A crisp New Year’s Day dawns over Bald Mountain, Idaho (not to be confused with Sun Valley), where skiers are greeted by chilly overnight temps of 23°F and a stark reminder of this season’s snow scarcity. Bald Mountain ski resort in Idaho offers 2,000 acres of skiable terrain, with 62 runs and 12 lifts.
Wind
Humidity
The snowpack depth lingers at just 1 inch—92% below average—making for limited, variable terrain conditions. The current Snow Water Equivalent sits at 0.9", hinting at a thin and patchy base across much of the mountain. Still, there’s cautious optimism: light snowfall may dust the slopes today with 0.32" forecasted in the next 24 hours, and nearly 3” expected over the next three days, offering hope for improving coverage by the weekend.
Safety remains a top concern following recent incidents, including a tragic accident involving a Hailey man on Bald Mountain. These events have prompted forest restoration efforts in the Olympic area and renewed conversation about mountain safety. Meanwhile, regional snowmaking continues to bolster terrain where nature falls short, and skiers are advised to remain on marked trails and stay alert for early-season hazards. While the mountain offers limited runs, a fresh infusion of snow may soon breathe new life into this lean winter start. Stay tuned, and ski with care.
Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) shows how much water the snow holds. This is ideal for year-to-year tracking of real snowfall and water resources. Measurements from Pierce R.S..
Snowpack depth measures how much snow has accumulated in the area. This is a key indicator of powder quality, trail coverage, and how epic your runs are going to be this season at Bald Mountain (Not Sun Valley).
Recent air temperature fluctuations at Bald Mountain (Not Sun Valley) impact snow quality and stability, from powder to slush.
Bald Mountain, also known as Sun Valley Resort, is located in the Sawtooth National Forest in Idaho. The pertinent mountain ranges and aspects of the ski resort include:
1. Pioneer Mountains: Bald Mountain is part of the Pioneer Mountains range, which is known for its rugged peaks and alpine terrain.
2. Smoky Mountains: The Smoky Mountains are located to the east of Bald Mountain, providing stunning views and additional skiing opportunities.
3. Bald Mountain Summit: The summit of Bald Mountain reaches an elevation of 9,150 feet, offering skiers and snowboarders expansive views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
4. North Aspect: Bald Mountain has a north-facing aspect, which helps to preserve the quality of the snow and provide excellent skiing conditions throughout the season.
5. South Aspect: In contrast, the south-facing aspect of Bald Mountain offers more sun exposure and can provide warmer conditions for skiing and snowboarding.
Overall, the mountain ranges and aspects of Bald Mountain contribute to its reputation as one of the premier ski resorts in Idaho, offering a variety of terrain for all levels of skiers and snowboarders.
The resort is known for its challenging runs, including the Olympic and Christmas Bowl. However, there are also options for beginners, such as the Roundhouse beginner area. One interesting historical fact is that Bald Mountain was originally developed by the Union Pacific Railroad as part of their Sun Valley resort, but it later became a separate entity. For apres ski, Warm Springs Lodge offers a lively atmosphere with live music, food, and drinks. Overall, Bald Mountain offers a mix of challenging terrain and beginner-friendly areas, making it suitable for skiers of all levels.
Night Skiing | No |
Lift Count | 2 Lifts |
Base Elevation | 1138 Meters |
Acreage | 140 Acres |
Run Count | 10 Trails |
Top Elevation | 1341 Meters |
The ski area received 0" of new snowfall since yesterday.
Weather today, a chance of rain and snow between 2pm and 5pm, then a chance of rain, snow, and freezing rain after 5pm. patchy fog after 5pm. snow level 4000 feet rising to 4900 feet in the afternoon. otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. calm wind. chance of precipitation is 30%. little or no snow accumulation expected.
Bald Mountain (Not Sun Valley) is expected to receive up to 2.89" of new snowfall in the next 5 days.
Northern Idaho is seeing the heaviest new snow and forecasts this week. The Schweitzer Basin near Sandpoint is forecasted to receive up to 16 inches of snow over the next five days, with a current snowpack of 43". Nearby sensors at Bear Mountain and Hidden Lake show similar snow activity, with 5-day forecasts of 19" and 22", respectively, making Schweitzer ... Read more