The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
White Pine's summit reaches 9,500 feet, dropping 1,101 vertical feet to a base at 8,399 feet across 25 runs spread over 370 acres near Pinedale, Wyoming. Terrain splits evenly at 40 per cent beginner and 40 per cent intermediate, with 20 per cent advanced and no expert-rated runs. Average annual snowfall reaches roughly 200 inches. The resort operates on the Indy Pass, and was acquired by billionaire Joe Ricketts in 2024.
The even beginner-intermediate split makes White Pine a progression-focused mountain rather than a steep, advanced-terrain destination. Three lifts serve 25 runs across the 1,101-foot vertical drop, a moderate scale for the Wind River Range. The resort sits on Fortification Mountain, the site chosen in 1939 by Olympic ski coach Alf Engen as the best location for a ski hill near Pinedale. No expert-rated terrain sets White Pine apart from steeper Wyoming resorts like Jackson Hole and Snow King.
White Pine has closed and reopened multiple times across its history, a pattern unusual even among small Wyoming ski areas. The resort operated from 1940 until 1985, reopened in 1999 as only the second US ski area ever to reopen after a full closure, then closed again for the 2011-12 season. A fire destroyed the resort's lodge in 2019, five years after new owners had reopened it in 2014. Joe Ricketts purchased the resort in 2024, its most recent change of ownership.
Indy Pass holders get access to White Pine alongside dozens of other independent resorts across North America. Adult full-day tickets range from 55 to 75 US dollars depending on the day and season, with a season pass priced at 499 dollars. The resort suits Pinedale-area locals and Wind River Range visitors seeking straightforward, affordable progression terrain over a destination resort experience. Its history of repeated closure and revival reflects the challenges facing small, independently operated Wyoming ski areas generally.
1,099ft
Vertical
25
Runs
370 acres
Skiable
17ft
Annual snow
Indy
Pass
The Terrain
25 runs across 370 acres skiable
White Pine spreads 25 runs across 370 acres skiable of terrain. It leans beginner at 40%, with 10 beginner runs to find your feet and 5 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
25
runs
25 runs across 4 grades
Beginner10 runs · 40%
Intermediate10 runs · 40%
Advanced5 runs · 20%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit White Pine
The 2025-26 season at White Pine ran from 7 December 2025 to 30 March 2026, a roughly sixteen-week window. The resort's 8,399-foot base supports a reasonably long season for its Wind River Range location. Season dates shift year to year based on snowpack and the operator's scheduling, a particularly relevant factor given the resort's history of closures. The late March close is typical for a mountain at this elevation without extensive snowmaking.
Average annual snowfall of roughly 200 inches is moderate relative to the heavier totals seen at Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole further north in the Tetons. The Wind River Range's position gives White Pine a different weather pattern than the Teton-area resorts, generally drier given its more interior location. Specific snowmaking coverage is not confirmed in available resort information. Base depth and season length have historically been vulnerable to the operational and ownership instability that has closed the resort multiple times.
January and February typically offer the most reliable conditions once early-season snowpack has built up on Fortification Mountain. The resort's beginner and intermediate-leaning terrain, with no expert runs, makes conditions less weather-dependent than at steeper resorts nearby. Late-season visits in March can be more variable given the moderate snowfall and Wind River Range's interior location. Given the resort's history, checking current operating status before a visit is more important here than at more established resorts.
White Pine's operating calendar has been shaped as much by ownership stability as by weather, given closures in 1985-99 and 2011-12, and disruption following the 2019 lodge fire. Under Joe Ricketts' 2024 ownership, the resort has continued standard-season operation without documented special events programming. The Pinedale area's Wind River Range setting offers additional winter recreation beyond the ski area itself. As with several of Wyoming's smaller resorts, the calendar centres on reliable basic operation rather than festival programming.
Season 2025 - 2026
7 Dec 2025
Opens
30 Mar 2026
Closes
113
Days open
17 ft
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to White Pine, and where to stay
White Pine sits on Fortification Mountain in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, near Pinedale, Wyoming, on the edge of the Wind River Range. Base elevation is 8,399 feet, with the summit reaching 9,500 feet across a 1,101-foot vertical drop. The site was selected in 1939 by Olympic ski coach Alf Engen as the best location for a ski hill serving Pinedale. The surrounding Wind River Range is known for its granite peaks and extensive wilderness area.
Pinedale, Wyoming, is the nearest town, home to the original Pinedale Commercial Club that first proposed a local ski area in 1930. The town serves as the area's main service centre, with lodging, dining and outfitters supporting Wind River Range recreation beyond skiing. The Wind River Range itself is one of Wyoming's most significant wilderness areas, drawing hikers and climbers in summer alongside winter skiers. Pinedale's character leans toward outdoor recreation and ranching rather than ski tourism specifically.
Local roads from Pinedale provide direct access to White Pine, without the extensive highway infrastructure serving Wyoming's larger resorts. The drive from Pinedale is short given the resort's position on the edge of town's surrounding forest. Winter driving conditions can include snowpack typical of a Wind River Range access route. No public transport service reaches the resort, making a car necessary for access, consistent with most small Wyoming ski areas.
