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When it comes to US ski resorts, Idaho is hard to beat. Scattered through the peaks of the Sawtooth Mountains and the Lost River Range there are a host of ski resorts and snowboarding parks with something for everyone. Easy to reach from Boise, Spokane, Idaho Falls, and Salt Lake City, this “Gem State” lives up to its name with breathtaking natural beauty and superb skiing. With an average peak elevation of 7,111 feet, Idaho ski resorts offer 1,750 feet of average vertical drop, plus Hells Canyon, America’s deepest gorge, and Shoshone Falls which is taller than Niagara.
One of the best known Idaho ski resorts is Sun Valley. It’s a huge destination for skiing and winter sports, drawing many visitors and celebrities to its pristine slopes. While Sun Valley was one of the first ski resorts in Idaho, it has not lost its edge, with luxury accommodation, bars, après ski dining, and a host of non-skiing things to do.
Elsewhere, Idaho ski resorts cover all budgets and requirements. Some of the most famous include Bogus Basin, Brundage Mountain, Silver Mountain, and Schweitzer Mountains. Smaller family-run ski resorts offer a small piste and fewer facilities with a proportionately lower price tag.
Whether you’re looking for glitz and glamour or cozy family-friendly ski resorts, Idaho has something right for you. With a lengthy snow season running from mid-November to early May, Idaho ski resorts are definitely worth a visit.
Check out our Top 10 ski resorts in Idaho and find your perfect match!
1.
Schweitzer Mountain
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Schweitzer Mountain offers a massive ski area covering 2,900 acres with views reaching to Canada. The compact village makes it easy to get around and enjoy unpretentious amenities. The resort is close to Spokane, WA, attracting many local skiers and snowboarders.
A key attraction is cat skiing. Selkirk Powder Company operates a snowcat service for skiers dropped off to ski back on fresh powder. A guided Day Cat Skiing trip includes lunch, snacks, and an avalanche beacon. For intermediate to expert skiers, Day Heli-skiing trips in the Selkirk Mountains with guides are also offered.
This Idaho ski resort is ideal for families and anyone seeking a quiet, relatively inexpensive resort. While great for beginners, it has terrain for all ability levels. In summer, 40 miles of trails are perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and electric bike tours, plus disc golf, horseback riding, and huckleberry picking.
2.
Sun Valley Idaho Ski Resort
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Located in central Idaho, Sun Valley ski resort has over 2,000 skiable acres and a high number of sunshine hours which gave the area its name. It has the most named runs of any Idaho ski resort with 121 trails served by 18 lifts with a capacity of 29,717 skiers per hour. It is considered one of the top ski resorts in Idaho with wide groomed slopes and awesome scenery. The 9,150-foot summit elevation has a vertical drop of 3,450 feet, the most of any Idaho ski resort. Not surprisingly, snowfall is very consistent, averaging 220 inches each ski season.
The longest ski run at Sun Valley is over three miles. There are plenty of beginner and intermediate trails and just 2% expert two black diamond and 20% advanced ski runs. Visitors can expect a full range of programs from Kid’s Clubs to snowboarding tuition and equipment rentals. There’s a Terrain Park for snowboarding, cross country skiing trails and heli-skiing. Après ski also includes bars, restaurants, and a cinema.
Sun Valley ski resort in Idaho is where Warren Miller worked as a ski instructor before switching careers, directing over 750 movies; many featuring skiing and snowboarding.
Summer attractions include 30 miles of traffic-free bike paths and even more hiking trails accessible by gondola. There’s also championship golf at the Trail Creek and White Clouds golf courses.
3.
Bogus Basin Mountain Area
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Bogus Basin Mountains is a top ski resort in southwest Idaho, 16 miles northeast of Boise. Open in 1942, it offers 91 named runs – the longest 1 ½ mile – served by 10 lifts. With an 1800-foot vertical drop, it covers 2,600 acres and averages 250 inches of snow.
This resort has 22% beginner slopes, 45% intermediate, and 33% black diamond. Snowboarders enjoy two terrain parks and free-ride parks, plus snowshoeing and tubing. After skiing, three mountain lodges serve local Idaho craft beers and hearty food with spectacular views. Ski-in, ski-out lodging allows early starts and late finishes.
In summer, Bogus Basin is popular for hiking and mountain biking. The lodges host barbecues, events, and fundraisers.
4.
Brundage Mountain
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Covering 1,920 acres, Brundage Mountain at McCall has something for every skier from powder-perfect glades to groomed trails with a 1,800-foot vertical drop. It's said to have the best powder of all the ski resorts in Idaho with an elevation of 7,640 feet and an average snowfall of 320 inches. Skiers can choose from 46 named runs including 50% for intermediate level. The remainder of the trails are spread across the easier slopes (20%), one black diamond level (28%) and just 2% having the coveted two black diamond status.
Snowboarders have two terrain parks. For the more adventurous, Brundage Mountain offers some of the best cat skiing in any Idaho ski resort. There’s also snowshoeing and snowmobile trips. Enjoy slopeside dining and bars or head into downtown McCall for more nightlife. Amenities include a Kid’s Centre and daycare, a Ski and Ride School and Snowcat Adventures.
In summer, visitors enjoy disc golf, lift-assisted biking, and chairlift rides for scenic hiking. There is also a conference center and an event space hosting live concerts and festivals. Check what’s on before you go. For planning a trip, consider consulting a month-by-month guide to the weather in Italy to compare conditions.
5.
