Silver Mountain
1,600 acres, 80 runs above Kellogg. World's longest single-stage gondola, Indy Pass access.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
28 Nov 2026
Closes
18 Apr 2027
Days open
141
Annual snow
300in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Silver Mountain's summit reaches 6,299 feet, dropping 2,198 vertical feet to a base at 4,101 feet across 80 runs spread over 1,600 acres above Kellogg, Idaho. Terrain splits 40 per cent intermediate, 30 per cent advanced, 20 per cent beginner and 10 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 300 inches. The resort carries Indy Pass and Powder Alliance affiliation. Six lifts, including a gondola, one quad chair and two triple chairs, serve the mountain alongside two double chairs.
Silver Mountain's defining feature is its gondola, which climbs 3.1 miles directly from the town of Kellogg to the mountain base, the world's longest single-stage gondola ride at close to twenty minutes each way. This unusual base-to-mountain link was built specifically to revive a Silver Valley economy devastated by the decline of mining and logging. The resort's terrain and lift network sit above the gondola's upper terminal at Mountain House.
The ski area first opened in January 1968 as Jackass Ski Bowl on Wardner Peak, later renamed Silverhorn in 1973 following an ownership change. In the mid-1980s, Kellogg city councilman Wayne Ross conceived the idea of a gondola linking the depressed valley floor town directly to an expanded resort, aiming to stimulate the local economy. In December 1987, the US Congress approved 6.4 million US dollars in matching funds toward construction.
In September 1988, the economically struggling town of Kellogg voted by more than 82 per cent to tax itself two million US dollars over twenty years, and Swiss lift manufacturer Von Roll Tramways agreed to guarantee much of the remaining funding. Ground broke for the gondola and base village on 25 April 1989, and the resort was renamed Silver Mountain that summer. Adult daily tickets run from 79 to 99 US dollars, with season passes from 349 dollars, reflecting the resort's role as both a ski destination and a community revival project.
2,198ft
Vertical
80
Runs
1,600 acres
Skiable
300in
Annual snow
Indy / Powder Alliance
Pass
The Terrain
80 runs across 1,600 acres skiable
Silver Mountain above Kellogg offers 80 runs across about 1,600 acres (648 hectares) in the Silver Valley, with a base at 4,100 feet (1,250 m) and a summit at 6,300 feet (1,920 m), roughly 2,200 feet (670 m) of vertical. Intermediates account for 40%, advanced skiers 30%, beginners 20% and experts 10%. Skiers reach the slopes on a 3.1-mile gondola from town, and a quad, two triples and two doubles do the work above Mountain House. The mix gives intermediate skiers plenty of cruising, with enough steeper pitches to keep stronger skiers interested.
Above Mountain House, the quad and triple chairs lead to the top of Kellogg Peak, where steeps, bumps and a number of alternative lines open up toward neighbouring Wardner Peak. The Wardner side, served by a double chair, is known for chutes and mogul runs, and sits close to the original Jackass Ski Bowl area. Chair 2 reaches glades and advanced terrain, while chairs 3 and 4 serve gentler intermediate runs. Silver Mountain suits strong intermediates and advanced skiers wanting varied terrain and short lift lines, and the gondola means beginners can ride to the base without a mountain drive.
Terrain split
80
runs
80 runs across 4 grades
Beginner16 runs · 20%
Intermediate32 runs · 40%
Advanced24 runs · 30%
Expert8 runs · 10%
Time it right
When to visit Silver Mountain
The 2025-26 season at Silver Mountain ran from 21 November 2025 to 19 April 2026, a roughly twenty-one-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 300 inches. This substantial snowfall, combined with the resort's Silver Valley location, gives Silver Mountain a reliable natural season relative to many Idaho resorts of similar size. Season dates can shift slightly depending on early and late-season weather.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to the mountain's varied terrain. The gondola ride itself is a year-round draw for visitors, meaning the resort sees traffic even from those not necessarily skiing, though winter operations centre on the lift-served terrain above Mountain House. Weekday visits tend to be quieter than weekends.
