Photo courtesy of courtesy of Gary Peterson for Ski Idaho
Ski Idaho this summer
Idaho ski areas offer fair-weather adventures like lift-served mountain biking
BOISE, Idaho (May 24, 2023) — Eleven Idaho ski areas offer summertime mountain biking, eight of the operations are lift-served all season, many are debuting new trails this season, and three destinations — the Route of the Hiawatha, Silver Mountain Resort, and Soldier Mountain — are opening their bike trails Memorial Day weekend.
The lifts will start turning at Brundage Mountain Resort, Grand Targhee Resort, Tamarack Resort, and Schweitzer June 16. Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area will kick off its summer season June 23, the same date the lifts start turning at Sun Valley resort for hiking and Roundhouse dining. Lift-served mountain biking at Sun Valley begins July 1, which is also when Pomerelle Mountain Resort opens to mountain biking, although riders must earn their turns at the later destination and pedal uphill under their own power except for two weekends. Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area has not announced an opening date, but it will not offer lift-served mountain biking this summer. And Kelly Canyon Resort, which typically offers lift-served mountain biking and other activities, will be closed this summer to focus on a series of repairs and upgrades.
Highlights this summer include a new three-story Aerial Adventure Course at Bogus Basin, a new mountain-biking school at Brundage Mountain Resort and a new trail connecting its network to Bear Basin, an additional 5 miles of trails and more self-loading chairlift bike trays at Tamarack, a weeklong Fourth of July celebration at Sun Valley, an MTB skills clinic at Pomerelle this fall, and Grand Targhee’s new Wildflower Race 10K and half-marathon trail runs July 8.
Although Pebble Creek does not offer mountain biking, it will host the 60th anniversary of its wildflower and music festivals towards the end of June.
NORTH IDAHO
The Route of the Hiawatha, which Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area operates under a special-use permit from the U.S. Forest Service, opens May 26. Considered the crown jewel of the nation’s rails-to-trails initiative, the family friendly bike trail celebrated its 25th anniversary last summer and will operate seven days a week through Sept. 17.
Image courtesy of 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. Attracting just under 70,000 riders each summer, the Route of the Hiawatha is by far the most popular ski area bike trail in the country.
Full-moon night rides are planned for June 3, July 3, Aug. 1, and Aug. 30 by reservation only. In fact, the Route of the Hiawatha strongly encourages guests to make reservations for the day they want to ride — especially when renting equipment.
Meanwhile, Lookout Pass will offer scenic chairlift rides up and down the mountain, but the ski area will not offer lift-served mountain biking this summer. Its five family friendly woodland hiking trails and the mountain summit nine-hole frisbee golf course will remain open, and guests can pick huckleberries later in the season.
Lookout Pass will operate Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays through Labor Day, Sept. 4, but the ski area has not announced an opening date yet.
Visit SkiLookout.com and RideTheHiawatha.com for more details.
In nearby Kellogg, Silver Mountain Resort will begin summer weekend operations — which include mountain biking and scenic rides on North America’s longest gondola — May 27-29. Daily operations commence June 16 and run through Labor Day, Sept. 4. At that point weekend operations will continue through Oct. 1.
Image courtesy of Gary Peterson for Ski Idaho
Voted Best in the Northwest for four consecutive years in the MTBparks.com Riders’ Choice Awards, Silver Mountain Bike Park sports nearly 40 singletrack trails that span 3,300 vertical feet. Readers of The Pacific Northwest Inlander just voted Silver Mountain the no. 1 place to mountain bike in its Best Of 2023 poll.
Silver Mountain has made some major improvements to its newest jump trail, “Ghost Pepper,” which debuted last summer. The black diamond jump trail has a variety of machine-built and hand-groomed jumps that cater to more-experienced riders. The bike trail maintenance team is constantly making small improvements to trails, including reroutes and new berms.
The resort also operates the state’s largest indoor waterpark, Silver Rapids, which opens for weekends over the Memorial Day holiday and begins daily operations June 17. 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 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. Plus, its e-bike rental fleet allows guests to more easily explore sections of the nearby Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes.
As usual, Silver Mountain’s calendar is jam-packed with events this summer, including the North American Enduro Cup June 16-18 boasting a pro prize purse of $12,000, and the Silver Kings Hard Enduro, one of the premier hard enduro motorcycle races in the country, June 23-24. New this summer at the latter race: The resort will close Bunker Ave. in Kellogg for a straight rhythm race on Friday night similar to downtown Nashville’s Tennessee Knockout Race.
The resort will stage its Ride & Dine Series, a weekly BBQ and live music event at the top of the mountain presented by Spokane Teachers Credit Union, every Friday night from June 30-Sept. 1. The Shootout at Silver Mountain, a 3D archery shoot, returns July 8-9. Other events include Fourth of July fireworks, the Northwest Cup downhill mountain bike race Aug. 4-6, and its annual Brewsfest Aug. 12 featuring more than 20 breweries, two live bands, and food trucks atop the mountain.
Visit SilverMt.com for more details.
Summer at Schweitzer near Sandpoint runs June 16-Sept. 4 this year, with details about daily operations and highlights yet to be announced.
Image courtesy of Gary Peterson for Ski Idaho
The resort maintains more than 40 miles of mountain bike trails and offers a 2-hour hosted e-bike tour daily.
