SkiIdaho SkiIdaho

Grand Targhee Mountain Biker

Photo Credit: Aaron Theisen 

Over half of Idaho's ski resorts offer summer mountain biking adventures


BOISE, Idaho (May 21, 2020) -- In concert with Gov. Brad Little's Idaho Rebounds phased approach to reopening the state economy in the wake of COVID-19, 10 Ski Idaho resorts will offer summer mountain biking adventures and more. In fact, some will open just in time for Memorial Day weekend.

TAMARACK RESORT in Donnelly begins scenic chairlift rides May 21, opens its Waterfront Cabana for motorized and nonmotorized boat rentals May 22, and will initiate lift-served mountain biking May 28 depending on mid-mountain snowmelt. The lift will operate Thursdays-Sundays for scenic rides and mountain biking through Sept. 13 and on Memorial Day and Labor Day. The International Mountain Bicycling Association created the resort's 25-mile trail system.

Beginning June 6, also depending on mid-mountain snowmelt, Tamarack will offer zip line canopy tours that explore 3,500 feet of terrain, including eight different zip lines, two suspension bridges, and a 105-foot-high tree house. The resort's guided whitewater rafting trips on the Cabarton stretch of the North Fork of the Payette River will kick off mid-June.

Tamarack resumed its dining and lodging services, opened its meadow hiking and biking trails for complementary use, and restarted real estate tours May 16.

Visit TamarackIdaho.com for more details about the resort and https://tamarackidaho.com/covid-19-health-and-safety-plan for its COVID-19 plan.

LOOKOUT PASS SKI AND RECREATION AREA, close to the historic town of Wallace, is opening the ROUTE OF THE HIAWATHA Memorial Day weekend on May 22. 

Considered the crown jewel of the nation's rails-to-trails initiative, the 15-mile Route of the Hiawatha's gentle 2-percent, all-downhill ride straddles the Idaho-Montana state line, delves 10 tunnels, crosses seven sky-high train trestles, and sports shuttle service. Attracting more than 60,000 riders last summer, the Route of the Hiawatha is by far the most popular ski area bike trail in the country.

It is accessible daily through Sept. 20 and is offering full-moon night rides June 5, July 5, Aug. 3, and Sept. 2 by reservation only. Phone (208) 744-1234 ext. 19 to reserve a full-moon night ride.

New this summer, Lookout Pass will begin offering scenic chairlift rides on its new Peak 1 Quad June 12 and lift-served mountain bike trail rides from the summit June 19. Both will operate Fridays-Sundays and over all holiday periods through early October.

The resort will construct more trails and enhance existing ones over the course of the summer. However, there is still a fair amount of snow on the trails, so construction on mountain biking trails can't begin at the moment. At the beginning of the season, Lookout Pass visitors can ride down existing trails and access roads, with the resort adding new trails (very old cross-country trails that will be cleaned up) throughout the summer.

Visit SkiLookout.com and RideTheHiawatha.com for more details about the attractions and https://skilookout.com/covid-19 and www.ridethehiawatha.com/Covid-19 for their COVID-19 plans.

The Wallace Inn, a lodging partner with Lookout Pass, is offering three deals this summer:

* Ride and Stay -- One night of lodging in a deluxe single queen room for $159 weekdays / $169 weekends includes two adult trail passes and two adult shuttle passes for the Route of the Hiawatha.

* Hiawatha Extravaganza -- Two nights of lodging in a deluxe single queen room for $218 weekdays / $239 weekends includes two adult trail passes and two adult shuttle passes for the Route of the Hiawatha.

* Family Fun Package -- One night of lodging in a double queen room for $259 weekdays / $279 weekends includes two adult trail passes, two child trail passes, two adult shuttle passes, and two child shuttle passes for the Route of the Hiawatha.

Visit TheWallaceInn.com for more details about the hotel.

Meanwhile, 27 miles west of Lookout Pass, SILVER MOUNTAIN RESORT in the North Idaho town of Kellogg is opening for summer over Memorial Day weekend, too. Weekend operations -- which include mountain biking and scenic rides on North America's longest gondola -- start May 23, with daily operations commencing June 26-Sept. 7. Weekend operations will continue through Oct. 4.

Snow still remains in the resort's Chair 3 Zone, so mountain biking will only be open for gondola-served top-to-bottom runs on opening weekend. Since Silver Mountain's easiest mountain bike trails all reside in the Chair 3 Zone, the resort has reserved opening weekend for experienced bikers only.

Voted Best in the Northwest on four separate occasions in the MTBparks.com Riders' Choice Awards as recently as 2017 and earning second place last year, Silver Mountain Bike Park maintains almost 40 singletrack trails that span 3,300 vertical feet. This year the resort has rerouted some trails to improve flow and added some bigger berms and jumps on the advanced trails.

