Photo by Sherri Harkin for Tamarack Resort
Water ski Idaho this summer. Wait, what?
14 Idaho ski areas boast summertime operations
KELLOGG, Idaho (May 27, 2026) -- The biggest ski-area news coming out of Idaho this summer doesn't have anything to do with a mountain or biking, but with the fourth-largest body of water in the state: Tamarack Resort near Donnelly has opened the first-ever marina and fuel dock on Lake Cascade, cementing its claim as America's only ski, golf, and lake resort.
Photo courtesy of Tamarack Resort
That isn't to say mountain biking isn't top of mind in the land of Famous Potatoes. Upwards of 14 Gem State ski areas are opening for summer in some capacity, with eight offering lift-served mountain biking, three sporting MTB trails you can pedal under your own power, one operating America's most iconic rail-trail, and another hosting one of the premier adaptive mountain biking festivals on the continent.
Riders returning to Silver Mountain will find a new mountain bike trail, and Grand Targhee is adding three new downhill MTB trails over the summer, as well as a new family friendly hiking trail. Plus, several Idaho ski areas are initiating major construction projects -- including the replacement of the Lookout Express and Christmas lifts at Sun Valley Resort with a high-speed six-pack and quad, respectively.
The golf courses at Silver Mountain, Sun Valley, and Tamarack are open daily, and ski areas statewide have announced key opening dates for summer:
* May 22 -- Lookout Pass opened the Route of the Hiawatha scenic bike trail; Tamarack opened the marina and the Tamarack Express for lift-served mountain biking, hiking, and dining at the mid-mountain lodge
* May 23 -- Silver Mountain opened for lift-served mountain biking on weekends only
* June 12 -- Grand Targhee opens for summer
* June 13 -- Schweitzer summer preview weekend; Silver Mountain begins daily lift service for mountain biking
* June 19 -- Bogus Basin and Brundage open for summer; Schweitzer begins daily summer operations
* June 21 -- Soldier Mountain hosts the first of three Picnic Patio Parties
* June 23 -- Pebble Creek Wildflower & Music Festival
* June 26 -- Sun Valley starts spinning the Roundhouse Gondola for hiking and sightseeing and serving lunch at Roundhouse
* July 1 -- Sun Valley opens the mountain to lift-served mountain biking via the Roundhouse Gondola; visitors can begin riding Pomerelle's mountain bike trails under their own power
NORTH IDAHO
The Route of the Hiawatha scenic bike trail, which Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area operates under a special-use permit from the U.S. Forest Service, opened May 22. Open daily through Sept. 13, the family friendly destination -- considered the crown jewel of the nation's rails-to-trails initiative -- is by far the most popular scenic ski area bike trail in the country, attracting more than 60,000 riders each summer.
Photo by Gary Peterson for Ski Idaho
Close to the historic town of Wallace, the 15-mile Route of the Hiawatha's gentle 1.6-percent to 2-percent, all-downhill ride straddles the Idaho-Montana state line, delves 10 tunnels, crosses seven sky-high train trestles, and has a shuttle service back to the top.
The Route of the Hiawatha strongly encourages guests to make reservations for the day they want to ride -- especially when renting equipment.
Its bicycle rental fleet boasts 600 units and includes cruisers, mountain bikes, tandem bikes, recumbent bikes for those wanting more stability, Burley bike trailers for young kids, and tagalong trailer bikes for kids ages 5-7. All bike rentals come with helmets and handlebar-mounted lights for the tunnels.
Full moon night rides are slated for June 27 and Aug. 1. Running races are scheduled for June 7 and Sept. 26 with 10K, 15K, 25K, and 50K distances at the former and a 10K, half-marathon, and full marathon at the latter.
Although Lookout Pass has offered scenic chairlift rides around huckleberry-picking season in years past, maintenance of lifts and trails may interrupt this offering this summer. Please check the resort's website and social media feeds around the end of July for an update.
Visit SkiLookout.com and RideTheHiawatha.com -- the latter of which received a new website design that went live on May 18.
