long and is perfect for cruising, fishing, kayaking, swimming, water skiing, sailing and other water sports, plus exploring lakefront communities, such as Sandpoint, Hope, Garfield Bay and Bayview.
Schweitzer Mountain Resort
Driving time from The Ridge at Paradise Valley: 45 minutes
This winter and summer destination with spectacular views of Lake Pend Oreille and the surrounding mountains is the Inland Northwest’s largest ski and snowboard resort, with 2,900 acres of skiable terrain plus snowmobiling, backcountry skiing and dog sled tours. There’s also lodging, dining and shopping year-round, plus hiking, mountain biking, huckleberry picking, disc golf, tennis, chairlift rides and horseback riding in summer.
The Idaho Club
Driving time from The Ridge at Paradise Valley: 45 minutes
This 18-hole championship course is being redesigned as a Nicklaus Signature Course, with the first 9 holes possibly opening in 2007, plus a marina, spa, kid’s club and award-winning clubhouse.
Silverwood Theme Park
Driving time from The Ridge at Paradise Valley: 1 hour
The Inland Northwest’s largest theme park features more than 60 rides, shows and attractions, including three roller coasters, a vintage steam train, Boulder Beach Water Park, live entertainment and dining, shopping and an RV park.
Farragut State Park, Idaho
Driving time from The Ridge at Paradise Valley: 1 hour
On the shores of Lake Pend Oreille, Farragut was once the world’s second largest naval training station, but today the 4,000-acre park provides a multitude of recreation opportunities from hiking and camping, to playing disc golf and visiting the Farragut Naval Training Center Museum.
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Driving time from The Ridge at Paradise Valley: 1 hour, 15 minutes
With a population of about 38,000, this city in Kootenai County overlooks the northern shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene and is abuzz with art shows, athletic events, outdoor fun, and shopping and dining. Kootenai County has 87 parks and campgrounds, 47 hiking trails, fishing, swimming, hiking, golfing, horseback riding and more.
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Idaho
Driving time from The Ridge at Paradise Valley: 4 hours
The deepest gorge in North America, Hells Canyon is a National Recreation Area that includes 215,000 acres of wilderness, plus three rivers designated Wild and Scenic – including the mighty Snake River – and nearly 900 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and other uses. Fishing, whitewater rafting, jet boating, camping and swimming are just some of the popular activities at Hells Canyon.
Spokane, Washington
Driving time from The Ridge at Paradise Valley: 2 hours
A city of more than 440,000 people, Spokane holds the nearest international airport and is home to art galleries, world-class museums and powerful stage performances – including Broadway hits – as well as fabulous shopping and dining, from eclectic to classic. Riverfront Park, located downtown on the Spokane River, was the site of World's Fair in 1974 and still features a classic wooden carousel, IMAX theater, a gondola ride over the Spokane Falls, an ice rink and many more attractions for family fun.
Seattle, Washington
Driving time from The Ridge at Paradise Valley: 6 hours
A city with more than a half million people, Seattle is a bustling hub on the West Coast, with major tourist attractions such as the Space Needle and Pike Place Market, as well as major professional sports teams based here. The city is also a mecca for world-class art, music, theater, dining and shopping.
Portland, Oregon
Driving time from The Ridge at Paradise Valley: 7 hours
At a population of 556,000, Portland is the third largest city in the Pacific Northwest and is situated one hour from the Cascade Mountains and one hour from the Pacific coast. The city serves as a hub for the area's excellent outdoor adventure opportunities, such as at Mount Hood and the Columbia River, and is famous for its rose gardens, restaurants, a nearby wine region and as the home of the Trail Blazers NBA team.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming/Montana/Idaho
Driving time from The Ridge at Paradise Valley: 7 hours, 30 minutes
Yellowstone National Park is America's first national park and is home to wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, bison and elk, as well as landmarks such as Old Faithful and the world's most extraordinary geysers and hot springs.
Glacier National Park
Driving time from The Ridge at Paradise Valley: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Glacier National Park in northwestern Montana is renowned for its pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains and spectacular lakes. The park holds more than 700 miles of trails, making it a hiker's paradise, and the amazing Going-to-the-Sun Road, featuring Glacier's new shuttle service to experience one of the nation's most scenic drives.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Driving time from The Ridge at Paradise Valley: 5 hours
Calgary is nestled in the foothills of Canada's Rocky Mountains close to pristine wilderness. A cosmopolitan city where nearly 1 million people live, Calgary was the site of the 1986 Winter Olympics and is known for its cultural attractions – including the famous Calgary Stampede, diverse restaurants, parks and pathways, specialty shops and trendy night spots.
Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
Driving time from The Ridge at Paradise Valley: 2 hours
A scenic, artsy, historic town of about 10,000 people, Nelson is tucked into the Canadian Selkirk Mountains and set against the West Arm of the Kootenay Lake. A paradise for outdoor sports enthusiasts, Nelson is also close to Ainsworth Hot Springs with its famous caves.
Banff National Park/Jasper National Park
Driving time from The Ridge at Paradise Valley: 5 hours, 30 minutes/ 7 hours
On the eastern slopes of Alberta's Rocky Mountains, Banff National Park is Canada's first national park and the world's third. This world-renowned park covers 2,564 square miles of valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows and rivers. Adjoining Banff, Jasper is the largest and most northerly Canadian Rocky Mountain national park and is part of a spectacular World Heritage Site. Jasper is known for its carefully protected ecosystems and its rugged, mountainous scenery. The entire area is famous for their trails, lakes, glaciers, skiing and hot springs.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Driving time from The Ridge at Paradise Valley: 8 hours
Voted the "Best City in the Americas" for 2004, 2005 and 2006 by Condé Nast Traveler magazine, Vancouver is a friendly city with nearly 600,000 residents who enjoy a diverse culture and wonderful restaurants and shopping. This dynamic city is set in a spectacular natural environment and will host the 2010 Winter Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games. |
“Make a summer escape to the West’s most beautiful lakes”
—Sunset Magazine June, 2006
A “telecommuting heaven”
—Forbes Magazine, August, 2004
“Sandpoint has always emphasized the outdoors life.”—New York Times, Sept., 2006 |
