After a slow start to winter, North Idaho ski resorts are finally blanketed in fresh powder, and skiers are racing to the slopes as long-awaited chairlifts roar back to life. 

The weather to close out 2025 was anything but cooperative for area ski hills, leaving many runs bare and riders waiting. But recent storms have flipped the script, delivering the kind of snowpack skiers and snowboarders have been craving. 

Silver Mountain Resort and Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area haven’t been able to fully open all their terrain yet, but both are making significant progress. 

At Silver, marketing manager Gus Colburn said the majority of the resort’s terrain is now open, with Chairs 1 through 4 all spinning. 

“Chair 1 and Chair 2 have been putting in work for us this winter, but for the first time this season, we will be having all chairlifts spinning,” he said. “Coverage will still be thin in some spots, but we're excited to open up some fan-favorite terrain located in the Chair 3 and Chair 4 basins.” 

According to Silver Mountain’s website, the mountain received 13 inches of snow Tuesday night and expects the snowfall to continue into the weekend. 

“The story this winter has been hurry up and wait for snow,” Colburn said. “Now the wait is over, and with over a foot of powder in the past few days, we have enough snow to open the majority of the ski area. Thank you to everyone who has continued to do their snow dances, as your moves have started to pay off.” 

Lookout Pass, famous for its deep, all-natural snow, has also been battling to get its runs open. According to its Jan. 7 mountain report, all but three runs off the Peak 1 Quad lift and 100% of the runs from the Eagle Peak Quad lift are open. However, less than half of the runs off the Timberwolf Triple lift and none of the runs from the Northstar Double lift are available yet. 

As of Wednesday, Lookout has received 23 inches of new snow at the summit and expects another 2 feet of fresh powder heading into the weekend. 

Farther north, Schweitzer is also seeing improvement. As of Wednesday, the mountain has received a foot of new snow, six of its 10 lifts are operating, with 49 of its 92 trails open — roughly 50% of the mountain’s total terrain. 

All three mountains are open seven days a week. For more information, visit their respective websites or social media pages.