Kelly Canyon Ski Resort
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Kelly Canyon, Ryrie is one of the best Idaho ski resorts for learning to ski and snowboard. This family-friendly resort offers 1,000 feet of vertical drop and 51 named runs (35% easy, 20% black diamond) across 640 acres, with a peak elevation of 6,600 feet. Three terrain parks feature rails, equipment rentals, and tuition for all ages. Night skiing adds a unique thrill for experienced skiers.
In summer, Kelly Canyon serves as a base for Idaho Falls, 26 miles away. The city offers the Museum of Idaho, Colonial Theatre, Japanese Gardens, bike trails, and river walks along the Snake River.
6.
Grand Targhee Ski Resort, Idaho
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Grand Targhee has an impressive 500 inches of snowfall making it a notable Idaho ski resort with a long season starting in October. Just a short drive from Driggs, it is on the west side of the Grand Teton Mountains. It offers diverse terrain and stunning mountain scenery.
Visitors come for the exceptional snowfall and appreciate the choice of après ski dining and entertainment, including family-friendly fun. On the ski slopes, this Idaho ski resort covers over 2,600 acres and boasts a vertical drop of 2,270 feet. An impressive 92 named runs served by 5 lifts provide plenty of choices for skiers. Snowboarders also have their own thrills in two terrain parks. The ski runs tend towards intermediate (70%) and one and two diamond runs with just a few easy beginner trails.
Slopeside accommodation and a good choice of dining and bars keep the resort lively until late. In summer, you can look forward to music festivals, disc golf, rock climbing, and world-class mountain biking. You can also go horse riding and hiking in Teton Valley, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Parks. Nearby Idaho Falls is a thriving city with many museums and cultural attractions.
7.
Pomerelle, Idaho
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Similar to Grand Targhee, Pomerelle near Albion, Idaho has the most snowfall per annum. It has an average of 500 inches expected each season. However, it is a much smaller Idaho ski resort covering just 500 acres and boasting 24 named runs. Set in the Sawtooth Mountains at an elevation of 9,000 feet, this off-the-beaten-path ski resort has 1000 feet of vertical drop providing plenty of challenges.
Slopes tend to favor beginners (40%) and a further 40% ranked intermediate. There are two terrain parks and the usual array of ski tuition, equipment rentals and affordable lodgings. The Slopeside Grille combines spectacular dining with amazing views. After dark, hit the slopes again with night skiing.
Additionally, visitors will appreciate the peace and seclusion while being within easy reach of Burlington and Albion for shopping and dining. When the snow melts, summer visitors can enjoy chairlift rides, downhill mountain biking, scenic hiking, picnic, and horseshoes. A visit to the Shoshone Falls on the Snake River is a must. Known as the “Niagara of the West” it has a 212-foot drop (longer than Niagara) and accessible from the car park.
8.
Magic Mountain Ski Resort
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Close to Twin Falls in south-central Idaho, Magic Mountain ski resort is an excellent choice for expert and advanced skiers and snowboarders. Around half the 11 named trails are suitable for the best and most experienced skiers. Around 25% of the trails are graded two black diamonds (expert) and a further 20% have one black diamond (most difficult). So, the trails require experience and caution. It also offers night skiing.
Covering 120 acres, Magic Mountain ski resort in Idaho has a lofty peak elevation of 7,200 feet and a vertical drop of 740 feet. It is a relatively small ski resort in Idaho, compared to its peers, but it has its own particular charm. Also, it offers ski school tuition, equipment rentals, slopeside restaurants, and a tubing hill. There’s a terrain park for boarders and natural rocks and cliffs to add to the challenge. It’s great for families with 30% of the trails ranked for beginners.
One of the attractions to Magic Mountain ski resort is the competitive price of skiing with an adult ticket costing $31 for the ski lift, about half the price of the larger and better served ski resorts such as Bogus Basin ($54) and Sun Valley ($86).
Summer visitors to Magic Mountain ski resort in Idaho must visit the Shoshone Falls on the Snake River, 36 miles away. With a 212-foot drop (higher than Niagara) it is one of the largest falls in the USA. For travelers planning a broader trip, a month-by-month guide to the weather in Italy can help coordinate a longer vacation.
9.
Pebble Creek Ski Resort
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With an exhilarating 2,200 feet vertical drop, the Pebble Creek ski area covers over 1,100 acres. It has 54 named runs to thrill the heart of every skier. Close to Pocatello’s bars, restaurants, shopping, and nightlife, this vast ski area on Mount Bonneville is part of the Portneuf Mountains. It has a peak elevation of 9,271 feet and has around 225 inches of snowfall each year.
There are also 3 ski lifts with reasonably priced passes providing access to a range of beginner, intermediate and more difficult pistes. In fact, over half the courses are classed as one black diamond (43%) or two black diamonds (10%). Pebble Creek Ski Resort is one of the best Idaho ski resorts for experienced skiers. Two terrain parks and unpatrolled backcountry provide more thrills.
After a day on the slopes, the famous Rock Bottom Saloon is a popular gathering place for food, drinks and socializing. You’ll find ski-in, ski-out accommodation at Pebble Creek along with equipment rentals and skiing lessons. The nearest city is Idaho Falls which offers shopping, dining, museums, theatre, and river walks in the summer.
With so much going on, you’ll definitely want to visit all these Idaho ski resorts!
Related travel guides: Ski Down To The Main Maine Ski Resorts and Top 7 Ski Resorts in and near Tennessee.
