The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Kelly Canyon's summit reaches 6,601 feet, dropping 1,001 vertical feet to a base at 5,600 feet across 51 runs spread over 740 acres near Idaho Falls, Idaho. Terrain splits 45 per cent intermediate, 35 per cent beginner and 20 per cent advanced, with no expert-rated runs. Average annual snowfall is a modest 200 inches, and the resort carries no major multi-resort pass affiliation. Five lifts, including four double chairs and one surface lift, serve the mountain.
The absence of expert terrain and heavy beginner-to-intermediate weighting give Kelly Canyon a clear identity as a family and learning mountain for eastern Idaho. Night skiing is a significant part of its offering, extending the ski day for the nearby Idaho Falls population. The double-chair-dominant lift network reflects the resort's mid-sized, community-focused scale rather than destination-resort ambitions.
Kelly Canyon was established in 1957 by a local investor group led by E. Bud Johnson, in a canyon originally known as Cedar Creek before being renamed for John Kelly, an early figure in the area's skiing history. The resort relied heavily on community support and local investment through lean economic periods, preserving its family-oriented character even as larger regional resorts expanded around it.
Ownership transitioned in 2020 to Kelly Canyon Winter Park LLC under managing partner Mike VanSteenkiste, bringing renewed investment into facilities and a diversification into summer activities such as mountain biking. Snowmaking capability was added in 2022 to supplement the resort's natural snowfall. Adult daily tickets run from 99 to 119 US dollars, with a Family Season Pass from 1,899 dollars, positioning Kelly Canyon as an affordable, close-to-home option for eastern Idaho families.
1,001ft
Vertical
51
Runs
740 acres
Skiable
17ft
Annual snow
The Terrain
51 runs across 740 acres skiable
Kelly Canyon spreads 51 runs across 740 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 45%, with 18 beginner runs to find your feet and 10 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
51
runs
51 runs across 4 grades
Beginner18 runs · 35%
Intermediate23 runs · 45%
Advanced10 runs · 20%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Kelly Canyon
The 2025-26 season at Kelly Canyon ran from 27 November 2025 to 29 March 2026, a roughly seventeen-week season. The resort's modest average annual snowfall of 200 inches means the addition of snowmaking capability in 2022 has become an increasingly important part of maintaining reliable conditions throughout the season. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically offers the most consistent conditions once natural snowpack and snowmaking combine to build a solid base. Night skiing extends availability for the nearby Idaho Falls population well beyond standard daylight hours, a significant part of the resort's identity as a community mountain. Weekday evenings and off-peak periods tend to be noticeably quieter than weekends.
As a family and learning-focused resort with no expert terrain, Kelly Canyon's calendar centres on ski school and youth programming rather than festival-style events. The Family Season Pass pricing structure reflects this focus, with the resort positioned as an accessible option for eastern Idaho households. School holiday periods bring the heaviest visitation given the beginner and intermediate-weighted terrain mix.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations and night skiing is not confirmed in available resort information. Since the 2020 ownership change, the addition of summer mountain biking has extended the resort's operating season beyond winter alone. The combination of snowmaking and natural snowfall since 2022 has helped stabilise the length and reliability of the winter season.
Season 2026 - 2027
4 Dec 2026
Opens
14 Mar 2027
Closes
100
Days open
17 ft
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Kelly Canyon, and where to stay
Kelly Canyon sits near Idaho Falls in eastern Idaho, with a base elevation of 5,600 feet and a summit at 6,601 feet across a 1,001-foot vertical drop over 740 acres. The resort's location places it within easy reach of the Idaho Falls metropolitan area, making it the primary local ski hill for the region's residents.
Idaho Falls is the nearest significant town, offering lodging, dining and services for visitors, with most Kelly Canyon skiers day-tripping from the city rather than staying at the resort itself. The surrounding eastern Idaho region includes agricultural communities and the broader upper Snake River valley, with skiing as one part of a varied outdoor recreation scene that also includes the nearby Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
Local roads connect Idaho Falls to Kelly Canyon, with the drive typically taking well under an hour depending on starting point within the metropolitan area. Winter driving conditions on the approach roads can include snow and ice, though the routes are well used given the resort's role as the area's primary local mountain. There is no direct public transport service to the resort.