Schweitzer’s summer visitors also can play disc golf on its nine-hole summit course and enjoy scenic chairlift rides on the Great Escape Quad to the summit. Both serve 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, a 25-foot climbing wall, gold panning, huckleberry picking, and horseback riding.
Community Day is scheduled for June 18, with $10 lift tickets and 100 percent of the proceeds going to Bonner County Human Rights Task Force. Race the Wolf returns June 24-25 with four different trail races all over the mountain.
The Northwest Winefest at Schweitzer is slated for July 15-16. Guests can sample upwards of 80 wines from 20 different Pacific Northwest wineries. And Fall Fest returns Sept. 1-4. The annual event offers four days of beer tasting, 10 bands, and more than 80 different beers, ciders, seltzers, and even a handful of wines over Labor Day weekend.
Visit Schweitzer.com for more details.
SOUTHWEST IDAHO
Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area near Boise intends to open for summer June 23. Daily operations will continue through Aug. 20, with the ski area open Fridays-Sundays Aug. 25-Sept. 1 and Saturdays-Sundays Sept. 9-Oct. 1.
Image courtesy of Bogus Basin
The 20-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. The nation’s largest nonprofit ski area, Bogus Basin will unveil several miles of new trails this summer.
Standing 42 ft. tall , the new three-story Aerial Adventure Course at Bogus Basin serves up a variety of obstacles and challenges, as well as three ziplines.
Other summertime activities at Bogus Basin include scenic chairlift rides, the Glade Runner mountain coaster, a climbing wall, a bungee trampoline, a tubing hill, and food and beverage services. It is also staging a free Music on the Mountain concert series every other Saturday June 24-Sept. 2 and hosting free Yoga on the Mountain and free music on the patio every weekend all summer long. The ski area will also host guided weekend nature hikes throughout the summer and a six-week-long Community Race Series of fun and friendly competitions for trail runners and cross-country and downhill mountain bikers.
The Boise Mountain Bike Festival is partnering with Bogus Basin and Eagle Bike Park on June 30 and July 1. Activities include group rides (cross country, trail, downhill, and gravel), skill demonstrations and a big air jam by pro riders, a slalom challenge, small group coaching sessions, a raffle, swag giveaways, and more.
Visit BogusBasin.org for more details.
Early in the season, Brundage Mountain Resort, in the West Central Mountains near the resort town of McCall, will open Fridays-Sundays June 16-18 and June 23-25. It will open Wednesdays-Sundays during the regular season, June 28-Sept. 3, with bonus days on Monday July 3, Tuesday July 4, and closing day Monday Sept. 4.
Image courtesy of Dave Bingaman
Its 30-mile trail system offers plenty of variety, appeals to all types of mountain bikers, and includes a 360-degree loop around the mountain. New this summer is an 8.4-mile trail the U.S. Forest Services calls “BMR2BB” (for “Brundage Mountain Resort to Bear Basin”) that, while not technically *in* Brundage Bike Park, connects its network of trails to the popular Bear Basin trail system.
The new trail — the result of public-private-nonprofit partnerships spearheaded by CIMBA, the Central Idaho Mountain Bike Association, and assisted by Brundage and the One Track Mind Foundation — has been in the works since 2009. Crews completed construction last fall, so the trail had the opportunity to winter under the snow. The trail’s grand opening will likely take place in early July after the snow melts and crews can clear brush and debris from the singletrack trail.
Also new at Brundage this summer are mountain bike lessons through the Mountain Sports School. Brundage Bike School’s team of certified mountain bike instructors offer private lessons, learn-to-ride group lessons, and social group rides. Visit brundage.com/mtb-lessons for more details.
Meanwhile, the resort’s scenic chairlift rides 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.
In addition, Brundage offers outdoor dining at Smoky’s Bar & Grill and maintains a 2,500-foot-long, nine-hole disc golf course in the base area and a grassy amphitheater that provides a charming, spacious, fresh-air environment for dog-friendly summer concerts. Its free, weekly TGIF Summer Concert Series runs Fridays July 7-Sept. 1 with the exception of Aug. 18 when Brundage hosts its National Interscholastic Cycling Association youth mountain bike race.
Other events on the calendar include the Fourth of July Music Festival & Cat Track 10K/5K foot races on Tuesday July 4, as well as some additional bike races in July.
Visit Brundage.com for more details.
At Tamarack Resort near Donnelly, summer operations will begin May 27, with daily lift service starting June 16 and continuing through Sept. 10. Zipline, waterfront, and whitewater activities will commence Memorial Day weekend depending on weather.
Image courtesy of Sherri Harkin for Tamarack Resort
This summer the resort is opening additional mountain biking trails, adding a sweets shop to its food and beverage offerings, and introducing new amenities like a summer camp and Adventure Pack lodging add-ons.
Tamarack will debut nearly 5 miles of new mountain biking trails this summer, expanding its International Mountain Bicycling Association-created network to nearly 33 total miles of lift-served downhill and cross-country trails. Plus, the resort is adding more self-loading bike trays on the Tamarack Express lift to easily accommodate both downhill bikes and e-bikes.
Summer amenities include scenic chairlift rides, an outdoor axe-throwing facility in The Village and a nine-hole disc golf course just steps away at the base of West Mountain. Plus, The Waterfront on Lake Cascade offers kayak, paddleboard, pontoon boat, surf boat, and jet ski rentals. Work to restore and reopen the award-winning Osprey Meadows championship golf course continues, with the driving range completed last summer and opening Memorial Day weekend.
