Head to the Slopes for Summer Meetings and Events

The mountain landscape of the Northwest and Intermountain regions is home to many of the best ski resorts in North America. While they are famous for winter sports, the region’s ski resorts are also wonderful summertime destinations. Many of these ski resorts have outstanding facilities for meetings and events.

Whether it is a relaxed executive retreat by the fireplace or in the board room or an inspirational conference in a large hall, these resorts can provide the perfect setting. Outdoor activities thrive and leisurely relaxation opportunities abound. Here is a selection of our region’s enticing options.

WHITEFISH MOUNTAIN RESORT
Whitefish, Montana

GRAND MOUNTAIN LODGE IN NORTHWESTERN MONTANA OFFERS YEAR-ROUND ACTIVITIES

Reminiscent of the great mountain lodges of the West, Whitefish Mountain Resort’s Base Lodge features a large stone fireplace, solid wood furnishings and a pressed tin ceiling. The venue features several meeting and event spaces that encompass more than 6,000 square feet.

Located on the third floor of the Base Lodge, the Mt. Jackson Room and Gunsight Room each can accommodate 100 guests in a theater-style arrangement or for a reception. The Heaven’s Peak Dining Room holds 160 theater-style, while the entire third floor can serve a reception for 300. The slope-side patio offers groups the opportunity to add a fresh-air component to their event.

Expansive views of Glacier National Park and Flathead Valley await groups holding their event at the Summit House. Guests arrive by way of a ride on the gondola or the open-air chairlift to the mountaintop venue. The Summit House main floor can accommodate groups up to 250 while the Glacier View Room is suitable for about 80.

With an elegant, yet comfortable mountain lodge atmosphere, the Kandahar Lodge at Whitefish Mountain Resort offers 1,000 square feet of meeting space that is ideal for corporate retreats and board meetings. With a theater-style capacity of 50, the Northern Lights Conference Room offers a dramatic setting for a small gathering. The Board Room accommodates up to 15 for an intimate meeting. With 50 guest rooms, Kandahar Lodge can serve as the home base for all your group’s activities.

The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, only 6 miles from Whitefish Mountain Resort, is an additional option for groups coming to the area. With 20,000 square feet of meeting space and 117 guest rooms, the Lodge at Whitefish Lake can accommodate events for up to 400 guests.

In the summer, a variety of activities will keep your group engaged throughout the day. Scenic lift rides, zip-line tours, mountain biking and Alpine Slide Rides offer fun group action. Groups seeking a team-building activity can traverse from tree to tree, crossing cable bridges, climbing rope ladders and swinging on a trapeze at the Aerial Adventure Park.

SILVER MOUNTAIN RESORT
Kellogg, Idaho

COMBINE YOUR MEETING OR EVENT WITH WATERPARK FUN AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURE ANY TIME OF YEAR.

“Where miners once dug for silver and gold in the rugged mountains of northern Idaho, you can now find the mother lode of powder and an incredible year-round indoor waterpark. What was once a rough and tumble mining community, full of bigger-than-life characters, now caters to adventure seekers of all ages for activities throughout the year,” says Cathi Jerome, sales manager.

Nine different meeting spaces are available at Silver Mountain. Six areas are located at the base village. Noah’s Loft Conference Center holds 350 to 400 people in a 5,000-square-foot space, and Village Plaza has a capacity for 300 people in a 5,000-square-foot outdoor area. Four additional breakout rooms have capacities ranging between 12 and 75 people. There are three meeting-space options on the mountain. The largest, the Moguls Room, has 3,500 square feet and can accommodate 250 guests. The Moguls 21 room is available for 50 to 75 people. Finally, the outdoor amphitheater seats 2,500 people for entertainment. This resort is the perfect place for the young or young at heart, and planners have multiple options for meeting spaces and activities at Silver Mountain.

The Morning Star Lodge is a supreme choice for lodging in the area. Available rooms include one-to four-person studios and one- or two-bedroom units or lofts. More than 1,000 guest rooms are available nearby. Silver Mountain is easy to reach and accommodates people both at the top of the mountain or at the base in Gondola Village. The resort hosts a full catering staff, and the many additional eating options include the Wildcat Pizza’s $1 per slice special, the Mountain Café’s tasty breakfast and lunch, and American eclectic fare at Neal’s Canteen. These restaurants are all located in Gondola Village.

Silver Mountain Resort is a year-round playground. In the summer, guests come for the Galena Ridge Golf Course and Idaho’s largest indoor waterpark, Silver Rapids. The challenging nine-hole golf course rises 600 feet in elevation, and the waterpark is the size of a football field. Team-building activities abound with indoor surfing competitions, zip-lining and corn-hole contests. Mountain biking and hiking are popular in the summer months, and the mountaintop ski area connects with the village by gondola.

SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN RESORT
Sandpoint, Idaho

NORTHERN IDAHO RESORT OFFERS A SCENIC SETTING FOR GROUP EVENTS

Grand vistas across three mountain ranges and 2,900 acres of terrain highlight Schweitzer Mountain Resort, the largest ski resort in Idaho. The mountain’s summit offers dramatic views of the Selkirk Mountains and Lake Pend Oreille.

