With 19 ski resorts, 21,000 acres of skiable terrain and over 28,000 feet of elevation, it’s hard see how skiing and snowboarding could get any better in Idaho. But this winter promises to deliver an even bigger season, with ski areas throughout the state making plenty of upgrades.
Several Idaho ski areas have made significant snowmaking improvements this year. Bogus Basin installed four new snowmaking towers on the Morning Star trail. Kelly Canyon invested more than $1 million to ensure the resort opens by Thanksgiving every winter. Rotarun completed its snowmaking system with the purchase of another snow gun. Soldier Mountain now boasts a fully functional snowmaking system from its base area to the top of Chair 1, allowing the resort to open Chair 2 earlier. And Tamarack boosted its snowmaking capacity by 30 percent with the addition of six new snow guns and increased water capacity.
Brundage Mountain Resort, Kelly Canyon Resort, Schweitzer, and Sun Valley Resort all installed new chairlifts over the summer, including Ski Idaho’s third six-pack at the latter destination. Plus, Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area shaved significant time off ascending the Eagle Peak Express, which debuted last winter. And Grand Targhee Resort replaced its magic carpet with a covered Sunkid moving carpet.
Lookout Pass and Lost Trail Ski Area, both of which straddle the Idaho-Montana border, opened up new tree lines for this winter, while Kelly Canyon cleared out an additional 30,000 square feet of terrain. Sun Valley created a new black-diamond trail and 54 acres of new gladed tree skiing. And Tamarack Resort cleared 63 acres and added 50 in-bounds acres along its southern boundary.
For those of us into night skiing, eight Idaho ski areas light up at night. Two of the eight — Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area and the Little Ski Hill — added new lights this year. Bogus Basin replaced night lighting on two trails and the Little Ski Hill finished lighting its terrain park, ensuring the entire mountain is lit from top to bottom.
Lodge upgrades were in full swing over the summer as well. A half-dozen destinations completed noteworthy upgrades, including remodeled restrooms in both lodges at Bogus Basin and a new HVAC system at their Pioneer Lodge. Grand Targhee will completed the second half of its slopeside Teewinot Lodge in December.
Meanwhile, construction on Brundage’s new base area lodge and Tamarack’s mid-mountain lodge continues, with both slated to open during winter 2024-25.
And as though Idaho skiing wasn’t already remote enough, Visit Southern Idaho engaged Local Freshies to create a digital backcountry skiing and snowboarding guide for the region that helps you get away from everyone, even more.
Basically, it’s been a busy off season in the Gem State. But now, snow’s flying, and this article’s taken up enough of everyone’s time. So let’s grab our gear and head out for another unforgettable winter you can only find in Idaho.