The resort also boasts the state's largest indoor waterpark, Silver Rapids, which opens Memorial Day Weekend, too. However, due to COVID-19 concerns, the resort is limiting waterpark access to Silver Mountain lodging guests only.

Activities at Silver Mountain also include trail hiking and running, and the resort's exquisite nine-hole Galena Ridge Golf Course is tucked away in the mountains of the Silver Valley. 

Although many summer events at the resort have been cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns, the resort currently plans to host its Friday night Ride & Dine mountaintop barbeques that feature live music and 360-degree views of the surrounding peaks.

The Northwest Cup, a premier mountain bike race series for all ages and abilities, is still slated for July 17-19. Brewsfest, Silver Mountain's mountaintop craft beer-tasting event, is slated for Aug. 15. And Silveroxx, a three-day celebration of all things mountain bikes, will take place Sept. 25-27, the closing weekend for the resort's summer operations. 

Silver Mountain will open its newly renovated hotel, the Silver Inn, June 6. A less-expensive option than the resort's Morning Star Lodge, the Silver Inn is only two minutes away from the Gondola Village by car.

Visit SilverMt.com for more details about the resort and https://silvermt.com/mountain-news/details/covid-19 for its COVID-19 plan.

KELLY CANYON SKI RESORT in Eastern Idaho is targeting May 29 as opening day for its second summer season. Like last summer, the resort will operate Thursdays-Saturdays. Kelly Canyon is planning a grand opening event (date TBA) this summer since 2020 will be its first full summer season of operations.

Kelly Canyon is currently smoothing and refining the initial 18 miles of lift-served mountain bike trails it completed last year, and more trails and features are in the works. Riders can also explore less steep trails at the foot of the mountain without using the lift. World-renowned bike trail developer Alpine Bike Parks out of Whistler, B.C., provided initial design consulting.

Citing a growing number of National Interscholastic Cycling Association teams and hundreds of local youth joining, Kelly Canyon will complete a 4-mile loop designed especially for NICA teams to practice their riding skills on days the lifts are not turning in the bike park.

In addition, the resort announced it is in the design phase of its first-ever overnight lodging facilities. Kelly Canyon hopes to roll out some lodging units in late summer.

Visit SkiKelly.com for more details about the resort.

Just across the border in Alta, Wyo., GRAND TARGHEE affiliates with the Idaho Ski Areas Association because the resort is only accessible via Driggs, Idaho. It will open for downhill biking on June 19, conditions permitting.

Ranked among the Northwest's top-five bike parks in the MTBparks.com Riders' Choice Best Bike Parks Awards for six consecutive years, Grand Targhee offers 2,200 vertical feet of lift-serviced downhill and more than 60 miles of multi-use trails.

Other activities include scenic chairlift rides, a nature center, horseback riding, trail hiking and running, and an 8,000-foot-long, 18-hole disc golf course.

Grand Targhee is not selling pool season passes this summer due to COVID-19 concerns, but it will offer 90-minute pool sessions with 30-minute breaks between each so employees can clean the pool area, changing rooms, and restrooms. 

The resort has also canceled its annual music festivals this summer, including Targhee Fest, Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival, and Targhee Music Camp. In addition, all other events and group functions have been cancelled through July 13.

Grand Targhee has not yet determined if it will offer a summer kids camp, bungee trampolines, climbing wall, or gold panning.

Vacation rentals at the resort will resume June 1, and it is currently working through the final details for on-mountain lodging and summer food and beverage services.

In addition, Grand Targhee will offer RV, sprinter, car, and tent camping this summer, and a designated number of spaces may be purchased online.

Visit GrandTarghee.com for more details about the resort.

In Southwest Idaho's West Central Mountains near the resort town of McCall, BRUNDAGE MOUNTAIN is targeting June 20 for its opening day this summer. The BlueBird Express lift will operate the last two weekends of June and then Wednesday-Sunday from July through Labor Day. 

Brundage Mountain Bike Park has a fresh experience to offer all types of mountain bikers this year as trail crews improve and expand options for downhill and cross-country riders. Last summer, the resort completed Lakeview Vista, a new 4-mile XC trail at the top of the mountain, as well as a base-area XC trail, Hammerhead, bringing the bike park's total mileage to 26 miles.

This summer, work will focus on creating a new XC trail that connects to Thorn Creek and a new downhill trail, Wildcat, off the existing Elk trail. Crews will also break ground on a new stretch of trail that skirts around the mountain linking Lakeview Vista on the south side with Grouse near Sargent's Peak and traverses the entire bike park area. 

The mountain also offers scenic chairlift rides that afford a 360-view at the summit that includes silhouettes of Idaho's Seven Devils Wilderness, Oregon's Eagle Cap Wilderness, and sweeping vistas of the Payette Lakes.

Hikers can take the chairlift to the top and explore short, scenic trails from the summit or choose longer, multi-use routes to soak in more of the mountain's beauty.

