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7 Best Ski Resorts in Idaho, 2023/24

7 Best Ski Resorts in Idaho, 2023/24
Jack Taylor
Written by Jack Taylor / Photos by Jack Lee
Last updated May 20, 2022

The Rocky Mountains create a vast skiing playground throughout much of Idaho, with resorts well-positioned to provide access to the best terrain and deepest snow. To make sure you pick the right destination for your winter vacation, check out our shortlist of the top ski spots in the Gem State!

A bluebird day at Sun Valley (Photo credit: Sun Valley)

Why Ski Sun Valley

Sun Valley opened back in 1936, at a time when ski resorts across the world used surface tow lifts as standard. Within a year the first-ever chairlift was operational at Sun Valley, propelling it into the limelight and securing its place in the history of skiing. It’s a world-class resort that every skier should visit, with Bald Mountain serving up epic bowl skiing and manicured cruisers to carve. There’s also treeless Dollar Mountain with its clear slopes for beginners to learn on, along with eight terrain parks for freestylers. For the quintessential Sun Valley experience stay in the Sun Valley Lodge, where the walls are adorned with black and white photos of the many well-known personalities that have stayed over the years.

Known for

America’s original destination ski resort and a long-time favourite amongst the rich and famous

Highlights

  • Two mountains offer more than 809 ha to explore
  • Interesting skiing heritage dates back to the 1930s
  • Spectacular mountain scenery and lots of bluebird days
  • The expensive choice for an Idaho ski vacation

22/23 Ski Season:

  • Opening Date: Nov 24 2022
  • Closing Date: Apr 16 2023

Closest airports

Friedman Memorial Airport - 24 km (25 minute drive)
A bluebird day at Sun Valley (Photo credit: Sun Valley)

Why Ski Sun Valley

Sun Valley opened back in 1936, at a time when ski resorts across the world used surface tow lifts as standard. Within a year the first-ever chairlift was operational at Sun Valley, propelling it into the limelight and securing its place in the history of skiing. It’s a world-class resort that every skier should visit, with Bald Mountain serving up epic bowl skiing and manicured cruisers to carve. There’s also treeless Dollar Mountain with its clear slopes for beginners to learn on, along with eight terrain parks for freestylers. For the quintessential Sun Valley experience stay in the Sun Valley Lodge, where the walls are adorned with black and white photos of the many well-known personalities that have stayed over the years.

Enjoy Tamarack's uncrowded slopes (Photo credit: Tamarack Resort)

Why Ski Tamarack Resort

From Idaho’s oldest ski resort to its newest, Tamarack Resort is looking to be the state’s next big skiing destination. A pair of express chairlifts whisk you up to the 2,347 m summit in just under 12 minutes combined, where wonderful snowscape views are the first delight you’ll enjoy. The second is skiing the often empty slopes back down. Warm up with a non-stop run to the base village on the Showtime blue trail, just one of 50 pistes to try, and for deep powder there are inbound glades and back country bowls to explore. When it comes to places to stay every base is covered, with modern family homes, wooden mountain chalets, and slope-side cottages all available, not to mention hotel rooms, studios, and condos!

Known for

Uncrowded slopes and fast lifts to take advantage of at Idaho’s newest winter sports mountain

Highlights

  • Long wide trails offer top-to-bottom mountain skiing
  • Stunning panorama over Lake Cascade and Payette National Forest
  • Fresh powder often stays untracked for days here
  • Some of the ski resort amenities are still in the process of being built

22/23 Ski Season:

  • Opening Date: Dec 09 2022
  • Closing Date: Apr 08 2023

Closest airports

Boise Airport - 161 km (2.5 hour drive)
Spokane Intl. Airport - 457 km (5 hour drive)
Enjoy Tamarack's uncrowded slopes (Photo credit: Tamarack Resort)

Why Ski Tamarack Resort

From Idaho’s oldest ski resort to its newest, Tamarack Resort is looking to be the state’s next big skiing destination. A pair of express chairlifts whisk you up to the 2,347 m summit in just under 12 minutes combined, where wonderful snowscape views are the first delight you’ll enjoy. The second is skiing the often empty slopes back down. Warm up with a non-stop run to the base village on the Showtime blue trail, just one of 50 pistes to try, and for deep powder there are inbound glades and back country bowls to explore. When it comes to places to stay every base is covered, with modern family homes, wooden mountain chalets, and slope-side cottages all available, not to mention hotel rooms, studios, and condos!

Ski within an hour from Boise (Photo credit: Bogus Basin)

Why Ski Bogus Basin

Being less than an hours' drive from Idaho’s capital city makes Bogus Basin one of the most easily accessible ski resorts on our list. It’s also home to a huge amount of terrain, a whopping 1,052 ha in fact, with 71 ha floodlit for night skiing. Advanced skiers will love the plethora of steep drops off Shafer Butte, while the gentler runs from Deer Point will keep intermediates busy. Besides skiing there’s plenty to entertain here, including a snow tubing hill, snowshoeing trails, and the exhilarating Glade Runner mountain coaster that runs for 1,320 m through alpine forest. For exclusive ski-in/ski-out accommodation stay in the Pioneer Condominiums, otherwise there’s lodging to suit all budgets in Boise.

