Two fabulous Idaho ski resorts share the Payette River Mountains, accompanied by a list of additional ski hills, Nordic systems and other winter recreation opportunities.
From Smith's Ferry Drive north to Goose Lake Road, the Payette River Mountains provide the perfect backdrop for some of Idaho's outdoor winter recreation, including alpine and Nordic skiing.
Two areas in particular, Tamarack Resort and Brundage Mountain Resort, offer both alpine and Nordic skiing as well as full service base area facilities, and act as the main hubs for recreation in the winter months for the Payette River Mountains and surrounding communities of McCall and Donnelly, Idaho.
Tamarack Resort is located in the heart of Valley County, Idaho and the center of the Payette River Mountains geographically speaking.
It's about a two hour drive to Boise and the nearest major airport.
The mountain town of Donnelly serves as gateway to Tamarack Resort, offering everything from ski and snowboard rentals to retail stores and five star cuisine.
Getting to the resort has become increasingly easier, with more attention given to State Highway 55 during winter months and a newly paved road between the turn-off in downtown Donnelly, all the way to the resort entrance on West Mountain Road.
Getting to Tamarack Resort has never been more convenient for the winter vacation traveler.
Once there, guests enjoy everything from five star lodging to a full list of resort services and amenities.
The skiing and snowboarding experience is both premier and exclusive.
Slopes are never crowded on account of three high speed quad chair lifts servicing over eleven hundred acres of terrain...
plenty more if you're willing to take a backcountry tour.
Plus the resort limits the number of daily lift tickets sold to assure slopes don't become over-crowded.
Cold winter nights keep the snow fresh from early December through late March and skiing in May is not uncommon for Tamarack Resort.
Tickets are priced high in comparison to other Idaho ski resorts, but reasonable for resorts boasting more than two-thousand vertical feet and full snow-making capabilities!An Olympic size half-pipe and one of the most elaborate terrain parks in the Northwest attract national competitions and an international audience, drawing competitors and spectators alike from around the world to this emerging ski resort in Donnelly, Idaho.
Brundage Mountain Resort lies to the north as the sleepy old giant, just waking up to growth in the area, but always looking over the Payette River Mountains to the south with an air of grandness.
One of the oldest ski areas in the country, it is also one of the reasons McCall lives up to its nickname of "Ski Town, USA.
"The area has long been a place where families have come from all over to recreate with each other in the Idaho outdoors.
What it lacks in comparison to Tamarack Resort in vertical feet, it makes up for in diversity of terrain and steepness.
Those who enjoy skiing off-piste take full advantage of Brundage Mountain Resort's terrain.
The base area provides day services, but has not yet been developed to the full resort-level.
Brundage Mountain Resort opens this year with two new chair lifts and additional terrain and trails, a sign the resort is embracing this growth and adjusting to the market in preparation for additional development.
For the moment, Brundage Mountain Resort is still a gem in the rough, only crowded around the holidays, and always home to the deepest, lightest powder! Other area ski attractions include Ponderosa State Park, Jug Mountain Ranch and Little Ski Hill.
In the towns of McCall, Donnelly and Cascade you'll find everything from a movie theatre to an ice skating rink.
Snowmobiling trails are endless and competitions are held valley-wide.
Events like Winter Carnival, the Masters Nordic Competition and the USSA Grand Prix are just a few of the great reasons to visit the Payette River Mountains this winter!