In nearby Kellogg, Silver Mountain Resort began summer weekend operations -- which include mountain biking and scenic rides on North America's longest single-stage gondola -- May 23. Daily operations commence June 13 and will run through Labor Day, Sept. 7. At that point, weekend operations will continue through Sept. 27
The resort's exquisite nine-hole Galena Ridge Golf Course tucked away in the mountains of the Silver Valley is open daily for the season.
Photo by Sherri Harkin for Ski Idaho
Voted Best in the Northwest for four consecutive years in the MTBparks.com Riders' Choice Awards, Silver Mountain Bike Park sports 40 singletrack trails that span about 30 miles and drop 3,400 vertical feet.
"Elk Diary," a new, intermediate flowy jump trail, debuts this summer on opening day. It is in the Chair 3 zone and features machine-built berms and jumps to help progress riders to the bigger jumps in the park. Beyond that, the bike trail maintenance team is constantly making small improvements to trails, including reroutes and new berms.
The resort continues to offer mountain biking lessons, and its fleet of premium, full-suspension Rossignol downhill and enduro bikes deliver the ultimate experience on Silver Mountain's renowned MTB trails.
The resort also operates the state's largest indoor waterpark, Silver Rapids, which has only been open Fridays-Sundays since mid-April and begins daily operations June 12. Access to the waterpark is included in every lodging stay, plus a limited number of day tickets are available on the Silver Mountain website for those looking to enjoy the park for the day.
Activities at Silver Mountain also include trail hiking and running. Plus, its e-bike rental fleet allows guests to more easily explore sections of the nearby Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, a 73-mile-long rails-to-trails conversion with a trailhead right in the resort's parking lot.
As usual, Silver Mountain's calendar is jam-packed with events this summer, including the pro-level North American Enduro Cup June 6-7, which is a USA National Championship race and boasts a prize purse of $12,000.
The Silver Kings Hard Enduro -- North America's premier hard enduro motorcycle event -- is returning June 18-20. During the event and on June 17, the resort will only be open for scenic lift rides and race spectators. Although the race has its own trails, the mountain bike park will be closed to keep riders safe and patrol resources focused on the event.
The Northwest Cup downhill mountain bike race is back July 17-19. And the Silveroxx MTB Festival Sept. 18-20 and the accompanying Super D race from the top of Silver Mountain all the way back to Kellogg will wrap up the racing season.
Other events include the Out West Archery Fest June 13-14 and the new Conquer the Peaks Trail Run Aug. 21-22. Also new this year, the resort will host Yoga on the Mountain with a certified yoga instructor every Sunday morning beginning June 28.
The resort will launch fireworks from the parking lot on July 4. It is also sponsoring the City of Kellogg's Independence Day celebration, which includes a 5K run, vendor fair, parade, and live music in the park.
The Ride & Dine concert series featuring BBQ and live music every Friday evening kicks off June 26. And Silver Mountain's annual Brewsfest Aug. 8 features more than 40 beers from two-dozen breweries, three live bands, food trucks atop the mountain, and a free afterparty in the gondola village with live music.
Between its Morning Star Lodge at the base of the gondola and the nearby Silver Inn, Silver Mountain offers guests 250 rooms with multiple floorplans and options available to accommodate families and groups of any size and on any budget.
Silver Mountain's Splash & Stay lodging packages start at $57 per person and include access to Silver Rapids. Bike & Stay packages start at $91 per person, Golf & Stay packages start at $120, and Raft & Stay packages are available that include an all-day rafting experience on the Clark Fork.
Overnight parking costs $30 per night in the resort parking lot right across the street from the gondola. Hookups are not available, but restrooms and garbage service are provided.
Visit SilverMt.com for more details.
Summer at Schweitzer near Sandpoint kicks off June 13 this year with an Opening Day and Community Day celebrating Bonner County nonprofit organizations and offering $10 scenic chairlift rides and mountain bike lift tickets.
With more than 40 miles of mountain bike trails, and up to 3,800 feet of vertical descent when connecting to Little Sand Creek Watershed Trail Network, the biking at Schweitzer is unparalleled. And its Summer Bike Camp, a four-day camp for mountain-biking kids ages 8-13 with intermediate trail-riding experience, is returning with an expanded five-week schedule starting late June.
