Idaho Skiing FAQs

Bald Mountain, Bogus Basin, Brundage Mountain, Cottonwood Butte, Grand Targhee, Kelly Canyon, Little Ski Hill, Lookout Pass, Lost Trail Powder Mountain, Magic Mountain, Pebble Creek, Pomerelle Mountain Resort, Rotarun, Schweitzer, Silver Mountain Resort, Snowhaven, Soldier Mountain, Sun Valley Resort, and Tamarack Resort. Together they offer everything from first-turns-ever beginner terrain to world-class expert runs, and they're spread across every region of the state.

Wherever you are in the state, there's skiing nearby. Idaho Ski Areas Association has 19 member ski areas, from large destination resorts to small, community-run mountains:

• North Idaho: Schweitzer, Silver Mountain Resort, and Lookout Pass
• North Central Idaho: Bald Mountain (Pierce), Cottonwood Butte, and Snowhaven
• West Central Idaho: Brundage Mountain and Little Ski Hill (McCall), and Tamarack Resort
• Southwest Idaho: Bogus Basin
• Wood River Valley and South Central Idaho: Sun Valley, Rotarun, Soldier Mountain, Magic Mountain, and Pomerelle
• Eastern Idaho: Pebble Creek, Kelly Canyon, Lost Trail, and Grand Targhee, reached through Driggs, Idaho

Find a mountain close to home or plan a ski trip from out of state from our Idaho winter travel page.

Among Idaho Ski Areas Association members, Grand Targhee and Pomerelle report the highest average annual snowfall, at about 500 inches. Grand Targhee sits just over the Wyoming line and is reached through Driggs, Idaho. Lookout Pass reports about 450 inches, followed by Lost Trail (about 350), Silver Mountain Resort (about 340), Brundage Mountain (about 320), and Schweitzer and Tamarack Resort (about 300).

These figures are long-term averages reported by each ski area. Actual snowfall varies widely from season to season, so check out our conditions page to track snowfall from each of our member resorts.

Idaho ski areas report long-term average snowfall of roughly 200 to 500 inches a year, depending on each mountain's location and elevation. Snowfall varies widely from season to season, so these are averages, not guarantees. Idaho's inland mountain climate often produces drier, lighter snow than coastal ranges.

To see which Idaho Ski Areas Association members report the highest averages, check the snowfall figures on our Ski Areas page, and track up to date conditions from our member resorts from the conditions page.

It depends on what you're after. Sun Valley Resort is the pick for a classic luxury ski vacation; Brundage Mountain delivers deep powder and uncrowded slopes; Bogus Basin offers easy access right from Boise; Schweitzer has sprawling terrain and big views; Tamarack Resort is built for year-round adventure; and Silver Mountain Resort is a family-friendly favorite with an indoor waterpark to boot. Whether you're a first-timer or an expert chasing powder, there's an Idaho ski area that fits.

Most Idaho ski areas typically open between late November and mid-December. Depending on snowfall, many remain open through late March or early April, with some seasons extending further into spring. Check out the Idaho ski areas page for updates on opening and closing dates for winter and summer seasons.

Generally December through March, with January and February bringing the deepest powder. March tends to bring warmer temperatures and great spring skiing conditions.

Keep an eye on our conditions page for up-to-date information from all of our member resorts.

Bogus Basin is the closest, about 16 miles and 40 to 45 minutes from downtown Boise. Soldier Mountain (Fairfield) and Tamarack Resort (Donnelly) are each roughly 2 hours away. Little Ski Hill and Brundage Mountain, both in McCall, are about 2¼ to 2½ hours, and Rotarun (Hailey) and Sun Valley are about 2½ to 2¾ hours.

Drive times vary with weather and road conditions, so check conditions before you go. Plan your trip on our Idaho winter travel page.

Three Idaho ski areas are within about 1.5 hours of Spokane, and all are even closer to Coeur d'Alene. Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg is the closest, about 1 hour from Spokane and 30 minutes from Coeur d'Alene. Lookout Pass, on the Idaho-Montana border, is about 1.5 hours from Spokane and about 1 hour from Coeur d'Alene. Schweitzer, near Sandpoint, is about 1.5 hours from Spokane and 45 minutes from Coeur d'Alene.

