Snowhaven Ski Resort - Grangeville, Idaho

Address:Grangeville, Idaho
Tel: (208) 983-3866

Snow Haven in the Nez Perce National Forest is just what the town of Grangeville calls home. Catering to the population of the city, this is not exactly what you would expect coming to a mountain full of tourists.

As it is a city-owned facility, hours center on the weekends and school holidays only. Daytime hours are from 10am to 4pm. Night skiing exist from 4pm to 9pm on Saturday nights in January only. Half day passes are available, as are the once in awhile, but well promoted and loved, "Marathon" days which run from 10am to 9pm. Rates are very reasonable with the most expensive ticket topping out in the $15 range and that's the marathon rate! All major credit cards are accepted at the ticket counter, as is cash.

Despite the elevation only being 5,600 feet and the vertical drop coming in at 400 feet, Snow Haven spans 40 acres with a total of 7 groomed trails of varying levels of difficulty. There is no snowmaking on hand, so expect the average snowfall of 60 inches to suffice. One T-bar chairlift and one rope tow is your transportation for the day.

There is a small halfpipe for those on snowboards and 2,850 feet long snow chutes for snow tubing on a 150 foot vertical drop. However, tubing is only open when night skiing is available and you must be 4 years of age and up to participate. Rentals are limited, but are offered for skis, snowboards, ski blades, helmets, and goggles.

Backcountry riders are welcome to check out the Fish Creek Meadows which are composed of double sided runs in 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7 mile increments with a warming hut welcoming at mile 3. 100 miles of snowmobiling trails are groomed by the town's snowmobiling club which can provide you with maps if need be. An Idaho Recreation sticker is required for your car for both of these activities and can be purchased at the Forest Ranger's station or the local Department of Motor Vehicles.

Special emphasis is placed on children here at Snow Haven. There is a toddler program for the little ones to have supervised snow playing time or with instructors specially trained for young children starting at age four and up. These programs are of course subject to equipment available and by appointment only. Snow Haven can accommodate physically and mentally challenged students. There is a ski bus that runs on Saturdays and on school holidays that leaves the elementary school at 9:20am and returns at 4:30pm for a token fee.

Stop in at the Snowhaven Grill which serves all fast food type food and hot or cold drinks to warm you up and fill your belly. It is open from 10am to 4pm daily and till 9pm on Saturday nights. There is a choice of 14 lodging options in town which range from RV parks to private Inns, lodges, and the Super 8 Motel, or you can always head into Boise which is about an hours drive away.

Bring the kids and revel in the laughter; you'll feel like a kid all over again.

Skiing is affordable at Snowhaven! Located just 7 miles from Grangeville on the Grangeville Salmon Road, Snowhaven is a great "haven" for downhill skiing, snowboarding, tubing and just around the corner, some of the best cross country skiing in Idaho.