Discover the Best Idaho Ski Resorts have to Offer

There are 12 main Idaho ski resorts and a handful of smaller options. With so many resorts to choose from, we needed some way to help you organize them. From north to south, we’ve compiled a list of Idaho ski resorts so you can plan your trip, in part, by choosing which part of this state to visit. Most commonly, people visiting from out of state will fly into Spokane for northern destinations and Boise (or sometimes Salt Lake City) for southern destinations.

Major Idaho Ski Resorts

Schweitzer Mountain Resort

The view from the top of Schweitzer Mountain lets you see into Canada and the surrounding states. This resort is the northernmost in Idaho and receives more than 300 inches of snow annually. There are over 2900 acres of skiing with 92 different trails. No matter what you are looking for, whether it’s wide-open bowl skiing or tree-lined runs, Schweitzer has it. From the base village, two quad lifts take you up to the ridge. From there you can choose to head down the trails on the Schweitzer side or hit the Lakeside Chutes on the Outback Bowl.

Lookout Pass

This iconic resort is the oldest of all Idaho ski resorts. It was founded in 1935 because of its location near the Northern Pacific railway. The Pass receives about 400 inches per year, ensuring premium powder and one of the longest ski seasons in the state. Lookout Pass features 34 different trails over 540 acres with a fun 1150 foot vertical. The ski park is located right on the border of Idaho and Montana, so if you’re in the mood, you can take a lift to the summit and ski right into Montana. Lookout is a favorite among local families because of its free kids ski school, held every Saturday morning for kids ages 6 tp 17. Be sure to register in advance, however, because spots fill quickly.

Silver Mountain

Silver Mountain has two peaks to ski down from, Kellogg and Wardner Mountains. The resort offers 1600 acres of skiing with a 2200 foot vertical. A wide variety of trails awaits the visiting skier, from tree-lined glades to three different terrain parks. The longest run stretches out over 2.5 miles, ambling down Kellogg Peak. With an even mix of difficulty levels, the park’s trails are accessible to everyone, no matter what their skill level, and with five lifts and the longest gondola in the country, the lines are never long.

Lost Trail

Sitting on the border of Montana and Idaho, Lost Trail Powder Mountain offers 900 skiable acres and 35 diverse runs. This resort is only open Thursday through Sunday, although there are extended hours during the holidays. The vertical at this resort is 1800 feet, and there are 8 total lifts to get you back to the top of the mountain. Average snowfall in the area is roughly 300 inches, so there is always powder ready to explore.

Brundage

Brundage Mountain Resort has 1500 acres of skiing with an 1800 foot vertical. There are five lifts, one quad and four triples, to get you up the mountain quickly. There are three primary starting zones which lead 46 runs. One outstanding feature of Brundage is its day-care facility, which can handle children as young as 8-weeks old. Snowfall averages out to 325 inches per year, contributing to an extra long ski season.

Tamarack Resort

Tamarack offers 2800 feet of vertical from a summit that sit 7700 feet above sea level. There are 32 runs offering a mix of difficulties that is slanted toward the intermediate skier. If you’re a fan of off-piste skiing, Tamarack has three bowls for open skiing that are only a short distance outside of the boundaries. There are five novice-rated trails near the base that are serviced by their own pair of lifts. Tamarack also has plans to build a future lift that will almost double the amount of groomed skiable terrain.

Sun Valley

Sun Valley Ski Resort has 21 lifts spread over two peaks. Bald Mountain offers a 3400 foot vertical with 75 runs. From Bald Mountain Peak, there are six open bowls that lead to a mid-peak waystation and a wide variety of trails with an even mix of difficulty levels. Dollar Mountain has seven different terrain parks as well as wide open trails that let you get accustomed to the steeper terrain of Bald Mountain. Sun Valley receives about 200 inches of snow annually, supplemented by snow making over more than half of its trails.

Bogus Basin

Bogus Basin was opened as a ski resort in 1959 and is one of the oldest Idaho ski resorts. With 2600 acres of skiing, Bogus has 8 lifts that are spread out over 3 peaks. There are 54 total runs with ungroomed glades, bowls and three terrain parks. The Basin also features night skiing over 165 acres, which is the most in the northwest. With its location just 16 miles north of Boise, this resort is one of the most popular in the state.