Spokane International Airport is the closest major airport to all three. Drive times vary with weather and road conditions, so check conditions before you go. Plan your trip on our Idaho winter travel page.

Idaho's ski areas are spread across the state, so the best airport depends on where you're headed.

• Boise Airport (BOI), Idaho's largest airport, serves Bogus Basin (about 40–45 minutes), Soldier Mountain and Tamarack Resort (about 2 hours), and Brundage Mountain and Little Ski Hill in McCall (about 2¼ to 2½ hours).
• Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN) in Hailey has nonstop flights from several major cities and is about 20 minutes from Sun Valley. Rotarun is also in Hailey.
• Spokane International Airport (GEG) is the gateway to North Idaho: Silver Mountain Resort is about 1 hour away, and Schweitzer and Lookout Pass are about 1.5 hours.
• Lewiston-Nez Perce County Airport (LWS) serves North Central Idaho's community ski hills: Cottonwood Butte (about 1¼ hours), Snowhaven (about 1½ hours), and Bald Mountain in Pierce (about 1¾ hours).
• Magic Valley Regional Airport (TWF) in Twin Falls is about an hour from Magic Mountain and about 75 miles from Pomerelle.
• Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) is about 30 minutes from Kelly Canyon and 1.5 to 2 hours from Grand Targhee. Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) is also about 1.5 hours from Grand Targhee, which is reached through Driggs, Idaho.
• Missoula International Airport (MSO) in Montana is the nearest major airport to Lost Trail, about 90 miles away.

Drive times vary with weather and road conditions, so check conditions before you go. Plan your trip on our Idaho winter travel page.

Lift ticket prices vary widely across Idaho's 19 ski areas. Adult weekend tickets range from about $20 at small community hills to more than $250 at the largest destination resort.

• Under about $50: community-run hills like Cottonwood Butte, Rotarun, Bald Mountain (Pierce), Snowhaven, and Little Ski Hill, plus Magic Mountain
• About $60 to $90: Soldier Mountain, Lost Trail, Pomerelle, Lookout Pass, Silver Mountain Resort, Pebble Creek, Bogus Basin, and Kelly Canyon
• About $110 and up: Tamarack Resort, Brundage Mountain, Schweitzer, Grand Targhee, and Sun Valley

Prices are approximate, based on adult weekend rates, and change by season, day, and ticket type, so check with the ski area for current pricing and any online or advance discounts. Idaho 5th and 6th graders can also ski at discounted prices with the Peak Season Passport available exclusively through Ski Idaho. Compare ticket prices, vertical drop, acreage, and more for all 19 areas on our compare tool.

Yes. Most Idaho ski areas sell their own season passes, so check your mountain's page for options and pricing. Some Idaho ski areas also take part in multi-resort passes, such as Ikon and Indy, which typically offer a set number of days at each participating mountain. Participation changes from season to season, so confirm with the ski area before you buy.

Idaho 5th and 6th graders can also ski 18 mountains with the Peak Season Passport, offered exclusively through Ski Idaho.

Check the Ski Idaho conditions page to track up-to-date information for each of our member resorts.

Many of Idaho's ski areas are beginner friendly, with learning areas, lessons, and gear rentals available. Idaho is home to small, homegrown community mountains where generations of Idahoans have learned to ski and ride, as well as larger destination resorts popular with locals. Terrain varies from mountain to mountain, so the best place to start is usually a nearby area with a dedicated learning zone and ski school.

A few suggestions to start your search:

• Bogus Basin with lots of programming and easy access from Boise, ID.
• Kelly Canyon offers its own 5th grade ski program and updated terrain parks perfect for learning.
• Rotarun offers youth snowsport options and, along with the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, work to further learn-to-ski and ride programs and advanced training opportunities for children.
• Dollar Mountain at Sun Valley is a beginner focused ski area serving children and adults new to the sport.