Idaho Falls Regional Airport is the nearest airport with commercial service, offering a practical option for visitors flying in rather than driving from further afield. Most Kelly Canyon visitors, however, are eastern Idaho locals rather than fly-in travellers, given the resort's identity as a community mountain rather than a destination resort. No other regional airport offers a closer or more direct option.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Kelly Canyon, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Colorado Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: A-Basin and Keystone Race to Be First
Arapahoe Basin, Keystone and Winter Park are all chasing an October start, though none has a firm date yet. The first dated openers are Breckenridge and Copper on Friday 6 November, then Vail on 13 November, with most of the rest bunched around US Thanksgiving. Hesperus did not open at all last season. A super El Niño offers hope but no guarantee, and forecasters say the southern mountains have the better odds.
5 Oct 2026
Dolomiti Superski 2026-27: Four New Gondolas, New Reservoirs and an €89 Peak Day Pass
Dolomiti Superski is spending around €100 million across its 12 areas before winter. Kronplatz gets a new 10-passenger gondola with a middle station, 3 Zinnen gets Helmissimo, and Val di Fassa swaps a chairlift for a gondola above Col Valvacin. New water-storage basins and upgraded snowmaking follow, and construction has started on the San Martino to Passo Rolle link. A peak adult day pass is €89.
4 Oct 2026
Utah Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: Brian Head First, Eagle Point Out
Brian Head is targeting 6 November, though last year it aimed for 7 November and did not open until the 25th. Park City, Alta and Solitude are pencilled in for 20 November, Snowbird and Snowbasin for 27 November, and Deer Valley for 5 December. Eagle Point will stay closed after the Cottonwood Fire. A super El Niño is forecast, but the big snow is not expected until January.
4 Oct 2026
Hintertux Glacier Opens for 2026-27 With 12 Kilometres of Piste
Hintertux became Austria's second glacier to open for 2026-27 on Friday 2 October, after the Pitztal Glacier. Twelve kilometres of piste are running around the Olperer and Gefrorene Wand, served by one gondola and two drag lifts, with the Betterpark also open. Lifts officially run 8:15 am to 4:30 pm, but skiing stops at 2 pm for now.
4 Oct 2026
Vail Resorts Counts the Cost of a Thin Winter as Pass Sales Slide Further
A historically poor western winter cut Vail Resorts' annual net income from $280 million to $147.5 million and skier visits by 13.4 per cent. Now 2026-27 pass units are down 12 per cent as of 18 September, worse than the 10 per cent flagged in spring. Vail blames the weather and thinks some buyers are simply waiting, and it forecasts a rebound if the snow behaves.
3 Oct 2026
Arizona Snowbowl's $1 Lift Tickets Are Hard to Find, but $9 Days Are Not
Arizona Snowbowl advertised eight $1 lift ticket days this winter. Go looking and only three are showing - 10 March, 1 April and 10 April - so the rest may already have gone. The consolation is a calendar full of $9 days, including all but one day in April. Opening day is 20 November, weather permitting, and opening weekend is $19.
2 Oct 2026
Whitewater Brings Its Short Side Inbounds, With Six New Runs for 2026-27
For years, Whitewater's Short Side was where you ducked a rope and hoped for the best: unmapped, ungroomed and unpatrolled. This winter it's inbounds. Six new runs of glades and fall-line skiing add 190 acres (about 77 hectares), taking the resort past 1,400 acres in total. F2 Logging spent a month in the trees to make it happen, and opening day is pencilled in for 4 December. Bonanza now needs less snow to groom, too.
1 Oct 2026
September Dusting Hits Mammoth Mountain Six Weeks Before Opening Day
Mammoth got its first snow of 2026-27 on Monday 28 September - and promptly lost it by Tuesday morning. Barely an inch fell at McCoy Station, but with opening day pencilled in for Friday 13 November, it's the first sign the Sierra is waking up. Last year's date slipped from 14 November to 20 November, so nobody's booking flights on a dusting just yet. Here's where California's early openers stand.
