Silver Mountain (Idaho)

Jackass Ski Bowl, near Wardner, was constructed {{Years or months ago|1967}} in the summer of 1967 on lands leased from the Bunker Hill Mining Company.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=m2tWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=--gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5580,644693|newspaper=Spokesman-Review|location=(Spokane, Washington)|title=North Idaho boast brand new ski area|last=Zerza|first=Fred|date=December 2, 1967|page=13-Sunday Magazine}}{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9GpYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2PcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7004,3636254|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|title=Jackass Ski Bowl dedication slated|date=December 14, 1967|page=34}} It was named for Noah Kellogg's borrowed ore-discovering donkey (Jenny) of 1885.{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HFJvPTKttHEC&pg=PA188 |magazine=Skiing |last=Herem |first=Barry |title=Skiing Jackass can make a donkey out of you |date=October 1970 |page=180}}{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=V6wiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EbIFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6009,464098|newspaper=Beaver County Times|location=(Pennsylvania)|agency=United Press International|title=Colorful name finally changed |date=September 18, 1973|page=A3}} The ski area began operations in January 1968 and the first seasons were promising,{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kbBeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=nS8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=5648,5839777|newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune|location=(Idaho)|agency=Associated Press|title=Developer has high hope for ski resort|date=December 31, 1967|page=8}}{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_OwjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3ewDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4936,4111702|newspaper=Spokesman-Review|location=(Spokane, Washington)|title=Ski Jackass ad|date=November 28, 1970|page=24-Sunday Magazine}} with plans for lift expansion,{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vpNYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UfgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5005,380582 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|location=(Washington)|title=Jackass Bowl election held|date=August 3, 1971|page=14}}{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=c7gvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=--wDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6431,2766837 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review|location=(Spokane, Washington)|title=Ski resort expansion plans told|date=February 25, 1971|page=7}} and a 1971 season that extended to mid-May.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=we9LAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Zu0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3851,5152877 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review|location=(Spokane, Washington)|title=Ski Jackass: open May 15–16|date=May 14, 1971|page=25}} But the next two years of poor skiing weather caused the operation to fall into financial difficulty. Following its sixth season, its assets were liquidated in a foreclosure sale by the SBA in August 1973 in Wallace,{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=spFYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WfgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5815,403549|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|location=(Washington)|title=Jackass Bowl to be auctioned|date=July 17, 1973 |page=18}} and were purchased by the Bunker Hill Co. for $100,100.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CKhYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=q_gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3303,908940|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|location=(Washington)|title=Attorney for Bunker Hill lone bidder on ski bowl|date=August 3, 1973|page=1}}

The ski facility was reorganized as Silverhorn ski area in 1973 under the ownership of Shoshone Recreation, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Bunker Hill.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dQNMAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TfkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4555,1605784 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|location=(Washington)|title=Silverhorn opening|date=November 5, 1981|page=11}}{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wlUaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WicEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1973,3158020|newspaper=Spokane Chronicle|location=(Washington)|title=Silverhorn faces uncertain future|agency=UPI|date=January 28, 1982|page=31}} Named after Silberhorn in the Bernese Alps, it was offered for sale in 1982,{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fgNMAAAAIBAJ&sjid=W_kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6390,255891|newspaper=Spokane Chronicle|location=(Washington)|title=For sale: Silverhorn resort, like new |last=Bandel|first=Chuck|date=April 16, 1982|page=3}} and was acquired by the City of Kellogg in 1984.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=11xOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kvkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7117,1437101|newspaper=Spokane Chronicle|location=(Washington)|last=Bond|first=Dave|title=Kellogg plans Silverhorn ski area operation|date=October 5, 1984|page=3}}[http://www.lib.uidaho.edu/special-collections/Manuscripts/mg367.htm Univ of Idaho Library] - special collections[http://www.silvermt.com/site_Our-Resort/OR-Default.aspx?page=OR-History Silver Mountain.com] - about us - history It operated only on weekends and holidays during the 1986–87 season.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hoBRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=eggEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4722,5848642|newspaper=Spokesman-Review|location=(Spokane, Washington)|title=Silverhorn ski area|date=December 26, 1986|page=13 }}