The resort’s zipline canopy tours explore 3,500 feet of terrain, including eight different ziplines, two suspension bridges, and a 105-foot-high treehouse. 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.
The new Camp Tam summer camp will offer kids various mountain, meadow, and lake activities. And its new Adventure Pack lodging add-on will provide guests with discounts on activities such as biking, kayaking, paddleboarding, pickleball, disc golf, and axe throwing via an RFID wristband.
Sugarloaf Creamery has joined the array of establishments in The Village, which includes the Rendezvous Food Hall, a fine-dining establishment called The Reserve, a market, and the new Seven Devils Taphouse, which opened this winter. The new sweets shop offers 18 ice cream flavors plus milkshakes, bulk candy, and a signature sweet of the day.
Seven Devils will stage concerts on the patio every Saturday from 5-8 p.m. beginning June 3. And the Northwest Cup Downhill Race, the premier downhill single-stage mountain bike series in the West, returns to Tamarack June 23-25, with hundreds of riders showing up to show off their skills and speed. The annual Bikes, Brews & Bluegrass Festival is slated for Sept. 30.
Fireworks will be visible from The Village on May 27 and July 1.
Visit TamarackIdaho.com for more details.
SOUTH CENTRAL IDAHO
Seven-days-a-week lift access to hiking trails and the Roundhouse restaurant at world-famous Sun Valley Resort begins June 23 via the Roundhouse Express gondola and the Christmas Chair, and lift-served mountain biking begins July 1. Meanwhile, golf season at the resort has begun with the opening of White Clouds and the back nine holes of the 7,214-yard-long Elkhorn Golf Course. The front nine of Elkhorn and the 6,986-yard-long Trail Creek championship course will open later this spring.
Image courtesy of Gary Peterson for Ski Idaho
America’s first destination resort and birthplace of the chairlift, Sun Valley sports a dozen biking and hiking trails, including the longest purpose-built downhill mountain-bike trail in the U.S., dropping 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.
In addition, the resort offers an array of activities, including scenic gondola rides, horseback trail rides and horse-drawn wagon rides, bike rentals for bike path or trail riding, 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 The Roundhouse (which opens June 23).
Sun Valley is staging a weeklong Independence Day celebration July 1-7. In addition to kicking off the mountain biking and hiking season July 1, the resort will host a free one-hour yoga class at River Run Plaza. The Dutch National Ballet will perform at the Sun Valley Pavilion July 1-2. And the resort will host its official summer kickoff party July 2 at River Run Plaza with live music, yard games, and food and beverages.
On July 3, the first Sun Valley On Ice show features U.S. Olympic team member and gold medalist Mariah Bell. Shows featuring medal-winning headline skaters alongside a talented cast are planned for every Saturday between July 22-Sept. 2.
The Marcus King Band will headline a concert at the Sun Valley Pavilion July 4 with Tylor & The Train Robbers followed by fireworks.
The River Run Summer Series featuring live music, family fun, and extended lift hours begins in late July.
Other events include the Sun Valley Wellness Festival June 10-13, Ballet Sun Valley June 24-25, Sun Valley Writer’s Conference July 22-24, Sun Valley Music Festival July 30-Aug. 24, Yoga on the Mountain, and free Yoga at River Run Plaza and on the Pavilion lawn.
Visit SunValley.com for more details.
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SOUTHERN IDAHO
The mountain bike park at Soldier Mountain will open for the season May 27. However, the lifts will only turn this summer on holiday weekends, so riders must pedal under their own power uphill most days. Holiday weekends include May 27-28, July 1-2, and Sept. 2-3. In addition, the resort will host a National Interscholastic Cycling Association youth mountain bike race Sept. 15-16 and will spin the lifts Sept. 17 for participants and the public.
Image courtesy of Gary Peterson for Ski Idaho
Mountain biking will not be allowed during special events like weddings, a 3D archery shoot June 10-11, and disc golf tournaments, so the resort recommends checking the events page on its website when making plans.
Lift tickets will cost $25 on the days they turn. Otherwise, Soldier Mountain is charging riders $10 per day, although it is free for 2023-2024 ski season passholders. Riders must purchase their tickets on its website.
Soldier Mountain’s network of five trails spans 9 miles. One of the trails is designated as an uphill route that riders ascend to access the other trails, which include easy, intermediate, and advanced hand-cut trails and an extreme machine-cut jump trail. The resort also maintains a skills park.
Staff will inspect and maintain the trails and skills park on a weekly basis. The resort points out riders must understand there is no emergency personnel on the mountain.
Beverage service will be available Saturdays and Sundays at the bar’s pass-through window, but otherwise the lodge will be closed. However, the resort’s outdoor bathrooms will be open 24/7 to accommodate riders and campers, who 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 and only plans to open to the public for lift-served mountain biking and hiking two weekends this summer and fall.
Image courtesy of Gary Peterson for Ski Idaho
The first weekend is July 28-30 during the Pomerelle Pounder, one of the oldest mountain bike races in the Gem State. The 2023 Utah Gravity Mountain Bike Series will stage the races that Saturday and Sunday, with racers practicing there Friday. Pomerelle will open the Slopeside Grill and its lodge and cafeteria that weekend, as well.
