9 Best Idaho Ski Resorts — $19 Lift Tickets and 3-mile-long Runs Included

Find all the powder you're looking for in Idaho.

Idaho receives some 185 inches of snow a year, making it a skier and snowboarder's paradise. And perhaps nobody knows that more than Ray J. Gadd, photographer, lifelong Idahoan, and marketing director of Visit Sun Valley.

"Ah, Idaho skiing. The thing I love about most resorts here is the intrinsic mom-and-pop feel," Gadd shared with Travel + Leisure. "There's less of a barrier-to-entry vibe that skiing and snowboarding has become across so many other destinations. Lift ticket prices are reasonable, there's a lack of snootiness over the gear you wear, and people show up to actually ski."

Gadd grew up in Boise, skiing five days a week at Bogus Basin, eventually with the Bogus Basin Ski Racing Alliance. "The spirit from that program was huge on creating lifelong skiers. If it was a powder day, we were out skiing powder, not training gates," he said. "Bogus is a playground filled with nooks and crannies to explore, secret powder pockets to navigate, little features to test gravity, and again, people that love just being out there."

However, Bogus isn't the only place Gadd and others who live in or frequent Idaho love to ski. Here are nine other amazing ski resorts in Idaho.

Sun Valley

Sun Valley is perhaps the most well-known ski resort in the state, thanks to its fantastic stats, including its longest run clocking in at three miles and the fact that it has some of the steepest trails in America. “To me, Sun Valley is the one mountain in Idaho that has that bigger resort feel. The lodges are over the top, the infrastructure top-notch, and the runs seemingly never-ending,” said Gadd. “Having been here for 13 years now, I feel spoiled.”

Pomerelle Mountain Resort

Pomerelle Mountain Resort, tucked in the Albion Mountains, is ideal for those seeking a more secluded and intimate setting to carve their turns. Pomerelle opened in 1963, cementing its place as one of the oldest ski operations in the West. There are just two chairlifts here, so it’s certainly quaint, but it also has a magic carpet and an expansive beginner area, making it a great place for families teaching little ones how to ski and ride for the first time. Pomerelle experiences an average of 500 inches of snow a year. It’s not the spot to be if you’re looking for tons of bells and whistles, but it is ideal if you’re seeking knee-deep snow throughout the season.

Schweitzer

As the largest ski resort in Idaho, Schweitzer is a must-see for skiers and riders visiting the region. It’s home to nearly 3,000 skiable acres, ensuring everyone can take wide turns. The terrain is also well spread out for skiers of all abilities, with 10 percent of its runs listed as beginner, 40 percent as intermediate, 35 percent as advanced, and 15 percent as expert only. And, if you fall into the intermediate-to-expert category, make sure to check out the tree skiing for an off-piste adventure.

Soldier Mountain

Soldier Mountain offers several spectacular ski experiences for those wanting an off-the-beaten-path adventure. The mountain is known for its laid-back attitude and family-friendly environment. Visitors come for traditional skiing, but they can also take part in twilight skiing (just $19 the hour before closing) or backcountry cat skiing. There’s also tubing for those who want to hit the mountain without having to strap on skis or a board.

Tamarack Resort

Tamarack Resort, situated amid Idaho's Payette River Mountains, is an ideal mix of rugged and luxurious. The mountain offers terrain for all skill levels, in addition to a terrain park for those looking to throw a few tricks. After a day on the mountain, guests can check into The Lodge at Osprey Meadows, home to top-notch dining and The Spa at Tamarack, which will help soothe any aching muscles after a day of shredding.

Rotarun Ski Area

“One Idaho resort that most people have never heard of is right down the road from Sun Valley,” said Gadd. “It’s a tiny spot called Rotarun, and it’s just outside the town of Hailey.” Here, travelers will find just one T-bar and a handful of runs, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in heart. Its entire mission is to provide “an affordable and inclusive ski area that celebrates winter sport and mountain town culture through accessibility and community outreach.” In fact, you can get a season pass for just $175. “The crowd there doesn’t have the latest gear,” said Gadd. “But the smiles are the biggest you’ll see in the sport.”

Brundage Mountain Resort

Brundage Mountain, located near McCall, is known as a spot where powder abounds. It averages more than 200 inches of snow per year and offers a fantastic mix of terrain, including 70 named trails, with 21 percent of those ranked as easy, 33 percent as intermediate, and 46 percent as difficult. The mountain also has lifts straight to the backcountry, making it easy to reach the trees and even easier to get back up again for run after run.

Lookout Pass

Straddling the Idaho-Montana border, Lookout Pass offers deep powder, thanks to its annual 450 inches of snow, along with a diverse terrain. The mountain has more than 1,000 skiable acres across 52 named runs (with 14 percent listed as beginner, 42 percent as intermediate, 42 percent as advanced, and two percent as expert only), plus powder glades for those looking to get into the steep and deep.

Silver Mountain Resort

Silver Mountain, which sits just outside Kellogg, has 1,600 acres of skiable terrain, seven lifts (including a cozy gondola), and 80 runs, including one that goes on for 2.5 miles. The mountain also offers a terrain park and the chance to go night skiing under the stars. The mountain village is an ideal place for families to stay, too, thanks to its numerous dining options, spa, and indoor water park — perfect for those days when you need a break from the mountain.

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