Fairfield, Idaho — Fresh off a collaboration with Chelsea Handler, Soldier Mountain is introducing a new sidecountry skiing experience.
This week, Soldier Mountain announced the grand opening of a new sidecountry terrain zone. The new terrain will debut on March 8-9 and March 15-16. This offering will be available on weekends when there’s a sufficient snowpack. Led by a newly acquired TRAX side-by-side UTV, the Bridge Creek Sidecountry Project allows small groups to quickly access 250 acres of quality terrain in Bridge Creek. This terrain features glades and ridges with a moderate pitch. For those who want to explore it without the UTV, there are also cat tracks and bootpacking spots that people can use.
“The Bridge Creek Sidecountry Project elevates Soldier Mountain to one of the most challenging and terrain-intensive ski areas in Idaho,” said David Alden, the General Manager of Soldier Mountain. “The newly accessible terrain encompasses mid-angle glades and steep, north-facing trees and ridges, adding technical sidecountry to Soldier Mountain’s world-class cat ski operation and our legendary inbounds bowls, glades, and groomers. The Bridge Creek area is so close to our existing terrain and so visually inviting that nearly every guest who visits Soldier has looked at that area and wished it were accessible. Now it is. It is a huge step for Soldier Mountain.”
Soldier Mountain is among the first ski resorts to acquire a TRAX vehicle. This vehicle travels 2.5x faster than a traditional snowcat, which means skiers and riders can get more laps in.
This isn’t Soldier Mountain’s first non-lift serviced skiing experience. A snowcat travels up to Peak 1, 2, and Smokey Dome. This cat-skiing experience gives access to a mix of steep and wide-open bowl terrain. However, the TRAX provides for more laps and faster ride time up to the top.
Image Credits: Soldier Mountain, Chelsea Handler, Local Freshies
