Idaho Ski & Snowboard Resort Guide
There’s more to Idaho than potatoes; there’s powder, terrain parks, and perfect groomers. Off the beaten path, Idaho has no shortage of big mountains and large winter snowstorms. This means skiing and snowboarding in Idaho offers few crowds, and lots of powder. Sun Valley is the most well-known ski and snowboard area in Idaho with its deep ski history, deep powder, and the plentiful sunshine that it was named after. Spread across the rest of the states many mountain ranges there are many more small ski areas, as well as the larger Schweitzer. These areas each have their own perks and characters, but have many of the same characteristics that Sun Valley is known for. The backcountry terrain throughout the state is popular with backcountry skiers and snowmobilers, too.
Idaho Ski Resort Map
Sun Valley is a legendary ski and snowboard area located just outside of the small town of Ketchum, Idaho. Sun Valley has a rich ski and snowboard history, producing many top competitive athletes and Olympians. This culture is deeply engrained in the local community, which is awfully friendly. The ski area itself is spread between two area, Bald Mountain and Dollar Mountain. With 3,400’ of vertical drop Bald Mountain, or Baldy, is the main part of the ski and snowboard area. The groomed terrain and cruisers are seemingly endless here. There is some wide-open advanced terrain off of the Mayday lift that advanced skiers and snowboarders will love. The smaller Dollar Mountain has three chairlifts that access beginner and intermediate terrain as well as the ski area’s top-notch terrain park.
Explore Sun Valley >
Photo: Cy Whitling
A hidden gem, Schweitzer ski and snowboard area is a great family destination, with plenty of nice advanced terrain to keep hardcore powderhounds coming back. At 2,900 skiable acres, Schweitzer is a big ski area, which spreads out what small crowds there are. The mountain is lots of fun with some stellar tree skiing and snowboarding. Located in northern Idaho, just outside of Sandpoint, Schweitzer is remote, but this location keeps the crowds away. Sandpoint is a cute little town sandwiched between the mountains and Lake Pend Oreille. The ski and snowboard area is less than two hours from Spokane, which has a major airport, making for easy access despite the far northern location.
A hidden gem, Schweitzer ski and snowboard area is a great family destination, with plenty of nice advanced terrain to keep hardcore powderhounds coming back. At 2,900 skiable acres, Schweitzer is a big ski area, which spreads out what small crowds there are. The mountain is lots of fun with some stellar tree skiing and snowboarding. Located in northern Idaho, just outside of Sandpoint, Schweitzer is remote, but this location keeps the crowds away. Sandpoint is a cute little town sandwiched between the mountains and Lake Pend Oreille. The ski and snowboard area is less than two hours from Spokane, which has a major airport, making for easy access despite the far northern location.
Explore Schweitzer >
Tamarack
Tamarack might not have the storied past of older ski resorts, but that’s sort of the point. It’s a modern all-inclusive, year-round mountain resort with the ski terrain and amenities to match. The resort is located near Cascade Lake, just 90 minutes from Boise, Idaho, but it feels a whole world removed from the hustle of the big city. There’s something for everyone at Tamarack, from rafting, boating, mountain biking, and ziplining in the summer, along with 300 inches of snow annually and 1100 acres of skiable terrain all winter long. Idaho has always been the home state of skiing in the US, and Tamarack upholds that legacy with great views, great snow, and fun for the whole family.
Explore Tamarack >
Located less than an hour out of Boise, Bogus Basin is anything but bogus. This ski and snowboard area has a large 2,600 acres of riding, night skiing, and some fun terrain. Pulling up to Bogus Basin, the area’s size is deceptive, because most of the terrain is on the mountain’s backside. There is terrain for all ability levels at Bogus Basin, however, the majority of the backside is advanced terrain, which can be really fun on powder days. Unlike other resorts, Bogus Basin’s night skiing spreads across all kinds of terrain, including advanced runs, which is a nice perk. This is the closest ski and snowboard area to Boise, and a fun one, too.
Located less than an hour out of Boise, Bogus Basin is anything but bogus. This ski and snowboard area has a large 2,600 acres of riding, night skiing, and some fun terrain. Pulling up to Bogus Basin, the area’s size is deceptive, because most of the terrain is on the mountain’s backside. There is terrain for all ability levels at Bogus Basin, however, the majority of the backside is advanced terrain, which can be really fun on powder days. Unlike other resorts, Bogus Basin’s night skiing spreads across all kinds of terrain, including advanced runs, which is a nice perk. This is the closest ski and snowboard area to Boise, and a fun one, too.
Just outside of McCall and Payette Lake, Brundage Ski and Snowboard Area is little known, but one of the best in Idaho. Brundage has some great intermediate and advanced skiing and snowboarding on its 1,920 acres of skiable terrain, as well as some great tree skiing. Experts and powder hounds with backcountry knowledge will love the lift accessed backcountry terrain, too. The backside Lakeview Bowl has fun riding that will make skiers and snowboarders think their in Lake Tahoe. Cat skiing and snowboarding is offered on 18,000 acres of nearby terrain as well.
Just outside of McCall and Payette Lake, Brundage Ski and Snowboard Area is little known, but one of the best in Idaho. Brundage has some great intermediate and advanced skiing and snowboarding on its 1,920 acres of skiable terrain, as well as some great tree skiing. Experts and powder hounds with backcountry knowledge will love the lift accessed backcountry terrain, too. The backside Lakeview Bowl has fun riding that will make skiers and snowboarders think their in Lake Tahoe. Cat skiing and snowboarding is offered on 18,000 acres of nearby terrain as well.
Our Favorite Snowboards for Idaho
Silver Mountain is a 1,600 acre ski and snowboard area located outside of Kellogg, in the Idaho panhandle. Silver Mountain sees a solid average annual snowfall of 300” on its 2,200’ of vertical drop. While it is not huge, there is still some fun skiing and snowboarding to be had. There is terrain for all abilities, however, beginners will have to stick close to the base area. Intermediate and advanced skiers will have a fun exploring the cruisers and trees. The somewhat remote location means that on powder days crowds are low, and first tracks last all day long.
Soldier Mountain is a small community ski and snowboard area in central Idaho. The area opened in 1948 with one ropetow. They have since replaced the ropetow and added two chairlifts to serve 1,425’ of vertical drop and 1,150 acres. Soldier Mountain is about a two hour drive from Boise, and 90 minutes from Twin Falls. The mountain has great backcountry access, and also offers very cheap cat skiing.
Our Favorite Skis For Riding Idaho
Located on the top of Lookout Pass, part of the Idaho-Montana border, Lookout Pass Ski Resort is a fun little community ski and snowboard area. The ski and snowboard area is about a 90 minute drive from each Spokane ad Missoula, from the West and East respectively. Lookout Pass is small, at only 540 acres and 1,150 vertical, however it sees a whopping 400” of average annual snowfall. The mountain is divided into three sides, the Idaho Side, North Side, and Montana Side, each has its own chairlift.
Located on the top of Lookout Pass, part of the Idaho-Montana border, Lookout Pass Ski Resort is a fun little community ski and snowboard area. The ski and snowboard area is about a 90 minute drive from each Spokane ad Missoula, from the West and East respectively. Lookout Pass is small, at only 540 acres and 1,150 vertical, however it sees a whopping 400” of average annual snowfall. The mountain is divided into three sides, the Idaho Side, North Side, and Montana Side, each has its own chairlift.
Need ski or snowboard gear for your trip? Gear up! Shop online, or stop by one of our amazing flagship stores in Seattle, Portland, or Denver and get stocked up on everything you need for an all-time day on the slopes.
