Bogus Basin, Boise • 2600 skiable acres on 1800' verticalSpecs: Summit elevation: 7600'; Base elevation: 5800'.  7 Lifts: 2 quads, 1 triple, 4 doubles.  Uphill capacity: 10,000/hr.  Terrain Mix: 22-45-33.  Longest Run: 7920'.  Season: usually late November to early April.  Night skiing on 90 acres Wed-Sun plus holidays.  Rentals & Lessons.  Annual Snowfall: 250".  Snowmaking: 15%.The SKInny: Surprise, this is probably the best pure skier's ski area in Idaho.  In terms of reputation and publicity it clearly plays second fiddle to Sun Valley, but Bogus has that venerable resort beat in almost every category except vertical drop and sightings of important celebrities with Hummers and 6,000 square foot climate-controlled mansions who rant about environmental sensitivity.  We'll save that for later...back to Bogus: This ski area really does have something for everyone.  Beginners, intermediates, experts and extreme skiers each have their own niche at Bogus.  The face of Shafer Butte offers flat-out, wide open drops for hotshots.  The sprawling layout among numerous peaks is almost a mini version of Utah's The Canyons, without having to hike back to lifts.  Tree skiing provides powder, and some traversing supplies ample back country routes.  At the other end of the spectrum, beginners have plenty of variety as well.  Bogus Basin is seldom a touristy destination, but it should be.  Or maybe not; probably better off this way.  Did we mention the pricing?  Very reasonable considering the variety and quality of the facilities.  In a quiet, understated, underpublicized way, Bogus Basin is one of the best ski areas in the country. Signature Trails: Silver Queen (Novice), Nighthawk, Last Chance. 

Brundage Mountain, McCall • 1460 skiable acres on 1800' verticalSpecs: Summit elevation: 7640'; Base elevation: 5840'.  7 Lifts: 1 quad, 4 triples, 1 platter pull, 1 paddle lift.  Uphill capacity: 6700/hr.  Terrain Mix: 25-50-25.  Longest Run: 13,560'.  Season: usually late November to early April.  Rentals & Lessons.  Annual Snowfall: 300".  The SKInny: Mid-sized mountain that acts a lot bigger, and first time skiers expect it to be bigger because of its reputation.  Although there are bigger, more cosmopolitan ski areas in Idaho -- and better ski areas -- Brundage is the one a lot of people call their favorite.  Lots of different fall lines, ridges, and faces; wanderers will love this place and hotshots will like everything but the lack of crowds.  One of the knocks on Brundage is the fact that it is far away from what passes for cities in Idaho, which isn't necessarily a drawback.  Snowcat skiing is offered for the adventurous.  Nice meandering trails for the developing skier, plenty of steeps, bowls, and glades for the expert -- but the majority of terrain is blue, so Brundage really has all the bases covered. Signature Trails: Hidden Valley. 

Kelly Canyon, McCall • 640 skiable acres on 1000' verticalSpecs: Summit elevation: 6600'; Base elevation: 5600'.  6 Lifts: 4 doubles, 2 rope tows.  Uphill capacity: 3400/hr.  Terrain Mix: 35-45-20.  Longest Run: 6900'.  Season: usually December to March, 7 days.  Night skiing Mon-Sat.  Rentals & Lessons.  Annual Snowfall: 200". The SKInny: Operation located on National Forest land, an old favorite for Idaho Falls locals.  Has the misfortune of being very close to Grand Targhee and within driving distance of Jackson Hole, two of the top ski resorts in the country.  Emphasis on developing novices and intermediate skiers; the black diamonds are not overly challenging.  Outstanding for groups, families, etc.  but not really a destination for hotshots or wanderers.  The hot drops that it does have (911, Face, Whoa Joe, etc.)  are all rather too short to really set the heart a flutter, but again, this is an easy, relaxing, enjoyable type place.  Only real knock is that conditions can sometimes be spotty.  Otherwise, Kelly Canyon is one of those "small but mighty" places where, when the day is over, you wonder where the time went. Signature Trail: Skiers' Lane. 

Lookout Pass, Wallace • 600 skiable acres on 1150' verticalSpecs: Summit elevation: 5650'; Base elevation: 4800'.  5 Lifts: 4 doubles, 1 rope tow.  Uphill capacity: 4000/hr.  Terrain Mix: 20-50-30.  Longest Run: 6350'.  Season: usually mid November to late March, closed Tues & Weds.  Rentals & Lessons.  Annual Snowfall: 400". The SKInny: Another smallish, throwback ski area on USFS land.  Low prices, short or no liftlines, generally good snow.  This is an area moving onward and upward; it has tripled in size in just four years, but appears to have lost none of its charm.  Excellent for novice and emerging blues, with a few surprises for the expert as well.  Not much vert, but if you ski it once, you're a lifetime fan of Lookout Pass. Signature Trails: Montana Face, Idaho Face, Lucky Friday Glades. 

