Silver Mountain, Idaho
Encyclopedia
Silver Mountain Resort is a ski resort
in the Silver Valley region in the Idaho Panhandle
, just south of Kellogg
and Interstate 90
in Shoshone County
. Originally opened as "Jackass Ski Bowl" in January 1968 on Wardner Peak, it was renamed "Silverhorn" in 1973 following an ownership change. After major improvements in 1990, most notably the gondola
from the city of Kellogg
and expansion on Kellogg Peak, the name was changed to "Silver Mountain."
, was constructed in the summer of 1967 on lands leased from the Bunker Hill Mining Company
. It was named for Noah Kellogg's
borrowed ore-discovering donkey
(Jenny) of 1885. The ski area began operations in January 1968, but several years of poor skiing weather caused the operation to discontinue. Following its sixth season, its assets were liquidated in a foreclosure sale by the SBA
in August 1973, and were purchased by Bunker Hill for $100,000. The ski facility was reorganized as Silverhorn ski area under the ownership of Shoshone Recreation, Inc.; it was acquired by the City of Kellogg
in 1984.
Falling prices for metals in 1980, combined with environmental problems, forced many of the mines to curtail production. The century-old Bunker Hill mine and smelter operations, which had experienced a turbulent early history of labor disputes
, finally closed in 1981. ASARCO, Hecla, and Sunshine soon followed, resulting in the direct loss of thousands of high-wage jobs, and the indirect loss of many others, with serious economic hardship to the Silver Valley area of Shoshone County
.
Kellogg (and the Silver Valley) is the site of one of the largest EPA
Superfund
sites. The legacy of toxic metal waste contaminating the community is well-known, but hidden from the public knowledge base by vested interests in tourism.
To diversify and expand the local economy, an increased focus was placed on recreation and tourism, primarily through the existing ski area. Silverhorn had one lift, a double chair (later renamed # 4, then Jackass) with a vertical drop of 1875 feet (571 m), and a mid-mountain loading/unloading area at the parking lot & day lodge. Silverhorn was accessed by vehicle via a difficult and dangerous twisting mountain road, which climbed over 2700 feet (823 m) in just 7 miles (11 km), an average grade of over 7%. The road approached from the northwest and terminated in the parking lot at 5040 feet (1536 m), the mid-mountain base area of Wardner Peak. If the ski area was to attract more visitors, a better way of reaching the mountain was definitely needed.
In December 1987, the U.S. Congress
approved an appropriation bill for the U.S. Forest Service which included $6.4 million of matching funds to assist in the construction of a new gondola
from the city of Kellogg
to Silverhorn. The bill was greatly assisted by the members of Idaho's congressional delegation.
In September 1988, tiny and economically depressed Kellogg
voted to tax itself $2 million ($100,000 per year for 20 years), approved by over 87%, and Von Roll Tramways, a Swiss
lift manufacturing company, was impressed enough to agree to guarantee much of the remaining funds needed to construct the improved resort. The state government of Idaho
and the local electric utility (Washington Water Power, now Avista Corp.) also assisted.
On April 25, 1989, ground was broken for the construction of the gondola and base village, additional chairlifts, and other resort improvements. The newly renamed Silver Mountain opened for summer operations in June 1990 and for skiing that November.
Gondola and chairlift rides, mountain biking
, hiking, and concerts at the high-mountain outdoor amphitheather (capacity: 2500) are the primary summer activities at Silver Mountain.
The base village and gondola base are located less than a half-mile (800 m) from exit #49 of Interstate 90
.
In June 1996, Silver Mountain was acquired by Eagle Crest Partners, a subsidiary of JELD-WEN
Corporation.
A snow tubing park was constructed in the fall of 2006 at the site of the mountain amphitheater, which was relocated and expanded. An indoor water park
(Silver Rapids) opened in May 2008. High-speed detachable chairlifts, which were originally proposed in 2001, appear to have become a lesser priority for Eagle Crest. Instead, the first nine holes of Silver Mountain's new golf course, Galena Ridge, were opened in mid-2010.
Silver Mountain has 7 lifts: 1 gondola
(service to the base village and parking lot in Kellogg), five chairlifts (1 quad, 2 triples, 2 doubles), and a surface tow
. The average annual snowfall is 300 inches (760 cm), with limited snowmaking
on 35 acres (0.14 km²).
an elevation of 2300 feet (701 m), a quarter mile (400 m) from exit 49 on Interstate 90
. The lift crosses over the village of Wardner
, and climbs 3400 vertical feet (1036 m) to an elevation of 5700 feet (1737 m) at the Mountain Haus terminal, above mid-mountain on Kellogg Peak.