To compare terrain at each of our mountains, check out our ski areas page to start planning

Idaho's ski areas offer advanced and expert terrain across the state, from big-mountain resorts to local ski areas with serious steeps. For experienced skiers and riders, a few stand out:

Schweitzer, Silver Mountain, and Tamarack offer some of the state's most challenging resort terrain, with high-angle groomers, open bowls, glades, and tree skiing, and each has more than 2,000 feet of vertical drop. Sun Valley's Bald Mountain has Idaho's largest vertical drop at 3,400 feet, with long, sustained runs from top to bottom.

Pebble Creek near Pocatello is a local ski area with a high share of advanced terrain and a 2,200-foot vertical drop. For powder and backcountry-style skiing, Brundage Mountain and Soldier Mountain both offer snowcat tours, Soldier Mountain also offers glades, bowls, and tree skiing.

Check out our Ski Areas page for breakdown of terrain for all member resorts. Be sure to check conditions and avalanche forecasts before heading into steep or off-piste terrain.

Most of Idaho's ski areas have at least one terrain park, with features for everything from first-time park riders to advanced freestyle skiers and snowboarders.

Sun Valley has the most terrain parks in Idaho, with parks on both Dollar Mountain and Bald Mountain. Kelly Canyon recently upgraded its park with new jumps, rails, and ramps, plus a dedicated lift for park riders. Tamarack, Schweitzer, Silver Mountain, Brundage Mountain, and Pomerelle each offer multiple parks, and Little Ski Hill in McCall dedicates nearly one-third of its ski area to their terrain park.

Compare terrain parks across all 19 ski areas on our Ski Areas page.

Most Idaho ski areas offer lessons, and many have programs designed for children and first-timers. Here are a few ways to find the right fit:

• Free and low-cost programs: Lookout Pass offers a free ski school for kids, Rotarun offers tuition-free learn-to-ski and ride programs for local youth, Little Ski Hill offers affordable youth lessons, and Kelly Canyon has a youth program for 5th graders.
• Learning-focused mountains: Sun Valley's Dollar Mountain is a separate mountain dedicated to learning, and Pomerelle hosts school groups and is known as the place to learn in the Magic Valley.
• Larger resorts with ski schools: Sun Valley, Schweitzer, Tamarack Resort, Silver Mountain Resort, Brundage Mountain, Bogus Basin, and Grand Targhee offer lessons for different ages and abilities. Contact each resort for current programs, ages, and reservations.

Idaho 5th and 6th graders can also ski 18 ski areas with the Peak Season Passport, offered exclusively through Ski Idaho.

Idaho has several ski resorts well suited to family vacations, and the best fit depends on what your family is looking for, whether on-mountain lodging, childcare or beginners programs, or activities beyond skiing. Idaho's ski areas range from large destination resorts to smaller mountains, so it helps to know which amenities matter most before you book.

A few suggestions to start your search:

• Bogus Basin with its easy access from Boise, ID and variety of activities for the family
• Schweitzer has on mountain lodging, dining, childcare and a variety of activities available for the whole family.
• Grand Targhee, reached through Driggs, ID, on the Wyoming side of the Tetons, has on-mountain lodging and après dining for the whole family, childcare, and youth programming.
• Silver Mountain with on-mountain lodging and year-round indoor waterpark, childcare and adventure programming.
• Sun Valley with on mountain lodging and full resort amenities. You can also find childcare and youth programs, variety of terrain, and activities for the whole family. Be sure to check out Rotarun as well - a great place for youth or beginners to start their winter adventure.
• McCall, ID gives you access to Brundage Mountain, Little Ski Hill, and Tamarack Resort for a variety of on mountain experiences. McCall is a fantastic destination for families to plan their winter getaway.

Check out our full list of ski areas to plan your trip

For night skiing, visit Cottonwood Butte (Fridays), Bogus Basin, Kelly Canyon, Little Ski Hill, Pebble Creek (weekends), Schweitzer (weekends), and Rotarun. These resorts keep selected runs open after dark, offering extra time on the slopes throughout the winter.

