DOWNHILL SKIING

Lost Trail Powder Mountain: 406-821-3508 | Email

Only 45 miles north of Salmon, Idaho, sits Lost Trail Powder Mountain, the Rocky Mountain's hidden jewel. As the name suggests, this family owned, local ski area straddles the mountain pass that caused Lewis and Clark so much trouble when Old Toby lost the trail here 200 years ago. Adjacent to the Continental Divide, with an average annual snowfall of around 300 inches, the area is renowned for its unbelievable powder. Open only four days a week, visitors are guaranteed fresh tracks for days after a storm. Although there are no high-speed chairs in their fleet, with a large brown bag room, a big open fire, uncrowned slopes and no lift lines to speak of, this area lives up to expectations when it comes to low prices, family atmosphere and what winter recreation is all about: sliding on snow.

NORDIC SKIING

Ski Salmon Valley 's Pristine Snow

Mountain vistas with tall green pines, crystalline white snow and clear blue skies are what you can experience when you cross-country ski on the forest roads and trails near Salmon, Idaho.

Just ten miles southwest of Salmon is the Williams Creek Summit Cross-Country Ski Complex. Developed jointly by the Salmon National Forest and Salmon Nordic Ski Association, their seventeen-mile trail system traverses a variety of terrain from gentle to steep. The trails are marked with green or blue diamonds and are classified using the standard guidelines for beginner, intermediate and advanced ability. The trails are not groomed.

Adjacent to the trails is plenty of terrain for backcountry skiing and telemarking. In this area, the cross-country skiing season begins in mid to late December and continues into mid March. For more information or to obtain maps, you can call the Salmon/Challlis National Forest, 208-756-5100.

To ski the Williams Creek Summit Cross-country Ski Trail Complex, drive five miles South on Highway 93 to the Shoup Bridge. Turn right, cross the river and continue on about a mile. At the junction to Perreau Creek take the left fork and continue to Williams Creek Summit, approximately twelve miles. There are parking pullouts that access the trails in the 2-3 mile stretch before the summit. At the summit there are pit toilets and parking.

Another great place to ski in the vicinity is the Chief Joseph Cross-country Ski Trail System located just forty-five miles North of Salmon on Lost Trail Pass. To get there, take Highway 93 North from Salmon to the top of Lost Trail Pass. Turn right on Highway 43 and continue approximately another mile to the signed parking area at Chief Joseph Pass. This system has 8km of "easy" trails suitable for beginners and families with kids. For more challenge there are 17km of "more difficult" trails that wind up and down through meadows, forest and clear-cuts. There are outstanding vistas throughout the trail system. Each Thursday or Friday the trails are groomed for classic skiing (no skating) by the Bitterroot Cross Country Ski Club. The club developed this system jointly with the Beaverhead, Bitteroot and Salmon Nation Forests. There are pit toilets, plenty of parking and trail maps at the trailhead. Dogs are discouraged on the groomed portion of the trail system. For more information contact the Sula Ranger District, 406-821-3201.

Also at the top of Lost Trail Pass is Lost Trail Powder Mountain that has marked backcountry trails suitable for more experienced skiers. The ski area itself is a great place to learn or practice your telemark skills.

In addition to the more developed cross-country ski areas, there are hundreds of miles of forest trails and pristine wilderness available to the adventurous backcountry skier throughout the Salmon area. You'll be spoiled by the solitude, beauty and great snow!

SNOWMOBILING - THE BEST OF IDAHO

Snowmobile where the trails lead to vast winter playgrounds of mountain slopes and open snowfields, where each trail is unique and where the powder is always fresh.  The first thing you’ll notice when you snowmobile the mountains of the Salmon River Valley is that they are uncrowded and pristine.  Located in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains and the Continental Divide, Lemhi County’s snow-laden mountains offer terrain suited to all types of rides and experiences.  Two of seven groomed trails (over 200 miles total), provide immediate access to numerous points of interest.  From Salmon, snowmobilers enjoy riding the Old Stage Coach Road to the ghost town of Leesburg, or select any of several other locations accessible from this route.  Twenty miles south on Highway 28, the Warm Spring Loop offers all sorts of exhilarating conquests.  A few of the most popular excursions include miles of leisurely riding along the Continental Divide, big game sightings and dropping off into beautiful mountain meadows, lakes and some of the most pristine country anyone could hope to witness.  The area has unlimited, uncongested recreational opportunities, with many areas remaining undisturbed all season long.  Snow conditions range from good to excellent throughout the season.

The new Snowmobile Salmon, Idaho Map is now available from the Salmon Valley Chamber of Commerce, 800-727-2540.  It features the groomed and adjacent trails, trail accessibility and the topography of the riding areas.  This map has some great details and information about the Salmon riding areas. New signage by the BLM and Salmon/Challis National Forest will be posted once the snow flies and proper display height can be reached.

The latest Snow West Magazine conducted a reader poll, and Salmon was rated #7 on a list of more than 20 possible Idaho Snowmobile designations!  This affirms what the folks in Salmon have known for years - they have a GREAT backyard to play in!