Brundage also boasts a 2,500-foot-long, nine-hole disc golf course in the base area, outdoor dining at Smoky's Bar & Grill, and a grassy amphitheater that provides a charming, spacious, fresh-air environment for summer concerts.

Visit Brundage.com for more details about the resort and https://brundage.com/covid-19 for its COVID-19 updates.

Biking season at SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN RESORT in North Idaho near Sandpoint begins June 26, with daily operations continuing through Sept. 7. The resort maintains more than 40 miles of mountain bike trails, and it also offers a 2-hour hosted E-bike tour daily.

Schweitzer's summer visitors also can take side-by-side rides on dual, 700-foot zip lines, play disc golf on its 18-hole course, and enjoy scenic chairlift rides on the Great Escape Quad to the summit. The latter serves up breathtaking views of Lake Pend Oreille and the Selkirk, Bitterroot, and Cabinet mountain ranges.

Other summer activities include hiking and trail running, geocaching, bungee trampolines, a 25-foot climbing wall, gold panning, huckleberry picking, and horseback riding.

Schweitzer still plans to host its Northwest Winefest July 18-19, the Huckleberry Color Fun Run Aug. 9, and Fall Fest over Labor Day weekend. All events are subject to change.

Visit Schweitzer.com for more details about the resort and www.schweitzer.com/covid-health-and-safety for its COVID-19 plan.

BOGUS BASIN in Southwest Idaho near Boise plans to open for the summer June 27. It will operate seven days a week through Aug. 16 and will remain open Fridays-Sundays through Labor Day weekend. From that point, the resort will open Saturdays and Sundays through the first weekend of October, weather permitting.

MTBproject.com ranks Around the Mountain at Bogus Basin as the number-one mountain bike trail in Idaho. The recreation area also serves as the main access point to the Mahalo and Dry Creek trails, collectively ranked number two in the state.

The nonprofit recreation area currently maintains 23 mountain bike trails, but it is developing a new bike park off its Morning Star Express high-speed quad chairlift. Alpine Bike Parks, the world-renowned Canadian bike trail developer that assisted Kelly Canyon, will construct four new downhill trails designed to serve a range of skill levels that are scheduled to be complete for use this summer.

Bogus Basin has spent nearly $22 million on infrastructure improvements over the past four years, transitioning the area into a year-round destination for recreation and education.

Beyond biking, Bogus Basin operates the Glade Runner, the Pacific Northwest's first mountain coaster. The recreation area also offers scenic chairlift rides, summer tubing, gold panning at the Shafer Butte Mining Co., and trail hiking and running.

Bogus Basin has currently suspended its Music on the Mountain series for this summer as a precautionary measure. In addition, the area's climbing wall and bungee trampoline will not operate -- at least for the beginning of the summer.

Visit BogusBasin.org for more details about the recreation area and https://bogusbasin.org/covid19-faq for its COVID-19 FAQ.

World-famous SUN VALLEY RESORT in South Central Idaho has not announced when it will begin lift-served mountain biking this summer. However, it did begin a phased reopening May 16, and the resort's three championship golf courses and most area driving ranges are already open for daily operations. Lodging is expected to resume May 30.

The nation's first destination ski resort and global birthplace of lift-assisted skiing, Sun Valley boasts hundreds of miles of singletrack and more than 3,000 vertical feet of descent. Riders also have easy access to more than 30 miles of paved, car-free bike paths throughout the Wood River Valley. In addition, the resort offers an array of activities, scenic gondola rides, a spa, a shooting range, bowling, fly fishing, hiking, trail running, ice shows, ice skating, tennis, paddle boats, fishing, beach volleyball on Sun Valley Lake, three outdoor swimming pools, and concerts at the Sun Valley Pavilion and River Run.

Visit SunValley.com for more details about the resort and www.sunvalley.com/covid19 for COVID-19 updates.

POMERELLE MOUNTAIN RESORT in Southern Idaho near Albion hasn't determined the extent of its summer operations yet. An announcement is forthcoming in the next week or so.

During typical summers, the resort offers lift-served mountain biking, but Pomerelle has no rentals so riders must bring their own cycles. It also maintains an 18-hole course that serves up some of the finest high-altitude disc golfing in the state. Discs are available for rent, but play is free unless visitors want to ride the chairlift to the top of the course. They also can play volleyball, enjoy scenic chairlift rides, and hike and run trails.

Visit Pomerelle.com for more details about the resort.

RE: COVID-19 PLANS

Ski Idaho resorts have collaborated with the Idaho Ski Areas Association to create and implement COVID-19 operational and safety guidelines to address the spread of the novel coronavirus and to ensure the safety of staff and the public. The sources for these protocols are CDC-guided policies and best management practices along with OSHA guidelines, state and federal rules and guidelines, and guidance from the National Ski Areas Association.

With the health and wellness of staff and guests the top priority, Ski Idaho resorts have established COVID-19 taskforces that meet daily to develop and implement safety protocols.

