Home to 19 ski areas, Idaho offers endless opportunities for fresh powdery play. But did you know many of these destinations also claim an array of outdoor activities when there’s no snow on the ground? Showcasing everything from mountain biking, ziplining and other pulse-raising thrills to disc golf, horseback riding and other family-friendly activities, here’s a roundup of all you can see and do at the Gem State’s ski areas during summer. Pack your sunglasses and sunscreen and get ready for some mountain-high adventure!
Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area | Boise
The Basin Gravity Park attracts mountain bikers with more than 20 miles of lift-served and cross-country trails, including the challenging Around the Mountain trail. Gravity also comes into play on Idaho’s only mountain coaster—The Glade Runner, which reaches speeds close to 30 mph—and on summer tubing hills that whisk visitors down two, 300-foot lanes. Other summer activities include scenic chairlift rides, a ropes course, climbing wall, bungee trampoline, 18-hole disc golf course, Yoga on the Mountain classes and the free Music on the Mountain summer concert series.
Let’s Eat
Double R Ranch BBQ Smokehouse, Bogus Creek Grill and J.R.’s T-Bar serve up big plates and cold drinks. Also, try the food trucks that pull in during summer weekend events.
Brundage Mountain Resort | McCall
Head to the scenic mountain town of McCall to enjoy adrenaline-pumping action on more than 30 miles of cross-country and lift-served downhill trails. Set off from the Brundage Bike Park, which features multiple trails shared with hikers, including the Brundage to Bear Basin Trail, which descends nearly 2,000 feet over six miles of flowy singletrack. Visitors can also choose to take it easy on scenic chairlift rides and the nine-hole disc golf course, or kick back in lawn chairs during the TGIF Concert Series.
Let’s Eat
Smoky’s Bar & Grill serves elevated pub grub with a full bar and an expansive deck overlooking the base area. In McCall, Frenchie’s, Rupert’s and The Narrows Steakhouse are popular options.
Grand Targhee Resort | near Driggs
While The Ghee is technically across the border in Wyoming, visitors pass through Driggs to get there so Idaho has claim to this outdoor playground. After the snow melts, 70+ miles of slopes turn into multiuse trails. Get in a high-elevation hike, join a guided horseback ride or go all in with brag-worthy downhill mountain biking on the west side of the Teton Mountains. At the resort, set the kids loose on the bungee trampoline, the rock-climbing wall and the 18-hole disc golf course. Everyone enjoys the scenic chairlift rides and the annual Bluegrass Festival.
Let’s Eat
Visitors can pick up a quick breakfast at Snorkels Café and grab-and-go sandwiches from the General Store, but most head to the mountain’s legendary watering hole, The Trap Bar & Grill, for a hefty plate of Wydaho Nachos.
Kelly Canyon Ski Resort | Ririe
Surrounded by the Caribou-Targhee National Forest in eastern Idaho, Kelly Canyon attracts mountain bikers in the summer months to ride 18 miles of lift-served and cross-country trails with more than 50 named runs. The onsite pump track and jump park add to the thrills. Ziplining and a free concert series round out the summer activities. Most overnight visitors stay in nearby Idaho Falls or Heise Hot Springs.
Let’s Eat
Fuel up between mountain adventures and mingle with other visitors at Big Jud’s Express. The pizza parlor at Heise Hot Springs is another popular gathering spot.
Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area | Mullan
Located in northern Idaho on the Idaho-Montana border, Lookout becomes a summertime hub of activity when tens of thousands of cyclists come to ride the Route of the Hiawatha. Arguably the most popular and scenic rail-to-trail conversion in the country, this 15-mile downhill trail passes through 10 tunnels and across seven treetop trestles. On summer weekends, Lookout opens its lifts to take visitors a mile high in the Bitterroot Mountains for hiking and a late-summer huckleberry picking party. Visitors can also play on the nine-hole disc golf course and bungee trampoline on weekends.
Let’s Eat
While the ski area’s dining options are closed during the summer, most visitors find everything they desire in the nearby mountain town of Wallace. Blackboard Cafe and The Fainting Goat Restaurant & Bar are popular with visitors.
Pebble Creek Ski Area | Inkom
Perched atop Bonneville Peak in the Portneuf range, Pebble Creek offers breathtaking views of the Portneuf Valley and Gem Valley in southeast Idaho. Visitors converge on Pebble Creek in June for the annual Wildflower Music Festival, when the slopes host music lovers for a one-day event. During the summer, groups can rent the entire Pebble Creek Ski Area for weddings and events.
Let’s Eat
Restaurants in nearby Twin Falls, Pocatello and Lava Hot Springs have many options to grab lunch on the way to Pebble Creek.
Pomerelle Mountain Resort | Malta
Located in south central Idaho near the Utah border, Pomerelle invites mountain bikers and hikers to use its five top-to-bottom trails in July and August, along with the resort’s 18-hole disc golf course. Pedal-power is required to access the summit, which leads to fast gravity trails and miles of open range coveted by the mountain biking community. During the weekend of the annual Pomerelle Pounder mountain bike races, the resort opens its lifts to contestants and spectators.
