KELLOGG, ID – At least 12 of Idaho’s 19 ski areas are open during the holiday season, with varying terrain, lift operations and schedules across the state.
In North Idaho, two of the region’s three ski areas are operating. Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area near Mullan is open seven days a week with 23 trails, 350 acres of terrain and two lifts in service, including the Peak 1 Quad and Success Triple. The resort has paused its reservation system through Dec. 26, with lift tickets currently available at lower walk-up rates. Schweitzer near Sandpoint is open daily, weather permitting, with limited terrain. The resort expects to add more skiing this week, with the Great Escape Quad beginning operations and top-to-bottom access from Gypsy to Midway. Schweitzer is also offering snowmobile tours and foot-passenger access to Sky House. Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg was unable to open Dec. 21 due to a windstorm and power outage but plans to open tubing and scenic rides as soon as possible, with ski terrain opening as snow conditions allow.
None of the three ski areas in North Central Idaho are open yet. Snowhaven Ski & Tubing Area in Grangeville received four inches of snow last week and is targeting a Dec. 27 opening, weather permitting. Bald Mountain Ski Area near Pierce and Cottonwood Butte Ski Area near Cottonwood have not announced opening dates.
In Southwest Idaho, three of the region’s four ski areas are open. Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area near Boise, Brundage Mountain Resort near McCall, and Tamarack Resort near Donnelly are operating daily, though some terrain remains limited. At Bogus Basin, the Coach Chairlift and the Discovery, Easy Rider and Explorer lifts are running daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the tubing hill opened today. Brundage Mountain opened top-to-bottom skiing today following more than 20 inches of snowfall last week, with the BlueBird Express, Bear Chair and East Street lifts operating from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tamarack began daily operations today with the Discover Chair, Tamarack Express and Summit Express. The T-bar at Little Ski Hill in McCall is not yet operating, but the lodge is open from 3 to 7 p.m. daily during the holiday break, except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The area is hosting several holiday events, including a movie night with Santa on Dec. 23, Bingo Night on Dec. 26 and a Rail Jam on Dec. 27. Bear Basin has some Nordic trails groomed, with conditions posted on Nordic Pulse.
Central Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort has been open since Dec. 3, with seven of 18 lifts operating and top-to-bottom skiing available on Bald Mountain. Open runs include Upper and Lower College, Roundhouse Lane to Mid River Run, Sunset Strip, Lower River Run, Upper Warm Springs, Upper Limelight, Ridge and Blue Grouse. On Christmas Day, the Warm Springs side of the mountain is scheduled to open with additional runs. Dollar Mountain is operating the Quarter Dollar lift and magic carpet. Lost Trail Ski Area, located on the Idaho-Montana border near Conner, Montana, is open daily through Jan. 5, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Rotarun Ski Area in Hailey is aiming for a Dec. 26 opening, weather permitting.
In Southern Idaho, Pomerelle Mountain Resort near Albion is open daily for the season, except Christmas Day, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Magic Mountain Ski Resort near Hansen and Soldier Mountain near Fairfield are awaiting additional snowfall. Soldier Mountain is targeting a Dec. 29 opening for its frontside terrain, with cat skiing expected to begin Jan. 7, weather permitting.
In Eastern Idaho, Grand Targhee Resort in Alta, Wyoming, is open daily, with all lifts expected to be operating by Christmas. Kelly Canyon Ski Resort near Ririe, which opened limited terrain Dec. 19 and 20, is closed during Christmas week and plans to reopen Dec. 29, weather permitting.
Southeastern Idaho’s Pebble Creek Ski Area near Inkom has not opened yet but is hoping to begin operations Dec. 26, depending on snowfall.
Skiers and riders are encouraged to check individual resort websites for the latest operating hours and conditions. Early-season conditions exist statewide, and visitors are advised to use caution and watch for unmarked hazards.
