With the crispness of fall in the air, Idaho mountain ski resorts are ready to see the snow fly on another outstanding ski season. New lifts, runs and facilities abound, making this winter in Idaho really sizzle as a vacation spot to remember.

As the newest all-season destination resort in America in more than 20 years, Tamarack Resort, located in Valley County in central Idaho, is nothing short of impressive. The resort is set to open its first year with alpine skiing on 25 downhill trails via five lifts, including two high-speed detachable quads, 30 km of Nordic ski trails and, for the truly adventuresome, a 500-foot super pipe. Ski lodge includes the temporary Discovery Center at Tamarack, featuring restaurants, markets, equipment rentals, ski patrol, children�s center and emergency medical center. Construction continues on the permanent lodge, the European-style Tamarack Lodge and Village. Lodging facilities include ski-in, ski-out mountain chalets and cottage. Lift ticket prices range from $28 for children age seven-17 to $55 for adults. Discounts available for military personnel, seniors and college students. Season passes for Idaho residents range from $225 for children to $750 for families. Contact resort or check online for a complete list of daily lift ticket and season pass prices. Opening December 15, 2004. Visit www.tamarackidaho.com or call 208-325-1000 for more information.

Noted as America�s first destination ski resort, Sun Valley Resort is still moving forward. This season a new, world-class lodge, Dollar Lodge, will replace Dollar Cabin, at the base of Dollar Mountain, for the upcoming 2004-05 ski season. Construction has continued through the summer and the grand opening is set for opening day of ski season, November 25, 2004. Last year�s addition of a new half-pipe, located on Bald Mountain, features u-shaped terrain which is approximately 400-feet in length and 40-feet wide, offering extreme skiers the opportunity to really perfect their skill. Lift ticket prices for early and late season (11/24/04-12/19/04 and 4/03/05-Close) range from $18-$27 for children age 12 and under and $23-$48 for adults, depending on which mountain, while regular season rates range from $22-$38 for children and $28-$67 for adults, also dependent on mountain. Season passes range from $100 for children on Dollar Mountain to $1850 for adults on Bald Mountain. Contact resort or check online for a complete list of daily lift ticket and season pass prices. Opening November 25, 2004. Visit www.sunvalley.com or call 800-786-8259 for more information.

Just off I-90, near Kellogg in North Central Idaho, Silver Mountain Ski Resort is currently in transformation to an all-season destination resort with the construction its newest facility, Morning Star Lodge, part of the resort�s new development, Gondola Village. The lodge will offer guests 68 condominiums with several floor plans, including one-bedroom and studio plans, or the option of combining the two for additional room. A rugged feel throughout the lodge will embrace the mountain area�s mining history, while the plush interiors will give all the comforts of home. The new Gondola Village will provide restaurants, shopping opportunities and an entertainment complex. Other expansions include high-speed chairlifts, new ski trails to explore and a new water playground for both winter and summer fun. Lift ticket prices range from $13-$21 for children age seven-12, $20-$28 for seniors age 62-69 and $28-$39 for adults (depending on midweek or weekend and half day or full day). Season passes range from $149-$499, depending on age group. Contact resort or check online for a complete list of daily lift ticket and season pass prices. Opening November 25, 2004. Visit www.skisilver.com or call 800-204-6428 for more information.

Schweitzer Mountain Resort, located in North Idaho, is in the process of becoming an all-season, destination resort overlooking Lake Pend Oreille. With more than 2,500 acres of skiable downhill terrain and eight lifts, including Idaho�s only high-speed, six-passenger chairlift, this mountain resort is already a spectacular family or solo destination. The resort�s newest features include recently constructed ski-in, ski-out accommodations and additions to the Stomping Grounds Terrain Park, which include the new Terrain Garden, featuring entry-level and intermediate jumps and rails, along with the addition of six Planet Snow Design rails. Another new adventure to be had at Schweitzer is SHERPA-cat skiing, backcountry skiing for the experienced skier, on the west-facing backside of the mountain. The Selkirk Powder Company offers trips into 4,000 acres and along 1.5 miles of privately owned ridgeline of backcountry wilderness, with open fields and natural bowls, perfect for those wanting to get away from the crowd. Other winter adventures include snowshoeing, cross country skiing and snowmobiling. Those looking for a more low-key adventure will enjoy an afternoon at the day spa, mountain market, swimming pool, fitness center or movie theater. Accommodations range from individual guest rooms to condominium suites in an extraordinary alpine-village atmosphere. Lift ticket prices range from $5 for children age six and under to $44 for adults. Season passes range from $279 for college students (with valid ID) to $709 for adults (unlimited access). Contact resort or check online for a complete list of daily lift ticket and season pass prices. Opening November 25, 2004, weather permitting. Visit www.schweitzer.com or call 800-831-8810 for more information.