There are 112 gondola cabins (8 passengers) and 45 towers along the 3.1 mile (5.0 km) trip, the longest single stage people carrier in the world. (Others are longer, but have angle stations with two drive terminals or they do not carry people.) Its current capacity is 1600 passengers per hour (200 cabins) at 1000 feet (304.8 m) per minute (11.3 mph, 18.3 km/h), and a one-way trip takes about 18 minutes.
Fourteen months after ground-breaking, the gondola opened to the public for summer rides on June 30, 1990. Finishing touches to the resort's chairlifts, lodges, and base area were accomplished in time for skiing on Thanksgiving Day on November 22, 1990.
• An expanded Gondola Village with new shops, meeting facilities, restaurants, entertainment plaza.
• New high-speed chairlifts and snowmaking
system and new trails with increased vertical drop (by lowering the base).
Ski resort
A ski resort is a resort developed for skiing and other winter sports. In Europe a ski resort is a town or village in a ski area - a mountainous area, where there are ski trails and supporting services such as hotels and other accommodation, restaurants, equipment rental and a ski lift system...
in the Silver Valley region in the Idaho Panhandle
Idaho Panhandle
The Idaho Panhandle is the northern region of the U.S. State of Idaho that encompasses the ten northernmost counties of Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, Shoshone. Residents of the panhandle refer to the region as North Idaho...
, just south of Kellogg
Kellogg, Idaho
Kellogg is a city in the Silver Valley of Shoshone County, Idaho, United States, in the Idaho Panhandle region. The city lies near the Coeur d'Alene National Forest and about east-southeast of Coeur d'Alene along Interstate 90...
and Interstate 90
Interstate 90 in Idaho
In the U.S. state of Idaho, Interstate 90 has a small routing in the panhandle, just under 74 miles . Traveling east from Spokane, Washington, I-90 passes through Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene, over Fourth of July Summit, and through the Silver Valley before entering Montana at Lookout Pass.I-90 is...
in Shoshone County
Shoshone County, Idaho
Shoshone County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. The county was established in 1864, named for the Native American Shoshone tribe. The population was 12,765 at the 2010 census. Shoshone County is commonly referred to as the Silver Valley, due to its century-old mining history...
. Originally opened as "Jackass Ski Bowl" in January 1968 on Wardner Peak, it was renamed "Silverhorn" in 1973 following an ownership change. After major improvements in 1990, most notably the gondola
Gondola lift
A gondola lift is a type of aerial lift, normally called a cable car, which is supported and propelled by cables from above. It consists of a loop of steel cable that is strung between two stations, sometimes over intermediate supporting towers. The cable is driven by a bullwheel in a terminal,...
from the city of Kellogg
Kellogg, Idaho
Kellogg is a city in the Silver Valley of Shoshone County, Idaho, United States, in the Idaho Panhandle region. The city lies near the Coeur d'Alene National Forest and about east-southeast of Coeur d'Alene along Interstate 90...
and expansion on Kellogg Peak, the name was changed to "Silver Mountain."
History
Jackass Ski Bowl, near WardnerWardner, Idaho
Wardner is a city in Shoshone County, Idaho, United States. The population was 188 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Wardner is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all the land....
, was constructed in the summer of 1967 on lands leased from the Bunker Hill Mining Company
Bunker Hill Mining Company
The Bunker Hill Mining Company was a mining company with facilities in Wardner, Idaho and surrounding areas.-History:When the mining boom began in the Coeur d'Alene, Idaho mining district, the area was lightly inhabited...
. It was named for Noah Kellogg's
Kellogg, Idaho
Kellogg is a city in the Silver Valley of Shoshone County, Idaho, United States, in the Idaho Panhandle region. The city lies near the Coeur d'Alene National Forest and about east-southeast of Coeur d'Alene along Interstate 90...
borrowed ore-discovering donkey
Donkey
The donkey or ass, Equus africanus asinus, is a domesticated member of the Equidae or horse family. The wild ancestor of the donkey is the African Wild Ass, E...
(Jenny) of 1885. The ski area began operations in January 1968, but several years of poor skiing weather caused the operation to discontinue. Following its sixth season, its assets were liquidated in a foreclosure sale by the SBA
Small Business Administration
The Small Business Administration is a United States government agency that provides support to entrepreneurs and small businesses. The mission of the Small Business Administration is "to maintain and strengthen the nation's economy by enabling the establishment and viability of small businesses...
in August 1973, and were purchased by Bunker Hill for $100,000. The ski facility was reorganized as Silverhorn ski area under the ownership of Shoshone Recreation, Inc.; it was acquired by the City of Kellogg
Kellogg, Idaho
Kellogg is a city in the Silver Valley of Shoshone County, Idaho, United States, in the Idaho Panhandle region. The city lies near the Coeur d'Alene National Forest and about east-southeast of Coeur d'Alene along Interstate 90...
in 1984.
