Darlington School House Back in Session as Blizzard Mountain Ski Hill Lodge
As winter maintains its chilly grip on us for at least a few more weeks, IHT would like to bring you the story of the little ski hill that could – Blizzard Mountain – situated just 18 miles East of Arco, Idaho. Grab a thermos of coffee or cup of hot cocoa and join us in learning about the remarkable group of people keeping the history and tradition of this beloved local institution alive and well.
In 1960, three friends grew disillusioned with the rising costs of taking their families to Sun Valley to ski, so they took to rural roads to find a closer, more cost-effective way to enjoy winter sports with their loved ones. They came across the privately owned area that would become known as Blizzard Mountain, and leased the land, opening the hill up to the public for the first time in 1963.
For the first couple of years, Blizzard Mountain functioned without a permanent shelter for workers to rest and visitors to warm themselves after a string of eventful runs. The founders became aware of the availability of the one-room Darlington Schoolhouse, which was built in 1920 to serve the nearby Lost River community. It is unclear when the structure ceased to be used for its original intent, but it was purchased and moved to its current location in 1965. The building was taken apart, driven down on trucks, and reconstructed piece-by-piece, where it has been providing welcome shelter from the elements to skiers for many decades since.
These three friends continued to operate Blizzard Mountain for about a decade, but insurance concerns and an extended drought caused its financial downfall. Its demise was not for lack of interest, however, as its relatively short duration saw the opening of a ski shop in Arco, as well as a skiing school operated by the local chapter of the Lions Club. The hill, buildings, equipment, and lift lay idle for 1993 when the then owner passed away, willing Blizzard Mountain to the Lions.
As resourceful as they are tenacious, nearly every bit of machinery and even the ski lodge itself were salvaged from elsewhere and given a new lease on life in Butte County, much like the Darlington School house. The 1974 Snowcat Groomer was used in at least two other resorts, according to Mr. Cheyney, and the ‘Poma Lift’ (skiers stand and straddle a small disk that’s connected to the chain above by a long pole and are pulled up the hill) was purchased for $2,000 from Beaver Mountain near Logan, Utah. Even the engine that drives the lift was repurposed from a Chevy truck and modified to run on liquid propane.
To this day, Blizzard Mountain Ski Hill is entirely run by a team of volunteers led by Mr. Charles Cheyney and the Arco Lions Club. Before opening in 1994, the Lions refurbished the machinery, cleaned up the grounds, and engaged ski patrollers from nearby resorts to train local volunteers, which allowed them to open the hill back up to avid and casual skiers alike. Due to the low elevation, the hill is not always operational. Up until 2019, a lift ticket would run you a grand total of $10, though it has since been decided to open the hill up for use by donation. That year, the club also received a long-term loan of the LMC3700c snow groom, which has allowed for more consistent use of at least part of the hill.
The intervening years have not been kind to the lodge, however. The more than 100-year-old structure’s foundation was not leveled quite right when originally reconstructed, and that combined with the wild weather it is often subjected to has led to window damage, sloping floors, and other structural issues. In particular, the south wall was bowing outward significantly and showed signs of potential collapse.
In 2023, Mr. Cheyney applied for an IHT Heritage Grant, and with the help of our Technical Assistance consultation, a plan was put into place to address many of these issues. Of greatest importance, the south wall was pulled inward and vertical braces were installed, preserving the integrity of the building from further and potentially catastrophic deterioration. Thankfully, we can rest assured that the warm, beating heart of Blizzard Mountain will remain intact for the next generation of winter sports enthusiasts to enjoy.
Many thanks to Mr. Cheyney and his incredible group of volunteers for not only keeping this expensive pastime accessible to folks of all economic backgrounds, but for their dedication to caring for this unique bit of Idaho’s history. To keep up on all things Blizzard Mountain, be sure to follow them on Facebook.
The Lions Club of Arco Idaho, Inc was originally established in 1967 and is a member of Lions Clubs International, a world-wide service organization. Lions’ programs focus on community projects and needs: Blizzard Mountain Ski Area, Highway cleanup, Annual Community Car Show, vision screening for local elementary school children, and assisting other organizations with their projects, including local 4-H program and the Arco Community Food Bank.