As an Indy Pass and Powder Alliance resort, Silver Mountain draws visiting skiers holding those multi-resort passes in addition to its regional Silver Valley base. The historic mining-town setting of Kellogg adds a distinct cultural dimension to the resort experience beyond the slopes themselves. School holiday periods bring increased family visitation, supported by the resort's indoor waterpark as a non-ski amenity.
Specific event programming beyond standard lift and gondola operations is not confirmed in available resort information. The combination of substantial snowfall and the novelty of the world's longest single-stage gondola ride continues to define the Silver Mountain visitor experience through the season. Kellogg's ongoing economic reliance on the resort, dating to its founding purpose in the late 1980s, remains a backdrop to its operations.
Season 2026 - 2027
28 Nov 2026
Opens
18 Apr 2027
Closes
141
Days open
300 in
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Silver Mountain
Daily snow reports at Silver Mountain go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
16 in
Snowiest day
7 Jan 2026
0 in
This winter · 2026-27
so far
132 in
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
in
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Silver Mountain, and where to stay
Silver Mountain rises above the town of Kellogg in the Silver Valley of northern Idaho, with a base elevation of 4,101 feet and a summit at 6,299 feet across a 2,198-foot vertical drop over 1,600 acres. The resort sits just south of Interstate 90 in Shoshone County, a region historically built on mining and logging.
Kellogg itself is the resort's gateway town, connected directly to the mountain by the 3.1-mile gondola that climbs from the town centre to the ski area's base facilities. This direct link means visitors can begin their mountain experience from downtown Kellogg rather than driving to a separate base area, a distinctive arrangement among Idaho resorts. The town's mining heritage remains visible throughout the Silver Valley.
Interstate 90 runs directly through Kellogg, providing straightforward access from both Idaho and neighbouring Washington and Montana. Winter driving conditions on I-90 can include snow and ice during storms, though the route is well maintained given its role as a major interstate corridor. The gondola itself removes the need for a separate winding mountain access road once visitors reach town.
Spokane International Airport, roughly an hour to the west along I-90, is the nearest airport with substantial commercial service. This gives Silver Mountain reasonably convenient access for fly-in visitors from the broader Inland Northwest. Most visitors, however, arrive by car along Interstate 90 from Idaho, Washington or Montana before taking the gondola up from Kellogg.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Silver Mountain, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Silver Mountain's ski season?
Silver Mountain's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 28 through April 18. That window is roughly 141 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Idaho, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Silver Mountain have?
Silver Mountain lists about 1,600 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 80 named runs (647 hectares alongside 1,600 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Silver Mountain?
Trail grading at Silver Mountain breaks down roughly as 20% beginner, 40% intermediate, 30% advanced, 10% expert. The advanced and expert share is substantial, so confident skiers and riders will find plenty of steeper fall-line options once they leave the nursery slopes.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Silver Mountain have?
Silver Mountain operates 6 lifts across 4 lift types. The fleet includes 2 triple chairs, 2 double chairs, 1 gondola, and 1 quad chair.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Silver Mountain?
Base elevation at Silver Mountain is about 4,101 ft (1,250 m), with the summit around 6,299 ft (1,920 m), giving roughly 2,198 ft (670 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Silver Mountain get each season?
Silver Mountain averages about 300 inches (762 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Does Silver Mountain accept the Indy / Powder Alliance?
Silver Mountain is affiliated with the Indy / Powder Alliance. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Indy / Powder Alliance, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Where can I buy Silver Mountain lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$39 to US$80, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Silver Mountain before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 5 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Silver Mountain so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Silver Mountain have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Silver Mountain. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Silver Mountain located?
Silver Mountain sits in Idaho, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
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4 Nov 2026
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Utah Snow Storm Builds Early-Season Base Ahead of November Openings
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31 Oct 2026
Kitzbüheler Horn Summit Cable Car to Be Replaced After 70 Years
A Tyrolean summit lift that has been carrying guests up the Kitzbüheler Horn since 1955 is on borrowed time. Its licence runs to 2045, but a new inspection rule has made refurbishment uneconomic, so Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel will spend around €15 million on a replacement on the same line. It should hold roughly 100 people and keep running in winds that would stop today’s lift. Building starts in autumn 2027, which makes this winter and next summer the last chances to ride the old one.
30 Oct 2026
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30 Oct 2026