Known for

Non-profit community ski area offers over 80 groomed trails and many other fun winter activities

Highlights

  • Wonderful variety of ski terrain spread across multiple peaks
  • Night skiing covers lots of different slopes from beginner to expert
  • Lift tickets are reasonably priced
  • Limited lodging options right next to the ski lifts and slopes

22/23 Ski Season:

  • Opening Date: Dec 01 2022
  • Closing Date: May 06 2023

Closest airports

Boise Airport - 35 km (45 minute drive)
Ski within an hour from Boise (Photo credit: Bogus Basin)

Why Ski Bogus Basin

Being less than an hours' drive from Idaho’s capital city makes Bogus Basin one of the most easily accessible ski resorts on our list. It’s also home to a huge amount of terrain, a whopping 1,052 ha in fact, with 71 ha floodlit for night skiing. Advanced skiers will love the plethora of steep drops off Shafer Butte, while the gentler runs from Deer Point will keep intermediates busy. Besides skiing there’s plenty to entertain here, including a snow tubing hill, snowshoeing trails, and the exhilarating Glade Runner mountain coaster that runs for 1,320 m through alpine forest. For exclusive ski-in/ski-out accommodation stay in the Pioneer Condominiums, otherwise there’s lodging to suit all budgets in Boise.

Ski with stunning lake and mountain views (Photo credit: Schweitzer Mountain Resort)

Why Ski Schweitzer Mountain Resort

Schweitzer Mountain Resort ticks all the boxes for confident skiers who want a little luxury with their snow fix. Located at the tip of the Idaho panhandle, skiing here offers you views over the Cabinet Mountains of Montana, Canada’s Selkirk Mountains, and the enormous Lake Pend Oreille below. Half of the 92 meticulously groomed trails here are rated advanced to expert, and for those craving some real steep and deep stuff there are guided heli-skiing tours available. Enjoy full-service mountain dining at Sky House, a modern summit lodge that’s home to The Nest restaurant, while down in the ski village you can catch a movie at the free theatre or unwind at the Solstice Spa! Lodging options include everything from straightforward hotel rooms to luxury ski homes with hot tubs and open fireplaces.

Known for

Expert bowls, chutes, and glades alongside upscale amenities at this full-service ski resort

Highlights

  • Some of the best steep groomers in Idaho
  • Awesome mountain views across state and national borders!
  • Plenty of off-slope entertainment in the ski village
  • Still has some old lifts that need to be updated

22/23 Ski Season:

  • Opening Date: Dec 09 2022
  • Closing Date: Apr 09 2023

Closest airports

Spokane Intl. Airport - 150 km (2 hour drive)
Ski with stunning lake and mountain views (Photo credit: Schweitzer Mountain Resort)

Why Ski Schweitzer Mountain Resort

Schweitzer Mountain Resort ticks all the boxes for confident skiers who want a little luxury with their snow fix. Located at the tip of the Idaho panhandle, skiing here offers you views over the Cabinet Mountains of Montana, Canada’s Selkirk Mountains, and the enormous Lake Pend Oreille below. Half of the 92 meticulously groomed trails here are rated advanced to expert, and for those craving some real steep and deep stuff there are guided heli-skiing tours available. Enjoy full-service mountain dining at Sky House, a modern summit lodge that’s home to The Nest restaurant, while down in the ski village you can catch a movie at the free theatre or unwind at the Solstice Spa! Lodging options include everything from straightforward hotel rooms to luxury ski homes with hot tubs and open fireplaces.

A great resort to practice your skiing skills (Photo credit: Lookout Pass)

Why Ski Lookout Pass

Still new to skiing? Lookout Pass provides an awesome environment to practice and improve. The ski area features three distinct mountainsides, each with its own dedicated chairlift which all meet at the 1,722 m summit. This layout makes navigation simple, so you can worry less about where you’re going and concentrate more on how you’re skiing. With the bigger Idaho resorts often getting more attention than Lookout Pass, the slopes are generally quiet plus there’s expert tuition available from the on-site ski school. Novice freestylers are also catered for at the terrain parks here, with Huckleberry Jam specialising in entry-level features and Rolling Thunder serving up a natural quarter pipe. Economical hotels, inns, and motels are available in the town of Wallace, just a 20 minute drive away.