Pebble Creek, Pocatello • 1100 skiable acres on 2200' verticalSpecs: Summit elevation: 8500'; Base elevation: 6300'.  3 Lifts: 2 triples, 1 double.  Uphill capacity: 3600/hr.  Terrain Mix: 12-35-53.  Longest Run: 6000'.  Season: usually mid-December to April.  Night skiing Fri-Sun.  Rentals & Lessons.  Annual Snowfall: 250".  Snowmaking: 15%.The SKInny: Once a local hill nicknamed "The Rock" that expanded in 2001, and now has a serious vertical.  Qualifies on the small side of "big" ski areas...the 2200' is legit.  Not your ideal conditions when snow is scarce; very little snowmaking to fluff things out.  Note also the very high percentage of "expert" terrain.  This is legit -- there are some challenging trails here -- but they do not overlook the beginner and novice; ski school programs are excellent for all abilities.  A great, underrated ski area.  Comfortable, laid-back atmosphere, yet plenty of opportunity for off-piste adventures; another 700' of hiker vertical opens up some serious glades for the extreme skier.  Novice terrain is separated from the main lifts, intermediates lay claim to the lower bowls, and experts own the canyon area.  Good layout. Signature Trails: Liftline, Rattlesnake. 

Pomerelle, Albion • 500 skiable acres on 1000' verticalSpecs: Summit elevation: 9000'; Base elevation: 8000'.  3 Lifts: 1 triple, 1 double, 1 rope tow.  Uphill capacity: 3100/hr.  Terrain Mix: 35-40-25.  Longest Run: 8000'.  Season: usually late November to early April.  Night skiing Tue-Sat.  Rentals & Lessons.  Annual Snowfall: 500". The SKInny: Small by western standards, Pomerelle is a terrific mid-sized ski area.  Family owned and operated, family-oriented, but definitely a young crowd.  Liftlines are short, prices are reasonable.  Excellent for beginners, and intermediates will be challenged enough to improve.  Experts can take it easy for a day, but pedal-to-the-metal hotshots will want to head elsewhere.  An all-around fun ski area.  Good all-around mix of trails, chutes, glades, and open bowl type skiing.  Great scenery. 

Schweitzer Mountain, Sandpoint • 2500 skiable acres on 2400' verticalSpecs: Summit elevation: 6400'; Base elevation: 4000'.  8 Lifts: 1 sixpack, 1 quad, 1 triple, 3 doubles, 2 handle tows.  Uphill capacity: 9800/hr.  Terrain Mix: 20-40-40.  Longest Run: 8000'.  Season: usually late November to early April.  Night skiing Fri-Sat.  Rentals & Lessons.  Annual Snowfall: 300".  The SKInny: Schweitzer is a bigtime ski area; number one in the panhandle and second biggest in Idaho.  Trying to become a Sun Valley/Park City/Telluride destination, but not quite there yet.  Liftlines can be dreadful; some equipment has been updated but it seems like Schweitzer is the gawky teenager that isn't quite comfortable growing into adulthood.  Locals do quite well here, they know their way around and avoid the liftlines.  And Schweitzer does indeed have something for everyone; bowls, chutes, glades...and plenty of powder.  A good layout; a smaller separate chair for novices, plenty of terrain for intermediates, and seemingly never ending options for the expert.  Mid-stations on two of the lifts give intermediates and emerging experts an opportunity to bail out below the toughest terrain.  Nice, big ski area, needs to grow into its phenomenal potential. Signature Trail: White Lightning, Stiles. 

Silver Mountain, Kellogg • 1500 skiable acres on 2200' verticalSpecs: Summit elevation: 6300'; Base elevation: 4100'.  6 Lifts: 1 gondie, 2 triples, 2 doubles, 1 surface.  Uphill capacity: 7700/hr.  Terrain Mix: 20-40-30-10.  Season: usually late November to mid April.  Night skiing fri & sat.  Rentals & Lessons.  Annual Snowfall: 300".  Snowmaking: 15%.The SKInny: It's hard to find something negative about Silver Mountain; the only real drawback is that you probably live nowhere near it.  On the other hand, if you live within striking distance, you already know that this is easily the best kept ski secret in Idaho and possibly the entire western hemisphere.  If not, you just have to convince the family somehow that Kellogg Idaho -- not Vail, not Tahoe, not Cottonwood Canyon -- is the place you ought to head for your next ski trip.  Try it, and you'll see why it's such a well kept secret.  All-around fantastic skiing, terrific powder, virtually no liftlines, reasonable pricing.  Layout is kind of quirky; almost like an upside-down mountain due to gondola ride to lodge...interesting place.  Emphasis on expert skiing but all abilities have plenty of terrain.  Experts will find a ton of glades, with new routes added for the 2007-08 season.  One of the country's great underrated ski areas. Signature Trails: The Ridge, Sunset, Centennial. 