Let’s Eat
In Malta, Sage Valley Grill serves up hot sandwiches and hearty dinners. In nearby Albion, Diamondfield Jack’s is the area’s go-to for pizza, salads and sandwiches.
Schweitzer | Sandpoint
Head to the quaint town of Sandpoint to access Idaho’s largest ski area. Summer activities in the alpine village include family friendly hiking trails, two nine-hole disc golf courses, a full-service spa, plus a zipline, rock climbing wall, bungee trampoline and lawn games. Take a scenic chairlift ride to reach the Sky House at the summit and set off on downhill mountain biking routes. On the way down, Idaho’s largest body of water—Lake Pend Oreille—comes into view and visitors can see all the way north to the Canadian Rockies.
Let’s Eat
Choose from four dining rooms that stay open year-round in the village, including sit-down options Crow’s Bench and Pucci’s Pub, plus grab-and-go items at the gourmet market and coffee shop. At the top of the mountain, Sky House offers even more dining choices, and visitors find plenty of restaurants in nearby Sandpoint.
Silver Mountain Resort | Kellogg
Scenic rides on North America’s longest gondola lead to family friendly hikes and nearly 40 downhill mountain biking trails. Hikers can choose from Moose Knuckle—an easy, out-and-back two-mile trail—or Kellogg Peak, a nearly four-mile roundtrip trail that requires more climbing but leads to sensational views of the surrounding mountains. Mountain bikers take the gondola to test their limits on nearly 40 gravity trails, the most advanced descending some 3,400 vertical feet. Plan an overnight stay at the lodge to add the Galena Ridge nine-hole golf course and Silver Rapids—Idaho’s largest indoor water park—to the agenda.
Let’s Eat
Choose from the Mountain House Grill’s cafeteria-style dining room, plus multiple cafes and sweet shops throughout the resort. On Fridays during the summer months, Ride & Dine events include a barbecue cookout and live music at the top of the mountain. The Beanery and Radio Brewing Company in Kellogg are great pre- and post-activity hangouts.
Soldier Mountain Ski Area | Fairfield
From the summit of Soldier Mountain, visitors enjoy spectacular views of the Camas Prairie below. Mountain bikers choose from five trails that flow down 9.2 miles of trails, from intermediate rides to lightning-fast tracks with jumps and tricks built in. A pump track and nine-hole disc golf course offer exciting options at the base. Overnight visitors stay at the nearby Prairie Inn in Fairfield or choose from multiple vacation rentals in the area. The ski area’s Pioneer Campground and Smokey Dome yurt offer rugged backcountry options.
Let’s Eat
Mountain bikers and hikers meet up at the lodge restaurant and Fox Den Pub, which serve up burgers, tacos and refreshing drinks. The Wrangler, Cliff Bar & Grill and Iron Mountain are popular spots in Fairfield.
Sun Valley Resort | Sun Valley
The home of the world’s first chairlift becomes a hotspot for summer adventure when temperatures rise. Encircled by mountains and with the Snake River Plain to the south, this picturesque playground features nearly 400 miles of multiuse singletrack and 30 miles of road-cycling routes, plus trails for horseback and wagon rides. The resort also features an indoor ice-skating rink, tennis and pickleball courts, swimming pools and three golf courses. An outdoor concert series draws music fans from around the region every summer.
Let’s Eat
Find casual cafes and elegant dining rooms throughout this expansive resort. Hop on the gondola to reach The Roundhouse, where legendary fondue creates a lot of buzz. In nearby Ketchum, popular gathering spots include Grumpy’s, The Cellar Pub and Apples Bar & Grill.
Tamarack Resort | near Donnelly
Twenty lift-served trails set off from the summit of the West Central Mountains overlooking Lake Cascade. Flow down more than 40 miles of designated mountain biking trails and over 20 miles of cross-country trails. The resort’s zipline, pickleball courts and axe-throwing arena keep the action going along with 19 holes of golf at Osprey Meadows, two disc-golf courses, scenic chairlift rides and yoga classes. Lake Cascade brings water into play during the summer months, with many visitors coming to kayak, canoe, paddleboard and Jet Ski. Tamarack also hosts guided whitewater rafting trips on the Payette River.
Let’s Eat
Visitors have many dining options throughout the resort, from a coffee shop and pizza joint to a classic diner and modern taphouse. But it’s the elevated dining at The Reserve that gets the most raves—including multiple USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Awards for the number one ski restaurant in North America.
No matter which Idaho ski area you add to your summer vacation itinerary, you’ll be sure to make new memories. Before you visit, check your destination’s website for up-to-date operating hours and visitor information.
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Feature image credited to Visit Idaho.
Updated November 2025.
Published on December 13, 2021