For employees, these protocols include: Required COVID-19 testing for all employees; completion of a daily health survey prior to work; extensive training on proper disinfecting, sanitizing and PPE use; requirement to wear face masks when unable to maintain physical distance guidelines, or in a communal area, such as restrooms; instructions to deep clean and disinfect all areas, using cleaners approved by the EPA; and a specific COVID-19 janitorial department to assure frequent, effective sanitizing and disinfecting occurs in all areas, and on all equipment, especially where guest contact occurs.

For guests, these protocols will include: Requirement to follow physical distancing guidelines; requests that anyone experiencing potential COVID-19 symptoms refrain from visiting; strong recommendations to wear face masks when in line or in designated communal zones; and implementation of a range of precautionary measures, such as hand sanitizer, reduced contact at points of purchase, satellite first-aid services, and more.

ABOUT SKI IDAHO

Founded in 1982, the Idaho Ski Areas Association, a.k.a. Ski Idaho, is a nonprofit association funded in part by the Idaho Travel Council via the state's 2 percent lodging tax paid by travelers and collected by hotel, motel, and private campground owners. Boasting 28,000 vertical feet of terrain spanning more than 20,000 acres, Idaho is the birthplace of lift-assisted skiing, home to America's first destination ski resort, and often considered the soul of skiing. Its 18 family friendly Alpine ski resorts offer trails and backcountry for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and skill levels, breathtaking views, hundreds of inches of fresh powder, and short lift lines. Many Ski Idaho resorts open for the summer season, as well, to serve up lift-served mountain biking, scenic chairlift rides, hiking and trail running, disc golf, and more. Visit skiidaho.us for more details.

Ski Idaho publicist Tony Harrison enjoyed the fantastic snow and breathtaking views at Silver Mountain in North Idaho during the organization's January 2019 FAM tour. (Photo courtesy of Andrew Marshall and The Ski Journal)

North Idaho FAM tour explores three sensational resorts

NAMPA, Idaho (Jan. 14, 2019) — I had the pleasure of showing off our three northernmost ski resorts to several journalists last week. Two hail from the East Coast and had never visited Idaho before, but they thought it was very easy to reach the region by flying to Spokane, Wash., via Seattle.

The terrific resorts we visited — Schweitzer, Lookout Pass, and Silver Mountain — and our wonderful lodging and dining partners were consummate hosts. Highlights included:

SUBLIME SKIING — My companions and I fell in love with our resorts up north on this trip. It was my first visit to Lookout Pass and Silver Mountain, and I hadn’t skied Schweitzer since 1985 when I was a junior at University of Idaho. I won’t be waiting another 34 years to return and desperately wish it won’t take me even 34 days to get back. Boasting the most acreage among Ski Idaho resorts, Schweitzer offers plenty of diverse terrain to explore and epic views of Lake Pend Oreille and the Selkirk Mountains. It’s no wonder SKI magazine dubbed the resort “the best kept secret in North America.” Lookout Pass was a lot of fun, too. It straddles the Idaho-Montana border, so you can ski two states and two timezones at one resort. Plus, Lookout averages more than 400 inches of annual snowfall, so there’s always plenty of pow stashes to play in. Last, but definitely not least, was Silver Mountain. A quarter of the world’s silver supply has come out of Idaho’s Silver Valley, and it’s pretty wild to think while we were skiing on top of this grand mountain people were actively mining it far underneath. Like Schweitzer, the views from Silver’s two summits, Kellogg Peak and Wardner Peak, are incredible. So’s the skiing!

EASY, SCENIC DRIVES — Schweitzer, Lookout Pass, and Silver Mountain lie within the Idaho Panhandle's lofty and lush evergreen mountains that are also home to historic and illustrious mining and timber towns and ethereal lakes. All three resorts are within 30 minutes to 2 hours and 20 minutes of each other. All but 83 of the 311 miles we drove on our five-day trip were on I-90, with the remainder on state highways that traverse flat valleys. Total drive time between the airport and the resorts over the course of the journey was only 7 hours and we would’ve clocked in right around 6 hours if we hadn’t encountered snow on our drive from Schweitzer to Wallace Tuesday afternoon. Visit https://goo.gl/maps/5zGcP19q2Fu to see our route map.

AMAZING ACCOMMODATIONS — We stayed slope side at Schweitzer in the cozy condos at Selkirk Lodge our first night in rooms overlooking the Village Plaza. Night two found us two hours southeast at The Wallace Inn, a nice hotel about 15 minutes from Lookout Pass with comfy rooms and a lovely indoor pool area. The posh rooms at Silver Mountain’s Morning Star Lodge, which included wonderful kitchenettes, are essentially slope side, too, with the gondola — North America’s longest — only a couple hundred feet away. Silver Mountain is also home to Idaho’s largest indoor waterpark, Silver Rapids, which is loads of fun and immediately adjacent to the lodge. We spent our last night in North Idaho at Ski Idaho’s newest lodging partner, the elegant Blackwell Boutique Hotel. This luxurious historic mansion and gourmet bed-and-breakfast is nestled along Sherman Avenue, the picturesque main street of Idaho’s iconic mountain-lake resort town Coeur d’Alene just 40 minutes east of Spokane International Airport. The Blackwell’s restoration, regional significance, artwork on display, frittatas, and hospitality are staggering.

