Pomerelle Mountain Resort

The Wasatch mountains are famous for snow, but the Albion mountain range just north of them might offer ski bums even more powder. The Pomerelle Mountain Resort sits within the Albion range, north of the Idaho and Nevada border in south-central Idaho.

Motorists coming from other regions can use Interstate 84 to get closer. Once in the area, State Highway 77 moves travelers into Albion and the resort area south of town. The largest International Airport will be Salt Lake, roughly 185 miles to the south. Smaller regional and local airfields are as close as 17 miles, but securing ground transportation can be trickier at these smaller facilities.

There is Never Enough Snow

Idaho's climate varies depending upon what part of the state you are discussing. The area around the Pomerelle Mountain Resort might not experience as much of the maritime influence from the Pacific Northwest as other parts of the state, but it does have a wet winter. An average annual snowfall here is 500 inches, well over 41 feet. Temperatures can drop down into the teens or lower at night in January, making a balaclava a must-have for night skiers.

The number 500 almost represents roughly the number of skiable acres that alpine sports fans will love. Nearly 50 acres of that terrain is covered in snowmaking equipment, allowing the ski area to supplement between storms and extend the season just a little longer. A base elevation of 7,760 feet and a summit height of 8,762 feet provides skiers and riders with over 1,000 feet of vertical potentials to challenge their abilities. Visitors to the Pomerelle Mountain Resort have daily access during the season, with night skiing on some terrain available on all but a couple of nights during the week.

Well Spaced Trails

The Pomerelle Mountain Resort can boast a wide-open layout, with a couple of dozen runs providing access to the pow. Runs vary in length, with the longest coming in at around 1.5 miles. The terrain favors skiers with some experience, with half of the trails rating blue for intermediate skiers and riders. Advanced skiers looking for black diamond ratings will find 30-percent of the mountain to their liking, while beginners have the remaining 20-percent rating green to improve their skills.

The Pomerelle Mountain Resort does offer skiing and riding at night, with the majority of the lighted runs on the beginner trails (four total). Two intermediate and one of the advanced runs are nighttime ready, so no one is left out in the cold. Besides the alpine skiing experience, Pomerelle Mountain Resort also offers visitors three terrain parks to play on. Two of those, Colt 45 and Pom E Rail Garden, can be used after the sun goes down.

Since 1963, the Pomerelle Mountain Resort has upgraded facilities without losing its small venue appeal. The mountain's lift system consists of a double chair, a triple, and one magic carpet. Its lodge offers basic amenities, including rentals and tuning. Pomerelle Mountain Resort also provides lessons for newbies and those needing a brush-up.