Trip Report
Report from Sunday, January 26, 2025
Sawtooth National Forest may be known for steep couloirs and challenging summits, including four of the Fifty Classic Ski Descents in North America, but the forest also hosts several ski areas of a much more relaxed character. I traveled to one of these little-known gems this week, Pomerelle Mountain Resort. Located near Albion, Idaho, at the top of Howell Canyon, this ski area offers tasty groomers and good vibes to all who visit.
I stopped in at Pomerelle on my way from Boise, Idaho, to Jackson, Wyoming, and a few hours skiing in the sunshine came as a welcome break from the long interstate drive. Pomerelle is a classic small ski resort, and the benefits of its size immediately became clear as I pulled into a parking spot just a stone’s throw from the lodge. Not a guarantee by any means in the ski industry today. Pomerelle is part of the Indy Pass but offers day tickets for as low as $53.
I started my visit on the Triple-88 chair, the taller of the two chairlifts at the resort. I skied the perimeter in both directions to get a feel for the terrain. With sunny skies, few people on the trails, and beautiful mountain scenery, things looked up as I flew down the hill.
Both of Pomerelle’s chairlifts are fixed grips, and though the laps don’t go quite as quickly, I find that there is something deeply tranquil about a chairlift ride when you are one of the only people on the line. Lots of time to look at the trees! Between those chairlift rides, there are plenty of groomers to get into the rhythmic skiing I find myself settling into at a small resort.
Small ski areas like Pomerelle are beloved by the communities that use them. Smiling faces are easy to find, and the relaxed vibes permeate the ski hill and the historic lodge in the base area. I was pleased to find the lodge offers an Idaho classic: finger steaks. A heaping order of these beefy morsels with some fries on the deck was the perfect way to finish my visit to Pomerelle. Thanks for a great afternoon!
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