Falling prices for metals in 1980, combined with environmental problems, forced many of the mines to curtail production. The century-old Bunker Hill mine and smelter operations, which had experienced a turbulent early history of labor disputes
Coeur d'Alene miners' dispute
There were two related incidents between miners and mine owners in the Coeur d'Alene Mining District of North Idaho: the Coeur d'Alene, Idaho labor strike of 1892, and the Coeur d'Alene, Idaho labor confrontation of 1899. This article is a brief overview of both events.The strike of 1892 had its...
, finally closed in 1981. ASARCO, Hecla, and Sunshine soon followed, resulting in the direct loss of thousands of high-wage jobs, and the indirect loss of many others, with serious economic hardship to the Silver Valley area of Shoshone County
Shoshone County, Idaho
Shoshone County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. The county was established in 1864, named for the Native American Shoshone tribe. The population was 12,765 at the 2010 census. Shoshone County is commonly referred to as the Silver Valley, due to its century-old mining history...
.
Kellogg (and the Silver Valley) is the site of one of the largest EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
Superfund
Superfund
Superfund is the common name for the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 , a United States federal law designed to clean up sites contaminated with hazardous substances...
sites. The legacy of toxic metal waste contaminating the community is well-known, but hidden from the public knowledge base by vested interests in tourism.
To diversify and expand the local economy, an increased focus was placed on recreation and tourism, primarily through the existing ski area. Silverhorn had one lift, a double chair (later renamed # 4, then Jackass) with a vertical drop of 1875 feet (571 m), and a mid-mountain loading/unloading area at the parking lot & day lodge. Silverhorn was accessed by vehicle via a difficult and dangerous twisting mountain road, which climbed over 2700 feet (823 m) in just 7 miles (11 km), an average grade of over 7%. The road approached from the northwest and terminated in the parking lot at 5040 feet (1536 m), the mid-mountain base area of Wardner Peak. If the ski area was to attract more visitors, a better way of reaching the mountain was definitely needed.
In December 1987, the U.S. Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
approved an appropriation bill for the U.S. Forest Service which included $6.4 million of matching funds to assist in the construction of a new gondola
Gondola lift
A gondola lift is a type of aerial lift, normally called a cable car, which is supported and propelled by cables from above. It consists of a loop of steel cable that is strung between two stations, sometimes over intermediate supporting towers. The cable is driven by a bullwheel in a terminal,...
from the city of Kellogg
Kellogg, Idaho
Kellogg is a city in the Silver Valley of Shoshone County, Idaho, United States, in the Idaho Panhandle region. The city lies near the Coeur d'Alene National Forest and about east-southeast of Coeur d'Alene along Interstate 90...
to Silverhorn. The bill was greatly assisted by the members of Idaho's congressional delegation.
In September 1988, tiny and economically depressed Kellogg
Kellogg, Idaho
Kellogg is a city in the Silver Valley of Shoshone County, Idaho, United States, in the Idaho Panhandle region. The city lies near the Coeur d'Alene National Forest and about east-southeast of Coeur d'Alene along Interstate 90...
voted to tax itself $2 million ($100,000 per year for 20 years), approved by over 87%, and Von Roll Tramways, a Swiss
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
lift manufacturing company, was impressed enough to agree to guarantee much of the remaining funds needed to construct the improved resort. The state government of Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
and the local electric utility (Washington Water Power, now Avista Corp.) also assisted.
On April 25, 1989, ground was broken for the construction of the gondola and base village, additional chairlifts, and other resort improvements. The newly renamed Silver Mountain opened for summer operations in June 1990 and for skiing that November.
Gondola and chairlift rides, mountain biking
Mountain biking
Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
, hiking, and concerts at the high-mountain outdoor amphitheather (capacity: 2500) are the primary summer activities at Silver Mountain.
The base village and gondola base are located less than a half-mile (800 m) from exit #49 of Interstate 90
Interstate 90 in Idaho
In the U.S. state of Idaho, Interstate 90 has a small routing in the panhandle, just under 74 miles . Traveling east from Spokane, Washington, I-90 passes through Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene, over Fourth of July Summit, and through the Silver Valley before entering Montana at Lookout Pass.I-90 is...
.
In June 1996, Silver Mountain was acquired by Eagle Crest Partners, a subsidiary of JELD-WEN
JELD-WEN
Jeld-Wen is a corporation with over 150 divisions and 20,000 employees worldwide. The business manufactures building products, including windows, interior and exterior doors, and garage doors. Jeld-Wen owns several distribution facilities and operates several resort properties...
Corporation.
A snow tubing park was constructed in the fall of 2006 at the site of the mountain amphitheater, which was relocated and expanded. An indoor water park
Water park
A waterpark is an amusement park that features waterplay areas, such as water slides, splash pads, spraygrounds , lazy rivers, or other recreational bathing, swimming, and barefooting environments...