Several Idaho ski areas have snow tubing, a fun option for families and anyone who wants a break from skiing and riding. Many tubing hills have conveyor "magic carpets" that carry you back to the top.

Bogus Basin (Pepsi GoldRush Tubing Hill), Silver Mountain Resort (four tubing lanes), Schweitzer (Hermit's Hollow), Snowhaven in Grangeville (one of the largest tubing hills in the West), Magic Mountain, Soldier Mountain, and Grand Targhee.

Brundage also operates the McCall Activity Barn located near the ski area and Kelly Canyon offers snow tubing at Ryder Park in nearby Idaho Falls.

Hours, session lengths, and night tubing vary by location, and some hills operate only on weekends, so check with each ski area before you go.

Yes. Several Idaho ski areas offer on-site childcare or kids' camps separate from ski lessons, so parents can ski while younger children play and learn.

• Brundage Mountain (McCall): An Idaho state-certified daycare at the Mountain Adventure Center, offered to guests during the winter season. Reservations are required in advance.
• Silver Mountain Resort (Kellogg): Minor's Camp, a state-licensed child care program at the top of the gondola for children ages 2 to 7.
• Tamarack Resort (Donnelly): Basecamp, a daycare and activity center for kids up to 12.
• Schweitzer (Sandpoint): The Children's Center and KinderKamp, plus Kids' Night Out on many Saturday evenings.
• Sun Valley: Winter camp and preschool programs for young children.
• Grand Targhee, reached through Driggs, Idaho: Kids Club.

Childcare is different from ski lessons, and ages, hours, days, and reservation rules vary by resort, so contact the resort before your trip. Many other Idaho ski areas offer kids' lessons and programs instead of daycare.

Plenty. Many Idaho ski areas offer winter activities for the whole family beyond the slopes:

• Snow tubing: Bogus Basin, Brundage, Kelly Canyon, Silver Mountain Resort, Schweitzer, Snowhaven, Magic Mountain, and Grand Targhee all have tubing hills,
• Indoor fun: Silver Mountain Resort is home to Silver Rapids, Idaho's largest indoor water park, and a gondola ride up to the summit lodge.
• Nordic skiing and snowshoeing: Bogus Basin, Tamarack Resort, Little Ski Hill, Kelly Canyon, Grand Targhee, and Silver Mountain all have trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or both.
• Sleigh rides and ice skating: Sun Valley offers horse drawn sleigh rides and ice skating, Tamarack also has an ice rink.
• Fat bikes are welcome on groomed trails at Grand Targhee, Schweitzer, Kelly Canyon, Tamarack Resort, and Bogus Basin's Nordic Center, and you can find more trails around Sun Valley. Many areas have rentals nearby.
• One-of-a-kind adventures: Bogus Basin has Idaho's only mountain coaster, Grand Targhee offers private dogsled tours, Tamarack hosts guided ice fishing on Lake Cascade, Brundage and Soldier Mountain run snowcat tours and you can find snowmobiling adventures through Brundage and Schweitzer.

Offerings and hours vary by ski area and season, so check each mountain's website before you go. You can compare all Ski Idaho member ski areas on our page.

Yes. Five Idaho Ski Areas Association members operate as nonprofits: Bogus Basin, Bald Mountain (Pierce), Cottonwood Butte, Little Ski Hill, and Rotarun.

Bogus Basin, 16 miles from Boise, has been community-run since it opened in 1942 and is the largest nonprofit ski area in the country. The smaller nonprofit hills are community hubs for local winter sports. They often keep prices low and offer youth programs, such as Rotarun's tuition-free learn-to-ski and ride lessons for local youth.

Silver Mountain Resort's gondola is North America's longest single-stage gondola ride — a 3.1-mile, roughly 20-minute journey from downtown Kellogg up to the Mountain House at 5,700 feet, climbing about 3,400 vertical feet along the way.