Photo courtesy of Schweitzer
Schweitzer's summer visitors also can play disc golf on two nine-hole courses -- one in the village and one at the summit -- and enjoy scenic chairlift rides on the Great Escape Quad to the summit, which serves up breathtaking views of Lake Pend Oreille and the Selkirk and Cabinet mountain ranges.
Other summer activities include hiking and trail running, geocaching, bungee trampolines, ziplines, a 25-foot climbing wall, gold panning, huckleberry picking, and horseback riding.
Race the Wolf returns June 20-21 with four different trail-running races all over the mountain. Its annual Northwest Winefest, slated for July 18-19, showcases wines from throughout the Pacific Northwest, local food vendors, and live music. And Schweitzer's Fall Fest returns Sept. 4-7 featuring free live music and more than 80 craft beers, ciders, and wine over four days during Labor Day weekend.
Visit Schweitzer.com for more details.
SOUTHWEST IDAHO
Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area near Boise begins summer operations June 19 and will be open Wednesdays-Sundays plus holidays through Labor Day, Sept. 7.
The 30-plus miles of trails at The Basin Gravity Park and Bogus Basin have become a regionally renowned mountain bike destination and include "Around the Mountain," Idaho's top mountain bike trail as ranked by MTBprojects.com.
Its rental fleet of more than 40 mountain bikes includes TREK full-suspension downhill bikes, enduro bikes, and trail bikes in adult, youth, and kid sizes. It does not rent e-bikes, but e-bikes are permitted in The Basin Gravity Park.
Bogus Basin offers mountain bike instruction, including group and private lessons. It also hosts several noteworthy races.
The Boise Mountain Bike Festival is staging its main day, June 27, at Bogus Basin. Activities include group rides (cross country, trail, downhill, and gravel), skills demonstrations and a big air jam by pro riders, a slalom challenge, small group coaching sessions, a raffle, swag giveaways, and more.
Bogus Basin's Community Race Series features weekly cross-country and downhill mountain bike races, with the schedule to be announced soon. And the National Interscholastic Cycling Association will stage its Idaho State Championships at Bogus Basin Oct. 10.
Beyond lift-served mountain biking, cross-country mountain biking, scenic lift rides, hiking, and disc golf, the nation's largest nonprofit ski area also boasts the Glade Runner mountain coaster and The Mineshaft, a three-story, 50-foot-tall challenge course with more than 60 obstacles and two ziplines.
Other attractions include the Shafer Butte Mining Co. panning sluice, the Sourdough Slider summer tubing hill, the Stack Rock climbing wall, and the Launch Pad bungee trampoline.
Bogus Basin is also presenting an array of free events this summer, including its popular Music on the Mountain concert series every other Saturday that kicks off July 11 and Music on the Patio most Saturdays and Sundays from June 20-Sept. 7. The former is curated by Duck Club Entertainment, which presents the annual Treefort Music Fest and a multitude of other concerts and events throughout the Treasure Valley.
Yoga on the Mountain, free classes in partnership with Boise studio Yoga for Life, begin June 20 and will be staged Friday evenings at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. through Labor Day weekend.
Photo by Cassidy Carter for Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area
Other social programs, including free guided nature hikes, will be scheduled throughout the summer.
Bogus Creek Lodge, Bogus Creek Grill, and the Double R Ranch BBQ Smokehouse will be open Wednesdays-Sundays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Although Bogus Basin does not offer lodging, slopeside accommodations are available to rent from the Pioneer Condos. In addition, the mountain partners with several hotels in Boise to offer stay and play deals. It also offers large group and corporate bookings for space, catering, and activities.
Overnight RV parking is allowed in parking lot no. 3, which is paved, but there are no hookups and fires, and unattended vehicles are not permitted.
Visit BogusBasin.org for more details.
Summer begins at Brundage Mountain Resort June 19-21, and the McCall-area destination quickly transitions to a 5-days-a-week Wednesdays-Sundays schedule starting June 24. Bonus operating days include July 6-7 -- which means the resort will be open every day from July 1-12 -- and Labor Day, Sept. 7.