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. Enormous efforts over that past few years have resulted in restoration of the area. Restoration means returning a natural resource back to a healthy condition.{{cite web |url=http://www.restorationpartnership.org/restoration.html |publisher=Restoration Partnership |title=What is restoration? |accessdate=August 30, 2016}}

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 {{convert|1875|ft|0}}, 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 {{convert|2700|ft|-1}} in just {{convert|7|mi|0|spell=in}}, an average grade of over seven percent. The road approached from the northwest and terminated in the parking lot at {{convert|5040|ft|abbr=on}}, 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.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=G75YAAAAIBAJ&sjid=D_ADAAAAIBAJ&pg=4856%2C4338407 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Newman |first=David |title=Silverhorn gondola project wins $6.4 million in federal funding |date=December 23, 1987 |page=A8}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=n1lWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xO8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3228%2C4899763 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Bender |first=David |title=Hagadone will give ski area new name, promotion push |date=April 8, 1989 |page=A6}} 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 82%,{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wrcyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=t-8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4516%2C8620067 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |agency=Associated Press |title=Kellogg OKs 20-year levy for gondola |date=September 28, 1988 |page=A1}} 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.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=i7syAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zu8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=7093%2C7425940 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Bender |first=David |title=Gondola ceremony cheered – and picketed |date=April 26, 1989 |page=B3}} Renamed Silver Mountain in July, it opened for summer operations in June 1990,{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yiEuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=B_oDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5423%2C1966777 |newspaper=Spokane Chronicle |location=(Washington)|last=Massey |first=Steve |title=$5.3 million will improve resort |date=September 14, 1990 |page=A12}}{{ cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wFlYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=C_oDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5927%2C4249628|newspaper=Spokane Chronicle |location=(Washington)|agency=Weekend section |title=Destination North Idaho |date=June 30, 1990 |page=10}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qlslAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MfEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2746%2C10184|newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Pressentin |first=Anne |title=Hundreds cheer gondola opening |date=July 1, 1990|page=A1}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zFlYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BPoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5117%2C2764082 |work=Spokane Chronicle |location=(Washington) |agency=(Empire Weekend) section|last=Earl |first=Larry W. |title=Catching a ride to the top |date=July 20, 1990 |page=10}} and for skiing that November. The elevation at the bottom terminal of the gondola is slightly under {{convert|2300|ft|-1}} and unloads at about {{convert|5650|ft|-1}}; the {{convert|3.1|mi|adj=on}} trip takes seventeen minutes, traveling south-southeast over Wardner.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zagpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3O8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6998%2C722507 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Bender |first=David |title=Wardner residents fuming over route of aerial gondola |date=February 17, 1989 |page=B3}}

Gondola and chairlift rides, mountain biking, hiking, and concerts at the high-mountain outdoor amphitheater (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 1996, Silver Mountain was acquired by Eagle Crest Partners, a subsidiary of Jeld-Wen Corporation.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=v21XAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cfEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1758%2C8632018 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Torbenson |first=Eric |title=Money moguls lining up to buy Silver Mountain |date=October 30, 1995 |page=B1}}{{cite news |url=https://billingsgazette.com/business/broken-down-idaho-mining-town-becomes-golden-again/article_ff6f91bf-97d1-5679-8b1d-ee539d3c07ca.amp.html |work=Billings Gazette |location=(Montana) |agency=Associated Press |title=Broken down Idaho mining town becomes golden again |date=September 15, 2007 |accessdate=September 2, 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.firsttracksonline.com/2013/01/09/sealed-bid-auction-underway-for-idaho-ski-resort/ |work=First Tracks!! Online |title=Sealed bid auction underway for Idaho ski resort |date=January 9, 2013|accessdate=September 2, 2019}}

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.[http://www.silvermt.com/ActivitiesAndEvents/default.aspx?page=Silver_Rapids_Water_Park Silver Mountain] - The first nine holes of Silver Mountain's new golf course, Galena Ridge, were opened in mid-2010.