With a restaurant, bar and 360-degrees views, the Sky House at the summit provides indoor and outdoor seating for as many as 180 guests. The venue, opened last year, includes approximately 4,000 square feet of space available for meetings and events. The summit facility can host events in the summer or winter but there is more flexibility in the summer because the space will be a critical part of the daily operation as a ski resort during the winter months.

Whether it is a meeting for a corporate board or a 250-person conference, Schweitzer Mountain Resort has a facility to meet your group’s needs. At the Lakeview Lodge, the Caribou Room can accommodate 200 classroom-style or 225 for a reception. The North Room, with views of Schweitzer Village and Lake Pend Oreille, holds up to 330 guests. The Selkirk Room, at the Selkirk Lodge, is ideal for smaller meetings with up to 50 attendees.

A variety of lodging opportunities are available at Schweitzer Village. With contemporary mountain architecture and classic comfort, the Selkirk Lodge has 82 guest rooms and suites that are located in the center of the action. Nearby, the stylish White Pine Lodge has 29 condo units of varying sizes.

“Schweitzer Mountain Resort offers a variety of lodging options on-site, full catering, and impeccable guest service. If your group is looking for an inspirational location within easy distance from Spokane, they will find what they need here,” says Matt Hofmann, group sales manager.

In summer, mountain biking is the headline sport at Schweitzer, and there are also a wide variety of fun and challenging activities for team building. The Schweitzer Activity Center can help you organize a photo scavenger hunt or a treasure hunt through the village. Groups can enjoy disc golf, geocaching, a climbing wall or a zip-line ride.

Schweitzer Mountain resort is located a short drive from the scenic town of Sandpoint, Idaho. Spokane, Washington and the Spokane International Airport are about 90 minutes away.

BRUNDAGE MOUNTAIN RESORT
McCall, Idaho

CLASSIC SKI RESORT WITH A REPUTATION FOR GREAT HOSPITALITY

Tucked away high in Idaho’s central mountains, Brundage Mountain is a classic Idaho ski resort. With 46 named trails and 18,000 acres of backcountry trails accessed by Snowcat, Brundage offers a wide variety of options for skiers of all experience levels.

The majestic scenery forms the backdrop for a variety of spaces within the Main Lodge that range from cozy to substantial. Meeting and event options can accommodate between 70 and 200 guests. The rustic, pub-style setting of Smoky’s Bar & Grill can accommodate about 100 guests for a business meeting, banquet or reunion. With expansive mountain views, the large plaza and outdoor deck offer picturesque locations for a tented summer event. The outdoor areas can accommodate as many as 250 guests. Brundage Mountain Resort offers complete catering service for any size event. The Bear’s Den, located midway up the mountain at the top of the Bear chairlift, has space for 60 to 80 guests.

Only eight miles from Brundage, McCall, Idaho, offers a variety of lodging options and additional meeting spaces. “Many of our guests enjoy a stay in McCall that compliments their Brundage Mountain meeting or event,” says Montague.

The Shore Lodge is an intimate resort on the shores of Payette Lake. With 19,000 square feet of meeting and event space, the venue can accommodate groups as small as 10 or as large as 300. The lodge features 77 stylish guest suites and an onsite spa.

Brundage Mountain is located a scenic two-hour drive north of Boise, Idaho. Boise Airport offers direct flights to many Northwest cities and charter flights can be arranged from Boise to McCall’s small airport.

BIG WHITE SKI RESORT
Kelowna, British Columbia

EXCITING RECREATION AND A WARM WELCOME AWAIT GROUPS AT THIS PREMIER SKI RESORT

With indoor conference space accommodating groups as large as 45, the resort is ideal for corporate meetings, small conferences or team- building retreats. A wide variety of accommodations are available in full-service hotels, condominiums, townhomes and cabins.

Big White’s three hotels, Chateau Big White, Inn at Big White and the White Crystal Inn, offer a total of 2,000 square feet of meeting and event space. Big White’s Groups Department can help you determine which of the hotels and conference facilities will best meet the needs of your group.

Located in the central village, the Chateau Big White Conference Room accommodates up to 20 guests in a theater- style arrangement. The room has an overhead screen and a TV for audiovisual presentations. The Black Diamond Bar and Grill, located in the hotel, provides catering service for this venue.

With views of the Monashee Mountains, the Inn at Big White Conference Room holds up to 30 theater-style. The room has an overhead screen and whiteboard for presentations and internet access. Catering for this room is offered by Blarney Stone Irish Tavern, located in the hotel.

The 900-square-foot White Crystal Inn Conference Room is the resort’s largest conference facility. The warm and inviting room features a gas fireplace with a large mantel. The room’s amenities include an overhead screen and internet access. This room accommodates up to 45 theater-style and catering is provided by the hotel’s Bullwheel Gastro Family Pub.

Big White has a variety of corporate retreat packages providing teams with an assortment of activities. Whether you want a challenging team-building pursuit or simply post-conference relaxation, the staff can accommodate your group.

Big White is located about 35 miles from Kelowna, British Columbia. Air connections to the region are easy. Alaska Airlines offers daily service from Sea-Tac International airport to Kelowna International Airport and there are several flights each day between Vancouver, British Columbia and Kelowna. The Resort can assist in arranging transportation from Kelowna to Big White.