Silver Mountain Resort
4.5(3.2K)google
3.2(170)yelp
SkiingMountainResortWinter Snow
Overview
Silver Mountain Resort is a ski resort in the northwest United States, located in the Silver Valley region of northern Idaho, just south of Kellogg and Interstate 90 in Shoshone County. Originally opened as "Jackass Ski Bowl" in January 1968 on Wardner Peak, it was renamed "Silverhorn" in 1973 following an ownership change. With planned improvements, most notably the gondola from the city of Kellogg and expansion on Kellogg Peak, the name was changed to "Silver Mountain" in the summer of 1989.
Practical Info
Every dayOpen 24 hours
Suggested Duration0.5-1 day
Best TimeA premier year-round alpine destination: winter (December to March) brings incredible snowstorms for skiing, while summer (June to August) features a massive indoor water park and North America's elite downhill mountain bike park. Year-round, catch the earliest 8:15 AM departure on their signature 3.1-mile gondola ride—the longest single-stage gondola in North America.
Getting TherePerfectly set directly off the highway corridor in the mountain valley town of Kellogg. Take Interstate 90 to Exit 49, drive south for less than a minute, and the massive alpine-style resort village base will appear immediately. The property is wrapped by an immense, fully paved surface parking field that is completely free for all guests and skiers.
Travel Tips
- The 3.1-mile scenic gondola undergoes mandatory structural maintenance closures during shoulder spring and autumn weeks; always cross-verify operation windows via live resort webcams before arrival.
- RVs and towed trailers are strictly prohibited from entering the tight Morning Star Lodge turnarounds; clearance is restricted, requiring immediate rerouting to the oversized gravel overflow lot off I-90 Exit 61.
- Accessing the lift-served Bike Park requires a signed liability waiver and safety wristband; riders without full-face helmets and certified body armor are barred from loading mountain bikes onto the gondola.
Reviews
Positive
- Home to North America's longest scenic gondola; the 20-minute mountain flight delivers mind-blowing alpine vistas.
- Features a massive premium indoor water park (Silver Rapids); bundling water slides with alpine skiing pushes fun to the peak.
- The gondola boarding lines run efficiently, supported by pristine ski lodges, clean changing suites, and smooth accessible ramps.
- Perfectly situated right off the freeway near historic Wallace, wrapped by dense clusters of rustic alpine inns and steak houses.
Heads up
- The entry cost is steep; combining scenic gondola access with the indoor water park creates a heavy financial burden for families.
- Winter holiday and ski weekend afternoons trigger massive queues at the lone gondola portal, slowing down access.
- The indoor water park air holds a strong, pungent chlorine odor during peak hours, and plastic deck loungers run completely out.
- Certain summer expert downhill mountain bike tracks lack milder warnings for beginners, presenting safety safety hazards.