The lifts will turn a second weekend Oct. 7-8 during Pomerelle’s two-day co-ed skills clinic for mountain bikers. Certified instructors from A Singletrack Mind, which offers fundamental workshops for all abilities, will conduct the event, with registration and other information available at https://asingletrackmind.com/events.
During both events, the rest of the mountain will be open to the public for mountain biking, hiking, scenic trail 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 is no emergency personnel on the mountain, according to the resort.
Pomerelle also maintains an 18-hole disc golf course.
Visit Pomerelle.com for more details.
EASTERN IDAHO
Despite incredible challenges brought by an unprecedented snow season, Kelly Canyon Resort in Eastern Idaho near Ririe and Idaho Falls is gearing up for a promising summer. With 3-4 ft. of snow still gracing Old Man Flats, the resort has decided to focus on a series of upgrades and repairs to ensure an unforgettable experience for all visitors.
The resort owners have announced a range of significant construction projects that will take center stage this summer. Kelly Canyon is replacing Lift 4, along with its communication line, to enhance efficiency and guarantee a smooth ride for skiers and snowboarders. As an added bonus, the resort is installing a new surface lift between the top of Lift 2 and Lift 4, granting visitors even more accessibility for exploring the east side of the mountain.
Kelly Canyon is also designing snowmaking ponds to ensure ideal snow conditions throughout winter and guarantee an early opening. And infrastructure development for idyllic glamping sites and charming treehouses is well underway, promising a one-of-a-kind stay amidst nature’s beauty.
While this means the resort won’t open for the summer (the Half Cab Grill will be closed, too), the resort’s owners said it’s clear the upcoming winter season will be nothing short of extraordinary. And with all the upgrades and repairs on the horizon, they said the stage is set for creating unforgettable adventures in a four-season playground.
Visit KellyCanyonResort.com for more details and updates.
Just across the border in Alta, Wyo., Grand Targhee Resort affiliates with the Idaho Ski Areas Association because the resort is only accessible via Driggs, Idaho. It will open for downhill mountain biking June 16 — weather and conditions permitting — with the Shoshone and Dreamcatcher lifts running daily through Sept. 17.
Image courtesy of Gary Peterson for Ski Idaho
Grand Targhee offers 2,200 vertical feet of lift-serviced downhill, 17 miles of downhill trails, more than 70 miles of multi-use trails for biking and hiking and running, and a mountain bike school. MTBparks.com Riders’ Choice Best Bike Parks Awards ranked its bike park among the Northwest’s top five for six consecutive years.
It will host the GTR Downhill Mountain Bike Race July 22. The Pierre’s Hole 50K/100K Mountain Bike Race returns Aug. 5. And Ladies All Ride two-day mountain bike camps for women of all ability levels are slated for July 19-20 and July 22-23.
Summertime activities at Grand Targhee also include scenic chairlift rides, hiking and trail running, a nature center, horseback riding, swimming in the outdoor pool, a bungee trampoline, a summer kids camp, the GTR Mining Co., and an 8,000-foot-long, 18-hole disc golf course.
The resort will introduce the Wildflower Race, its first trail run with 10K and half-marathon options, July 8. The Wrun for Wray, a 3-mile uphill run that starts at the base of the Dreamcatcher chairlift and climbs 1,840 ft. to the top of Fred’s Mountain, returns June 24 and benefits the Wray Landon Legacy Fund.
Targhee Music Camp will celebrate its 15th anniversary Aug. 7-10. And the Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival returns for its 33rd year Aug. 11-13 after a three-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Family Fridays events are slated for June 30, July 28, Aug. 25, and Sept. 1 with the Shoshone Lift open until 7 p.m. and music and fun for the whole family.
In addition to slopeside lodging, Grand Targhee Resort boasts a parking lot camping area that can accommodate pull-behind trailers, sprinters, and camper vans.
Visit GrandTarghee.com for more details.
Pebble Creek Ski Area in Inkom is staging the 60th annual Pebble Creek Wildflower & Music Festival June 24 when the blooms are expected to be at their peak. A fundraiser for the National Ski Patrol, the event features live music by regional and local touring artists, scenic chairlift rides from 4-7 p.m., and tasty BBQ served by Pebble Creek Ski Patrol members.
The resort is booked most weekends 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.
Eagle Peak Expansion. Courtesy of Lookout Pass.
New Eagle Peak doubles the fun at Lookout Pass Ski Area
By: Steve Stuebner
On a March visit to Lookout Pass Ski Area, 10-14 inches of fresh *pow* greeted us on a Saturday morning. And my, it was amazing to see how the North Idaho powder hounds turned out in force to shred the fresh snow!
We arrived at 8:30 a.m., and early bird skiers were already on the main lift heading up the hill. We hadn’t even found a place to park! I looked at my partner Wendy, “Whoops, we’re late!”
But our friends from Coeur d’Alene saved us a spot in the lift line. We loaded the quad lift at the base of Lookout and headed directly for the new Eagle Peak area pronto. Fresh *pow* was waiting to be shredded! And that’s always a big deal!
In minutes, we rode the nearly mile-long Eagle Peak quad lift to the 6,160-foot summit of Lookout’s new mountain, which opened for the 2022-23 ski season. Light snowflakes fell from the sky, but we could see clearly enough that all kinds of virgin snow awaited our tracks. Let’s go!
