Soldier Mountain

Soldier Mountain is a ski area in south central Idaho in the Sawtooth National Forest. It is 12 miles (19 km) north of Fairfield in very rural Camas County. The summit is 7177 feet (2187 m) above sea level and the vertical drop is 1425 feet (434 m). The area has two chairlifts in series on its east-facing slopes. A handle tow is near the base.

Soldier Mountain first opened in 1948 with a rope tow. The first chairlift was installed in 1971, and the upper chairlift was added in 1974. Soldier has 1150 acres (4.65 km²) of variable terrain including a terrain park, glades, bowls, and tree skiing. Soldier maintains snowmaking capabilities, although it has not operated since 1996. Soldier Mountain is open from Thursday through Sunday, except for the Christmas holiday season when it is open daily.

Actor Bruce Willis, a resident of nearby Hailey, is a the owner of Soldier Mountain. Willis' company is expected to submit a comprehensive plan for the ski area to the U.S. Forest Service in September 2008, according to staff at the Fairfield Ranger Station.

Four miles (6.4 km) west of Soldier's summit is Smoky Dome, with an elevation of 10,095 feet (3077 m). In between there are several peaks well over 9,000 feet (2743 m), and Peaks 1 and 2 are used in Soldier's backcountry skiing operations, served by snow cat. Speculation is that Willis plans lift service to some of these areas.

External links

* [http://www.soldiermountain.com Soldier Mountain.com] - official site
* [http://www.idahowinter.org/alpine/soldiermountain.aspx Soldier Mountain Idaho Winter.org] - official state site - Soldier Mountain
* [http://skilifts.org/id-soldiermountain.htm Ski Lifts.org] - photos of Soldier Mountain's chairlifts
* [http://terraserver.homeadvisor.msn.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=12&Z=11&X=843&Y=6020&W=2&qs=%7cFairfield%7cIdaho%7c TerraServer USA.com] - USGS topo map & aerial photo
* [http://www.idahosummits.com/soldiermts/soldiermts_overview.htm Idaho Summits.com] - The Soldier Mountains - photos
* [http://www.idahosummits.com/smoky_dome/smoky_dome.htm Idaho Summits.com ] - Smoky Dome - 10,095'

References

* [http://www.mtexpress.com/index2.php?issue_date=07-28-2006&ID=2005111577 (Ketchum) Idaho Mountain Express] 28-July-2006