Kelly Canyon

Kelly Canyon is located in the historic Targhee National Forest near the Snake River. Kelly Canyon features 640 acres with 51 different trails. The longest run is a 6500 foot ambling run down the northern slope, but wide open lanes make this an open skiers paradise. There are four double chair lifts with a capacity of over 3000 skiers per hour. Kelly also has the only night skiing for Idaho ski resorts in the eastern part of the state. It also has a ski school for people looking to brush up on their skiing.

Soldier Mountain Ski Area

Soldier Mountain is in the southern edge of the Sawtooth National Forest, just north of Fairfield. This ski area features 1140 acres of skiing with two lifts leading to two different stations.  From the top of the first lift, the vertical is 828 feet, but taking the second chair to Soldier Peak gives a 1400 foot vertical. There are 36 different runs with an even mix of difficulties, giving skiers of all skill levels something to cut their teeth on.

Pebble Creek

Pebble Creek is located at Mount Bonneville, the highest mountain in the Portneuf Mountains. Of all the Idaho ski resorts, this one is heaven for those who love verticals, with runs that scream down the mountain. The total vertical is 2200 feet with 54 trails in total. Three triple lifts ensure that the wait is limited. The park is bordered at 1100 acres, but off-piste skiing is allowed, provided you take the proper precautions. If you go off-park, it is possible to reach the summit of Bonneville, which rests at 9271 feet above sea level for a 2911 foot vertical run.

Pomerelle Mountain Resort

Pomerelle is located in the Sawtooth National Forest at an altitude of 8000 feet. This means that this resort receives an average of 500 inches of snowfall annually. There are over 250 acres of skiing to enjoy with 24 runs that are sprawled out all over the mountain. There are two terrain parks to test your mettle and an expert-rated bowl that leads directly into a fun tree-lined glade. They have two lifts and one magic carpet that service the beginner’s area. Five trails and one terrain park are also open for night skiing.

Smaller Ski Areas in Idaho

These Idaho ski resorts are very popular with locals and are usually run by clubs or by local municipal governments. Bald Mountain is a small ski area run by the Clearwater Ski Club. It is located near Pierce, ID and is only open on the weekends. Very popular with locals, this little resort has 140 acres of skiing. The trails are a mix between wide open lanes and glades, giving this area a cozy feel. The total vertical is a modest 684 feet serviced by 1 T-bar lift and 1 rope-tow lift.

Cottonwood is another one of the Idaho ski resorts that offer great fun at economy prices. Cottonwood offers an 845 drop over 260 acres with seven groomed runs that zip through the surrounding forest. This ski area also has a bunny hill perfect for beginning skiers with a dedicated rope tow. Located near Cottonwood, Idaho, this ski area also offers night skiing on Fridays during January.

Snow Haven is a ski area run by the city of Grangeville. This small resort offers seven trails over 40 acres with a nice 440 foot drop. If your vacation isn’t primarily focused on skiing, this area offers a nice diversion. There is also a professionally run ski school with lessons to help you ramp up to larger resorts.

Little Ski Hill is the third oldest ski area in Idaho, run by the Payette Lakes Ski Club. This non-profit organization is just north of McCall, Id. It’s completely run by volunteers and offers 405 feet of vertical on the only fully lit alpine hill in the area. Little Hill also has a terrain park complete with an air bag to help you learn tricks a little less painfully.

Magic Mountain is located just outside of Twin Falls, making it extremely convenient for a weekend ski-cation. With a vertical of just over 700 feet and 11 trails, Magic Mountain has something for everyone.  There are three lifts that service the ski area, giving access to a revamped terrain park. Magic Mountain is a family-run establishment that is only open on the weekends, but provides an economic way to enjoy the winter snow.

Magic Mountain

With so much to offer visitors, Magic Mountain Resort provides a little bit of everything for those that love the winter weather. Rated as one of the best places to go skiing in Idaho, it has made a name for itself and comes complete with affordable ticket prices. This allows everyone to enjoy a little fun on the snow, while making memories with one another. Plan your next snow vacation with Magic Mountain Resort.

Snowhaven

Snowhaven Resort provides skiers and tubers a place to come out and have a great time flying down the slopes. There are plenty of things to do within the Grangeville area, so you can make your trip one never to forget. Make sure to book your stay ahead of time and be prepared for all of the excitement that comes from skiing the slopes at Snowhaven Resort.