Elko Snobowl
A Ski area in the heart of the Nevada Desert.
Skiing in Nevada
Deep in the heart of the Nevada desert is a small and unique community ski area that resides in perhaps the most improbable town in the American West. Elko, Nevada is a “3 exit” town off of Interstate 80 about halfway between Reno and Salt Lake City. Their local ski area named Elko Snobowl is a true “One chair wonder” that offers a laid back and friendly ski experience to it’s locals and any ski traveler savvy enough to know of its existence.
A large open bowl nestled in the foothills just North of town, Snobowl has one slow speed double chairlift with 99 chairs that takes skiers from a base altitude of approximately 6,300ft to a summit of about 7,000ft for a vertical rise of 700 feet. The bowl covers roughly 60 acres and has 10 trails. Half of the trails are rated beginner, and the other half are intermediate or above. Typically 3 trails are groomed and the rest are off-piste runs.
Rural NEvada Community Ski Area
Founded in 1992 with a rope tow, and upgraded with their first chairlift in 1998, Elko Snobowl is a small community run “not for profit” ski area in Northeastern Nevada. Snobowl is open on weekends and holidays when conditions permit usually from January through February or March. In the Summer, the lift is fired up again for downhill biking in the bowl. Sledding, tubing and snow play are also popular here, and fully certified ski patrollers are on site to watch over the slopes.
Lift TIckets
Tickets and passes can be purchased on site at the day lodge for $20 for Adults and $15 for kids. Rental equipment can also be checked out for $20 for the day. No charge for parking. No season passes are sold at Snobowl.
Transportation
Google Maps shows 3 different locations for Elko Snobowl for some reason, and 2 are obviously false. Make sure you look for the “Snobowl Ski & Bike Park. It’s a winding unpaved road that’s often muddy and snowy, so bring your AWD. The ski road can be found by driving North on 225 from town.
Infrastructure
Elko Snobowl has a small warming lodge at the base that sells lift tickets and has ski and snowboard rental facilities. One rope tow serves a beginner slope. Parking is plentiful and always free.
Lift Ticket & Lodging Deals
Click here for lift ticket and lodging deals through GetSkiTickets.com
Annual Snowfall
Being in the desert, Elko does not have consistent snowfall, and even in Winter they get plenty of sunshine. It is estimated that Snobowl receives about 60 inches of snow per season plus snow making.
Vertical Drop
Snobowl has roughly a 700 vertical foot drop from the top of the chairlift to the bottom. There are usually three groomed pistes, one to skier’s left and two to skier’s right of the chair that all conjoin towards the bottom. 10 total trails are present, including off-piste and beginner area.
Season length
Ski season is fleeting in Elko, with the lift usually opening in early to mid-January and sometimes shuttering as soon as mid-late February. On a good season Snobowl can make it into March, but never further.
AMenities
A small Day Lodge is present at the base area which has rentals and ticket sales. Snobowl has also recruited several food trucks that frequent the parking lot on weekends.
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Snow Bowl
True to it’s name, Snobowl is just that, one big wide open bowl filled with dry desert snow. *Photo by Snow Life LLC
Snobowl Peak
Wind can shape much of Snobowl’s rim making off-piste runs a little tricky, but the bowl is usually hazard free and groomed. *Photo by Snow Life LLC
Chair Lift
Elko has one slow speed two person chairlift that is operated by a diesel generator. *Photo by Snow Life LLC
Elko Day lodge
Snobowl has a small day lodge with rentals and ticket sales and is a good place to warm up. *Photo by Snow Life LLC
Snow Groomer
Elko Snobowl has two piste groomers that lay down some sweet desert corduroy on either side of the chairlift. *Photo by Snow Life LLC
Ski signs
Keep an eye out for painted rock signs on your way up, that will help guide you to the Snobowl. *Photo by Snow Life LLC
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Location and Hours
Listed below is the address and normal Winter operating schedule for Mount Baker Ski Area in Deming, Washington.
1992 Snowbowl Rd, Elko, NV. 89801
Winter Schedule: Weekends from January-March
Winter Hours: Weekends 9am-3pm
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