What started out as a desire to become the ultimate ski bum quickly turned into a success story for a young entrepreneur. Ben Higgs, owner of Powder Hound Pizza at Schweitzer Mountain and The Hound Downtown, moved to Sandpoint from Coeur d’Alene 11 years ago drawn by the wonderful skiing opportunities Schweitzer Mountain offers. Not long afterward, he purchased his first restaurant, Powder Hound Pizza, in 2010, at Schweitzer Mountain Resort. Five years later, he opened a second restaurant, The Hound Downtown, which opened in March of 2015.
Both restaurants quickly earned a reputation for providing quality food and service, not to mention it has one of the best beer and wine selections in town for full-service restaurants.
While pizza is their specialty, there is much more on the menu to tempt you. They serve a variety of sandwiches—including meatballs with marinara, Reuben, a BLT, and yes … even tofu. If you prefer a salad, you can select from kale, Greek, Caesar and house salads available in both half and full sizes. Other favorites include their chicken wings and ribs, which go great with a cold beer while you watch your favorite sporting event on one of their TVs.
And then there is the pizza. Whether you build your own or choose from one of their specialty pizzas, it is something that will keep you coming back for more. Some of the more popular selections include BBQ chicken, Thors Hammer, which is an all-meat pizza, spicy Thai and Cuban pork, just to name a few. They offer both thin crust and gluten-free pizza crust for all their pizzas, making it enjoyable for all who may have special dietary needs.
With a friendly staff and fun atmosphere, The Hound Downtown and Powder Hound Pizza at Schweitzer Mountain are a favorite of many, whether you are coming in after a day on the slopes or seeking a place to sit outside in the summertime.
Open year round, The Hound Downtown offers an outdoor patio in the heart of downtown. If you are out on the water, it provides a perfect location to dock your boat and grab a bite to eat.
By offering consistent, quality food and a great atmosphere where people love to gather, Ben and his wife Jeannie have seen great success at both of their restaurants. They are also grateful to the support and love they have received from the community throughout their venture.
Both Ben and Jeannie give back to the community that has supported them—Ben sits on the board of directors for Schweitzer Mountain Community Association and Jeannie is a board member for the Nordic Club and also coaches some of the youth.
Next time you are on the mountain or downtown, discover why The Hound Downtown and Powder Hound Pizza were named the winner of Sandpoint’s Finest Pizza in 2017. After that first bite, there will leave no doubt that the award was well deserved!
You can call ahead your order for takeout or dine in at either location. I promise, you will return time and time again!
Powder Hound Pizza
Schweitzer Mountain Village
Open Daily 11am to 8pm when Schweitzer is open
208.255.5645
The Hound Downtown
202 ½ First Avenue
Sandpoint, Idaho 83864
208.263.0966
Open Daily 11am to 8pm, with later hours in the summer