1 Oct 2026
Kelly Canyon Lift Tickets
Kelly Canyon lift tickets & passes
Opening day for the winter 2026 - 2027 season is scheduled for Dec 4, 2026 (subject to change). Lift tickets at Kelly Canyon typically go on sale well before the start of the ski season.
Day passes start from US$45, with peak rates up to US$119.
9 pass options
Single-day passes
Adult 18–69
Adult Daily Ticket
US$99up to US$119 peak
Full access to Kelly Canyon's 51 trails across 740 acres in the Targhee National Forest. Family-oriented resort near Idaho Falls featuring diverse terrain with 35% beginner, 45% intermediate, and 20% advanced runs. Kelly Canyon offers excellent value with new lift installations and improved facilities.
Buy passYouth 13–17
Youth Daily Ticket
US$65up to US$85 peak
Youth access to Kelly Canyon's varied terrain perfect for skill development. Located near Idaho Falls in the scenic Targhee National Forest, Kelly Canyon offers excellent progression opportunities with well-maintained trails and friendly atmosphere. Great value for families with teens.
Buy passSenior 65–99
Senior Daily Ticket
US$65up to US$85 peak
Senior discounted access to Kelly Canyon's family-friendly terrain. Peaceful skiing environment with well-groomed runs and spectacular mountain views. Kelly Canyon's moderate terrain and convenient location near Idaho Falls make it perfect for senior skiers seeking quality mountain experiences.
Buy passChild 7–12
Child Daily Ticket
US$45up to US$65 peak
Child pricing for Kelly Canyon's excellent learning terrain. With 35% beginner trails, Kelly Canyon provides safe, gentle slopes perfect for children learning to ski. Family-focused resort with caring staff and affordable pricing near Idaho Falls makes this ideal for young skiers.
Buy passHalf-day passes
Adult 18–69
Half Day Ticket
US$50up to US$107 peak
Afternoon access to Kelly Canyon starting at noon. Perfect for those arriving later or combining with other activities. Includes full mountain access to all 51 trails and modern lift system at this family-oriented resort in the Targhee National Forest.
Buy passSeason passes
Adult 18–69
Individual Season Pass
US$899up to US$1,099 peak
Unlimited access to Kelly Canyon for the entire season with Indy Pass discounts available. Experience all 51 trails across 740 acres throughout the winter. Season pass includes partner mountain benefits and access to this family-friendly resort's improved facilities and new lifts.
Buy passYouth 13–17
Youth Season Pass
US$599up to US$799 peak
Youth unlimited season access to Kelly Canyon's diverse terrain. Perfect for young skiers developing their skills throughout the winter season. Includes access to all mountain facilities and special youth programs at this Targhee National Forest resort.
Buy passAdult 18–69
Family Season Pass
US$1,899up to US$2,299 peak
Family package for Kelly Canyon offering significant savings for families. Includes up to 2 adults and multiple children with unlimited access to all 51 trails. Perfect for families seeking affordable season-long access to quality skiing near Idaho Falls.
Buy passYouth 18–25
BYUI & CEI Season Pass
US$449up to US$549 peak
Special discounted season pass for Brigham Young University-Idaho and College of Eastern Idaho students. Must provide valid student ID and proof of enrollment. Unlimited access to Kelly Canyon's terrain throughout the season at student-friendly pricing.
Buy passLift tickets FAQ
How much does a Kelly Canyon day pass cost?
Kelly Canyon day passes range from US$45 to US$119 depending on the date and advance booking.
Can I buy Kelly Canyon lift tickets online?
Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
Are there discounts for multi-day passes?
Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
What is included with a Kelly Canyon lift ticket?
Full access to all lifts and trails at Kelly Canyon, including mountain safety and patrol services.
What is the difference between Kelly Canyon lift tickets and ski passes?
"Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Kelly Canyon - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
When should I buy Kelly Canyon lift tickets for the best price?
Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
Does Kelly Canyon offer group discounts on lift tickets?
Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Kelly Canyon directly for group booking information and rates.
How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?
Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Kelly Canyon.
More Kelly Canyon intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.