Its 30-plus miles of trails offer plenty of variety, appeal to all types of mountain bikers, and include a 360-degree loop around the mountain. There's also an 8.4-mile trail the U.S. Forest Service calls "B2BB" (for "Brundage to Bear Basin") that, while not technically *in* Brundage Bike Park, connects its network of trails to the popular Bear Basin and Payette Rim trail systems.
Photo courtesy of Brundage Mountain Resort
Brundage offers mountain bike lessons through the Mountain Sports School, and Brundage Bike School's team of certified mountain bike instructors offer private lessons and skill-building clinics for ages 7-12 and 13 and up.
Meanwhile, the rental fleet at Brundage's Fall Line Shop includes more than 40 top-of-the-line full-suspension mountain bikes from Rocky Mountain and Transition that are perfect for the resort's mix of trails.
The resort's scenic chairlift rides afford a 360-view at the 7,800-foot summit that includes silhouettes of Idaho's Seven Devils Wilderness, Oregon's Eagle Cap Wilderness, and sweeping vistas of the Payette Lakes. Hikers and runners 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.
Summer activities at Brundage also include free concerts, yoga on the lawn, disc golf, and mountainside dining at Smoky's Bar & Grill.
New events include the Range to Ranch Adventure Summit multiday gathering for the overlanding community June 18-22 and the Ladies AllRide MTB Camp July 18-19.
Brundage's Fourth of July Music Festival & Cat Track 10K/5K foot races are returning July 4, and this year they're adding the new Brundage Wife Carrying Challenge to the Independence Day lineup.
Its popular free, weekly, dog-friendly TGIF Summer Concert Series runs Friday evenings July 3-Sept. 4, and this year shows will feature opening acts in addition to headlining performers.
Other returning favorites include Summit Paint and Sip events July 12, Aug. 16, and Aug. 30; the Twisted Turtle XC Race Aug. 7-9; and the Brundage Auto Show Sept. 19.
Visit Brundage.com for more details.
Tamarack Resort near Donnelly opened its new Lake Cascade marina May 22, underscoring the uniqueness of its ski-golf-lake trifecta. Tamarack Marina offers 100 boat slips -- which are open to the public to rent -- as well as on-water fuel, a sandy public beach and swimming area, lakeside dining and retail, and a full suite of motorized and nonmotorized watercraft rentals.
The resort's golf component received an upgrade, too. Its centerpiece is the 18-hole championship Osprey Meadows Golf Course designed by Robert Trent Jones II, which opened for the season May 16 and was just named the number-one public golf course in Idaho by Golfweek. It also features a 19th Gambler's Hole, and the resort is introducing a new nine-hole putting course on the social green this summer.
Meanwhile, daily lift-served mountain biking and scenic lift rides commenced May 22 and will continue through Labor Day, Sept. 7. Ziplining and whitewater rafting begin mid-June.
Tamarack's mountain-biking trail system spans more than 41 miles and includes an International Mountain Bicycling Association-created network of 22 downhill trails descending 1,800 feet of elevation and 29 cross-country biking trails. Its fleet of bikes includes 50 downhill mountain bikes, 23 cross-country mountain bikes, and 15 cruisers.
The resort's zipline canopy tours explore 3,500 feet of terrain via six different ziplines. Plus, Tamarack conducts guided whitewater rafting trips on the Cabarton stretch of the North Fork of the Payette River and guided fishing excursions on Lake Cascade.
Summer amenities also include four pickleball courts, and a nine-hole disc golf course just steps away at the base of West Mountain. And lodging guests and enjoy the large outdoor pool and hot tub overlooking the golf course at the Lodge at Osprey Meadows.
The resort continues to host several big races each summer. The Northwest Cup Downhill Race, the premier downhill single-stage mountain bike series in the West, returns to Tamarack June 19-21, with hundreds of riders showing up to show off their skills and speed. The sixth round of the Big Mountain Enduro Race Series -- the largest enduro race series in the U.S. -- is slated for July 11-12. An inaugural Kid's Triathlon debuts Aug. 1. And the Top of Tamarack Race, an endurance mountain biking and trail hiking/running event benefiting a local mental health nonprofit, returns Sept. 26.
