History of Silver Mountain Ski Resort
The search for gold, silver and lead in the Silver Valley first began in the 1880's shortly after Noah Kellogg's borrowed jackass kicked over a 'rock' that turned out to be a handsome chunk of silver. The discovery became the Bunker Hill lode - which turned out to be Idaho's biggest mining operation.
Where miners once dug for silver and gold, you can now find the Mother Lode of powder and an incredible year round indoor waterpark. What was once a rough and tumble mining community, full of bigger-than-life characters, now caters to adventure seekers of all ages and is home to one of the best ski resorts in Idaho.
| 1885 |
| Noah Kellogg files a claim for what will become the Bunker Hill Mine. |
| 1891 |
| Bunker Hill Co. builds the valley's first tramway to transport ore from Wardner to Kellogg for processing. |
| 1968 |
| Jackass Ski Bowl opens; remains in operation until 1973 and 1st Winter Carnival. |
| 1973 |
| Bunker Hill Co purchases Jackass Ski Bowl and changes the name to Silverhorn Ski Area. |
| 1982 |
| Bunker Hill Limited Partnership takes over ski area operations of the Silverhorn resort. |
| 1983 |
| 18,000 skiers hit the Silverhorn Ski Area slopes - an adult lift ticket cost is $14. |
| 1984 |
| City of Kellogg, Idaho takes over management of Silverhorn Ski Area. |
| 1985 |
| Kellogg leaders begin meeting to erect a 3.1-mile gondola. |
| 1986 |
| Kellogg residents approve $8 million in bonds for the gondola. Bunker Hill Limited Partnership sells 7 acres to city for $1 for the gondola base village. |
| 1989 |
| Ground is broken to begin construction of gondola and base village. |
| 1990 |
| Gondola opens. Ski resort is re-named Silver Mountain. |
| 1996 |
| Silver Mountain ski resort is purchased by Eagle Crest Partners, Ltd. |
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| 2004 |
| Ground is broken on Gondola Village and the Morning Star Lodge. Record-breaking sellout of phase I (68 condominiums). |
| 2005 |
| Morning Star Lodge condominiums open to the public. Single-day sellout of Morning Star Lodge phase II (110 condominiums). Ground breaking ceremony for Silver Rapids - the indoor waterpark in the Gondola Village. |
| 2006 |
| Phase III of Morning Star Lodge phase (99 condominiums) is sold in one day. |
| 2007 |
| Construction commences on Galena Ridge, an 18 hole championship golf course. |
| 2008 |
| Silver Rapids, Idaho's largest indoor waterpark opens. |
| 2010 |
| First 9 holes of Idaho's Galena Ridge Golf Course opens to rave reviews as a "must play" masterpiece. |
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