CRAFT BEER GALORE — Chimney Rock Grill at Schweitzer served up a fantastic dinner our first night that paired each of the four courses with a different Idaho beer. The next evening we enjoyed some tasty hopped cereal-grain beverages and satisfying pub fare at City Limits Brew Pub in Wallace and heartily recommend their Loft Honey beer brewed in honor of the Loft Pub at Lookout Pass. Lamentably Radio Brewing in Kellogg was closed on Wednesdays this month, so we diverted to Hill Street Depot, which has an excellent array of craft beers and ciders on hand. And our last night in North Idaho we dined at Daft Badger Brewing in Coeur d’Alene — my favorite watering hole on the trip — and enjoyed a nightcap at Mad Bomber Brewing Co. in nearby Hayden.

It was a truly memorable trip, and I must say if you haven't skied North Idaho, you really haven't skied.

Visit the Ski Idaho 2019 North Idaho FAM photo album on my Facebook page if you’d like to check out more photos from this super-fun FAM.

Cheers!

Tony Harrison, Ski Idaho publicist

 

Ski season officially begins Friday Nov. 16 for Idaho ski resorts with Grand Targhee opening for its 50th season. The mountain's marketing director, Jennie White, shot this photo Thursday looking up towards the Teton Vista traverse from the resort's base area. Although across the border in Alta, Wyo., Grand Targhee affiliates with the Idaho Ski Areas Association because the resort is only accessible via Driggs, Idaho. (Photo by Jennie White)

Idaho 2018-19 ski and snowboard season begins

The first Idaho ski resort to open this year is in Wyoming

ALTA, Wyo. (Nov. 15, 2018) — Ski season officially begins tomorrow for Idaho ski resorts, with Grand Targhee opening for its 50th season Friday Nov. 16.

Although just across the border in Alta, Wyo., Grand Targhee affiliates with the Idaho Ski Areas Association because the resort is only accessible via Driggs, Idaho. It earned first place in the west for snow plus props for affordability in SKI magazine's annual "Resorts of the Year" issue for 2019. Grand Targhee also garnered fifth place among western resorts for "overall satisfaction" among SKI magazine readers. Last year The Wall Street Journal named the mountain one of the five best-kept secret ski resorts in the U.S.

Grand Targhee (grandtarghee.com) is the second northwest ski resort to open this season and the only one open in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. It is the 24th U.S. ski resort that has opened to date this season and one of only 29 mountains currently operating in North America among more than 500 total ski resorts continent-wide.

The resort has 27 inches of snow at the base and has received 56 inches to date this season. It plans to open the Dreamcatcher, Shoshone, and Papoose chairlifts tomorrow.

"We plan on having all terrain accessed by the Dreamcatcher and Shoshone lifts open," Grand Targhee marketing director Jennie White says. "We are excited to celebrate 50 seasons of skiing this year. Early season conditions do exist and we would like to remind skiers and riders to use caution."

Ski resorts throughout Idaho are gearing up for the season. Sun Valley (sunvalley.com) — the global birthplace of lift-assisted skiing and home to America's first destination resort — is opening Thanksgiving Nov. 22. Celebrating its 83rd winter season, the resort will operate the River Run and Lookout Express lifts on the River Run side of Bald Mountain, as well as Dollar Mountain. It is hosting the annual Sun Valley Ski Education Race Camp starting this Saturday Nov. 17.

Up north, Silver Mountain Resort (silvermt.com) in Kellogg has a base depth of 10" on Kellogg Peak and 6" mid-mountain and is projecting a Nov. 23 opening date depending on weather. Meanwhile, Lookout Pass (skilookout.com) near Mullan has a fair amount of snow — 17" up top and 7-10" at the base — and just needs a little more help from Old Man Winter to open. And Schweitzer Mountain (schweitzer.com) near Sandpoint is scheduled to open Nov. 30 but hopes to open by Nov. 23 depending on snowfall.

Weather conditions permitting, Brundage Mountain (brundage.com) in McCall is targeting an Easy Street chairlift opening for Nov. 23, with an official announcement from the resort expected this Monday. Tamarack Resort (tamarackidaho.com) in nearby Donnelly is projected to begin its winter season Dec. 14, but will open earlier if conditions permit. Bogus Basin (bogusbasin.org) near Boise expects to open Dec. 8, weather permitting.