Known for

Learner-friendly slopes and progressive terrain parks nestled within unspoiled national forest

Highlights

  • 70% of the skiable terrain is rated beginner to intermediate
  • Ski lessons and programs for all ages and abilities
  • Fantastic average annual snow record of 1,016 cm
  • At just 219 ha it is quite a small ski area

22/23 Ski Season:

  • Opening Date: Nov 12 2022
  • Closing Date: Apr 16 2023

Closest airports

Spokane Intl. Airport - 159 km (1.5 hour drive)
A great resort to practice your skiing skills (Photo credit: Lookout Pass)

Why Ski Lookout Pass

Still new to skiing? Lookout Pass provides an awesome environment to practice and improve. The ski area features three distinct mountainsides, each with its own dedicated chairlift which all meet at the 1,722 m summit. This layout makes navigation simple, so you can worry less about where you’re going and concentrate more on how you’re skiing. With the bigger Idaho resorts often getting more attention than Lookout Pass, the slopes are generally quiet plus there’s expert tuition available from the on-site ski school. Novice freestylers are also catered for at the terrain parks here, with Huckleberry Jam specialising in entry-level features and Rolling Thunder serving up a natural quarter pipe. Economical hotels, inns, and motels are available in the town of Wallace, just a 20 minute drive away.

Groomers at Brundage are a great introduction to skiing (Photo credit: Brundage Mountain)

Why Ski Brundage

Brundage Mountain does two things remarkably well. First, there’s the fun Beartopia ski area that provides the perfect introduction to skiing for children and parents alike. At the other end of the scale, pristine backcountry skiing is available straight from the lifts here. Another boon for Brundage Mountain is the high number of storms that hit during the winter, which when you combine with its cold temperatures ensures good snow quality. And it’s easy to make the most of that fresh powder with the enormous cat skiing area around Goose Lake. You’ll find comfy cabin and condo rentals available in the resort, while the neighbouring town of McCall is home to plenty more lodging options plus three craft beer breweries for après-ski fun!

Known for

Family-owned ski resort with a dedicated kids zone and stacks of lift-accessible backcountry

Highlights

  • Free access to ski lifts on the nursery slopes
  • Home to an outstanding cat skiing operation
  • Great restaurants and pubs in the nearby town of McCall
  • Quite a long drive from major cities and airports

22/23 Ski Season:

  • Opening Date: Dec 02 2022
  • Closing Date: Apr 09 2023

Closest airports

Boise Airport - 196 km (2.5 hour drive)
Groomers at Brundage are a great introduction to skiing (Photo credit: Brundage Mountain)

Why Ski Brundage

Brundage Mountain does two things remarkably well. First, there’s the fun Beartopia ski area that provides the perfect introduction to skiing for children and parents alike. At the other end of the scale, pristine backcountry skiing is available straight from the lifts here. Another boon for Brundage Mountain is the high number of storms that hit during the winter, which when you combine with its cold temperatures ensures good snow quality. And it’s easy to make the most of that fresh powder with the enormous cat skiing area around Goose Lake. You’ll find comfy cabin and condo rentals available in the resort, while the neighbouring town of McCall is home to plenty more lodging options plus three craft beer breweries for après-ski fun!

Enjoy the long-lasting powder! (Photo credit: Silver Mountain)

Why Ski Silver Mountain

Reaching the slopes of Silver Mountain begins with a 5 km gondola ride that transports you up 1,036 m, so you’ll have plenty of time to check the trail map and plan your ski day! Intermediates and above will get the most out of this snow-drenched ski area, which receives an average annual snowfall of 864 cm. The North Face Glades serve up a truly challenging tree run for expert skiers, but there’s heaps of gentler terrain for you to make fresh tracks between the towering ponderosa pines. A variety of suites, studios, and condos are available right next to the gondola at the Morning Star Lodge, plus when you stay here you’ll enjoy free entry to the enormous Silver Rapids Indoor Waterpark, complete with a FlowRider surf machine, water slides, and lazy river!

Known for

Top-notch tree skiing and long-lasting powder at this often overlooked Idaho ski destination

Highlights

  • Home to the longest gondola ride in North America!
  • Over 647 ha to ski across a pair of 1,829 m peaks
  • Excellent resort facilities including Idaho’s biggest indoor water park
  • Just a handful of beginner trails concentrated around the base area

22/23 Ski Season:

  • Opening Date: Nov 25 2022
  • Closing Date: May 04 2023

Closest airports

Spokane Intl. Airport - 121 km (1.5 hour drive)
Enjoy the long-lasting powder! (Photo credit: Silver Mountain)

Why Ski Silver Mountain

Reaching the slopes of Silver Mountain begins with a 5 km gondola ride that transports you up 1,036 m, so you’ll have plenty of time to check the trail map and plan your ski day! Intermediates and above will get the most out of this snow-drenched ski area, which receives an average annual snowfall of 864 cm. The North Face Glades serve up a truly challenging tree run for expert skiers, but there’s heaps of gentler terrain for you to make fresh tracks between the towering ponderosa pines. A variety of suites, studios, and condos are available right next to the gondola at the Morning Star Lodge, plus when you stay here you’ll enjoy free entry to the enormous Silver Rapids Indoor Waterpark, complete with a FlowRider surf machine, water slides, and lazy river!