Beyond races, Tamarack is staging a bevy of signature events all summer long beginning with a Field of Flags installation, fireworks, the inaugural Pedal, Paddle & Pint Race, and other programming over Memorial Day weekend. Fourth of July festivities include fireworks and a community-built mini golf course, and the resort will present its sixth annual Bikes, Brews & Bluegrass Festival over Labor Day weekend.
Osprey Meadows Golf Course will host several tournaments, including the U.S. Amateur Qualifier, the Idaho Women's Amateur, the Rocky Mountain PGA Pro-Am, and the PNGA Senior and Super Senior Amateur. It will also offer a series of local appreciation days for Idaho residents.
Tamarack will also observe International Yoga Day June 20, host the Northwest Mountain Challenge Triple Crown Archery Shoot's Idaho event June 26-28, stage the third annual Art & Wine Festival Aug. 29, and present its sixth annual Oktoberfest fall festival Sept. 26 that features German food, beer, and music.
The resort also hosts many recurring events throughout the summer, including daily real estate tours, a Nine & Dine golf and dinner special Mondays and Thursdays, Tuesday Trivia Nights at Seven Devils Taphouse, Wednesday Beach Yoga at Tamarack Marina, Thursday "Singo" Game Night on the Fern & Feather Patio, Friday Night Karaoke at Seven Devils Taphouse, Friday Live Music at The Reserve, Saturday BBQ & Music at the Mid Mountain Lodge, Sunday Yoga at the Mid Mountain Lodge, and Sunday BBQ at the Tamarack Marina.
Visit TamarackIdaho.com for more details.
Little Ski Hill just outside of McCall serves brunch Sundays and Mondays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Brunch runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
The nonprofit ski area also stages the Ponderosa Park Run in June and the Payette Lake Run during Labor Day weekend, which have become community traditions over the years. Proceeds from the events, slated for June 13 and Sept. 6, respectively, benefit the Payette Lakes Ski Club, Little Ski Hill, and Bear Basin Nordic Center.
The lodge is available for rentals and events with catering options available.
Visit PayetteLakesSkiClub.org for more details.
SOUTH CENTRAL IDAHO
Summer on Bald Mountain at Sun Valley Resort kicks off June 26 when the Roundhouse Express Gondola starts spinning and The Roundhouse -- America's original on-mountain dining experience -- starts serving its legendary lunch and is open for hiking and sightseeing. Mountain access for bikers begins July 1. Meanwhile, golf season at the resort is in full swing at all three courses -- White Clouds, Trail Creek, and Elkhorn.
The birthplace of the chairlift, Sun Valley is replacing two lifts on Bald Mountain for the 2026-27 ski season, with construction impacting areas of the mountain served by both. The Lookout Express upgrades from a high-speed detachable quad to a new high-speed six-pack similar to the Seattle Ridge Lift and will transport guests up 2,673 vertical feet in 8.5 minutes. A new high-speed detachable quad like the Flying Squirrel Lift replaces the existing Christmas Lift's detachable quad and will move guests 1,354 vertical feet in 4.5 minutes, significantly improving uphill capacity.
Lookout Lodge atop Bald Mountain will be closed this summer due to construction, including access to restrooms and potable water. Portable restrooms will be available at the top, and full facilities can be found at The Roundhouse.
The resort's Bald Mountain Forest Stewardship Project with the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Forest Foundation, private landowners, and local communities continues to improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk, and preserve the recreational experience everyone depends on. This summer the effort will focus on Seattle Ridge between Christin's and Broadway trails, Scorpion, River Run, and Cold Canyon. Additional work outside the ski area boundary will address broader forest health across the region.
Beyond this, the big news at America's first destination resort is Class-1 e-bikes are now permitted on Bald Mountain. Riders must follow all uphill and downhill trail designations, and Class-2 and Class-3 e-bikes are prohibited.
There's more big bicycling news for Sun Valley visitors, too: The City of Ketchum is building a new multi-use Connector Trail linking River Run to Warm Springs via Bald Mountain Trail. As a result, there will be intermittent impacts to the first section of Bald Mountain Trail this summer. In addition, the lift projects will have intermittent impacts to the Roundhouse Connector Trail, as well as the upper and lower sections of Bald Mountain Trail. Guests are encouraged to check sunvalley.com/mountain-updates for the latest details.
