5 Best Idaho Ski Resorts

There is no doubt that Sun Valley continues to be a world-class ski destination. Dollar Mountain offers beginners a chance to learn to ski while Bold Mountain provides an outstanding experience for more advanced downhill skiers. Both mountains, however, can become very crowded. If you are looking for a backcountry skiing experience, you will find many other top ski resorts in Idaho that can deliver and even better ski experience.

Tamarack Resort

A tamarack tree appears like a pine tree, but it drops its needles in the winter. The Tamarack Resort near McCall, Idaho, is very much like a tamarack. It has gone through a rough patch, but now it is spring and thriving again. You will not want to miss the new breath that its current owners have breathed into this resort, where you can easily access miles of Nordic track trails through alpine meadows and pine forests. There are over 1,100 acres of skiable terrain that are easily accessed from the seven chairlifts. A 2,800-foot vertical drop makes this a great place to go skiing in Idaho.

Brundage Mountain

If you were to plan the perfect ski resort, you might end up with a resort that looks a lot like Brundage Mountain. Located very near all McCall, Idaho, has to offer in the way of places to stay and terrific things to do, Brundage Mountain gets over 300 inches of snow most years. While the terrain may look a little flat, look around, and you can find terrific slopes for skiing. Since temperatures typically stay under 32 degrees Fahrenheit, great snow usually sticks around until new powder arrives. If you think you would enjoy a backcountry adventure, but you are leery of going by yourself, then they offer expert skiing guides. You can also find fabulous snowmobile tours.

Schweitzer

Nestled in the foothills of the Selkirk Mountains, the two open bowls at Schweitzer contain 92 marked trails. Skiers can also conveniently access over 300 miles of additional trails in these mountains. About 40% of the trails at this resort are intermediate, with 50% being for advanced-or-expert level skiers. The Little Blue Ridge is 2.5 miles long, but there are many shorter options. A 2,400-foot vertical drop adds a layer of excitement to this resort. Over 100 acres are lighted for night skiing, and there are three terrain parks. If you have not visited Schweitzer lately, you will be in for a real treat when you discover the backside improvements that have been made.

Pebble Creek Ski Area

If you love freestyle skiing with plenty of opportunities to get big air, you will not be disappointed when you get to Pebble Creek near Inkom, Idaho. This Mt. Bonneville resort in the Portland Range features over 1,100 acres of skiable terrain. The cold weather and the way this resort lies means you can often ski when other ski resorts are closed. This resort gets an average of 225 inches of snow annually. Over 53% of the trails are marked advanced or expert. You will love the old-school vibe of this resort area.

Silver Mountain

If you had said that you were going to Silver Valley, Idaho, at the turn of the 20th century, people would think you were going silver mining as more than $82 million was mined from the mountain. Today, it is a wonderful ski destination. Kellogg and Wardner Peaks offers over 2,200 feet of vertical skiing. Most of the 20 named trails are easily accessible from the gondola, five chairlifts or the magic carpet. With an average of 100 inches of snow each year, skiers are seldom disappointed in this area’s conditions. Two terrain parks make great places to play when not on the slopes, and you will find terrific places to stay and dine.

While these five resorts offer almost everything that a skier could conceivably want, there are also other ski resorts to check out on an Idaho ski adventure, including Lookout Pass and Bogus Basin. Make your plans now to ski this winter in Idaho. Most of these areas are open for skiing from November to mid-April, and they welcome you to come to explore them. Consider starting at Tamarack Resort, then Bogus Basin, head north to Brundage Mountain and even further north to Schweitzer. Then, turn back to the south to ski at Lookout Pass before finishing an Idaho ski vacation at Pebble Creek.