In 1989, an Associated Press article announced some bad news: "Liability risks and increased costs of maintaining a dangerous mountain road have prompted Kellogg's City Council to close Silverhorn Ski Area this winter." The story went on to announce some surprisingly good news: "The hill will reopen next year under the new name of Silver Mountain. . . with a new $13 million gondola."

And what a gondola! It stretches for three miles and it lifts skiers directly from Interstate 90 at Kellogg to Mountain Haus at 5,700 feet. From there, it's a 1,000-foot ride on a triple chair to the top of Kellogg Peak and 1,500 acres of highly skiable terrain on north-facing slopes.

With nice touches like free ski check at Mountain Haus, management is on the right track. The 40 percent advanced and expert ski terrain helps, too. There are a total of 73 trails on 2,200 feet of vertical, served by seven lifts and a short surface tow on beginner terrain.

Silver Mountain is certainly worth getting to know now, before it gets even bigger. Management says an adjacent 32,000 acres of private land is available for future development.