Sun Valley sports a dozen biking and hiking trails, including the longest purpose-built downhill MTB trail in the U.S., which on a normal year when the mountain is open to the top drops 3,350 vertical feet. Plus, riders can access more than 30 miles of paved, car-free bike paths and over 400 miles of singletrack throughout the Wood River Valley.
Photo by Sherri Harkin for Ski Idaho
Mountain, gravel, and road bike rentals from brands like Trek, Norco, and Kona, plus cruisers and e-bikes are on hand. Mountain bikes are available at Pete Lane's River Run for lift-accessed riding. All other bike styles are available at Pete Lane's in the Sun Valley Village.
The resort offers an array of additional activities, including scenic gondola rides, horseback trail rides and horse-drawn wagon rides, and a full menu of pampering options at the Sun Valley Spa. The resort also boasts numerous indoor and outdoor dining options, including The Ram, Gretchen's, Konditorei, Sun Valley Club, Village Station, and, as mentioned earlier, The Roundhouse.
Summer in Sun Valley officially begins at the Sun Valley Pavilion with the third annual Summer Stand-Up Comedy Showcase with Don Friesen, Meaghan Elwood, and Keith Barany June 12 and the Sun Valley Ballet June 27-28.
Sun Valley on Ice's summer series -- which includes several Team USA Olympic skaters in its lineup -- premieres July 1 followed by fireworks at the Pavilion. The Baldy Bluebird Festival takes center stage at River Run Plaza July 3-4 featuring Brothers Osborne and Chase Rice. The resort will launch fireworks after the July 4 concert near the Sun Valley Lodge. Also on board for Fourth of July week is "Electric Avenue" presented by Utah Bankers June 30 at the Sun Valley Pavilion.
The Summer Series at River Run Plaza featuring live music, family fun, and extended gondola hours begins July 18 and continues every Wednesday through Aug. 26.
Other events include the Sun Valley Writer's Conference July 16-18, Sun Valley Music Festival July 22-Aug. 20, free Yoga at River Run Plaza every Saturday at 9 a.m. June 27-Sept. 5, and free Pop-Up Pilates in the Village at 10 a.m. every Sunday Aug. 2-30.
Sun Valley's Labor Day weekend lineup includes Live Music at the Boiler Room Patio with the Mark Mueller Trio and Wildwoods Sept. 4-5, Movie on the Pavilion Lawn (film tba) Sept. 4, and a concert by Portugal, The Man at the Sun Valley Pavilion Sept. 6.
Visit SunValley.com for more details.
SOUTHERN IDAHO
Magic Mountain Ski Resort near Kimberly is only open to the public for two archery shoots and a NICA race this summer. However, there are some fun trails riders can pedal under their own power that Local Freshies documented at localfreshies.com/twin-falls-mountain-biking after exploring the area last summer.
The family owned ski area is hosting the 10th annual Rock Creek Archers Showdown June 13-14 and the Magic Valley Bowhunters Magic Mountain 3D Ski Shoot July 3-4. Both bow shoots are open to the public, and the lifts will be spinning for participant access during the events. However, the trails will be closed to mountain biking and hiking on those days.
It is also home to the Idaho Interscholastic Cycling League's second NICA race of the summer Aug. 29. More details about the series, which also includes events at Brundage, Grand Targhee, Jug Mountain Ranch, Soldier Mountain, and Bogus Basin, are available at idahomtb.org/races.
Visit MagicMountainResort.com for more details.
This summer, Soldier Mountain near Fairfield will spin the lifts during three Picnic Patio Parties June 21, July 19, and Aug. 16. However, visitors can pedal the mountain bike park under their own power on nonoperational days, as well as play its nine-hole disc golf course.
Photo by Sherri Harkin for Ski Idaho
The Picnic Patio Parties will feature group e-bike rides on the ski area and surrounding national forestland from noon-4 p.m. in partnership with Ridgeline Bike and Ski in Boise. The resort will spin the High Trail Express (Chair 1) from 2-6 p.m. for public mountain biking and scenic chairlift rides, with live music scheduled for 5-8:30 p.m. The family friendly events will also have food and beverages, bounce castles, a slip-and-slide in the magic carpet area, and outdoor games like cornhole and a slingshot shooting range.
