Bogus Basin

Want to ski after work or school?  Head up to Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area and Ski Resort, with 2600 acres of skiable area 16 miles north-northeast of Boise in the Boise National Forest.  At 7582 ft in elevation, there’s plenty of open groomed trails and fresh powder for a weekend, day trip or a few hours in the evening on the lighted trails.  If snow-shoeing or cross-country skiing is more your speed, hit the 23 miles of Nordic trails for some jaw-dropping scenery as you explore the pristine mountain with views of the entire Treasure Valley.

Bogus Basin’s ski history dates back to 1942 when a tow rope was installed, but has been upgraded several times and now has 7 chairlifts, two of which are high-speed quads.  For the dare-devil, there are terrain parks ranging from beginner to advanced.  The Glade Runner, a small mountain roller coaster operates year-round and, of course, tubing at Gold Rush Tubing Hill is one place the kids will not want to miss.  Sit around the firepits with food or drinks from the rustic, but popular restaurant.  Lockers are available for a fee, and the ski store rents or sells equipment necessary for your ski adventure.   Overnight accommodations are available, but it’s only a 25-minute trek off of the mountain into the heart of Boise and back home.

Brundage Mountain

Brundage snow is comparable to Aspen, Colorado and Park City, Utah.  Under two hours from Boise, only 8 miles from McCall, Brundage boasts 1920 acres of ski area and 18,000 acres of backcountry snow play terrain.  History tells the story that the mountain was named after Winfield Scott Brundage, the first man to graze his sheep on the mountain.  In a search for a more challenging ski resort, a Norwegian Olympic skier and two investors felt confident that Brundage, just outside of McCall was the perfect spot for a modern advanced ski resort.   Jack Simplot eventually joined the venture opening Brundage Mountain Ski Resort in 1961.  Don’t miss the annual ice sculpture contest.  It’s truly a sight to behold in between powder runs!

The fun does not stop in the summer as Brundage is a year-round family friendly sports enthusiast haven.  With over 20 miles of bike trails, though it caters to advanced mountain bikers due to the steep terrain, it is an adrenaline rush for all levels of riders.

Tamarack Resort

Build in 2004, Tamarack is the newest four-season resort 90 miles from Boise on the way to McCall and on the shores of Cascade Lake.  Built in 2005, Tamarack has 1, 100 skiable acres, trails for biking in the summer and winter (fat tire biking), cross country skiing and snowshoeing.  Many new luxury Condos are in the heart of the resort and provide a comfortable home-base for ziplining, hiking, rafting, and mountain biking in the summer, and skiing/snowboarding in the winter.