From rural ski hills to well-known and popular ski resorts, Idaho has it all when it comes to winter sports fun.  Just load up the car and skiing is an easy day trip activity for the entire family.

        Here’s another winter fun idea, heading out to one of Idaho’s 16 Park N’ Ski areas. This program includes a total of 180 miles of marked trails for families.  So check the snow report and pack-park-ski at one of the three Park N’ Ski areas located just north of Idaho City, off Highway 21:  Banner Ridge, Gold Fork, and Whoop-Um-Up.

        Here are a few things your family will want to consider when you’re deciding which of these locations to try:

Difficulty:  Banner Ridge ranges from intermediate to advanced; the other two are for beginners to intermediate.

Distances and Grooming:  The three sites have trails that vary in length and whether they are out-and-back or a loop. And depending upon your experience and interest, there are groomed tracks for traditional kick and glide, backcountry skiing, or snowshoeing.

What about dogs?  The family dog is allowed at Banner Ridge and Gold Fork on non-groomed trails and throughout Whoop-Um-Up, where none of the trails are groomed.

Take a break:  Restrooms are available at all three locations. Yurts are also available by reservation.

For more Park N’ Ski Information:

Idaho Parks and Recreation: http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov
Check out the annual and 3-day parking permits for Park N’ Ski locations. Revenue from the permit goes toward trail improvement, grooming, and plowing the parking lots. 

National Weather:  http://wrh.noaa.gov

Idaho Road Report:  http://511.idaho.gov or Dial 5-1-1

Idaho City Snowphone (current snow and grooming conditions)  (208) 514-2423