Skiing has always had a love affair with the past, whether it’s “you should have seen it yesterday” or “you should have been here ten years ago.” Like a ’60s-era retro ski sign come to life, Idaho feels like a throwback to the bygone days — ticket prices included.
You’re still apt to see skiers in jeans and lodges warmed by wood stoves — and yes, great Northern Rockies snow that will satisfy even the pickiest powderhounds.
Idaho also outranks its ski-mecca neighbors (Wyoming, Montana, and Utah) in the total number of ski areas. Below is a region-by-region guide to Gem State powder.
Northern and Panhandle Region
In North Idaho’s panhandle, the skinny strip of forest and fjord-like lakes wedged between Washington, Montana, and southern British Columbia, the glade skiing is rich.

Straddling the Idaho-Montana state line is Lookout Pass Ski Area. This ski area’s relatively small footprint (1,100 acres) belies its big snowpack; the mountain averages more than 400 inches of snow a year. The best run to harvest snow? The open, northeast-facing Lucky Friday Glades, which stash powder and are easy to lap. This season’s addition of the Eagle Peak quad effectively doubled the ski area’s tenure, including a wealth of wide-open glades that previously required climbing skins to access.
Lookout also straddles two time zones (Pacific and Mountain). So, make sure to adjust your watch accordingly to get the first chair.
- Total lifts: 5
- Total runs: 52
- Best for: Kids learning to ski, anyone else learning to ski trees
Twenty minutes west of Lookout, North America’s longest gondola transports skiers from the valley floor to 1,600 acres of terrain and 2,200 feet of vertical at Silver Mountain Resort. Our recommendation? On a powder day, make a dash for the double-black North Face Glades, where wind-deposited snow stacks up in the steep trees. Time your visit for a mid-week powder dump, and once the locals have snuck in their pre-work laps, you’ll have the place to yourself.
- Total lifts: 7 (including one gondola and magic carpet)
- Total runs: 73
- Best for: Gluttons for glade skiing and snowboarding

- Total lifts: 10 (including magic carpet)
- Total runs: 92
- Best for: Families, and fans of big subalpine terrain

- Total lifts: 5, plus 3 rope tows
- Total runs: 25
- Best for: Lovers of low-key vibes and high-angle trees
Camas Prairie Region

- Total lifts: 1 rope tow, 1 T-bar
- Total runs: 21
- Best for: People looking for a small-hill community

- Total lifts: 1 T-bar (and a second T-bar for tubing)
- Total runs: 9
- Best for: Free-range kids and the parents who ski with them

- Total lifts: 2 T-bars
- Total runs: 6
- Best for: Connoisseurs of quirky ski hills
Southwest Region

- Total lifts: 10
- Total runs: 82
- Best for: Fans of big terrain with a small-town feel
- Total lifts: 6
- Total runs: 67
- Best for: Bluebird powder days

- Total lifts: 7
- Total runs: 50
- Best for: Fans of long runs and short lift lines
- Total lifts: 1 T-bar
- Total runs: 4
- Best for: Ski-history buffs, night skiers
The Sawtooths Region
- Total lifts: 18
- Total runs: 121
- Best for: Connoisseurs of groomers, glades, and glamour

- Total lifts: 1 T-bar
- Total runs: 8
- Best for: Future shredders

- Total lifts: 3
- Total runs: 25
- Best for: Kids and cat-skiing enthusiasts
Teton Valley Region

- Total lifts: 5
- Total runs: 97
- Best for: Groups looking for resort amenities

- Total lifts: 5
- Total runs: 51
- Best for: Fans of skiing past sundown
Southeast Region
- Total lifts: 1, plus 1 T-bar
- Total runs: 24
- Best for: Ski cynics who need their faith in the magic of skiing restored
- Total lifts: 3
- Total runs: 24
- Best for: Families looking to learn in a low-key environment

- Total lifts: 3
- Total runs: 51
- Best for: Schoolkids and lovers of sustained steeps