Silver Mountain cracks Forbes’ Top 10 list

KELLOGG –– Skiing may have a reputation as a high-dollar hobby, but Silver Mountain Resort is proving that you don’t have to break the bank to hit the slopes. 

The Kellogg-based resort was recently named one of Forbes’ Best U.S. Ski Resorts For The Money — clocking in at No. 4. 

The list was published by Forbes Advisor, a platform of the global media company, whose primary goal is to help consumers get the biggest bang for their buck — They do this by researching things like banks, automobile manufacturers and dealers, insurance companies, retail companies, investment opportunities, as well as vacation opportunities like resorts, airfare and car rentals — compiling their data and presenting it to consumers to help them make smart financial decisions. 

For this list specifically, Forbes Advisor compared the cost of a two-day, two-night stay over a holiday weekend, as well as specific guidelines for snow score, available lifts and runs.

These criteria whittled the list of potential resorts to just 51. From there, it was a comparison of total costs for lift tickets, equipment rental, accommodations, car rental and airfare. 

The findings weren’t entirely surprising to anyone who calls themselves a planker. 

If you want quality, you’re staying west of the Rockies. 

Utah’s Brian Head Resort, Eagle Point Resort and Beaver Mountain Ski Resort were the top three resorts respectively, more than respectable company for Silver Mountain to be keeping. 

Gus Colburn is Silver Mountain’s Director of Marketing, it’s his job to make sure that the resort continues to evolve and attract new customers as well as keep them coming back. His strategy has been a blend of maintaining and building upon tradition while finding ways to keep the resort evolving. 

Even with all of his meticulous planning and a steady stream of unique events, Colburn will tell you, that a lot of times it comes down to price and the ability to give families something that they can do together.

“The rise of mega and luxury resorts has priced many families out of skiing,” Colburn said. “As a family vacation destination, it is one of our top values to keep ski vacations affordable to the average family. The mountain is an incredible setting to make lifelong memories with all generations of families, starting and ending with a 25-minute gondola ride of quality family time.”

Once you’re on top, the opportunities are endless. 

Skiing and snowboarding for all skill levels, as well as a special tubing hill, can keep guests entertained for hours.

Silver Mountain Resort is just 75 miles from Spokane International Airport and less than 60 seconds off of Interstate 90, which makes it unparalleled in terms of convenience. Forbes Advisor’s research shows that folks flying in can expect to pay $432.77 for airfare and then $92.56 for a two-day car rental, these metrics rank fifth and tied for third respectively among the other nine resorts in the top 10. 

Where Silver Mountain makes its biggest impact is also being ranked in the top five for lift tickets and equipment rental costs. 

“We have special packages available for lift tickets, lessons, and rentals to help offset the cost barrier of entry into skiing and snowboarding,” Colburn said. 

Silver Mountain’s lowest score ironically highlights a major part of why the resort is so popular — of the top 10, they rank seventh in cost of accommodations at $254 for a two-night stay. However, this includes access to the resort’s massive indoor waterpark. 

“Not all families ski, so it is important to have other options available as a year-round family destination,” Colburn said. “The snow tubing hill gets families on the mountain to experience the skiing vibe and our Silver Rapids indoor waterpark is a huge asset as well.”

Nearby Whitefish Mountain Resort in Montana also made the top 10 list. 

To read Forbes Advisor’s full list, check out www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/most-affordable-ski-resorts/.