KELLOGG - Ski resorts are known as experts at turning snow-covered peaks into a winter playground.

But one Idaho ski area is hoping to become a year-round destination by using water in a slightly different form.

Silver Mountain near Kellogg is adding a new indoor water park to its offerings. The new Silver Rapids feature is set to open May 30th, and will add more than 42,000 square feet of water park attractions to the North Idaho ski area.

Features include a surf wave machine, family raft ride, several enclosed tube slides and a lazy river floating feature. A play structure for children features interactive water valves and sprays - themed as a miner's town. The entire water park plays off Kellogg's history as a mining area - with features like "Gold Rush" and "Prosepctor's Plunge."

"Silver Rapids marks the next phase in the resort's development from its beginning as a historic Idaho mining operation to one of the hottest year-round resort destinations for outdoor recreational sports," Silver Mountain general manager Jeff Colburn said in a prepared statement.

Silver Mountain has worked to diversify its offerings in recent years - adding mountain biking and a gondola feature and increased lodging oppurtunities.

Kellogg is about eight hours north of Boise if you take Idaho 55. Taking a detour through Oregon and Washington via I-84 and I-90 shaves about an hour off the trip.