The resort, which is booked for a lot of weddings this summer, is also home to the Idaho Interscholastic Cycling League's fifth NICA race of the season Oct 3.
New this summer: Soldier Mountain now allows e-bikes on its mountain bike trails all the time (operational and nonoperational days). The resort's network of five trails spans 9 miles. One of the trails is designated as easy, two are considered intermediate, and two are advanced, including one hand-cut trail and an extreme machine-cut jump trail.
Its outdoor bathrooms are open 24/7 to accommodate campers and RVs, which are welcome to dry camp in the parking lot at no cost.
Visit SoldierMountain.com for more details.
Pomerelle Mountain Resort near Albion is booked for many private events this summer and fall. However, the resort only plans to open to the public for lift-served mountain biking and hiking on one weekend this summer -- Aug. 1-2, for The Pomerelle Pounder, one of the longest-running mountain bike races in the state.
Photo by Sherri Harkin for Ski Idaho
The event is part of the 2026 Utah Gravity Mountain Bike Series, with the races staged that Saturday and Sunday and racers practicing there Friday. Pomerelle will open the Slopeside Grill and its lodge and cafeteria that weekend, as well.
During the Pounder, the rest of the mountain will be open to the public for mountain biking, hiking, scenic chairlift rides, and hamburger eating.
Otherwise, riders can bike uphill under their own power and ride the trails beginning July 1, but they must understand there are no emergency personnel on the mountain, according to the resort.
The resort is hosting its annual 3D archery shoot presented by the Minidoka Bowmen Archery Association June 27-28. It is also working on staging a concert, but dates and other details are not available yet.
Otherwise, new owners Zack and Crystal Alexander will focus on maintenance this summer.
Visit Pomerelle.com for more details.
EASTERN IDAHO
Kelly Canyon Resort in Eastern Idaho near Ririe and Idaho Falls will not be offering lift-served mountain biking this summer as the owners focus on infrastructure improvements. The resort is enhancing the lodge, making upgrades in the base area, improving the parking lot, and continuing to invest in snowmaking, and its 10-year master plan includes a new lift, a second lodge, treehouses, glamping, a zipline, and a mountain coaster.
The resort staged a 24-hour trail-running race May 15 called Kelly Canyon's Wild 24 for solo runners and teams of up to 10. It was comprised of a 3.7-mile loop course with 900 feet of elevation gain per lap where the racer completing the most laps in 24 hours wins.
The resort will offer guided UTV tours this summer. The 2.5-hour tours through the Big Hole Mountain Range are available by reservation and accommodate up to five guests per UTV.
Visit KellyCanyonResort.com for more details and updates.
Just across the border in Alta, Wyo., Grand Targhee Resort -- which affiliates with the Idaho Ski Areas Association because the resort is only accessible via Driggs, Idaho -- opens for the summer June 12. The Shoshone and Dreamcatcher lifts will run daily through Sept. 13.
Grand Targhee Mountain Bike Park delivers over 2,200 vertical feet and 17 miles of lift-serviced downhill trails, plus the resort maintains more than 50 miles of multi-use trails for biking and hiking and running. MTBparks.com Riders' Choice Best Bike Parks Awards ranked its bike park among the Northwest's top five for six consecutive years.
Photo by Sherri Harkin for Ski Idaho
The Ghee is introducing three new downhill trails this summer that should be ready midsummer, a black diamond trail called "S'kitty" and two double-blacks named "Sinker" and "Thunder." The resort is also introducing "Nell's Discovery Loop," an easy, flat, 0.6-mile loop perfect for families with little ones and strollers with the goal of having this ready by the first week of July. The trail will feature educational signage about plant and animal wildlife in the Tetons.
Grand Targhee is allowing pedal assist (no throttle) e-mountain bikes on its "Northern" and "Meadow" trails to provide another mellow, entry-level activity for its guests.
The resort offers affordable rental packages from world-class brands like Specialized, Santa Cruz, Kona, and more. In addition to its mountainside location, Grand Targhee operates a Habitat bike rental shop in downtown Driggs for riders wanting to explore the greater Teton Valley.