Dave and Carol Lindsay and Randy Bell of Coeur d’Alene led the way down Thunderbird, a black-diamond face under the lift, and we had it all to ourselves. The knee-deep, light creamy snow felt like a dream. Once you get into a rhythm in snow like that, you don’t want to stop!
Image courtesy of Lookout Pass
We crossed over Eagle’s Flight, a big boulevard open slope, and dropped into Ironheart, a black diamond north slope, and shredded virgin powder pillows on a nice fall line to the bottom of the Eagle Peak lift. We got back on the quad chair within minutes, and squirmed with anticipation of another powder run. On days like this, the lifts can’t run fast enough. On the new fixed-grip quad chair, it’s a 13-minute ride so you might as well enjoy it!
Eagle Peak nearly doubled the skiable terrain at Lookout Pass to a new total of 1,023 acres. Eagle Peak itself offers 1,650 vertical feet of continuous drop from the summit, an increase of 500 verts that’s provided by Lookout’s other lifts. The lengthy vertical drop from Eagle Peak is very similar to many of the medium-sized ski areas in Idaho, such as Bogus Basin and Brundage Mountain. There are 14 new named runs on Eagle Peak.
You pause for a moment on the Eagle Peak summit, look below, and it seems like it’s a LONG way to the bottom. It’s a similar feeling you get on Warm Springs at Sun Valley, where the ski slope drops more than 3,000 vertical feet and you feel your quads on fire if you try to zip down nonstop.
I asked my CDA friends about their take on Eagle Peak.
“I really like it there,” Dave Lindsay says. “It’s a long chair, it’s a mile long, so it’s a long way back down. It took us a while to figure it out — it’s a little more complicated than we thought, but we’ve really, really enjoyed it. It has a whole different feel, it’s significantly higher, further back in the mountains, and it adds to the powder skiing at Lookout quite a bit!”
“Going up the chair is beautiful!” adds Randy Bell “Look at all the mountains everywhere!”
Matthew Sawyer, director of marketing for Lookout Pass, puts it this way: “The Eagle Peak expansion has transformed the area. It’s been 10 years in the making, so people have been waiting for it.
“It’s added terrain that we didn’t have before — longer trails, more vertical, because it’s higher. We’ve already had a reputation for quality snow, and abundant snow (400 inches/year), but Eagle Peak gets more than we had before because it’s 500 feet higher. When there’s a big storm, that’s significant.”
Image courtesy of Lookout Pass
Another fun and unique aspect of Lookout Pass is that it’s located on the Idaho-Montana border.
“You can ski in two states, ski through two time zones (Pacific and Mountain), and it’s one of the few places where you can go back to the future, literally,” Sawyer quips.
Overall, Lindsay says, “I love the general vibe at Lookout. I like how the mountain is maintained. I like the people who work here, the lifties are great.”
“It’s a great little mountain,” Bell adds. “There’s no lift lines (mid-week), lots of nice powder stashes, and they usually have the most snow.”
Affordability is another significant consideration at Lookout, Sawyer says. Lift fees cost $55 per day mid-week for adults, $66 on weekends and $73 on holidays. Those prices are below the average price in Idaho, and WAY below what they charge at destination resorts. Season passes cost $399 for adults, also a bargain. Lookout spring season pass sales are currently under way, BTW. A new season pass provides access this spring but also all of next ski season.
Lookout also looks to the future by providing free ski lessons to kids on Saturdays. Over the last 80 years, Lookout has introduced about 75,000 kids to skiing and snowboarding.
On this particular trip, my partner Wendy and I skied Lookout on a partly sunny day on Thursday to experience many of the groomers at Lookout and on Eagle Peak. It snowed like bonkers that night, creating a foot of new light snow to enjoy at Silver Mountain on Friday. And then we went back to ski Lookout on a powder day.
Wendy and I stayed in the condominiums at the base of Silver Mountain, so it was an easy 20-minute commute to Lookout from there. And on the day we skied Silver, we walked from our condo unit to the gondola terminal to ski for the day.
I really like both Silver and Lookout. They both have their own unique personalities, but they’re basically long-time Idaho home-grown ski mountains with a great variety of slopes and tree skiing.
Lookout’s history goes back to the 1930s when they had a small rope tow operating at the base. They have the second-oldest ski lodge in the Pacific Northwest, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The oldest is at Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood in Oregon.
The Lookout base lodge complex features a basement area with ski lockers for locals, a self-serve food service area on the second floor (lunch for $10 or less), and a spacious bar on the third floor with food items available and several big screen TVs. Large picture windows allow you to watch skiers and riders come down the mountain while you’re sipping a beverage après ski.
We capped off our powder day at Lookout by hitting some secret tree glades that require some hiking to return to the ski lifts. I’m sworn to secrecy about the location.
Image courtesy of Lookout Pass
The mystery glades were a stellar way to complete the ski day. We started out on a moderate slope, winding slowly through nicely spaced lodgepole pines, and then the fall line got steeper to finish out the run. All virgin *pow* for 1,000 verts of pure bliss! We all landed on a cat track below the slope, grinning ear to ear. Woo-hoo!
