The term mom and pop ski resort gets tossed around a lot to describe the smaller independently operated areas that haven’t succumb to the growing corporatization that is trending across the ski industry. It’s a convenient phrase and we are guilty of using it but its not often that an actual husband and wife team actually oversee daily operation and that exactly whats happening at Magic Mountain Ski Resort in Kimberly, Idaho.

Magic is tiny resort tucked away in Rock Creek Canyon, far removed from whatever hustle and bustle you might find in Twin Falls. Driving up the access road you get the vibe that the further you go, the more magical the destination will become.

When we finally reached the base area, the parking lot was slowly filling up with happy skiers and snowboarders booting up and school busses full of children ready to hit the slopes. We followed suit and were treated to the perfect small resort riding experience. Polite staff, uncrowded trails and lots of nooks and crannies to poke into to get fresh turns. There’s even a pretty significant cliff feature that the local teenagers were sending with reckless abandon. Giddyup boys!

Hot lapped the main lift till we worked up a bit of an appetite and were ready for some grub and walked into what seemed like a set from a heartwarming movie. The lunch scene at Magic’s lodge seems like you’ve stepped into your favorite Aunt’s front room on a holiday occasion (or maybe the Weasley household). Cozy as can be with friends and family buzzing around with grins plastered on their faces while the kitchen hums with activity whipping up food delicious offerings (burger/fries were dynamite). Warm you toes in front of wood burning stove while you sip hot coco from a rocking chair and trade stories with other guests about face shots and big bucks. Mint!

During lunch we spotted Gary Miller holding court from a stool in the corner of the main room, overseeing the bustling lunch rush and got to chat with him for a brief moment before wondered into the kitchen to lend a hand. He was busy at the time but we got the scoop from a wonderful lady named Jess Kluth who works as Magic’s snowsports director.

Gary and Suzette Miller bought Magic Mountain back in 2002 are highly regarded in the area for giving kids in the area their first jobs. Doesn’t matter what you did before, if you have the right attitude, are willing to work hard and accept responsibility you have chance to succeed at Magic. There’s strong contingent of high school aged employees proudly taking on the daily tasks required to run a ski resort and that simply makes me happy. I was really taken aback by how earnest and well put together these kids were. Not often you away from a ski experience boasting how courteous the lifties were.

If your budget minded Magic Mountain should be on your radar. Adult day passes are just $43 and you can ski as a family for the entire season for $925, that price include 2 adults and 2 kids with a straight $65 fee for each additional person added. If you’re looking for affordable it doesn’t get much better.

Capped off my day with a stomach dropper on Magic’s ripping tube hill (make that two, one’s never enough) and had to say goodbye to this fantastic MOM & POP ski resort. Bought a tie-dye sweatshirt on my way out. I will wear it proudly and tell anyone that asks about it to do themselves a favor go visit this gem of ski hill. Thank you Magic!

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