The village at Schweitzer will eventually include restaurants, retail space and 400 condominium suites. The resort is also designing strategies to increase visits to Schweitzer and the entire Sandpoint community. Resort officials estimate that 500,000 guests will visit the mountain in 2010 on a year-round basis.

"About 500,000 would be the mountain's comfortable capacity," said Tom Fortune, Schweitzer's general manager. "We're very excited to commence building the White Pine Lodge and begin a major growth spurt for tourism in our region. I believe that as Schweitzer continues on this path, everyone will experience an increase in business."

White Pine Lodge will be located in the heart of Schweitzer's ski-resort village. The 75,000-sf steel and concrete structure will feature 48 fully furnished one-two-and three-bedroom condominiums with sweeping views of Lake Pend Oreille and the Cabinet Mountains.