Idaho, Usa · Indy / Powder Alliance
Silver Mountain
1,600 acres, 80 runs above Kellogg. World's longest single-stage gondola, Indy Pass access.
Season 2025 - 2026
Opens
21 Nov 2025
Closes
19 Apr 2026
Days open
149
Annual snow
25ft
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
25ft
Annual snow
Indy / Powder Alliance
Pass
The Terrain
80 runs across 1,600 acres skiable
Silver Mountain spreads 80 runs across 1,600 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 40%, with 16 beginner runs to find your feet and 32 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
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 2025 - 2026
21 Nov 2025
Opens
19 Apr 2026
Closes
149
Days open
25 ft
Annual snow
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
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Silver Mountain, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
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An aerial tram carrying around fifty passengers struck the boom of a construction crane on the route to Pic Blanc at Alpe d'Huez on Wednesday morning, injuring 23 people, three seriously. The cabin tipped on impact before the operator reversed it to right the car. Most of the injured were treated on site, with five taken to hospital in Grenoble, including a pregnant woman assessed as a precaution.
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26 Aug 2026
Thredbo Is 'On the Table' as EVT Reviews Its Whole Business
Thredbo is officially 'on the table.' EVT Limited, owner of Australia's most decorated ski resort, has hired Rothschild & Co to review its entire corporate structure - and confirmed Thredbo isn't off limits, even as it books a stronger year of earnings. The resort's own valuation has nearly halved after a brutal 2026 season, and speculation is already running toward Vail Resorts, Alterra, or a New Zealand operator picking it up. Here's what EVT actually said, and who could buy it.
25 Aug 2026
Ski-E-O! Is the Ski Resort Tycoon Game We Didn't Know We Needed
I'm not a gamer. I'm a skier and snowboarder who happens to have a laptop. So when a ski resort management game called Ski-E-O! landed on Steam, I wasn't expecting to lose an afternoon to it - but here we are. Real mountain terrain, a full weather system, storms that roll in and wreck your snow base, avalanche danger, and enough depth to make RollerCoaster Tycoon feel simple by comparison. Early access lands in November. Here's what a few hours in the free demo actually looks like.
23 Aug 2026
Sugar Bowl, California, Rebuilds Its Historic Village Gondola
The rumours are true: Sugar Bowl is tearing out its Emerald gondola, in place since 1983, and replacing it with a new 8-person Doppelmayr system - nearly doubling uphill capacity to 1,800 people an hour. It's the fourth generation of a gondola line that dates back to 1953, when Sugar Bowl became the first resort on the West Coast to run one at all, and it's just one piece of a $100 million overhaul touching lodges, parking and snowmaking. Here's what's changing, and what's staying the same.
23 Aug 2026
Two Confirmed Dead as Search Continues After Swiss Alps Fire
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22 Aug 2026
Live webcams
5 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Silver Mountain's live webcams
Check live conditions across Silver Mountain with 5 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
- Krem 2 Camera6,299ft
- Experience commanding views from Silver Mountain's highest accessible elevation through this Krem 2 webcam positioned at 1920 meters above the historic mining town of Kellogg. This Silver Mountain webcam offers sweeping views of the resort's upper mountain terrain and diverse trail network that makes this Idaho destination a true powder paradise. Monitor current snow conditions and visibility through this Silver Mountain live cam as you plan your descent through 1,600 acres of legendary Idaho skiing accessed by North America's longest gondola system.
- Silver Mountain Resort House5,699ft
- Discover breathtaking panoramic views through this Silver Mountain webcam positioned at the mountain house at 1737 meters elevation, showcasing sweeping vistas toward Kellogg Peak across the resort's varied terrain. This strategic Silver Mountain live cam reveals current visibility and snow conditions as riders prepare to explore the diverse trail offerings. Check real-time mountain conditions through this Silver Mountain web cam before embarking on your Idaho powder adventure across this historic mining region's premier ski destination.
- Kellogg Snow Stake 6,299ft
- Track fresh powder accumulation through this essential Silver Mountain webcam focused on the resort's official snow stake at 1920 meters elevation in the heart of the Bitterroot Mountains. This specialized Silver Mountain live cam provides real-time snowfall measurements, letting you witness exactly how many inches of legendary Idaho powder have accumulated in the past 24 hours. Perfect for powder hunters planning their Silver Mountain web cam shows the precise snow data needed to time your visit for optimal skiing conditions at this historic mining town's mountain playground.
- Kellogg Peak 6,299ft
- Experience Silver Mountain's dramatic summit perspective through this high-altitude webcam positioned at Kellogg Peak's impressive 1920-meter elevation. This Silver Mountain live cam monitors current conditions and skier activity around the summit triple chair terminal, providing essential visibility updates across the resort's most challenging terrain. Watch advanced riders navigate the mountain's steepest slopes through this Silver Mountain webcam while assessing snow quality and weather conditions across Idaho's most vertically dramatic ski destination.
- Snow Tubing Park5,699ft
- Monitor family-friendly winter activities through this Silver Mountain webcam positioned at 1737 meters above the historic mining town of Kellogg, capturing aerial views of the resort's popular snow tubing park. This Silver Mountain live cam shows current tubing conditions and activity levels, perfect for families planning their next Idaho powder adventure. Check real-time snow quality and park operations through this Silver Mountain web cam while enjoying access via North America's longest gondola system to this exciting winter playground.
Silver Mountain snow cams FAQ
How often do Silver Mountain snow cams update?
All Silver Mountain 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 Silver Mountain.
Which Silver Mountain webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Krem 2 Camera webcam at 1,920m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Silver Mountain webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Silver Mountain lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Silver Mountain 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 Silver Mountain snow cams?
Check Silver Mountain 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 Silver Mountain lift tickets?
Use our Silver Mountain 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 Silver Mountain webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Silver Mountain snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Silver Mountain intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.