Skiing Silver Mountain — Road trip with my son Zack
- Andrea Hamilton
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 20 hours ago
Spring skiing at Silver Mountain delivers exactly what most of us are looking for when we're in the mountains. Great groomers, fun steeps, terrain for all abilities, and short lift lines.
Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg, Idaho. Here are my notes from a fun spring road trip with my son Zack.
Silver Mountain is a long time Powder Poobah sponsor, and this visit gave us the chance to experience firsthand why it works so well for families, and all levels of skier & snowboarders.
Silver Mountain:
From Spokane it's an hour east
From Seattle it's about 5-1/2 hours (without stops)
Easy access from the base area (gondola is the only way up)
Parking is easy, lodging is right at the base
Uncrowded terrain
Strong beginner support
Solid grooming and trees
Getting There: Seattle to Silver Mountain
Silver Mountain is an easy road trip from Seattle and just about an hour east of Spokane, making it a great destination for a long weekend or spring ski escape.
The Gondola Ride — Part of the Experience
Silver Mountain is home to the longest gondola in North America.
The gondola ride from the base to the top of the mountain takes about 20 minutes.
Tips:
1- Make sure you have everything you need before heading up.
2- The gondola ride gains 3400' of elevation, so the weather up top is different than it will be at your hotel room. It is generally 10-15 degrees colder at the mountain house than in town.
Tickets: Ticket info link
I think Silver is a deal when you compare it to other large resorts.
Purchase your lift tickets online for the best rate and a guaranteed spot on the mountain. Below rates valid only if purchased online in advance. Online ticket sales close at midnight the night prior. Prices at the window will be higher.
On the Mountain
About 1,600 acres of skiable terrain across 70+ trails.
Wide groomers, tree skiing, and steeper pitches for all ability levels.
Good lift spacing keeps lines short and the mountain uncrowded.
Reserve in advance.
When making your rental reservations you will need to know the following information for each person: name, date of birth, height, weight, and shoe size.
Premium demo skis are available on a first-come first-served basis. Reservations are not available for demo skis.
Traveling with kids? Depending on how you play on the hill as a family it makes sense sometimes to book a lesson.
A great magic carpet area for beginners
The lodge is right there by the carpet for hot chocolate breaks
Good mix of green, blue and black runs
We skied most of the mountain and found a great mix of terrain that works for all levels.
There were morning groomers, then soft groomers, then some ungroomed spring turns that made it quite a leg day! I got through it, well behind my son Zack and our guide Tryg who powered nicely through it.
Lodge, Food, and Amenities
The Morning Star Lodge checks all the boxes. Good food, friendly staff, and a comfortable place to relax.
Noah's Canteen is a full service restaurant in the village right outside of the hotel rooms. If you find yourself there on the weekends, make sure to check out live music in the bar every Saturday.
My experience is that Silver has all the amenities without the big resort crowds.
Spa: I didn't have time to book any services, but I will book next time. Spa link
Water park: we walked through it and it looks fun for all ages
Food: there are plenty of options for a quick coffee and breakfast snack and all your meals in the Gondola Village.
In town, we had a great dinner at Radio Brewing Company.
More Than Skiing: A True Destination Resort
Silver Mountain is built for more than just mountain days. The lodging makes it easy to stay slopeside, and the Silver Rapids Indoor Waterpark adds a fun bonus — especially for families and people who don't ski or snowboard.
Time on Snow with the Silver Team
Because Silver Mountain has been a longtime Powder Poobah sponsor, we were fortunate to spend some time skiing with the owner and sharing lunch with Jeff Colburn and members of the Silver team.
A huge thank you to Gus and Jeff Colburn, and Tryg for the warm welcome and great experience. Skiing together, swapping stories, and getting to know the people behind the resort made the visit even more fun.
It was an easy drive home from Kellogg, ID back to Seattle with a stop for gas at Costco in Spokane.
Don't miss it!
Powder Poobah verified. By Larry Schick, Andrea and Zack Hamilton.
Thanks for reading.
Andrea
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