Skiing And Snowboarding In Idaho
Idaho is known for many things, including its many great ski resorts. Whether you are looking for cross-country skiing, snowboarding in Idaho, a family ski resort, or captivating backcountry, you can find it in the Gem State. Idaho has some of the best ski resorts and something for everyone – from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Lookout Pass Ski Area is an exceptional place to visit for a family winter vacation. It’s one of the few places in the United States where you can ski two states on one mountain. (The resort is right on the border of Idaho and Montana. You can go up in the chair in Idaho and ski down in Montana.)
When you go to Pebble Creek Ski Area, you will be skiing or snowboarding in Idaho at Mount Bonneville, the highest mountain in the Portneuf Range. Other ski resorts in Idaho are Bogus Basin, Brundage, Cottonwood Butte, Kelly Canyon Resort, Pomerelle Mountain Resort, Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Sun Valley, Silver Mountain, and Tamarack Resort. Silver Mountain is home to the world’s longest gondola.
Sun Valley Idaho
Over three-quarters of a century has passed, and this skiing and snowboarding in Idaho destination continues to innovate ahead of its North American competitors. In the past five years, Sun Valley Resort completed a significant renovation phase. Modern enhancements to the guest experience accompany the attention to detail that complements an unforgettable stay. New carpeting, linens, mattresses, bathrooms, windows, and appurtenances such as 55-inch TVs and enhanced Wi-Fi are now available. Ninety-eight guestrooms have been remodeled.
New culinary concepts grace all spots for dining, drinking, and lighter fare. While cozying up in front of a fireplace at the resort’s woody lounge, visitors can nibble simple-yet-sophisticated small bites accompanied by craft cocktails; batch cocktails spooned out of punch ladles, beers of the region, and wines from a nearby cellar. A modern steakhouse, The Ram, plates an upscale menu with locally sourced ingredients, while Village Station, a family-friendly restaurant, offers a more relaxed atmosphere.
Rediscover yourself as you stop to gaze from 9,150 feet, the top of Bald Mountain, just as countless celebrities have done across the decades. America’s first destination ski resort has captured the hearts of many famous names by offering a luxurious ski experience and an authentic mountain town. Sun Valley continues to add to its story and improve yearly, while its small-town sincerity and excellent skiing conditions remain constant. To quote Ernest Hemingway: “One generation passes away, and another generation comes, but the earth abides forever. The sun rises, goes down, and hastens to its place where it arose.”
Brundage Mountain
Brundage Mountain promises a thrill-filled ski and snowboarding in Idaho getaway by enjoying notoriety for having the best snow in Idaho, accumulating an average of 320 inches of powdery goodness at the base annually. The 46 named trails, including everything from tree-lined glades and spacious groomed runs, consist of 20% novice, 50% intermediate, and 30% advanced terrains, making Brundage the perfect location for all ski and ride skill levels.
Whatever activities get your heart racing, Brundage Mountain can supply it in spades. Brundage has more than 1,900 acres of in-bounds terrain. Lift access will get you to 420 acres of backcountry terrain. Another 18,000 acres are open, via guided snowcat adventures, for the most experienced skiers and riders. Skiing outside of bounds requires not only a high level of skill but the proper equipment and specific hazard awareness. Knowing that many of their guests want to venture out into the spectacular backcountry, Brundage Mountain has installed a Backcountry Access Beacon Training Park, where you and your crew can practice beacon and transceiver use before heading out in search of virgin powder.
Brundage Mountain Terrain Parks
Deadwood Shred Park and Bear Progression Park are the two terrain parks. They are designed to get the most out of your freestyle experience. The smaller jumps and rails at Bear will help you learn and progress to get the dust off or practice something new. With greased joints and confidence in your style, head to the high-profile Deadwood to show off what you have perfected. Designed to mimic a backcountry experience, Deadwood is a thrill-seeker’s dream park.
Snowmobile tours are available in whole and half-day increments. Full and half-day programs include full gear, jackets, pants, and helmets, as well as orientation and instruction. A picnic lunch, offered for full-day excursions, will be enjoyed with a fabulous backdrop, like Payette Lake or the Salmon Mountains.
Schweitzer
Here’s another Idaho resort you can add to your must-ski list: Schweitzer Mountain Resort. Sky House, a 9,300-square-foot lodge, sits at the summit of Schweitzer Mountain. It offers views of Canada and three U.S. states. The two-story structure has a full-service restaurant, bar, lodge, and group function space.
Schweitzer opened in 1963 and has 2,900 skiable acres, 92 trails, and open bowl skiing, all serviced by nine lifts. Snowcat skiing has been available at Schweitzer Mountain Resort since 2003, and heli-skiing is also quite popular in the backcountry.
Silver Mountain
Silver Mountain in Kellogg, has 73 trails to explore and infinite fresh tracks to carve on terrain accessible by snowcat. The resort contains two mountains and over 1,600 acres to explore on your skis or snowboarding in Idaho.
Less than an hour from Spokane, in Idaho’s northern panhandle, Silver Mountain is ideal for a weekend or extended getaway. The resort guarantees you’ll be busy no matter how long you stay. Not only will the sheer size of the resort keep you entertained, but the surplus of activities like snowshoeing, tubing, scenic gondola rides, and Nordic skiing ensures that everyone in your party can find an activity they enjoy.
Suppose you’re as partial to surf as you are to snow. The Resort at Silver Mountain has a FlowRider surf machine. You can get fantastic ski, surf, and stay packages that allow you to ride, surf, and relax without having to leave one place.
The Silver Rapids Indoor Water Park allows guests to catch a wave amid a winter wonderland. And, with its transparent roof, you may even get a tan. Young kids will enjoy Cub Cove. The whole family can float down the Lazy River, and surfing enthusiasts will love the FlowRider. This perfect and continuous wave utilizes over 60,000 gallons of water a minute and moves at 35 miles per hour.
The modern and luxurious condominiums at Silver Mountain Resort have the best amenities, including fireplaces, hot tubs, and Wi-Fi. Various floorplans are available to suit groups of different sizes and budgets. The condos accommodate up to eight people, so grab some friends or family and enjoy the best of all worlds.