Snowhaven, Grangeville • 40 skiable acres on 400' verticalSpecs: Summit elevation: 5600'; Base elevation: 5200'.  2 Lifts: 1 t-bar, 1 rope tow.  Uphill capacity: 700/hr.  Terrain Mix: 75-25-0.  Longest Run: 2500'.  Season: usually December to March; Sat, Sun & holidays.  Night skiing.  Rentals & Lessons.  Annual Snowfall: 130".  The SKInny: Last time we checked, the highest priced ticket was $17.  This is a laid back, family-oriented, unintimidating hill for beginners and developing intermediates.  It will never be confused with a bigtime ski resort, but then again, you don't always need a big ski resort.  I do know that America needs more Snowhavens.  If you are in the Grangeville area, stop in, make a few runs.  Places like this need our support, and we sure don't want to see them disappear.  And if you are teaching someone to ski, you're a lot better off at Snowhaven.  It's run by the City of Grangeville, which gets serious kudos for keeping this place going.  So many towns cut budgets on operations like this, then wonder why drug abuse increases among young people, why the school recreation budget goes skyrocketing, etc.  You'll find some awesome XC options nearby. Signature Trail: Main Street. 

Sun Valley, Ketchum • 2054 skiable acres on 3400' verticalSpecs: Summit elevation: 9150'; Base elevation: 5750'.  19 Lifts: 7 quads, 4 triples, 5 doubles, 2 surface, 1 carpet.  Uphill capacity: 26,780/hr.  Terrain Mix: 36-42-22.  Longest Run: 15,840'.  Season: usually late November to mid April.  Rentals & Lessons.  Annual Snowfall: 220".  Snowmaking: 31%.The SKInny: Venerable old Sun Valley, great skiing, great scenery, home to the stars.  Unfortunately, most skiers can't afford a steady diet of Ketchum.  Sun Valley really does target the rich and famous.  If you do not fit in one of these two categories, you may not enjoy Sun Valley as much as you might enjoy another resort.  It has plenty of what we'll call "attitude."  It is, after all, Sun Valley.  You do not want to show up here sporting rear entry boots unless you can run the zipper down Exhibition.  Enough said.  Sun Valley is two mountains: Dollar Mountain, a rolling, sun-drenched utopia for beginners and novices.  It is groomed like the 18th green at Augusta.  Everyone skis well on Dollar Mountain.  The big boy, Baldy, is an intermediate-expert hill.  The lift layout is a little frustrating, but the lines are usually short and the skiing is fabulous.  Even on holidays you'll move up the hill fairly quickly.  Mostly bowl skiing, usually powder, always fantastic.  Sun Valley is one of the best ski areas in the country, and you have to pay for it.  A few of the trails are flat out tough; low level black diamond skiers need not apply.  But hey, this is the playground of the rich and famous, and Sun Valley caters to them with an abundance of meticulously groomed cruisers.  Sun Valley is big, it's pricey, it glimmers and glows...it can be a bit overwhelming for the average skier on an average budget. Signature Trails: Exhibition, Limelight. 

Tamarack Resort, Tamarack • 1100 skiable acres on 2800' verticalSpecs: Summit elevation: 7700'; Base elevation: 4900'.  7 Lifts: 3 detachable quads, 2 fixed grip, 1 platter, 1 carpet.  Uphill capacity: 7,000/hr.  Terrain Mix: 17-44-39.  Longest Run: undetermined.  Season: usually late November to mid April.  Rentals & Lessons.  Annual Snowfall: 300".  Snowmaking: 10%.The SKInny: Tamarack is the latest and greatest, newest and mostest for Western Idaho.  Brundage was previously the big game in town; many locals still favor it but Tamarack is definitely up and coming.  Not sure what the long term ski scene will be as Tamarack claims to limit ticket sales to 2,000 per day.  Be interesting to see how this plays out.  The focus is squarely on real estate development, golf, clubhouse, condos, blah blah blah.  It just so happens that this is one heck of a ski mountain, in an area that is poised to have explosive growth.  UPDATE: Unfortunately things have ground to a halt here, operating losses in the millions, defaulted loans in the multi-millions...add it all up, and you've got a brand-spanking new resort that closed when the housing boom dropped.  But a group of plucky homeowners and interested townspeople got the place running again in a bootstrap operation, going Thursday through Sundays, and we applaud their efforts.  Not sure how much is operational, but it seems like reasonable pricing and certainly is a terrific ski area. Signature Trail: Showtime. 

