The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Pebble Creek's summit reaches 8,556 feet, dropping 2,198 vertical feet to a base at 6,358 feet across 54 runs spread over 1,100 acres in the Portneuf Range east of Pocatello, Idaho. Terrain splits 43 per cent advanced, 35 per cent intermediate, 12 per cent beginner and 10 per cent expert, making it one of the more challenging terrain profiles in southeastern Idaho. Average annual snowfall runs around 225 inches, and the resort carries no major multi-resort pass affiliation. Three triple chairs serve the entire mountain.
The heavily advanced-weighted terrain and comparatively low beginner share give Pebble Creek a reputation among southeastern Idaho skiers as a steep, uncrowded local mountain rather than a family learning hill. The three-lift network is lean relative to the 1,100-acre footprint, spreading skiers across a substantial amount of terrain without the density of lifts found at larger destination resorts. This combination has helped the area retain a strongly local, low-key character.
The area's ski history traces to the 1930s, when the US Forest Service and Civilian Conservation Corps developed the Lead Draw Recreation Area nearby. The Pocatello Ski Association formed in the 1950s and secured a Forest Service lease to develop terrain on Mount Bonneville, with the ski area opening in 1949 under the name Skyline with two rope tows and a warming hut. It was sold in 1978 and again in 1979 to the Pebble Creek Land Company, which renamed it Pebble Creek.
A CTEC triple chairlift was added in 1980 alongside additional terrain, and the resort was sold again in 1981 to Pebble Creek Ski Area Ltd, a group of local investors who operated it for more than three decades. In 2016, internet personality Shay Butler purchased the resort from that investor group, and it remains under his ownership today. Adult daily tickets run from 76 to 95 US dollars, with season passes from 386 dollars for seniors up to 858 dollars for adults.
2,201ft
Vertical
54
Runs
1,100 acres
Skiable
19ft
Annual snow
The Terrain
54 runs across 1,100 acres skiable
Pebble Creek covers 54 runs and about 1,100 acres (445 hectares) on Mount Bonneville in the Portneuf Range, near Pocatello. The base is at 6,360 feet (1,938 m) and the summit at 8,560 feet (2,609 m), giving a vertical of roughly 2,200 feet (671 m), which is big for a three-chair mountain. Terrain leans hard toward the steeper end: 43% advanced and 10% expert, against 35% intermediate and just 12% beginner. Three triple chairs provide all the uphill capacity, and the lift lines tend to stay short because the mountain has a quiet, local following.
With so few lifts, the mountain skis like a series of long pitches, and runs have plenty of fall line to reward linked turns. The north-western aspect holds snow well, and the black diamond runs and tree skiing are the main appeal. Pebble Creek also has a dedicated giant slalom and slalom course, reflecting its racing pedigree. Beginners are not forgotten, but the mountain mostly rewards confident intermediates and advanced skiers. It suits southeastern Idaho locals and travellers wanting steep, uncrowded skiing without the price tag of a destination resort.
Terrain split
54
runs
54 runs across 4 grades
Beginner6 runs · 12%
Intermediate19 runs · 35%
Advanced23 runs · 43%
Expert5 runs · 10%
Time it right
When to visit Pebble Creek
The 2025-26 season at Pebble Creek ran from 13 December 2025 to 29 March 2026, a roughly fifteen-week season shorter than many nearby Idaho resorts. Average annual snowfall of around 225 inches supports the season's length, though the resort's steep, advanced-weighted terrain means conditions can vary more noticeably with storm timing than at gentler mountains. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather.
Midwinter, from January through February, typically offers the most consistent conditions for the resort's predominantly advanced and intermediate terrain. The area's uncrowded reputation means weekday skiing in particular tends to be notably quiet, appealing to skiers seeking steep runs without the crowds of larger regional resorts. Weekend visitation draws primarily from the nearby Pocatello and southeastern Idaho population.
As a locally focused mountain without major multi-resort pass affiliation, Pebble Creek's season programming leans toward straightforward operations rather than large-scale events. The ISU Student Season Pass reflects its role serving the nearby Idaho State University community in Pocatello. School holiday periods bring some increase in family visitation, though the terrain mix skews toward more experienced skiers overall.
Specific event programming beyond standard lift operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Since Shay Butler's 2016 purchase, the resort has maintained its identity as an authentic, no-frills local mountain rather than pursuing destination-resort amenities. The 2,198-foot vertical drop remains a significant draw for skiers seeking steep, extended runs within a short drive of Pocatello.
Season 2026 - 2027
26 Dec 2026
Opens
21 Mar 2027
Closes
85
Days open
19 ft
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Pebble Creek, and where to stay
Pebble Creek sits in the Portneuf Range within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, east of Pocatello in southeastern Idaho, with a base elevation of 6,358 feet and a summit at 8,556 feet across a 2,198-foot vertical drop over 1,100 acres. This puts the resort within the broader southeastern Idaho mountain landscape rather than the more heavily trafficked resort corridors further north.
Pocatello is the nearest significant town, offering lodging, dining and the services of a mid-sized Idaho city, along with Idaho State University's student population contributing to the resort's visitor base. The surrounding Caribou-Targhee National Forest provides additional outdoor recreation beyond skiing, with the Portneuf Range's steep terrain shaping both the resort and the wider regional landscape.
Local roads connect Pocatello to the resort, with the drive typically taking well under an hour depending on starting point within the city. Winter driving conditions on the approach can include snow and ice given the elevation gain into the Portneuf Range, though the route is well used by the resort's predominantly local visitor base. There is no direct public transport service to the mountain.
Pocatello Regional Airport offers limited commercial service nearby, while Idaho Falls Regional Airport and Salt Lake City International Airport, further south, provide more extensive flight options for visitors travelling from further afield. Most Pebble Creek visitors, however, are southeastern Idaho locals driving from Pocatello and the surrounding communities rather than fly-in destination travellers.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Pebble Creek, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
California Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: Mammoth Leads, Tahoe Follows
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7 Oct 2026
Colorado Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: A-Basin and Keystone Race to Be First
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5 Oct 2026
Dolomiti Superski 2026-27: Four New Gondolas, New Reservoirs and an €89 Peak Day Pass
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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
Pebble Creek Webcams
1 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Pebble Creek's live webcams
Check live conditions across Pebble Creek with 1 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- Pebble Creek Lodge View6,601ft
- Experience Southeastern Idaho's hidden gem through this Pebble Creek webcam stationed at the main lodge at 2012 meters elevation. This Pebble Creek live cam provides real-time views of base area operations and current mountain conditions in the Portneuf Range. Essential for checking snow quality and weather, this live snow cam captures the uncrowded, family-friendly atmosphere at this affordable ski destination near Pocatello.
Pebble Creek snow cams FAQ
How often do Pebble Creek snow cams update?
All Pebble Creek snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Pebble Creek.
Which Pebble Creek webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Pebble Creek Lodge View webcam at 2,012m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Pebble Creek webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Pebble Creek lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Pebble Creek snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Pebble Creek snow cams?
Check Pebble Creek webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Pebble Creek lift tickets?
Use our Pebble Creek webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Pebble Creek webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Pebble Creek snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Pebble Creek intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.