The excitement surrounding the favorable snow conditions and summer activities—biking, ATV riding, hiking, fishing, swimming, hunting, golf, bird watching—prompted economic growth.{{citation needed|date=March 2017}} The economic downturn in 2008 has created opportunity again for investment.

In 2016, Jeld-Wen sold the resort to Seattle-area businessman Tryg Fortun for $5 million.{{cite news|url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/oct/20/seattle-businessman-buys-silver-mountain-resort-in/ |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Maben|first=Scott|title=Seattle-area businessman buys Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg|date=October 20, 2016 |accessdate=September 2, 2019}} The ownership group, CMR Lands LLC, acquired a second ski area in 2019: 49 Degrees North in northeastern Washington, north of Spokane.{{cite news |url=https://www.shoshonenewspress.com/local_news/20190508/silver_mountain_owners_purchase_49_north |work=Shoshone News-Press |location=(Osburn, Idaho) |last=McDonald |first=Josh |title=Silver Mountain owners purchase 49º North |date=May 8, 2019 |accessdate=September 3, 2019}}

In 2020, an avalanche on Wardner Peak killed three and injured four; it occurred in the late morning on "16 to 1" on Tuesday, January 7.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/01/08/avalanche-idaho-ski-resort-1-dead-5-rescued-silver-mountain/2842304001/|title=At least 2 dead, 5 rescued from snow after avalanche at Idaho ski resort|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-08}}{{cite web|url=https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/silver-mountain-avalanche-timeline/293-c08e8c63-12df-4af2-aadd-31f4a0011718 |publisher=KREM-TV |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Carroll |first=Megan |title=Timeline: What we know about the deadly Silver Mountain avalanche |date=January 9, 2020 |accessdate=January 9, 2020}}

{{Unreferenced section|date=December 2020}}

Silver Mountain is actually two mountains: Kellogg Peak, to the east, with a summit of {{convert|6297|ft|0}} and the original Wardner Peak at {{convert|6205|ft|0|abbr=on}}. The ski area has a vertical drop of {{convert|2197|ft|0|abbr=on}} on its north-facing slopes. There are 72 named trails on its {{convert|1590|acre|km2|1}} skiable plus extensive off-piste areas; the terrain is rated at 20% beginner, 40% intermediate, 30% advanced, and 10% expert.

The ski area has seven lifts: one gondola (service to the base village and parking lot in Kellogg), five chairlifts (1 quad, 2 triples, 2 doubles), and a magic carpet). Its average annual snowfall is {{convert|300|in|cm|-1}}, with limited snowmaking on {{convert|35|acre|km2|2}}.

{{Unreferenced section|date=December 2020}}

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 system and new trails with increased vertical drop (by lowering the base).

{{reflist|2}}

• Ski Silverhorn 1988–89, ski area brochure
• The Kellogg Yodel, Winter 1996–97, Shoshone County supplement to The Spokesman Review.
• North Idaho Travel Planner, 1998

• {{official website|http://www.silvermt.com}}
• [https://visitidaho.org/things-to-do/alpine-skiing-snowboarding/silver-mountain-resort/ Visit Idaho] - official state tourism site
• [http://www.idahoskiresorts.com/overview.cfm/id18/SilverMountain Idaho Ski Resorts.com ] - Silver Mountain Resort
• [http://www.skilifts.org/old/id-silvermt.htm Ski Lifts.org] - photos of Silver Mountain's lifts
• [https://skimap.org/SkiAreas/view/479 Ski Map.org] – trail maps – Silver Mountain
• [http://www.silvermt.com/Our-Resort/General-Info/Resort-History Silver Mountain] - a brief history
• [http://www.lib.uidaho.edu/special-collections/Manuscripts/mg367.htm Bunker Hill Mining Company] - University of Idaho Library: Special Collections

• [https://sps.boisestate.edu/cihp/exhibitions-tours/idaho-issues-online/cities/kellogg-redefined/ Kellogg Redefined: A Mining Town Reinvents Itself] - by Prof. Harley Johansen, University of Idaho, Spring 2006

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