Located just 16.5 miles from Idaho�s capital city of Boise, Bogus Basin Ski Resort is one of the state�s oldest. Hosting more than 400,000 skiers and snowboarders each season, this year-round resort includes 52 ski runs and seven lifts, including two high-speed quad lifts, the Pine Creek Express and Deer Point Express. Experienced boarders and skiers will enjoy the Playboy Terrain Park, an intense experience for those wanting to take their play to a new level. For the tubers in the family, check out the Pepsi Goldrush Tube Hill, an 800-foot downhill slide with tow rope to take you back up to the top. Four day-lodges, including the newly renamed J.R. Simplot Lodge, host a variety of restaurants and deli�s, fireplaces, and musical entertainment for you to kick back and take a break. Lodging facilities include ski-in, ski-out condominiums. Lift ticket prices range from $20 for children age seven-11 to $40 for adults (adult prices dependent on midweek or weekend and half day or full day), while season passes range from $49 for children to $399 for adults. Contact resort or check online for a complete list of daily lift ticket and season pass prices. Open to full operating hours this season. Opening November 25, 2004, weather permitting. Visit www.bogusbasin.com or call 208-332-5100 for more information.

Experience a winter wonderland at Brundage Mountain Resort, located just 10 miles outside of McCall. With breathtaking views of Payette Lake and the Salmon River Mountains, it�s the perfect place for a family adventure. Guests will marvel in the abundance of activities from skiing, snow cat skiing (backcountry skiing), snowmobiling and snowshoeing. With miles of beautifully groomed runs, skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts will certainly find their little piece of heaven in the fresh powder. Lodging facilities are located nearby in the towns of McCall, New Meadows, Cascade and Riggins. Lift ticket prices range from free for children six and under to $37 for adults. Season passes range from $15 for children to $499 for adults. Contact resort or check online for a complete list of daily lift ticket and season pass prices. Opening November 25, 2004, weather permitting. Visit www.brundage.com or call 208-634-7462 for more information.

At Pomerelle Ski Resort, pine trees, breathtaking vistas and fresh mountain air will surround guests. Located deep in the heart of the Sawtooth National Forest near Albion, just 25 miles off I-84, this year-round resort offers 25 beautifully groomed runs, perfect for a full-day or half-day of skiing. This resort is usually Idaho�s first to open and the last to close, averaging more than 500 inches of snow each season. Ski school is available seven days a week with group or private lessons for all age. Nordic skiing is available near the resort on marked Forest Service trails. Special events happen all year long, with several competitions and performances to delight. Lift ticket prices range from $15-$30 for children and adults (depending on day or night only and half day or full day). Season passes are free for children under six and $375 for adults. Contact resort or check online for a complete list of daily lift ticket and season pass prices. Opening November 13, 2004. Visit www.pomerelle-mtn.com or call 208-673-5599 for more information.

Located near Driggs, Grand Targhee Ski Resort is situated in Targhee National Forest and acts as the main gateway to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. This family-friendly resort was voted "Top 10 Getaways for Tiny Travelers for 1999" by the Family Travel Forum. And it�s no wonder why. The resort offers a ski school, which includes Kids Club (two months to five years) and Powder Scouts (six-14 years). For the adults in the family, enjoy more than 2,000 acres of groomed runs, fresh powder and excellent quad lifts. Or, for the true thrill-seeker, SnowCat powder skiing will certainly do the trick. The new Terrain Park is also certain to be an adventure with amenities including a table top rail, rainbow rail, flat down flat, flat down rail, helmet hill, flat rail and spine hill. Other activities include Nordic trail skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, tubing, ice-skating and dog sledding. The resort also offers many shopping and dining options for the perfect end to an adventurous day. Lift ticket prices range from free for children under five years to $53 for adults for a full day. Season passes range from $324 for juniors under age 14 to $524 for adults. Contact resort or check online for a complete list of daily lift ticket and season pass prices. Opening November 19, 2004. Visit www.grandtarghee.com or call 800-TARGHEE for more information.

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Contact: Ron Gardner, 208-334-2470 rgardner@idoc.state.id.us

To learn more about all of Idaho�s great ski resorts, and to find out why winter really does sizzle here, visit www.idahowinter.org.