The nearest airport with limited commercial service is in the Pinedale-Big Piney area, though specific scheduled service is not confirmed in available resort information. Jackson Hole Airport, roughly 75 miles north, offers a fuller range of scheduled flights and is the more practical option for most visitors. Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport to the south offers another regional alternative. Most visitors reach White Pine by rental car from Jackson Hole or a regional Wyoming airport.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near White Pine, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026
Mount Buller closes out its 2026 season this Sunday, joining Falls Creek, Hotham and Charlotte Pass in a cluster of closures landing almost simultaneously and roughly a month ahead of schedule. The culprit is stark: Spencers Creek's benchmark snow depth hit 31.2cm on 3 September, just 18% of the 73-year average and an all-time low for this point in the season. Six of Victoria and NSW's best-known resorts will have shut their lifts early within a span of about two and a half weeks.
4 Sept 2026
Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
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2 Sept 2026
Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.
1 Sept 2026
Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
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31 Aug 2026
Aerial Tram Collides With Crane at Alpe d'Huez: 23 Injured
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.
28 Aug 2026
Why Glaciers Are Collapsing - And What Happens When They Do
A deadly flood on the Nepal-China border, a decade-old tragedy on Italy's Marmolada, and an unstable glacier right now above a village near Zermatt - three very different mountain ranges, the same underlying story. Warming ice is destabilising terrain that was considered settled for generations, and the results range from catastrophic floods to slow-motion monitoring situations that could go either way.
27 Aug 2026
Pitztal Glacier Set to Reopen for the 2026/27 Ski Season on 26 September
Tyrol's highest ski area is gearing up to open a full month ahead of most of the Alps. The Pitztal Glacier is scheduled to start its 2026/27 season on Saturday 26 September, running through to 2 May 2027, with the lower-altitude Rifflsee area following in December. High-altitude terrain up to 3,440 metres gives the glacier a head start on snow, though as always, the actual opening extent will depend on how September's weather plays out. Early online ski pass bookings can save up to 30%.
26 Aug 2026
Unstable Glacier Above Randa Puts Zermatt-Area Village on Alert
A hanging glacier above the Swiss village of Randa, just south of Zermatt, has been shedding large chunks of ice for weeks, with authorities warning more break-offs are likely. A danger zone has been closed off since June, though officials say the village's 479 residents aren't at risk. It's a familiar pattern for this glacier - it's done this before, in 1819, 1972 and 1973 - but a reminder of how closely Alpine authorities now watch terrain once considered stable.
26 Aug 2026
White Pine Lift Tickets
White Pine lift tickets & passes
The 2025 - 2026 season at White Pine closed on Mar 30, 2026. Check back for next season's opening date and ticket pricing.
Day passes start from US$20, with peak rates up to US$75.
Indy10 pass options
Single-day passes
Adult 19–64
Adult Full Day (Weekend)
US$65up to US$75 peak
Weekend full day skiing at White Pine in Wyoming's Wind River Mountains. Hidden gem ski area with 29 trails and relaxed atmosphere 88 miles from Jackson.
Buy passAdult 19–64
Adult Full Day (Weekday)
US$55up to US$65 peak
Weekday full day skiing at White Pine Ski Resort. One of Wyoming's oldest ski areas offers affordable pricing and authentic mountain experience in Wind River Range.
Buy passYouth 13–18
Student Full Day (Up to Age 18)
US$55up to US$65 peak
Student pricing for ages up to 18 at White Pine. Exceptional value compared to major resorts with student pricing extending higher than typical 13-year cutoff.
Buy passChild 7–12
Child Full Day
US$45up to US$55 peak
Children's lift ticket at White Pine in Pinedale, Wyoming. Family-friendly skiing with beginner terrain and authentic mountain hospitality in Wind River Mountains.
Buy passChild 0–6
Child (6 & Under)
Free
Free skiing for children 6 and under at White Pine. Wyoming's hidden gem welcomes families with gentle terrain perfect for learning in scenic mountain setting.
Buy passSenior 65–99
Senior Full Day
US$55up to US$65 peak
Senior discount lift ticket for White Pine Ski Area. Discounted access to Wyoming's oldest ski areas with 29 trails and spectacular Wind River Mountain views.
Buy passHalf-day passes
Adult 19–64
Half Day
US$45up to US$55 peak
Half day skiing at White Pine starting at 12pm. Perfect for afternoon visits to Wyoming's hidden gem with friendly staff and no lift lines in Wind River Mountains.
Buy passAdult 19–64
Snow Tubing
US$20
Snow tubing at White Pine with unlimited rides for $20 or family pack of 4 for $60. Fun for the whole family in Wyoming's Wind River Mountains with tube rental included.
Buy passAdult 19–64
Tubing Family Pack (4)
US$60
Family snow tubing package for 4 people at White Pine. Includes unlimited rides and tube rental for family fun in Wyoming's scenic Wind River Mountain setting.
Buy passSeason passes
Adult 19–64
Season Pass
US$499
Unlimited access to White Pine all season with extensive partner resort benefits including Jackson Hole Golden Ticket 50% off and free days at multiple resorts.
Buy passLift tickets FAQ
How much does a White Pine day pass cost?
White Pine day passes range from US$20 to US$75 depending on the date and advance booking.
Can I buy White Pine 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 White Pine lift ticket?
Full access to all lifts and trails at White Pine, including mountain safety and patrol services.
What is the difference between White Pine lift tickets and ski passes?
"Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at White Pine - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
When should I buy White Pine 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 White Pine offer group discounts on lift tickets?
Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact White Pine 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 White Pine.
More White Pine intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.