Straddling the Idaho-Montana border, Lost Trail (losttrail.com) between Salmon, Idaho, and Conner, Mont., is celebrating its 80th anniversary this season and hopes to open by Dec. 1, depending on snow.

Down south, Pomerelle (pomerelle.com) near Albion has not set a projected opening date yet. However, the resort is currently making snow so it can hold instructor's clinics this weekend, so there will be a few turns taken on the mountain this week.

Ski Idaho has 18 member resorts total, and the remaining eight mountains have yet to announce projected opening dates for the upcoming winter season.

Founded in 1982, the Idaho Ski Areas Association, a.k.a. Ski Idaho, is a nonprofit association funded by the Idaho Travel Council via the state's 2 percent lodging tax paid by travelers and collected by hotel, motel, and private campground owners. Boasting 28,000 vertical feet of terrain spanning more than 20,000 acres, Idaho is the birthplace of lift-assisted skiing, home to America's first destination ski resort, and often considered the soul of skiing. Its 18 family friendly Alpine ski resorts offer trails and backcountry for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and skill levels, breathtaking views, hundreds of inches of fresh powder, and short lift lines. Visit skiidaho.us for more details.

Santas skied free Dec. 21 at Lookout Pass near Mullan, Idaho. All 18 alpine ski resorts in Idaho will be open this holiday season. (Photo courtesy of Lookout Pass)

All 18 Idaho ski resorts open during the holidays

McCALL, Idaho (Dec. 22, 2018) — Skiers throughout Idaho have much to celebrate this holiday season, with all 18 of the state's alpine ski resorts either already open for the season or opening before the New Year.

Up in the Idaho Panhandle, Bald Mountain Ski Area (skibaldmountain.com) in Pierce plans to open Friday Dec. 28.

Bogus Basin (bogusbasin.org) near Boise is open seven days a week, with night operations beginning last night, Dec. 21. The resort has 25 inches of snow at the base and has received 47 inches total this season. The mountain is among resorts of the year for Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming identified in SKI magazine's annual "Resorts of the Year" issue for 2019.

In McCall, Brundage Mountain (brundage.com) is open seven days a week. The resort has 37 inches of snow at the base and has received 74 inches total this season. It earned an Editor's Choice-Next Best Places award for up-and-coming areas in SKI magazine's 2019 "Resorts of the Year" issue.

Meanwhile, up on the Camas Prairie, Cottonwood Butte Ski Area (cottonwoodbutte.org) near Cottonwood plans to open Dec. 26 depending on snow.

Just across the state's eastern border, Grand Targhee Resort (grandtarghee.com) in Alta, Wyo., is open seven days a week. The resort, which has 54 inches of snow at the base and has received 140 inches total this season, affiliates with Ski Idaho because it's only accessible via Driggs, Idaho.

Kelly Canyon Ski Resort (skikelly.com) in nearby Ririe is open six days a week and closed Sundays. This season it has received a total of 47 inches of snow.

Likewise, the Little Ski Hill (payettelakesskiclub.org/little-ski-hill) in McCall is open six days a week beginning today, Dec. 22, but closed Mondays.

Back up north, Lookout Pass (skilookout.com) near Mullan is open seven days a week. The resort has 54 inches of snow at the base.

Straddling the Idaho-Montana border, Lost Trail (losttrail.com) near Conner, Mont., is open daily through Jan. 6 and then open Thursdays through Sundays and major holidays the rest of the season. It has 20 inches of snow at the base and has received 61 inches total this season.

Down south, Magic Mountain (magicmountainresort.com) near Hansen is open daily though Jan. 6 except Christmas and then open Thursdays through Sundays and major holidays the rest of the season. The resort has 29 inches of snow at the base.

Pebble Creek Ski Area (pebblecreekskiarea.com) in Inkom is currently open Fridays-Sundays but will begin daily operations Dec. 26. It has 19 inches of snow at the base.

Pomerelle Mountain Resort (pomerelle.com) near Albion is open seven days a week. Night operations begin Dec. 26 and run Tuesday-Saturday nights. The resort has 32 inches of snow at the base and has received 81 inches total this season.

Idaho's northernmost alpine ski area, Schweitzer Mountain Resort (schweitzer.com) in Sandpoint is open seven days a week. The mountain has 38 inches of snow at the base and has received 79 inches total this season. It is among resorts of the year for Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming identified in SKI magazine's annual "Resorts of the Year" issue for 2019. SKI magazine also singled out Schweitzer as "an up and coming four-season resort" whose "views of sparkling Lake Pend Oreille give the Tahoe areas a reason to be nervous."

Nearby Silver Mountain Resort (silvermt.com) in Kellogg is also open seven days a week. It has 41 inches of snow mid-mountain and has received 80 inches total this season.

Snowhaven Ski & Tubing Area (grangeville.us/snowhaven-ski-and-tubing-hill) to the south near Grangeville on the Camas Prairie opened today, Dec. 22. It has 12 inches of snow at the base.