This summer Targhee is offering three adult bike camps: a Women's Beginner Bike Camp June 27-28, a Women's Gravity Camp July 25-26, and a Men's Gravity Clinic Aug. 23. The resort also offers bike camps for kids ages 6-12: Fred's Adventure Camp, which can be booked by the day or the week, and new Dirt Crew Bike Camp five-day programs for developing riders.
The resort will host the third annual Colter Cup -- Targhee's premier downhill race and the longest downhill race in the Tetons -- July 19. Open to racers of all ability levels, the event spans 3,900 vertical feet of descent from the top of Grand Targhee to the bottom of Teton Canyon.
The new MBT Mini-Enduro & Trail Work Weekend July 24-25 offers riders a chance to earn their turns. Day one features two to three timed downhill stages for a combined total race time, while day two is comprised of riding and digging with MBT and GTR professional trail crews to perform trail work on one of Targhee's best trails.
The Pierre's Hole 50K/100K Mountain Bike Race is returning July 31-Aug. 1. This year, however, the resort is introducing the Friday Night "1832 Short-Track" Race: 1832 seconds (30.5 minutes) plus 1 lap of Targhee's 1-mile, base area course.
Aug. 13-16 finds The Ghee hosting the Mountain States Cup, a brand-new four-day event representing the pinnacle of downhill mountain bike racing in the West.
Teton Adaptive and Valley Adaptive Sports are teaming up with National Ability Center, Wasatch Adaptive Sports, DREAM, Eagle Mount, and Higher Ground to present the second annual Wydaho Adaptive Mountain Bike Festival Sept. 4-6. The event directly evolved last year from the long-running Wydaho Rendezvous Mountain Bike Festival and is one of the premier adaptive mountain biking (aMTB) events in North America.
Rounding out the season, Targhee is hosting a NICA High School Mountain Bike Race for the Idaho Interscholastic Cycling League on Sept. 12.
The fourth annual Wildflower Run, a trail run with 10K and half-marathon options, is slated for July 4-5. And the Cirque Series mountain running race returns to Targhee Aug. 29.
On the music front, the resort is resurrecting Targhee Fest after a seven-year hiatus and showcasing world-class artists like Charley Crockett, the Markus King Band, and many more July 10-11. Plus, the Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival will celebrate its 36th year Aug. 7-9.
Other summertime diversions include scenic chairlift rides, hiking and trail running, an outdoor swimming pool, an 8,000-foot-long, 18-hole disc golf course, guided horseback adventures, and an upgraded GTR Mining Co. experience with expanded options on the resort's very popular gem and fossil mining bags. Grand Targhee is also installing a new kid's play area adjacent to the Powder Cache restaurant with a natural element playground that kids can enjoy at no cost.
In addition to slopeside lodging, the resort boasts meadow campsites and a parking lot camping area that can accommodate pull-behind trailers, sprinters, and camper vans.
Visit GrandTarghee.com for more details.
SOUTHEAST IDAHO
Pebble Creek Ski Area in Inkom is staging the 62nd annual Wildflower & Music Festival June 27 when the blooms are expected to be at their peak. A critical fundraiser for the nonprofit, volunteer Pebble Creek Ski Patrol, the event features live music from five bands, scenic chairlift rides on the Sunshine Chair from 3-7 p.m., and tasty BBQ served by ski patrol members.
Photo courtesy of Pebble Creek Ski Area
Gates open at 1 p.m. and live music begins at 2 p.m. with the lineup including Paige Anne, The Caddies, Rev'd Audio, Jonny Ranger, and the Aaron Ball Band. Admission costs $25 per person or $60 per family, with advance tickets available online for only $20. The resort asks guests to please leave their dogs at home.
Scenic lift rides are $15 for adults and $10 for kids 5-12. Downhill lift service is not available -- riders must hike down the mountain -- and kids under 5 are not permitted on the chairlift.
Parking is limited, so carpooling is encouraged. The resort is offering free shuttle bus rides to and from the lower parking lots.
The ski area is booked throughout the summer for private events, and the lodge is available to rent as a venue for weddings, corporate events, family gatherings, and other functions.
Visit PebbleCreekSkiArea.com for more details.