Three Idaho ski areas offer guided snowcat skiing, which takes small groups into backcountry powder without hiking:

• Brundage Mountain (McCall) runs SnowCat Adventures, guided tours across about 18,000 acres of the Payette National Forest.
• Soldier Mountain (Fairfield) runs snowcat tours into its backcountry terrain, and can combine them with a stay at the Smokey Dome backcountry yurt.
• Schweitzer (Sandpoint) is the base for Selkirk Powder Company, a licensed guide service that offers snowcat skiing near the resort.

Cat skiing is generally aimed at intermediate to advanced skiers and riders, and reservations are required. Contact the operator for current dates, group sizes, and ability requirements.

Several Idaho ski areas offer lodging at or next to the mountain:

• Schweitzer (Sandpoint) and Sun Valley offer ski-in/ski-out lodging.
• Grand Targhee, reached through Driggs, Idaho, has slopeside lodging with après dining.
• Tamarack Resort (Donnelly) has on-site lodging.
• Silver Mountain Resort (Kellogg) has lodging right at the base of the gondola.
• Bogus Basin offers private condo rentals near the resort.

Most other Idaho ski areas are a short drive from lodging in nearby towns. See each ski area's page for details, and plan your trip on our Idaho winter travel page.

Schweitzer is the largest ski area among Idaho Ski Areas Association members by skiable acres, with about 2,900 acres. Grand Targhee (about 2,600 acres), Bogus Basin (about 2,600), and Sun Valley (about 2,500) follow closely.

Compare acreage, vertical drop, runs, and more for all 19 ski areas on our compare tool.

Sun Valley has the highest vertical drop among Idaho Ski Areas Association members, at about 3,400 feet on Bald Mountain. Tamarack Resort is next at about 2,800 feet, followed by Schweitzer (about 2,400), Grand Targhee (about 2,270), and Pebble Creek and Silver Mountain Resort (about 2,200 each).

Many of Idaho's smaller community ski hills have vertical drops between roughly 400 and 850 feet, which makes them great places to learn. Vertical drop is the distance from a ski area's top lift to its base, and figures are resort-reported.

Compare vertical drop, acreage, runs, and more for all 19 ski areas on our compare tool.

Right here in Idaho. Sun Valley Resort is the birthplace of the modern chairlift — the first one began carrying skiers on Proctor Mountain in December 1936, an innovation that changed skiing worldwide.

Yes. Many Idaho ski areas offer adaptive lessons and equipment for skiers and riders with disabilities, often through nonprofit partners:

• Sun Valley: Higher Ground provides adaptive alpine skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing, and snowshoeing, with lessons offered every day the mountain is open.
• Bogus Basin: Boise Adaptive Snowsport Education (BASE) offers lessons for children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities.
• Brundage Mountain: Adaptive Wilderness Sports of McCall (AWeSOMe) provides sit skis and instruction for adaptive skiers.
• Soldier Mountain: Hosts the NubAbility Athletics Foundation's annual snow camp for limb-different children, with skiing, sit skiing, and snowboarding instruction.
• Grand Targhee, reached through Driggs, Idaho: Adaptive lessons through its ski and snowboard school.
• Veterans: WAVES (Western Adaptive Veteran Education Snowsports) hosts free ski and snowboard events for veterans at ski areas including Magic Mountain, Soldier Mountain, Tamarack, and Pomerelle.

Other Idaho ski areas also list adaptive programs. Contact the ski area ahead of time to arrange lessons and equipment. For more information, you can also check out this partner page on Visit Idaho

Fourteen of Idaho's 19 ski areas open for summer in some capacity, and eight offer lift-served mountain biking for riders of different abilities.

• Lift-served mountain biking: Bogus Basin, Brundage Mountain, Grand Targhee (reached through Driggs, Idaho), Schweitzer, Silver Mountain Resort, Sun Valley, and Tamarack Resort.
• Pedal-up trails: Pomerelle and Soldier Mountain have mountain bike trails you can ride under your own power.
• Scenic trails: Lookout Pass operates the Route of the Hiawatha scenic bike trail.

Many areas also offer hiking, disc golf, live music, and golf in the summer. Opening dates and days of operation vary by ski area and season, so check each mountain's page before you go. See our summer travel page to start planning.

