Why Idaho Is the Best State-Wide Ski Discovery of 2024
Skiers and snowboarders seeking out their favorite slopes in the West inevitably lean toward the usual ski-mecca states—Colorado, Utah, or maybe California or Montana this year. As reliably awesome as they all are, we suggest looking a little further afield and exploring the secret powder caches of Idaho if you'll be squeezing in one more ski trip at the back end of this season. Why tamper with a good thing on the Snowmass or Snowbird highway down in Rocky Mountain central? Because the Gem State is home to some of the most underappreciated slopes that are big on bargains, light on crowds, and brimming with snow.
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Idaho may get overlooked sometimes for the glitz and glamour of Vail or the legend of Big Sky. If you can tear yourself away from those giant ski magnets and head a little further into the great Northwest, we promise you’ll find a relatively untapped skier's paradise. Idaho’s ski hills collectively offer over 21,000 acres of terrain for all skill levels—and the powder days here are pretty legendary.
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While the state's famed ski areas like Sun Valley (America’s first destination ski resort) are no secret, Idaho is home to several off-the-radar hills that draw all the snow with none of the lift lines. We checked out these lesser-known spots, uncovering some of the best Idaho skiing you’ve likely never done—including Silver Mountain—our favorite off-the-beaten-slopes discovery of 2024. Here's all you need to know about outer-Idaho's top untapped ski gems.
Courtesy of Silver Mountain Resort
The Best Ski Discovery of 2024: Silver Mountain
Silver Mountain Resort is our vote for the best skiing and snowboarding secret in the Gem State. Tucked way up in Kellogg in the Idaho panhandle, it's a quick 30-minute commute from Coeur d’Alene and just an hour out of Spokane, WA. Here you’ll find the longest gondola in North America at 3.1 miles, along with more than 2,000 vertical feet of skiing from top to bottom.
As the story goes, Silver Mountain was originally (mis)named Jackass Ski Bowl in honor of a donkey named Bill that got loose and sparked the discovery of lead ore in the area back in the 1880s. This, in turn, became the Bunker Hill lode, which proved to be the largest mining operation in Idaho’s history. Bill went down in history as the $12 million burro.
Courtesy of Silver Mountain Resort
Jackass Ski Bowl opened in 1967 and was taken over by the Bunker Hill Mining Company six years later when it fell into bankruptcy. It wasn’t until 1990 that Silver Mountain Resort opened a scenic chairlift and gondola for skiing, mountain biking, and even summer concerts. Today the resort maintains a friendly, family-owned vibe, now run by long-time local skier, Tryg Fortun.
The mountain includes a village complete with cozy Morning Star Lodge digs, a small tubing hill and magic carpet for kids and beginners, and a Silver Rapids Indoor Waterpark to enjoy after a day on the slopes. But it’s still the skiing at Silver Mountain that remains the real draw. The mountain gets 340 inches of snow on average each season and has a 2,200-foot vertical covering more than 1,600 acres of terrain. In addition to that three-mile-long gondola ride taking skiers to the on-mountain lodge, an additional seven lifts whisk visitors around Kellogg and Wardner Peaks to numerous trails.
Courtesy of Silver Mountain Resort
You’ll find some extreme skiing here off of 6,200-foot Wardner Peak, which includes some hike-only terrain. For a nice mix of blue and black runs, head over to Kellogg Peak.
Lift tickets for Silver are a relative steal, ranging from $50 to $75, and the mountain is on the Indy Pass for cardholders. Silver even offers childcare on the mountain and has equipment rentals for visitors who don’t want to travel with their gear. In addition to its incredible skiing, reliable snow, and chill vibes and prices, you’ll also find some of the most spectacular views and shortest lift lines up here.
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Other Idaho Ski Spots We Now Love
Idaho’s 19 family-friendly alpine ski areas collectively offer 29,000 feet of vertical, along with tons of varied terrain, trails, and backcountry for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. Here are six more of our favorite hidden ski finds in the state for steep, deep, fun, and affordable alternatives to those pricey major resorts that are seeing far longer lift lines right about now.
Courtesy Image
Schweitzer Mountain
Schweitzer Mountain, located just north of Coeur d’Alene near Sandpoint, offers 2,900 acres of skiable terrain with everything from groomers and glades to big expansive bowls and one of the more gorgeous vistas from the top of any ski hill. Nearly 100 trails descend 2,000 feet above scenic Lake Pend Oreille, offering a nice mix of beginner to expert terrain. Schweitzer’s village offers convenient lodging, food, spas, and shopping. Check out the mountain’s brand new Humbird Hotel and the Crow’s Bench for great food and drinks in a relaxing, stunning setting.
Gary Peterson
Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area
Located in Northern Idaho, Lookout Pass may be a small resort, but don’t let its size fool you. There’s some amazing skiing and snowboarding to be found here, with more than 400 inches of average annual snowfall on the pass. That’s more than 33 feet of snow. Lookout Pass recently nearly doubled in size, with a new chairlift servicing 500 acres of new Eagle Peak terrain and a solid mix of intermediate and advanced or expert runs. Straddling the borders of Idaho and Montana, the mountain offers a rare novelty for U.S. skiers—letting you schuss between time zones. Lookout Pass’s low-key, family-friendly atmosphere is as affordable as you’d hope, with lift tickets ranging between $45-$73.
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Bald Mountain Ski Area
Another mountain that has a history in mining, Bald Mountain, sits in the Clearwater Mountains off of the Gold Rush Historic Byway in north central Idaho. Founded in 1959, this small family-friendly ski area has 4,800 feet of total elevation covering 140 acres and a 684-foot vertical drop. With an average snowfall of around 100 inches, Bald Mountain is an ideal option for some truly off-the-beaten-path skiing in Idaho.
Peak Media/Ride Idaho
Cottonwood Butte Ski Area
Located in the Camas Prairie region of Idaho just outside the town of Cottonwood, this small ski area has four main groomed runs that are serviced by an old-school T-bar lift—but don’t underestimate it. Cottonwood’s 845-foot vertical offers some seriously challenging terrain for all ski levels, and a bunny hill for beginners. You can also enjoy night skiing here on the first Friday of each month.
Gary Peterson
Soldier Mountain
Two chairlifts top out at 7,177 feet at Soldier Mountain, offering access to an array of sweet skiing and snowboarding about 100 miles east of Boise near Sawtooth National Forest. One of the unique offerings of Soldier Mountain is its cat skiing operation, taking skiers to pristine untouched powder on the 10,095-foot Smoky Dome. This opens up 2,000 acres of skiable terrain and 3,000 feet of vertical—and is recommended for expert skiers in search of some of that legendary untracked Idaho powder.
Gary Peterson
Grand Targhee Resort
Named after Grand Teton (the highest peak in the Tetons) and Chief Targhee (leader of the Bannock tribe that originally inhabited the region), Grand Targhee is a serious find near not-so-secret places like Jackson Hole. Technically in Wyoming but otherwise totally Idaho, the ski hill is just a few miles across the Gem State border in a region locals call “Wydaho” and accessed from Idaho. Grand Targhee is home to vast terrain, consistent snowfall, and unparalleled views in every direction. It offers up wide-open slopes and bowls with short lift lines and a laid-back vibe.
Why You Should Trust Me
Born and raised in Denver, CO, I have been skiing as long as I’ve been walking. As a kid, I started on the slopes at A-Basin, and have since traveled the world skiing at various resorts from Switzerland to Canada, in addition to traveling across the U.S. to write about numerous ski areas. I've regularly clocked 50-plus ski days each season and have even managed to ski 12 months out of the year.
