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Visiting Boise? Add These Ski Resorts To Your Idaho Activity List
If you live in or are visiting Boise, Idaho, you have access to several different and sensational ski resorts. Some are larger, others smaller but all of them offer you unique skiing options. You may be interested in a larger ski lodge offering lodging, a wider variety of restaurants, more activities, shopping, family-friendly options or the opening date of the resort. Although all of these resorts are a fairly close drive from Boise, some are closer than others.
Idaho Offers Some of the Top Ski Slopes in the USA
The descriptions below provide you with the details for driving times, actual mileage, the best local restaurants both on and off-site, available lodgings, the cost of a single-day visit, season passes, family passes and the alternate activities available. This year, Ski Free Idaho day is on January 4th of 2020. Make certain your state park or ski resort is registered before proceeding. This is a good opportunity to have some fun at no cost.
Tamarack Resort in Donnelly, Idaho
When you dream about the ideal ski resort, there is an excellent chance you are imagining the Tamarack Resort. This large ski resort is fairly new, extremely comfortable and located close to McCall, Idaho. The Tamarack Resort offers the best skiing in Idaho with a complete ski village including inviting lodges, sensational shopping and a lot more. Unfortunately, many of the residents of Boise miss out on the Tamarack Resort due to the closeness of so many other ski resorts. Instead, many out of state visitors come for skiing, relaxation, enjoyment of the outdoors and the crisp refreshing air.
In addition to skiing, the resort offers numerous activities including concerts and breathtaking firework displays. The Tamarack Resort is just 94.6 miles from Boise. You can drive there in roughly two hours and twenty minutes depending on road conditions and traffic. Your choices for lodging are the Lodge at Osprey Meadows, purchasing a vacation home of your own, booking a condo or chalet and off-site vacation rentals situated nearby. Your pricing for Ski Resort day include:
• Ski Resort Day Visit: $25 to $75
• Ski Resort Season Pass: $139 to $489
• Family Pass: $1,549
Your dining options at the Tamarack Resort are exceptional including Fern & Feather, Mile High Cantina, Seven Devils Pub and Canoe Grill.
Soldier Mountain Ski Area – Fairfield, ID
This ski resort is not well known but is located near the little town of Fairfield, Idaho. Soldier Mountain is small, generally opening later since there is less snow. This is a good option for backcountry skiing. This resort does not currently offer the additional activities available with the other resorts such as the Tamarack Resort. You will not find any lodging available on-site. Your best option is a vacation rental such as Killdeer Kottage.
The resort is a two-hour drive from Boise depending on road conditions and traffic or 112 miles. Your dining options are the Fox Den Pub and the Lodge. Your pricing for Ski Resort day include:
• Ski Resort Day Visit: $15 to $45
• Ski Resort Season Pass: $170 to $400
Bogus Basin – Boise, Idaho
Although popular with the locals, Bogus Basin is one of the last ski resorts to open. The resort is 18.4 miles from Boise or a drive of 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic and road conditions. The resort offers numerous activities including Alpine skiing, winter tubing, snowshoeing, the mountains coaster and Nordic skiing. If you do not live in Boise, you can reserve a condominium. Your dining options include Bogus Creek Plaza, Pioneer Lodge and Double R Ranch BBQ Smokehouse. Your pricing for Ski Resort day include:
• Ski Resort Half or Full Day Ticket: $10 to $67
• Ski Resort Season Pass: $29 to $549
Note: The more expensive season passes include ski days at a maximum of 18 other resorts.
Little Ski Hill – McCall, ID
Most people are unaware of Little Ski Hill. You will find this little resort in McCall, Idaho, although many prefer the larger resorts. The resort is a two hour and twenty-minute drive from Boise, Idaho depending on the road conditions or 110 miles. This is the only ski resort in McCall offering night skiing but the hours are extremely limited due to the small size. The resort is closed Mondays, open during the week after school but remains open all day on both Saturday and Sunday. The activities include a terrain park, and terrain and Nordic skiing. The only lodging or dining available is in McCall. Your pricing for Ski Resort day include:
• Ski Resort Day: Starting at $20 per day for adults and $15 for youths with children under four free
• Ski Resort Season Pass: $65 to $275 if you need a family pass with children under four free
Brundage Mountain – McCall, Idaho
Brundage Mountain is close to McCall, Idaho, with an earlier opening due to the higher elevation. The resort is a two and one-half hour drive from Boise, Idaho depending on road conditions and traffic or 117 miles. The activities include skiing, snowmobiling, cross country, horse-drawn sleigh rides, snow tubing, snowshoe, fat bike trail and seasonal events. Your lodging options are hotels located in McCall or local vacation rentals. Your dining options are The Upper Lot Pub, The Bear’s Den, Smoky’s Bar & Grill and Main Street Market & Espresso. This is a good option for long runs and fresh powder but not recommended for families. Your pricing for Ski Resort day include:
• Ski Resort Day: $27 to $73 with the family fun pack including The Bear Chair mid-mountain lift pass and rental gear for four
• Ski Resort Season Pass: $119 to $629
• Family Pass: $1,449
