Soldier Mountain
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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 1379 feet (420 m). The area has two chairlifts in series on its east-facing slopes. A platter 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 (465 hectares) of variable terrain including glades, bowls, and tree skiing. Soldier has some snowmaking and operates a limited schedule, open from Thursday through Sunday, except for the Christmas holiday season.
Actor Bruce Willis, a resident of nearby Hailey, is a co-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 2006, 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 9000 feet (2743 m), and several are used in Soldier's backcountry skiing operations, served by snow cat. Speculation is that Willis plans lift service to some of these areas.
[edit] External Links
- Soldier Mountain ski area - official site
- Soldier Mountain - Idaho Winter.org - official state site
- Ski Lifts.org - photos of Soldier Mountain's chairlifts
- TerraServer USA.com - USGS topo map & aerial photo
- Idaho Summits.com - The Soldier Mountains - photos
- Idaho Summits.com - Smoky Dome - 10,095'
[edit] References
- (Ketchum) Idaho Mountain Express 28-July-2006
