Southern Idaho (Idaho City Area) Park N' Ski Locations
Southern Idaho (Idaho City Area) Snow Depth Information
To get the current snow and grooming conditions, call the Idaho City Snow phone at: 208-514-2423.
Or for information on hourly snow depths and temperatures check out this Snotel site
The Idaho City Area is between two reporting sites, so you can look at both. Just select either Jackson Creek or Mores Creek Summit as the site name, select 2-5 days for the report period and then hit generate report. You will then find an hourly history of snow depths, temperatures and total snow depth at that site.
Beaver Creek Summit Park N' Ski
Stargaze Trail
Location: 25 miles north of Idaho City off Highway 21
Location Map
Overview Map
Trail Map
Difficulty: Intermediate- Advanced
Distance: total 3 miles
Grooming: No
Snowshoeing: Yes
Yurts: Yes, Stargaze Yurt
Warming Hut: No
Backcountry Skiing Potential: Yes, fabulous!
Restroom: No
Dogs: Yes
This ungroomed out-and-back trail is designed especially for backcountry Nordic folks, whether on skis or snowshoes. And you’ll understand how it got its name after you make your way to the top of Stargaze Point (1.5 miles one way). You’ll find a 360 degree view of the Boise National Forest that includes Pilots Peak, Wilson Butte, Sunset Peak, Rock Creek and Scott Mountain. The elevation over 6,500 feet offers perfect Telemark skiing on many north and west facing slopes, where there is deep powder most winter seasons. If you would like current snow and grooming conditions, call the Idaho City Snow phone at: 208-514-2423.
Parking: The Park N' Ski parking lot is just before the snowplow turn around on the left side of Highway 21, about 300 yards before the Beaver Creek Summit. Do not park in the snowplow turn around parking lot. From the parking lot ski/snowshoe along the shoulder of Highway 21 for about 300 yards until you reach the highest point, Beaver Creek Summit. At the summit turn left on an old road bed marked with a sign on a 4” x 4” post stating “Stargaze Trail”.
Crown your day by reserving a stay at Stargaze Yurt, where you will enjoy cozy accommodations, a spectacular view and lots of snow for winter recreation.
In the summer this Idaho City yurt and trail system is open to hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.
Banner Ridge Park N’ Ski
Location: 23.5 miles north of Idaho City off Highway 21
Location map
Overview map
Trail Map
Difficulty: Intermediate - Advanced
Distance: 22 miles/35.4K (many loops for skiing and snowshoeing)
Grooming: Yes, set track for traditional kick and glide
Snowshoeing: Yes
Yurts: Yes, Banner Ridge and Elkhorn
Warming hut: No
Backcountry skiing potential: Yes
Restroom: Yes
Dogs: Yes, on un-groomed trails only
If you like to crank out the miles/K’s on your skis, backcountry ski or cruise around on snowshoes either on-trail or off-trail, the Banner Ridge area is packed with opportunity and fun. It’s a pretty steep 1.3-mile climb from the trailhead to the ridge, but once you're on top, there are many loops, big views and open bowls to enjoy from there.
Gold Fork Park N’ Ski
Location: 20 miles north of Idaho City off Highway 21
Location Map
Overview Map
Trail Map
Difficulty: Beginner ・ Intermediate
Distance: Gold Fork Loop (5.1 miles/8.2K); Skyline Loop (4 miles/6.4K); Total miles accessible from Gold Fork: 21.4 miles/34.4 kilometers
Grooming: Yes, set track for traditional kick and glide
Snowshoeing: Yes
Yurts: Yes, Whispering Pines and Skyline
Warming hut: No
Backcountry skiing potential: Yes, on the Gold Fork side
Restroom: Yes
Dogs: Yes, on un-groomed trails only
The Gold Fork Park N’ Ski area provides access to two complete trail systems on either side of Highway 21: one tours the Gold Fork area, and one loops the Skyline area and connects to the greater Banner Ridge/Beaver Creek trail systems. A separate un-groomed snowshoe trail tours a ridge in the Gold Fork area, and there is a short snowshoe trail from the Skyline yurt. This is a great place to take kids for an easy, low key outing.
Whoop-Um-Up Park N’ Ski
Location: 18 miles north of Idaho City off Highway 21
Location Map
Overview Map
Trail Map
Difficulty: Beginner ・ Intermediate
Distance: 6.6 miles/10.6 kilometer
Grooming: No
Snowshoeing: Yes
Yurt: Yes, Rocky Ridge
Warming hut: No
Backcountry skiing potential: No
Restroom: Yes
Dogs: Yes, on all trails
Snowshoers with dogs love Whoop-Um-Up because this is one of the areas where dogs are welcome--none of the trails are groomed, so there’s no conflict. Dogs are welcome in the Rocky Ridge yurt as well. Be aware that the parking area is shared with snowmobiles, so you will encounter snow machines as you gear up for your adventure. Trails can be a bit rugged in this area, and a few steep and challenging downhill sections occur along the creek trail.