Best all-around Skiing Guide for Women...

Mom has a pretty raw deal on the average ski trip.  They're expected to make sure every child is geared up and ready to go...settle the arguments, feed the family, prepare the snacks, pack the chapstick, and so on...and then ski the black diamonds with dad after the second lesson. 

Sound familiar? 

The book, Skiing: A Woman's Guide by Maggie Loring and Molly Mulhern Gross ought to be mandatory reading for every ski mom.  It not only provides the basics for managing the gang, it also gives a step-by-step instructional guide from a woman's point-of-view.  This link is to amazon.com, where you can usually pick up a used copy for about two bucks.  Mom, it's the best two bucks you'll spend all winter. 

Key

Hotshots are skiers who can ski anywhere, anytime, in any conditions, and generally enjoy showing off those skills.  Wanderers are skiers who like to go exploring, to essentially get "lost" and move from face to face, seldom skiing the same trail twice.  Newbies are the girlfriend/boyfriend/wife/husband who has never skied before, but gamely insists on going along.  Obviously, Blues represents intermediate skiers, while Blacks refers to experts. 

A note about ski area statistics: Although it's hard to believe, some ski areas are (gasp!)  less than truthful with their numbers.  Like the guy who lies about his, uh, shoe size, some ski areas believe that inflated numbers make their resort sound more appealling.  When these numbers are obviously questionable, we put a note: (?!)  and will attempt to verify the legitimacy of the claim. 

A Signature Trail Is mostly subjective.  Whether it's history, reputation, the view, or degree of difficulty...it's the run you have to do, even if it isn't necessarily the best the resort has to offer.  If a ski area calls a trail by two names (one at the top, and another at the bottom) in an effort to claim more trails, we go by the upper name.  If a trail is called "Upper Whatever" and "Lower Whatever," we simply list it as "Whatever" in this index. 

More

Use this to get Lift Tickets at Discount: There is a "clearinghouse" of sorts that many ski areas use to raise cash by selling discount tickets in advance, called
Liftopia.  If you haven't used this service, it is usually best to know for certain that you are going on a specific date.  The deeply discounted tickets must be purchased in advance; generally up to two days out.  The sticking point is that some ski resorts only make a limited number of tickets available to Liftopia for any given day, so they might be sold out if you wait too long...so, as soon as you are absolutely, positively sure that you will be skiing on a certain day,
click this link to get deeply discounted tickets
.  I've used this service many times, usually when I am absolutely certain I will be skiing on a specific date.  Some resorts offer "flex" tickets with which you can specify the date, and some have a few different tiers of pricing.  In other words, you might be able to get a lift ticket that can be used on different days, but you'll pay a little more for that privilege.  You need to have access to a printer to print out your receipt, and you have to take identification with you to the mountain.  I've knocked a third off -- even half off -- the price of some tickets.  Not every area participates, but it's well worth checking before you head to the slopes. 

A tiny portion of your
Liftopia purchase helps fund this website, at no added cost. 

Ski Movies for Mere Mortals

Did you ever feel like those big money ski movies are often a big let-down?  You get all pumped up for the new release from some ski film company, and it's mostly incredible footage of guys jumping out of helicopters and shredding down some un-named mountain on the far side of the globe.  They're neck deep in powder, skiing lines that you'll never, ever see.  If you want ski movies you could actually relate to, a bunch of guys called The Meatheads, from Burlington, VT have made a series of "Ski The East" films.  They film at real resorts like Sugarloaf, Blue Mountain, Big Boulder, Mount Snow, Ski Sundown, Stowe, Jay, Mountain Creek, Killington, Sunday River...urban locations ranging from Virginia to Quebec...mogul skiing with The Hammer and Radio Ron...and backcountry throughout New York, New England, and the Chic Chocs.  It's simply fantastic -- and since it's the same terrain we can get to, it's inspirational! 

Their most popular current release is No Matter What
, which received the ski equivalent of an Oscar for the Jay Peak powder segment, filmed during 2012 of all things.  One that is probably their best is from a year ago, called Prime Cut
.  Another favorite is
Wanderland: An East Coast Ski Thriller.  All Meatheads DVDs have hours of "bonus" footage, so it's like getting three ski movies for the price of one.  The links go to Amazon.com, which enables you to order and return if you don't like them.  And a small percentage of the sale helps us pay the expenses of this website, at no extra cost to you.