(Silver Rapids) opened in May 2008. High-speed detachable chairlifts, which were originally proposed in 2001, appear to have become a lesser priority for Eagle Crest. Instead, the first nine holes of Silver Mountain's new golf course, Galena Ridge, were opened in mid-2010.
Mountain statistics
Silver Mountain is actually two mountains: Kellogg Peak, to the east, with a summit of 6297 feet (1919 m) and the original Wardner Peak at 6205 feet (1891 m). The ski area has a vertical drop of 2197 feet (669 m) on its north-facing slopes. There are 67 named trails on its 1590 acres (6 km²) skiable plus extensive off-piste areas; the terrain is rated at 20% beginner, 40% intermediate, 30% advanced, and 10% expert.Silver Mountain has 7 lifts: 1 gondola
Gondola lift
A gondola lift is a type of aerial lift, normally called a cable car, which is supported and propelled by cables from above. It consists of a loop of steel cable that is strung between two stations, sometimes over intermediate supporting towers. The cable is driven by a bullwheel in a terminal,...
(service to the base village and parking lot in Kellogg), five chairlifts (1 quad, 2 triples, 2 doubles), and a surface tow
Ski tow
thumb|right|A rope tow or ski tow.A ski tow, also called rope tow or handle tow, is a mechanised system for pulling skiers and snowboarders uphill....
. The average annual snowfall is 300 inches (760 cm), with limited snowmaking
Snowmaking
Snowmaking is the production of snow by forcing water and pressurized air through a "snow gun" or "snow cannon", on ski slopes. Snowmaking is mainly used at ski resorts to supplement natural snow. This allows ski resorts to improve the reliability of their snow cover and to extend their ski...
on 35 acres (0.14 km²).
Gondola
The gondola loads at the Gondola Village in the city of KelloggKellogg, Idaho
Kellogg is a city in the Silver Valley of Shoshone County, Idaho, United States, in the Idaho Panhandle region. The city lies near the Coeur d'Alene National Forest and about east-southeast of Coeur d'Alene along Interstate 90...
an elevation of 2300 feet (701 m), a quarter mile (400 m) from exit 49 on Interstate 90
Interstate 90
Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
. The lift crosses over the village of Wardner
Wardner, Idaho
Wardner is a city in Shoshone County, Idaho, United States. The population was 188 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Wardner is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all the land....
, and climbs 3400 vertical feet (1036 m) to an elevation of 5700 feet (1737 m) at the Mountain Haus terminal, above mid-mountain on Kellogg Peak.
There are 112 gondola cabins (8 passengers) and 45 towers along the 3.1 mile (5.0 km) trip, the longest single stage people carrier in the world. (Others are longer, but have angle stations with two drive terminals or they do not carry people.) Its current capacity is 1600 passengers per hour (200 cabins) at 1000 feet (304.8 m) per minute (11.3 mph, 18.3 km/h), and a one-way trip takes about 18 minutes.
Fourteen months after ground-breaking, the gondola opened to the public for summer rides on June 30, 1990. Finishing touches to the resort's chairlifts, lodges, and base area were accomplished in time for skiing on Thanksgiving Day on November 22, 1990.
The future
The master plan of Silver Mountain proposes:• An expanded Gondola Village with new shops, meeting facilities, restaurants, entertainment plaza.
• New high-speed chairlifts and snowmaking
Snowmaking
Snowmaking is the production of snow by forcing water and pressurized air through a "snow gun" or "snow cannon", on ski slopes. Snowmaking is mainly used at ski resorts to supplement natural snow. This allows ski resorts to improve the reliability of their snow cover and to extend their ski...
system and new trails with increased vertical drop (by lowering the base).
External links
- Silver Mountain Resort - official site
- Idaho Winter.org - official state tourism site
- Idaho Ski Resorts.com - Silver Mountain Resort
- Ski Lifts.org - photos of Silver Mountain's lifts
- Silver Mountain - a brief history
- Bunker Hill Mining Company - University of IdahoUniversity of IdahoThe University of Idaho is the State of Idaho's flagship and oldest public university, located in the rural city of Moscow in Latah County in the northern portion of the state...
Library: Special Collections - TerraServer USA.com - USGS topo map & aerial photo
- Kellogg Redefined: A Mining Town Reinvents Itself - by Prof. Harley Johansen, University of IdahoUniversity of IdahoThe University of Idaho is the State of Idaho's flagship and oldest public university, located in the rural city of Moscow in Latah County in the northern portion of the state...
, Spring 2006 - JELD-WEN - Holdings and Global Locations
- Tubing park replaces amphitheater - Shoshone News-Press - 2006-Sep-15