...PROLONGED SNOW EVENT... .A plume of snow will continue to impacted north central Idaho into west central and southwest Montana tonight. The snow activity will decrease in intensity during the day on Friday, then a second plume of precipitation will impact the region late Friday through Saturday. * WHAT...Heavy snow expected. There is a likelihood of major winter storm impacts. Total snow accumulations 2 to 6 inches in the valleys and 9 to 18 inches in the higher terrain including Lolo Pass. * WHERE...Highway 11 Pierce to Headquarters, Highway 12 Lowell to Lolo Pass, Elk River, Elk City, Pierce, and Dixie. * WHEN...From 4 PM this afternoon to 4 PM PST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday evening and Friday morning commutes, especially over higher passes.
After a chilly overnight low of 16.5°F, snowmakers have been hard at work supplementing the natural base, which currently sits at 12 inches—well below average for this time of year. Despite the thinner snowpack, trail crews report packed powder on groomed runs, and early risers are rewarded with crisp carving conditions. While off-piste terrain remains closed due to limited coverage, maintained trails offer a welcome early-season experience for eager skiers and riders.
The real excitement lies ahead: the forecast calls for 5.8 inches of new snow in the next 24 hours, with nearly 18 inches expected over the next three days and 20 inches projected by early next week. These upcoming storms could be the season’s turning point, rapidly building the base and opening more terrain. With no significant local news disruptions reported, it's the perfect time to plan your trip and catch Mount Pandora as it transforms into a winter wonderland.
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 Mountain Meadows.
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 Mount Pandora.
Recent air temperature fluctuations at Mount Pandora impact snow quality and stability, from powder to slush.
Mount Pandora Ski Resort in Idaho is situated in the Sawtooth Mountains, which are part of the Rocky Mountains range. The resort offers a variety of ski runs with different mountain aspects, including north-facing slopes, south-facing slopes, east-facing slopes, and west-facing slopes. These different aspects provide a range of ski terrain for all ability levels, from beginner to advanced skiers and snowboarders.
Beginner skiers should check out the gentle slopes of the Bunny Hill, while advanced skiers will enjoy the challenge of the steep and narrow trails on the backside of the mountain. Interestingly, Mount Pandora was named after the Greek mythological character Pandora, who was said to have opened a box releasing all the world's evils. Few people know that the mountain was named after a local schoolteacher's daughter who was also named Pandora. After a day on the slopes, skiers can unwind at the cozy and welcoming atmosphere of The Powder Keg, a favorite apres ski hangout that offers live music and delicious food.
Night Skiing | No |
Lift Count | 11 Lifts |
Hourly Lift Capacity | 8000 per hour |
Base Elevation | 1245 Meters |
Terrain Park | Yes |
Acreage | 2750 Acres |
Established | 2010 |
Run Count | 110 Trails |
The ski area received 0" of new snowfall since yesterday.
Weather today, snow, mainly after 1pm. the snow could be heavy at times. high near 27. southwest wind around 6 mph. chance of precipitation is 100%. new snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
Mount Pandora is expected to receive up to 20.35" of new snowfall in the next 5 days.
Idaho’s snow outlook is looking strong, especially in the northern and central mountain regions, which are expecting significant accumulations over the next five days. The heaviest snowfall is forecast at Cool Creek (50"), Lookout Pass (36"), Lost Lake (42"), and Sunset (35")—all in the Panhandle region. These totals suggest excellent conditions ahead for Schweitzer Mountain Resort (near Bear Mountain and ... Read more