Fourteen of Idaho's 19 ski areas open for summer in some capacity, with activities for all ages:

• Scenic rides and hiking: Silver Mountain Resort (gondola), Sun Valley (Roundhouse Gondola), Brundage Mountain, Bogus Basin, Schweitzer, Tamarack Resort, and Grand Targhee offer scenic lift rides and hiking or trail running. Pebble Creek offers scenic chairlift rides during its annual Wildflower & Music Festival.
• Mountain biking: See our lift-served mountain biking answer, including trails at Soldier Mountain and Pomerelle that riders can pedal under their own power. Lookout Pass operates the 15-mile Route of the Hiawatha scenic rail-trail.
• Adventure and family attractions: Bogus Basin has a mountain coaster, a ropes and ziplines challenge course, a climbing wall, and a summer tubing hill. Schweitzer offers ziplines, bungee trampolines, and a climbing wall. Silver Mountain has Silver Rapids, Idaho's largest indoor waterpark. Tamarack offers ziplining and guided whitewater rafting, and Kelly Canyon offers guided UTV tours.
• Lake and river: Tamarack has a new marina on Lake Cascade with boat rentals and a public beach.
• Golf and disc golf: Silver Mountain, Sun Valley, and Tamarack have golf courses. Disc golf courses are available at several areas, including Schweitzer, Brundage, Tamarack, Soldier Mountain, and Grand Targhee.
• Music and community events: Concert series and festivals take place at Brundage, Bogus Basin, Silver Mountain, Sun Valley, Soldier Mountain (Picnic Patio Parties), Pebble Creek, and Grand Targhee, and Little Ski Hill serves Sunday brunch.

Offerings, dates, and days of operation change each season, so check each mountain's page before you go. See our summer travel page.

Yes. Many of Idaho's summer-operating ski areas host events all season:

• Concerts and music festivals: Brundage Mountain's free weekly concert series and Fourth of July Music Festival, Bogus Basin's Music on the Mountain, Silver Mountain's Ride & Dine concerts, Sun Valley's Summer Series and Sun Valley Music Festival, Tamarack Resort's Bikes, Brews & Bluegrass Festival, Grand Targhee's Targhee Fest and Bluegrass Festival, and Pebble Creek's Wildflower & Music Festival, a fundraiser for its volunteer ski patrol.
• Food, beer, and wine festivals: Silver Mountain's Brewsfest, Schweitzer's Northwest Winefest and Fall Fest, and Tamarack's Art & Wine Festival and Oktoberfest.
• Races and competitions: Mountain bike races at Silver Mountain, Tamarack, Grand Targhee, Bogus Basin, and Pomerelle (the Pomerelle Pounder), plus Idaho high school cycling races at Brundage, Soldier Mountain, Magic Mountain, and others. Trail runs take place at Schweitzer, Lookout Pass, Grand Targhee, and Little Ski Hill.
• Community traditions: Soldier Mountain's Picnic Patio Parties, full-moon night rides on the Route of the Hiawatha at Lookout Pass, Fourth of July fireworks at several resorts, and Grand Targhee's Wydaho Adaptive Mountain Bike Festival.

Event schedules change every year, so check each ski area's page for current dates. See our summer travel page.

Several Idaho ski areas that open for summer have their own on-site lodging, so you can stay at the mountain in any season:

• Silver Mountain Resort (Kellogg): Lodging at the base of the gondola, with access to Silver Rapids indoor waterpark included.
• Grand Targhee, reached through Driggs, Idaho: Resort lodging, plus campsites and camper parking.
• Tamarack Resort (Donnelly): On-site lodging alongside its golf course, Lake Cascade marina, and mountain biking.
• Schweitzer (Sandpoint): Lodging in the mountain village.
• Sun Valley: Resort lodging in Sun Valley Village.

Idaho's other summer ski areas partner with local lodging for stays in the nearby communities, including Boise, McCall, Fairfield, Wallace, Kellogg, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, and Twin Falls. Find Ski Idaho's lodging partners and plan your trip on our summer travel page.