Back down south, Soldier Mountain Ski Area (soldiermountain.com) near Fairfield is open daily through New Year's Day except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Beginning Jan. 3 the resort, which has 17 inches of snow at the base, will open Thursdays through Sundays and on major holidays the rest of the season.

North America's first destination ski resort and the global birthplace of lift-assisted skiing, Sun Valley Resort (sunvalley.com) in Sun Valley is open seven days a week. It has received a total of 25 inches of snow this season, but thanks to the resort's fantastic snowmaking capabilities it has 33 inches of snow at the base. Sun Valley earned first place in western North America for charm and lift service in SKI magazine's annual "Resorts of the Year" issue for 2019 and third place for "overall satisfaction" among readers.

Tamarack Resort (tamarackidaho.com) in Donnelly is open seven days a week. The mountain has 19 inches of snow at the base and 26 inches mid-mountain.

Founded in 1982, the Idaho Ski Areas Association, a.k.a. Ski Idaho, is a nonprofit association funded by the Idaho Travel Council via the state's 2 percent lodging tax paid by travelers and collected by hotel, motel, and private campground owners. Boasting 28,000 vertical feet of terrain spanning more than 20,000 acres, Idaho is the birthplace of lift-assisted skiing, home to America's first destination ski resort, and often considered the soul of skiing. Its 18 family friendly alpine ski resorts offer trails and backcountry for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and skill levels, breathtaking views, hundreds of inches of fresh powder, and short lift lines. Visit skiidaho.us for more details.

 

 

In Idaho, 5th and 6th graders can ski free

McCALL, Idaho (Nov. 14, 2018) — If you have a 5th or 6th grader who loves to ski or snowboard or one who'd like to learn, you'll want to take advantage of the free skiing program offered by the Idaho Ski Areas Association, a.k.a. Ski Idaho.

The Idaho Peak Season Passport lets 5th and 6th graders ski or board 18 mountains for only 18 bucks.  The program allows 5th graders to ride three days for free at all 18 Gem State ski resorts and offers 6th graders two days free at 17 mountains. It is open to any child from any state or country -- NOT just Idaho kids.

Complete the application available at skiidaho.us/programs/passport and pay an $18 processing fee to order a passport for your child. Ski Idaho will email you a passport you can print out prior to hitting the slopes or pull up on your smartphone when you walk up to the ticket window. Your child must have a parent or guardian present to use the passport, and it must be shown at the resort in order to receive the lift ticket.

Participating resorts include:

"The family friendly reputation of Idaho ski resorts is well deserved," Ski Idaho board chair and Brundage Mountain Resort president and managing director Bob Looper says. "Our incredible, uncrowded terrain offers some of the most spectacular skiing and snowboarding on the planet regardless of your age and ability, and our Idaho Peak Season Passport makes it a lot easier for families to take advantage of our good wintertime fortune."

Participating ski hills reserve the right to limit passport use for ski racers, on race days, and on any scheduled blackout dates that may apply. Visit skiidaho.us/blackout-dates for a list of scheduled blackout dates, and check with your ski hill for full details.

Founded in 1982, the Idaho Ski Areas Association, a.k.a. Ski Idaho, is a nonprofit association funded by the Idaho Travel Council via the state's 2 percent lodging tax paid by travelers and collected by hotel, motel, and private campground owners. Boasting 28,000 vertical feet of terrain spanning more than 20,000 acres, Idaho is the birthplace of lift-assisted skiing, home to America's first destination ski resort, and often considered the soul of skiing. Its 18 family friendly Alpine ski resorts offer trails and backcountry for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and skill levels, breathtaking views, hundreds of inches of fresh powder, and short lift lines. Visit skiidaho.us for more details.

 

Win a trip to three North Idaho ski resorts this season

Ski Idaho, Skis.com giving away ski vacay

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. (Dec. 5, 2018) — This month Skis.com, Snowboards.com, and Ski Idaho are giving away a trip for two to visit three North Idaho ski resorts in The Great Idaho Ski Getaway sweepstakes promotion.

"With over 28,000 feet of vertical and 18,000 acres of skiable terrain, Idaho is quintessential ski and snowboarding country," Ski Idaho board chair and Brundage Mountain Co. president Bob Looper said. "And if you win The Great Idaho Ski Giveaway you'll get to explore some of the very best our state has to offer."

One grand prize winner and a guest will fly to Spokane International Airport courtesy of Alaska Airlines to ski or ride Lookout Pass, Schweitzer, and Silver Mountain amid the Idaho Panhandle's vast lakes, winding rivers, lush evergreen mountains, and historic mining and timber towns. Schweitzer has 2,400 vertical feet and Silver has 2,200 vertical feet, so expect epic views and choose from 92 and 77 trails, respectively. Meanwhile, Lookout Pass boasts two mountains and straddles the Idaho-Montana border so you can actually ski in both states at the same resort.

