Top elevation: 6,297 ft (1,919 m)
Vertical: 2,197 ft (670 m)
Skiable area: 1,600 acres (6.5 km2)
Runs: 67
– 20% beginner
– 40% intermediate
– 30% advanced
– 10% expert
Longest run: Centennial Trail – 2.5 miles (4.0 km)
Lift system:
1 gondola
1 quad chairlift
2 triples
2 doubles
1 surface tows
Snowfall: 300 in (760 cm)
At the northwest United States lies in the Silver Valley region of northern Idaho, another ski resort you must not miss! Silver Mountain Resort is a ski resort just south of Kellogg and Interstate 90 in Shoshone County.
The resort was initially opened with the name “Jackass Ski Bowl” in January 1968 on Wardner Peak. After five years, it was renamed “Silverhorn” in 1973 following an ownership change. Due to the expansion plans and improvements, most notably the gondola from Kellogg City and on Kellogg Peak expansion, the name was changed to “Silver Mountain” in the summer of 1989.
Early skiing activities
In 1967, the Jackass Ski Bowl construction started on the lands leased from the Bunker Hill Mining Company. When the area operated in January 1968, the first seasons were promising, with plans for lift expansion and a 1971 season that extended to mid-May. However, the following years had experienced poor skiing weather and had caused the operation to fall into financial difficulty. The SBA made an asset liquidation in a foreclosure sale of the resort’s sixth season in August 1973 in Wallace and was purchased by the Bunker Hill Co. for $100,100.
Activities you can enjoy now!
There are several outdoor winter activities you can enjoy year-round at the Silver Mountain Resort. The mountains receive 300 inches of snow yearly, which allows the resort to offer 73 trails spread over 1,600 acres of terrain, excellent for winter sports in the Silver Valley.
From an hour’s drive of Coeur d’Alene, the resort also offers other family-oriented recreational activities in the spring, summer, and fall.
WINTER ADVENTURES
Skiing and snowboarding
The resort is famous for downhill skiing and snowboarding on 1,000- to 2,200-foot vertical runs. The terrain is 20% beginner, 40% intermediate, 30% advanced, and 10% expert. The opening hour is from 8:15 AM to 3:30 PM. For beginners and learners of skiing and snowboarding, the Winter Sport School caters to all ages and abilities. There are also four lanes set aside for snow tubing, with a moving carpet that takes you back to the top so you can ride down again.
Occasionally, there are available night skiing, but you will have to keep yourself updated on the resort’s website. The ticket for entrance pass varies, and for an adult, the regular season pass is USD 699 and for youngsters is USD 379 for one mountain.
Biking
In June, when the snow has melted and evaporated, the mountain turns into biking. It is the world’s longest gondola to the top of the mountain, where you can bike your way downhill to Gondola Village. If you have your gondola pass, it can be used the whole day, so you can bike all-day-long if you want to. If you have not brought your own bike, you can rent one, and other gears like helmet, elbow and knee pads.
Water Fun
For those staying at Silver Mountain Resort, the indoor water park is an incredibly fun spot to ride the waves, float down the 315-foot lazy river or take some wild and wet rides.
The North Fork Lazy River allows you to float around the waterpark at a slow pace. The Warm Springs that soothes like a hot tub, the Moose Sluice Water Slide, and Pollywog Pond are enjoyable for your little children. For smaller children, the Pollywog Pond is a shallow water pool with slides and a bungee swing.
The Minor’s Island has themed fun with lots of sprays to get everybody wet. To have a private place for relaxation after the fun activities at the water park, you can rent a cabana for your family.
Take note that if you wish to enjoy at the water park, you need to purchase the ticket online in advance because they don’t sell the waterpark’s ticket on the spot. They offer an individual pass or group pass even though you don’t stay at their lodging.
Here are more MUST-DOS in the resort
Ride one of the most scenic bike paths in the U.S – Trail of the Hiawatha. This is a re-purposed gravel trail that goes over old railroad trestles and amazing tunnels, the longest of which is almost two miles.
Run or ride the Trail of the Coeur D’alenes, a paved bike path about 72-mile that follows the beautiful CDA river. There is a trailhead on the South end of our parking lot.
The Coeur D’alene river offers fly fishing. You can walk to The South Fork from the resort, and the majestic North Fork is just 10 minutes away and provides easy access to world-class fly fishing.
If you want to explore the rich heritage of the “Silver Valley,” Mine Tours are a fun and interactive way to it.