Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area
Lookout Pass Ski Area is the oldest ski area in Idaho and is located on the Idaho Panhandle and Lolo National Forests at the Idaho/Montana state line, roughly halfway between Spokane, Wash. and Missoula, Mont. Access to the area is via Interstate 90, Exit 0.
Lookout Pass features 1,023 acres of terrain, including 52 named runs and prime powder glades, and averages 450 inches of annual snowfall. The vertical drop from the summit elevation of 6,150 feet is 1,650 feet. Terrain is rated as follows: 14% Beginner, 42% Intermediate, 42% Advanced and 2% Expert. In November 2023, the mountain opened 500 new acres of terrain, comprised of 14 new trails on Eagle Peak. The mountain’s second quad chairlift services this new terrain comprised of mostly intermediate and expert slopes. As of winter 2022-2023, the mountain has a total of 5 lifts: 2 quad chairlifts, 2 triple chairlifts, and one double chairlift.
Inside the historic base lodge, a cafeteria-style grill and deli plus the famous loft pub watering hole and a gift shop serve visitors. Over summer 2023, the area added a new expanded sprung structure placed adjacent to the lodge to offer more seating for their guests. The Snowsports instructional programs employ many PSIA & AASI-certified instructors that provide a full range of ski, snowboard, and telemark lessons, and a full-service ski and snowboard rental and repair shop which operates just outside the base lodge.
In summer, the ski area offers scenic chairlift rides on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from the Peak One quad lift adjacent to the paved parking lot. In addition, the area operates the Route of the Hiawatha - Scenic Bike Trail. It is a member of the Rails-to-Trails – Hall-of-Fame. The trail offers a very easy 1.5-2% descent covering a 15-mile downhill ride that allows guests to experience 10 dark tunnels and ride across 7 sky-high trestles. Once at the bottom in Pearson, Idaho, a shuttle bus is available to transport guests and their bikes back up to the 1.661-mile-long St. Paul Pass Tunnel. Guests will pedal back through this tunnel to their vehicles parked at the East Portal starting point.
Directions: Lookout Ski Area is located on the Idaho – Montana state line adjacent to Interstate 90, and is accessed via Exit 0.
General Notes: Lookout offers a pay to play ski school with group or private lessons, and a multi weeks free Ski School for children, an affordable 5th and 6th grade passport program, season long and day use rental equipment and a family friendly and affordable vibe.
Parking: The ski area parking lot is located about 0.1 miles from the I-90 interchange.
Safety Information: Helmets are recommended while skiing and snowboarding. All users of the mountain are expected to know and obey the rules as presented in the updated “Your Responsibility Code."
General Information
The Lookout Pass ski season usually begins in late November and ends sometime in mid- to late April, subject to conditions. Beginning in December, check the snow report for operating hours. Unless otherwise stated, the resort will be open 9 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday and 8:30 am to 4 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Seven-day-a-week operations start in mid-December
Season pass and lift ticket purchase information is listed on the Lookout Pass Purchase page.
Lookout Pass Ski Area operates on National Forest System lands under a Special Use Authorization. A non-exclusive use policy provides public use within the permitted area during non-operational periods.
Ski and snowboarding equipment are available from the rental shop beginning at 8 a.m. on days of operation.