Also worth noting: Schweitzer was just singled out in SKI magazine's annual Resorts of the Year issue for 2019 as "an up and coming four-season resort" whose "views of sparkling Lake Pend Oreille give the Tahoe areas a reason to be nervous."

The winner will also receive an overnight stay at the acclaimed Coeur d'Alene Spa Resort in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho -- ranked as one of the top resort spas in America by Condé Nast Traveler.

Visit Skis.com/skiidaho to enter and for official contest rules. No purchase is necessary.

The grand-prize package includes:

  • Round trip airfare for two courtesy of Alaska Airlines (up to $1,000)
  • Car rental for five days (up to $500)
  • One day of lift tickets for two, ski/board rentals for two, and lunch for two at Lookout Pass Ski Resort plus overnight stay for two at a hotel in nearby Wallace, Idaho
  • One day of lift tickets for two, ski/board rentals for two, lunch for two, and overnight stay for two at Schweitzer Mountain Resort in Sandpoint, Idaho
  • One day of lift tickets for two, ski/board rentals for two, lunch for two, and overnight stay for two at Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg, Idaho
  • Overnight stay for two at The Coeur d'Alene Spa Resort in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
  • $500 shopping spree at Skis.com or Snowboards.com
  • Line Sakana and Line Pandora 104 skis
  • 2 pairs of sunglasses from Proof Eyewear
  • Welcome kit from Payette Brewing

ABOUT SKIS.COM + SNOWBOARDS.COM

Skis.com and Snowboards.com are Internet extensions of Summit Sports, a retailer with five stores in Michigan and five in Texas that's been serving skiers and snowboarders in a brick-and-mortar capacity since 1990 and online since 1997. It offers the best gear and apparel from Atomic, Burton, DC, Flow, Forum, GNU, K2, Libtech, The North Face, Salomon, Ride, Rossignol, Ugg, Under Armour, and other leading brands. The Summit Sports family of sites also includes InlineSkates.com, WaterOutfitters.com, CampGear.com, ACK.com, and RackBoys.com. Visit SummitSports.com for more details.

ABOUT SKI IDAHO

Founded in 1982, the Idaho Ski Areas Association, a.k.a. Ski Idaho, is a nonprofit association funded by the Idaho Travel Council via the state's 2 percent lodging tax paid by travelers and collected by hotel, motel, and private campground owners. Boasting 28,000 vertical feet of terrain spanning more than 20,000 acres, Idaho is the birthplace of lift-assisted skiing, home to America's first destination ski resort, and often considered the soul of skiing. Its 18 family friendly Alpine ski resorts offer trails and backcountry for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and skill levels, breathtaking views, hundreds of inches of fresh powder, and short lift lines. Visit skiidaho.us for more details.

 

Sun Valley and four other Ski Idaho resorts earned high praise from SKI magazine in its 2019 "Resorts of the Year" issue this October. (Photo courtesy of Sun Valley Resort)

Idaho earns top marks in annual SKI magazine poll

BOULDER, Colo. (Oct. 9, 2018) — SKI magazine rated Sun Valley first in western North America for charm and lift service last week in its annual "Resorts of the Year" issue for 2019 and third place for "overall satisfaction" among readers.

However, Sun Valley — which SKI describes as "the birthplace of the modern ski vacation, having installed the first chairlifts in the world in 1936 — wasn't the only Idaho resort earning high praise from the magazine. Overall, it gave five of Ski Idaho's 18 resorts big nods.

Although across the border in Alta, Wyo., Grand Targhee — which affiliates with the Idaho Ski Areas Association because the resort is only accessible via Driggs, Idaho — earned first place in the west for snow plus props for affordability. It also garnered fifth place among western resorts for "overall satisfaction" among SKI magazine readers.

Meanwhile, Brundage Mountain in McCall earned an Editor's Choice-Next Best Places award for up-and-coming areas.

The report also named Bogus Basin in Boise and Schweitzer Mountain in Sandpoint among resorts of the year for Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. SKI magazine singled out Schweitzer as "an up and coming four-season resort" whose "views of sparkling Lake Pend Oreille give the Tahoe areas a reason to be nervous."

Visit www.skimag.com/ski-resort-life/resorts-of-the-year for more details.

Founded in 1982, the Idaho Ski Areas Association, a.k.a. Ski Idaho, is a nonprofit association funded by the Idaho Travel Council via the state's 2 percent lodging tax paid by travelers and collected by hotel, motel, and private campground owners. Boasting 28,000 vertical feet of terrain spanning more than 20,000 acres, Idaho is the birthplace of lift-assisted skiing, home to America's first destination ski resort, and often considered the soul of skiing. Its 18 family friendly Alpine ski resorts offer trails and backcountry for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and skill levels, breathtaking views, hundreds of inches of fresh powder, and short lift lines. Visit skiidaho.us for more details.

 

 

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