Ski resorts open for the holidays

Despite Mother Nature being pretty stingy so far this winter, at least 14 of the Gem State's 19 ski areas are open during the holiday season.

All three ski areas in North Idaho — Schweitzer, Lookout Pass near Mullan, and Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg — are open daily.

All three North Central Idaho ski areas — Bald Mountain near Pierce, Snowhaven Ski and Tubing Area in Grangeville, and Cottonwood Butte Ski Area near Cottonwood — have been forced to delay opening.

Three of the four ski areas in Southwest Idaho — Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area near Boise, Brundage Mountain Resort near McCall, and Tamarack Resort near Donnelly — are open daily.

Sun Valley Resort in Central Idaho has been open since Thanksgiving, and Lost Trail Ski Area on the Idaho-Montana border near Conner, Mont., is open daily throughout the holidays from Dec. 21 to Jan. 1. However, Rotarun Ski Area in Hailey has been forced to delay its opening.

In Southern Idaho, Magic Mountain Ski Resort near Hansen is open daily through Jan. 2 and Pomerelle Mountain Resort near Albion is open daily for the season

The two ski areas in Eastern Idaho — Kelly Canyon Ski Resort in Ririe and Grand Targhee Resort in "Wydaho," a.k.a. Alta, Wyo. — are open daily. So is Gateway to Kelly Canyon, a brand-new snow-tubing park in Idaho Falls that Kelly Canyon operates in partnership with Eagle-based Gateway Parks.

Southeastern Idaho's sole ski area — Pebble Creek Ski Area near Inkom — is open daily, although it was closed on Christmas Day.

Resort officials said that early season conditions exist and reminded skiers and riders to use caution when on the slopes.