Lodging options when visiting Lookout Pass: Lookout has no overnight accommodations, so the best options nearby are in Wallace and Kellogg. I recommend the Silver Mountain condos at the base of Silver Mountain (our studio condo cost $85/night on VRBO.com), the Wallace Inn or the Ryan Hotel in Wallace. The Silver Mountain condos have big hot tubs that are open 24/7, and the Silver Rapids indoor water park (great for kids).
Local favorite eateries include: Sam’s in Kellogg for breakfast, Radio Brewing Co. in Kellogg for lunch, dinner, or drinks, Blackboard Cafe in Wallace for breakfast or dinner, City Limits Brew Pub in Wallace for lunch, dinner, or drinks, and Noah’s Canteen at the base of Silver Mountain for drinks, lunch or dinner.
Steve Stuebner has been skiing Idaho for 35 years. He writes the Idaho Daily Snow for opensnow.com, and he’s a contributor to Ski Idaho.
Photo by Hillary Maybery for Sun Valley Resort.
Once again the stoke is high in Idaho as 2022-23 ski season nears
BOISE, Idaho (Nov. 2, 2022) — All signs are pointing to another great ski and snowboard season in Idaho this winter.
For the first time in history, SKI Magazine named three Ski Idaho destinations to its list of the top 30 ski resorts in the West: Sun Valley earned no. 1 for the third consecutive year and was joined by Grand Targhee at no. 24 and Schweitzer in its list debut at no. 11. And Sun Valley and Brundage Mountain are in the running for the USA Today “10Best” top 10 best ski resorts in North America, the third such honor for the latter resort.
Up north, Lookout Pass is nearly doubling its terrain this winter with the Eagle Peak Expansion and Silver Mountain has added a legendary out-of-bounds pow stash to its in-bounds footprint. Plus, Schweitzer is opening a new spa and completing construction on the new slopeside hotel, Humbird, which Larry Olmsted at Forbes described as “skiing’s best new secret hotel” after staying there in February when it first opened.
In Southwest Idaho, Tamarack will open its new Seven Devils Taphouse and has boosted its snowmaking capabilities while Brundage Mountain has expanded and upgraded its grooming fleet and the Little Ski Hill has lit another trail. Meanwhile, Bogus Basin established two new trails, added 15 acres to its night-skiing terrain, more than doubled its snowmaking capabilities, and improved uphill capacity.
In Central Idaho, Sun Valley is opening up 79 acres of new gladed terrain this season.
On the east side of the state, Kelly Canyon added state-of-the-art snowmaking and grooming equipment and is partnering with world-renowned snowsports pioneer Planet Snow Design to up its game. And just across the Wyoming border, Grand Targhee will open a new lift that adds 600 acres of terrain.
Amid all these improvements Ski Idaho, which counts 19 ski areas among its member destinations, is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
Photo courtesy of Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area
All 19 Idaho ski areas open during the holidays
BOISE, Idaho (Dec. 19, 2022) — Skiers and snowboarders throughout Idaho have much to celebrate this holiday season, with all 19 Gem State ski areas either already open or opening the day after Christmas.
All three ski areas in North Idaho — Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area near Mullan, Schweitzer near Sandpoint, and Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg — are fully open for the season. In fact, Lookout Pass just opened its new Eagle Peak expansion that nearly doubles its terrain and boosts its vertical to 1,650 ft. Skiers and snowboarders dressed from head to toe as Santa can purchase a lift ticket at Lookout for only $20 on Thursday Dec. 22.
One North Central Idaho ski area — Snowhaven Ski & Tubing Area in Grangeville — has already opened for the season and the remaining two will begin operations during the holidays. Both Bald Mountain near Pierce and Cottonwood Butte Ski Area near Cottonwood are slated to open Dec. 26.
All four ski areas in Southwest Idaho — Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area near Boise, Brundage Mountain Resort near McCall, the Little Ski Hill in McCall, and Tamarack Resort near Donnelly — are open for the season. Bogus Basin is celebrating its 80th birthday tomorrow, Dec. 20. Visit Tamarack dressed as Santa, Mrs. Claus, or an elf on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, and ski or snowboard for free while enjoying the VIP zone at mid-mountain, where a live DJ will help celebrate a night well done delivering gifts to all the Santas on the mountain.
Image courtesy of Tamarack Resort
All three Southern Idaho ski areas — Magic Mountain Ski Resort near Hansen, Pomerelle Mountain Resort near Albion, and Soldier Mountain near Fairfield — are open for the season.
Sun Valley Resort in Central Idaho has been open since Thanksgiving, and the region’s other ski areas — Lost Trail Ski Area on the Idaho-Montana border near Conner, Mont., and Rotarun Ski Area in Hailey — opened last week.
The three ski areas in Eastern Idaho — Kelly Canyon Ski Resort in Ririe, Grand Targhee Resort in Alta, Wyo., and Pebble Creek Ski Area near Inkom — are open for the season. Kelly Canyon is offering the first 25 guests who dress from head to toe as Santa free lift tickets on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.
Image courtesy of Kelly Canyon
Most Idaho ski areas are open daily for the holidays through Jan. 2. However, not all ski areas are open Christmas Day and some are closing early Christmas Eve, so make sure to check their websites for more details and operating hours.
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Ski Idaho stocking stuffer ideas
The Idaho Peak Season Passport — which lets 5th graders ski or snowboard three days for free at each of 17 ski areas throughout the state and offers 6th graders two days free at those mountains — is a great, last-minute holiday stocking stuffer.
