Idaho Gem: Ski and Snowboard Resorts
This is the first post in a series highlighting what I like to call Idaho Gems—places around the state that I personally love and feel are worth visiting! Idaho is full of natural beauty and fun attractions, and I wanted to showcase those in case you ever find yourself planning a trip (in a safer, post-pandemic world, of course!).
There are so many gems to be found in the Gem State! (Sorry—I had to!)
First up: ski and snowboard resorts in Idaho! I grew up snow skiing at a local resort, and even though skiing isn’t my favorite way to spend my time during the winter months (I’m all about that après ski life), I’ve learned to appreciate our local ski resorts. Sun Valley—arguably the most popular resort in the state and perhaps one you’ve heard of—was the country’s first destination ski resort!
Where I’ve Skied (and Snowboarded) in Idaho
My brothers and I grew up skiing with our dad at Bogus Basin, which is a resort located in the mountains about 45 minutes north of Boise. We all picked it up fairly easily, but I was always the one lagging behind everyone else… Let’s just say, I’m a much more cautious skier than my brothers! I also turn a lot more than they do so I can keep a slower pace. The downside of doing that is my legs get tired super quickly. The lift ride back to the top was always a nice break…until I got off the lift and had to do it all over again! It was always a countdown until hot cocoa time in the lodge. 😂
As it turns out, I’m a wimp about cold and don’t like it when it’s snowing or wet, either. My perfect ski day is a warm, sunny (bluebird) day with minimal runs and lots of lodge time! Ha.
I do recall skiing with my family at Brundage in the McCall area once when I was younger. Wish I could remember more of that trip—I’m sure I just wanted to be back in the lodge, staying warm!
My step mom prefers to nordic ski instead of downhill ski but did snowboard for a number of years at Bogus! I’ve tried nordic skiing and boy is that a WORKOUT. I also took snowboard lessons for a season and sucked terribly; I much prefer downhill skiing!
One of my brothers really took to skiing and took part in what was called Extreme Team—young kiddos up to teens learned how to do tricks in the terrain park and moved up to doing jumps and other freestyle skiing (like the half pipe). He competed at numerous freestyle ski competitions across the west and even qualified to nationals a couple of times. I watched him compete at Bogus Basin, Tamarack, and at Snowbasin in Utah when I lived there for grad school! (See photo evidence below.)
Korri got me back into skiing…well, kind of. I skied with him at Bogus a couple of times. He used to ski nearly every day by himself and with my dad until Korri tore his ACL and MCL skiing back in 2018. It happened I think three days after I was up there skiing with him! I only went once or twice a season with him and my family, which was still plenty for me, haha. We lucked out with great weather. Sadly, he still doesn’t feel 100% about skiing on his knee so I’m not sure when he’ll get back to it.
On my list of resorts to ski in the future: Pomerelle, which boasts an earlier start to their ski season due to early season storms, approximately 40 feet of snow in a year, and a base elevation of 8000 feet (which is higher than most of the summits of all of the other ski resorts in Idaho). It’s a small resort in southern Idaho; Korri and I drove up there during the summer on our way to see the City of Rocks a few years ago and for some reason I’m intrigued by it!
20+ Ski and Snowboard Areas in Idaho
Interested in skiing and/or snowboarding in Idaho? There are 16 downhill skiing and snowboarding resorts in Idaho plus 4 additional areas with groomed nordic ski and snowshoe trails. Many of the resorts also offer nordic skiing, terrain parks, tubing, and other winter activities. Find their exact locations in the clickable Google map below!
NORTHERN IDAHO
Schweitzer Mountain Resort — Sandpoint — downhill skiing, snowboarding, nordic skiing, terrain parks, night skiing, tubing, scenic lift rides
Silver Mountain Resort — Kellogg — downhill skiing, snowboarding, tubing, scenic gondola rides, indoor waterpark
Lookout Pass — Mullan (border of Montana) — downhill skiing and snowboarding
Elk River Nordic Ski Trails — Elk River — nordic ski and snowshoe trails — permit required
Bald Mountain Ski Area — Pierce — downhill skiing and snowboarding
Cottonwood Butte Ski Area — Cottonwood — downhill skiing and snowboarding
Snowhaven Ski & Tube Hill — Grangeville — open weekends only — downhill skiing, snowboarding, tubing, nordic skiing
CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST IDAHO
Brundage Mountain Resort — McCall — downhill skiing, snowboarding, nordic skiing, terrain parks, guided SnowCat backcountry skiing (tubing available at the McCall Activity Barn)
Little Ski Hill — McCall — downhill skiing, snowboarding, nordic skiing, terrain park, night skiing (Six Olympians hail from this ski hill!)
Tamarack Resort — Donnelly — downhill skiing, snowboarding, nordic skiing
Bogus Basin Ski Resort — Boise — downhill skiing, snowboarding, nordic skiing, terrain parks, night skiing, tubing, snowshoeing, mountain coaster
Whoop Um Up Park ‘n Ski — between Idaho City and Lowman — nordic ski and snowshoe trails — permit required
Soldier Mountain Ski Area — Fairfield — downhill skiing, snowboarding, guided SnowCat backcountry skiing
Galena Lodge — between Stanley and Sun Valley — nordic ski and snowshoe trails
North Valley Trails — between Stanley and Sun Valley — nordic ski and snowshoe trails
Sun Valley Resort — Sun Valley — downhill skiing, snowboarding, nordic skiing, indoor and outdoor ice skating, sleigh rides
SOUTHERN AND EASTERN IDAHO
Magic Mountain Ski Resort — Kimberly — downhill skiing, snowboarding, nordic skiing, tubing, snowshoeing, snow biking
Pomerelle Mountain Resort — Albion — downhill skiing, snowboarding, terrain parks, snowshoeing
Pebble Creek Ski Area — Inkom — downhill skiing, snowboarding, terrain parks, night skiing
Kelly Canyon Ski Resort — Ririe — downhill skiing, snowboarding, nordic skiing, terrain parks, night skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking
BONUS: Grand Targhee Resort — Alta, WY — accessible via Idaho on the western slopes of the Teton Mountains — downhill skiing, snowboarding, nordic skiing, terrain parks, snowshoeing, fat biking, Snow Cat skiing, backcountry tours
Check out all of the gems in the Idaho Gem series!
