| Details | Brimstone/Buffalo River Park N' Ski |
|---|---|
| Location | From Ashton travel N on Hwy 20 approximately 26 miles |
| Difficulty | Beginner - Intermediate - Expert |
| Distance | 17.9 m/28.8 km |
| Grooming | Yes - set track for traditional kick and glide |
| Snowshoeing | No on groomed trails, yes off-trail |
| Yurt | No |
| Backcountry ski potential | No |
| Restroom | No |
| Dogs | Not allowed |
| About | The Brimstone/Buffalo River Park N' Ski area has many great opportunities for Nordic skiing in a beautiful setting next to Island Park Reservoir, the Buffalo River, Henrys Fork and Box Canyon. A 2.1 mile interpretive trail with information about nature in winter is a great loop for kids and families. The 2.8-mile Moose Loop is a little longer and connects to three other loops; Thurmon Ridge, Boggy Springs and Antelope Park. The Brimstone Trail, a 10.8-mile one-way trail, connects from Ponds Lodge to Harriman State Park. |
| More Information | For grooming report call Ashton Ranger Station: (208)652-7442 |
| Maps | Brimstone/Buffalo River trails Harriman State Park trails guide Brimstone/Buffalo Location Map |
| Details | Bear Gulch/Mesa Falls Park N' Ski |
|---|---|
| Location | From Ashton travel E. on Mesa Falls Forest Hwy 47 approximately 12 miles |
| Difficulty | Intermediate - Advanced |
| Distance | 9.1 m/14.7 km |
| Grooming | Yes - set track for traditional kick and glide |
| Snowshoeing | No on groomed trails, yes off-trail |
| Yurt | No |
| Backcountry ski potential | No |
| Restroom | Yes at trailhead and at Upper and Lower Mesa Falls |
| Dogs | No |
| About | The Bear Gulch/Mesa Falls trail system is one of the most scenic anywhere in Idaho, particularly because the ski trails cruise along the rim overlooking both Upper and Lower Mesa Falls. Views of the Teton Mountain Range are possible on a clear day. It's a 9.1-mile round-trip trek to the Upper Falls (where the water falls 110 feet), but well worth the effort for the strong and hardy. Shorter loops of 3.9 miles or 5.9 are available closer to the trailhead. The trailhead and a short section of the ski trail are shared use areas with snowmobiles. |
| More Information | For grooming report call Ashton Ranger Station (208)652-7442 |
| Maps | Bear Gulch/Mesa Falls trails Bear Gulch/Mesa Falls Guide Bear Gulch/Mesa Falls Location Map |
| Details | Fall River Ridge Park N' Ski |
|---|---|
| Location | From Ashton travel E on Mesa Falls Forest Hwy 47 about 6 miles then right onto Cave Falls Rd about 6 miles |
| Difficulty | Beginner - intermediate (with a few expert pitches) |
| Distance | 7.1 m/11.4 km |
| Grooming | Yes, 10-foot skating lane with track set for traditional kick and glide |
| Snowshoeing | No on groomed trails, yes off-trail |
| Yurt | No |
| Backcountry ski potential | No |
| Restroom | No |
| Dogs | Not allowed |
| About | Three loops await Nordic skiers here on a mountain bench that overlooks the Fall River canyon. There is a 2.2 mile easy loop immediately accessible from the trailhead, then a more difficult 3.4 mile second loop and a third loop that covers a total of 7.1 miles roundtrip from the trailhead. Skiers may see an occasional moose nearby. The trailhead is shared with snowmobiles. |
| More Information | For grooming report call Ashton Ranger Station (208)652-7442 |
| Maps | Fall River Ridge trails Fall River Location Map |
| Details | Mink Creek Park N' Ski |
|---|---|
| Location | From Hwy 15 at Pocatello take Exit 63, travel S on Portneuf Rd about 2 miles then S on Bannock Hwy approximately 10 miles |
| Difficulty | Beginner - intermediate - Expert |
| Distance | 18 m/29 km ski trails |
| Grooming | Limited - with set track for traditional kick and glide |
| Snowshoeing | Yes |
| Yurt | No |
| Backcountry ski potential | Yes |
| Restroom | Yes |
| Dogs | Yes on ungroomed trails only |
| About | The Mink Creek Park N' Ski area is loaded with great ski and snowshoe trails close to Pocatello. The area has seven plowed parking areas, providing great access to five different trails. The West Fork of Mink Creek and Valve House offer out-and-back experiences in a mountain draw, while the Porcelain Pot area provides more loops. The Porcelain Pot trails can be combined with a ripping downhill on the Corral Creek Trail. East Mink Creek Nordic Center The East Mink Creek Nordic Center is not a Park N’ Ski program but it is managed by the Pocatello City Parks and Recreation Department and is located at the end of the Scout Mountain Road. For an additional fee you can access their groomed ski trails and designated snowshoe trails. Contact them at (208) 232-3901. |
| More Information | Westside Ranger District (208) 236-7500 |
| Maps | Mink Creek trails |
| Details | Island Park Snow Depths |
|---|---|
| About | For updated snow depths in the Island Park area, select this link. The site is located near the community of Island Park at 6290 feet in elevation. |