Complete the online application at skiidaho.us/passports and pay an $18 processing fee to order a passport for your child and Ski Idaho will email you a passport you can print out and place in their stocking. Children must have a parent or guardian present with them to use the passport, and they must show their passport (a printout or on a smartphone) to receive the lift ticket.
Meanwhile, the Idaho Department of Motor Vehicles offers two different ways for skiers and snowboarders to show their support for their hometown ski hills: personalized specialty license plates for vehicles and customizable souvenir plates.
In addition to personalization and vehicle registration fees, Ski Idaho vehicle license plates have a $35 program fee for the first year with a $25 renewal fee each year thereafter. Ski Idaho souvenir plates — which are for novelty purposes only and cannot legally be used as license plates on vehicles — cost $30.
Both types of plates are customizable with a maximum of six characters including spaces, cannot contain punctuation, and must be tasteful in any language.
Visit www.accessidaho.org/itd/driver/plates to order Ski-Idaho-themed personalized vehicle and souvenir plates.
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, private campground, and vacation rentals owners. Boasting 29,000 feet of vertical spanning more than 21,000 acres, Idaho is home to America’s first destination ski resort, the birthplace of the chairlift, and often considered the soul of skiing. Its 19 family friendly alpine ski areas offer trails and backcountry for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and skill levels, breathtaking views, hundreds of inches of fresh powder, affordable passes, and short lift lines. Many Ski Idaho destinations open for the summer season, as well, to provide lift-served mountain biking, scenic chairlift rides, hiking and trail running, disc golf, horseback riding, and more. Visit skiidaho.us for more details.
WINTER 2020-21 BROUGHT RECORD VISITS TO IDAHO SKI AREAS
BOISE, Idaho (Sept. 13, 2022) -- Rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic, Idaho ski areas experienced record-breaking skier and snowboarder visits during the winter of 2020-21 according to an economic impact report Ski Idaho commissioned from Boulder, Colo.-based research firm RRC Associates.
Idaho ski areas achieved 2.15 million skier and snowboarder visits during the winter of 2020-21, exceeding its previous record of 1.88 million set during the pre-COVID winter of 2018-19 by 14.3 percent and extending what Ski Idaho president and Bogus Basin general manager Brad Wilson says is a long-term growth trend.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought the winter 2019-20 ski season to an early close and visits to Idaho ski destinations dipped to 1.63 million.
"It didn't take long for Idaho ski areas to respond to and rebound from COVID," Ski Idaho president and Bogus Basin general manager Brad Wilson said. "After social distancing for nine months, people were eager to get outside, and many of them discovered how wonderful it is to spend time skiing and snowboarding in Idaho's outdoors."
RRC also found that Idaho ski areas have enjoyed a slightly rising share of western U.S. skier and snowboarder visits, peaking at 6.2 percent in winter 2020-21, the most recent ski season for which data is available. The study also revealed Idaho ski areas account for a growing share of skier and snowboarder visits nationally, rising to 3.6 percent during the winter of 2020-21.
FIFTH HIGHEST IN SKIER DAYS PER CAPITA
Idaho is the fifth highest state in terms of skier days per capita, earning an index of 362, which means Idaho residents enjoy 3.62 times more skier days per capita than average. The only states with higher skier visit indexes are Vermont (655), Colorado (518), Utah (401), and New Hampshire (399).
Approximately 140,000-160,000 Idaho residents -- 7 percent to 8 percent of the state's population -- downhill ski or snowboard in a given season.
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF SKI INDUSTRY CONSIDERABLE
Skiers and snowboarders spent a total of $309 million in Idaho during the winter of 2020-21 -- $151 million, (49 percent) at Idaho ski areas and $159 million (51 percent) at other businesses. The industry also directly or indirectly generated $309 million in gross domestic product in Idaho, equivalent to 0.33 percent of Idaho's 2021 GDP.
Meanwhile, total economic output during fiscal year 2020-21 reached $584 million, increasing 37 percent from $425 million in FY 2016-17. This included $350 million in direct output (vs. $253 million in FY 2016-17) and $233 million in indirect and induced output (vs. $172 million in FY 2016-17).
Indirect effects are economic effects stemming from business-to-business purchases in the supply chain. Induced effects are economic effects stemming from household spending of labor income after removal of taxes, savings, and commuter income.
Between winter 2016-17 and winter 2020-21, Idaho ski area operators saw demand for lift tickets and season passes and rentals jump 41 percent and 29 percent, respectively. However, COVID-19 stalled the growth of lessons during that same period to 3 percent, while lodging and food-and-beverage operations each grew at a sluggish rate of 12 percent.
Meanwhile, summer operations in 2020 declined 4 percent compared to summer 2016, from $42.6 million to $41.0 million, respectively, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Capital expenditures for fiscal year 2020-21 were up 265 percent compared to FY 2016-17 at $67.9 million vs. $18.6 million, respectively. Investments in new and upgraded lifts climbed by 232 percent and expenditures on summer- and fall-specific facilities and support leapt 267 percent. Real estate was the clear leader, though, skyrocketing nearly 3,000 percent from the $1.6 million invested in FY 2016-17 to $48.9 million in FY 2020-21.
All this economic activity translated into 5,703 year-round equivalent jobs during FY 2020-21 -- 4,266 direct jobs and 1,437 additional indirect and induced jobs. This represents 7 percent growth since FY 2016-17's 5,345 total jobs.
Skiing and snowboarding generated $170 million in labor income -- including $108 million directly and $61 million through multiplier effects. This represents growth of 26 percent compared to FY 2016-17's $135 million in labor income. Labor income includes all forms of employment income, including wages, benefits, and proprietor income.
The report also noted the state's thriving skiing and snowboarding industry helps provide seasonal balance to Idaho's summer-dominated travel industry, contributes significantly to its quality of life, and likely improves employee recruitment and retention at Idaho businesses.
NEARLY HALF OF IDAHO SKIERS FROM OUT OF STATE
Slightly more than half of Idaho ski area visitors in the winter of 2020-21 -- 52.5 percent -- resided in the Gem State and 47.5 percent were from out of state.
The greater Boise Designated Market Area accounted for nearly one-third of all skier visits that season -- 30.1 percent. The Spokane DMA, which includes a great deal of North Idaho, accounted for more than one-sixth of visits at 17.2 percent. The Idaho Falls/Pocatello, Seattle/Tacoma, and Twin Falls, Idaho, DMAs collectively represented another one-fifth of visits at 7.5 percent, 6.4 percent, and 5.8 percent, respectively.
Rounding out the top-10 hometowns of Idaho ski area visitors were Salt Lake City at 3.6 percent, Los Angeles at 2.3 percent, San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose at 2.0 percent, Portland at 1.7 percent, and New York City at 1.5 percent. Missoula, Mont., contributed 1.4 percent of visitors and Denver accounted for 1.1 percent, while Chicago and the Tri-Cities region of Washington State each proffered 0.9 percent. The area encompassing Sacramento, Stockton, and Modesto, Calif., represented 0.7 percent of Idaho's 2020-21 skier visits, and all other U.S. and international markets comprised the remaining 16.1 percent.
MALES, HOUSEHOLDS WITH CHILDREN, SLIGHTLY AFFLUENT
Idaho skiers and snowboarders tended to be male, accounting for 58 percent of ski area visits vs. 42 percent for females. One-third were youths (18 percent are 12 or younger and 14 percent are ages 13-17), about one-fifth were between 18-34 (7 percent are 18-24 and 12 percent are 25-34), nearly one-third were between 35-54 (15 percent are 35-44 and 15 percent are 45-54), and another one-fifth were 55 or older (12 percent are 55-64, 6 percent are 65-74, and 1 percent are 75 or older).
Among survey respondents who were age 18 or older, households with children contributed the greatest number of skier and snowboarder visits at 39 percent, and households with children no longer at home ranked number two at 21 percent. Couples with no children accounted for 16 percent of visits and single individuals with no children comprised the remaining 20 percent.
Skiers visiting Idaho have a range of incomes but skew affluent. One-third, 34 percent, enjoyed annual pre-tax household income of $100,000-$199,999. One-fourth, 24 percent, earned $50,000-99,999. People reporting under $50,000 comprised 20 percent and those bringing in $200,000 or more annually accounted for the remaining 22 percent.
MAINLY SEASON PASSHOLDERS WITH SKILLS ON SKIS
The bulk of Idaho ski area visits -- 62 percent -- were made by season passholders. Daily and multi-day passes comprised 33 percent of visits, with off-duty employee visits and comp tickets accounting for 3 percent and 2 percent, respectively.
Nearly three-quarters of visitors -- 72 percent -- used alpine equipment and fully one-fourth -- 25 percent -- rode snowboards. Other equipment like alpine touring and snowbikes accounted for 2 percent and 1 percent of visitors employed telemark gear.
About half -- 48 percent -- considered themselves advanced or expert skiers or snowboarders and nearly as many -- 44 percent -- ranked themselves as having intermediate abilities. Only 6 percent of visitors surveyed were beginners and only 2 percent were first-timers.
Two-thirds -- 66 percent -- had visited their primary ski area within the prior five winters and one-third of winter visitors -- 33 percent -- had visited the destination in the past five summers.
A little more than half of visits -- 56 percent -- were day trips and 44 percent were overnighters. Most overnight visitors -- 61 percent -- stayed in paid lodging and 11 percent stayed in an owned vacation home.
Ski Idaho's Wilson was delighted to learn Gem State ski area visitors tend to express high satisfaction with their experience. On a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being extremely dissatisfied and 10 being extremely satisfied), Idaho ski areas earned ratings of 9.5 in overall employee service, 9.2 in overall lesson experience, 9.1 in quality of grooming, 9.0 in overall food and beverage, 8.7 in overall value for price paid, and 8.4 in overall rental experience.
"Whether it's a world-class resort like Sun Valley or a mom-and-pop ski area, the quality of our on-mountain experience coupled with Idaho's genuine friendliness is unparalleled," Wilson said. "Combine that with our short lift lines and affordable lift tickets and you'd be hard pressed to find a better ski and snowboard destination than Idaho."
Click here to download a copy of the research report.
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 29,000 vertical feet of terrain spanning more than 21,000 acres, Idaho is the birthplace of the chairlift, home to America's first destination ski resort, and often considered the soul of skiing. Its 19 family friendly alpine ski areas 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 destinations 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.