Tamarack Resort
WHO
Our family has visited Tamarack Resort several times in several seasons, and we really enjoy this little ski resort in Idaho! A pretty 2-hour drive north of Boise, Tamarack Resort is very family-friendly and we think you’ll love it too!
WHAT
In the winter, ski gear is a must - though the rental shops at Tamarack have everything you need if you forget something at home.
In the summer, be sure to bring clothes for hiking, biking, or golf - whatever activity you enjoy most!
All year round, make sure to pack your swimsuit. The hot tub at the Osprey Meadows Lodge is relaxing after a busy day. There are also several hot springs in the Boise National Forest, if you want to take a dip out in nature!
WHEN
If you want to have fun in the snow, February tends to be the best month to hit the slopes at Tamarack. We’ve skiied in January twice and March once so far, so hopefully we'll experience the best snow next year.
Summer activities ramp up in mid-June through August, and include a marina with water sports on Lake Cascade. Mountain biking and golf are also popular options.
In the shoulder seasons (spring and fall), the resort is much quieter, with reduced services and activities. We’ve visited in early June and late October, and the cooler temps make hiking really enjoyable!
WHERE
Tamarack Resort is located just outside of Donnelly, Idaho, a lovely 2-hour drive north of Boise.
Our condo is called “Game Crossing” and is located in Tamarack Village. We love that the unit includes heated underground parking, storage for ski gear, and is a short walk to several restaurants and the main ski lifts that access the entire mountain.
WHY
We started visiting Tamarack Resort in 2023. We have enjoyed the family-friendly atmosphere, very short lift lines, and varied terrain (Sky likes snowboarding in the trees while Allyson prefers groomed green and blue runs).
The history of this resort is interesting too! You can read more about this up-and-coming resort in this article in Maxim, or this article in Powder magazine.
HOW to have fun at Tamarack!
Skiing and Snowboarding at Tamarack
Sky is a snowboarder, while the rest of our family prefers to ski. Either way, there are plenty of runs to keep all of us occupied on the slopes, with green runs all the way from the summit to the base. The Mid-Mountain lodge is a great place to stop for lunch or rest your feet partway through the day.
Hot Springs
Trail Creek Hot Springs is located in the Boise National Forest, and is about an hour drive from Tamarack Resort. Locals have created pools out of rocks where the hot spring meets a small creek, so you can do a cold plunge and get right back in the hot water! The path down can be very treacherous in the winter, so wear appropriate footwear and be careful.
Gold Fork Hot Springs is another option, closer to Tamarack. This hot spring is located on private land, and the owners have done a great job of making it accessible for all ages. There are 7 pools of decreasing temperature, and entry fees and details can be found on their website.
Hot Tub at Osprey Meadows Lodge
The large hot tub at the main lodge at Tamarack is the perfect way to relax after a long day. When we visited in January and November, we had it all to ourselves! Over spring break in March, it was filled with families, but still relaxing and fun.
Hiking and Biking
There are a limited number of hiking trails in the mountains around Tamarack, but the paths along the golf course weave in and out of the trees for a nice walk. There are Nordic skiing paths and mountain bike trails as well.
Although the hiking is not as intense as in the Rockies of Colorado, Montana, or Wyoming, it’s still enjoyable and fun to get out in nature!
Pub Trivia!
We are big fans of pub trivia, and there are several options around Tamarack Resort. At the 7 Devils Brewing within the Tamarack Village, trivia is on Tuesday nights at 5:30pm. A 30 minute drive north brings you to McCall, where Broken Horn Brewing hosts trivia on Thursdays at 6pm. Get there early because it fills up!!
Final Tips
Lift ticket prices are more reasonable than at larger resorts, but are non-refundable even in the case of bad weather. Keep this in mind before you purchase your lift tickets.
If you want to buy your own ski gear and bring it home instead of renting, the Tamarack shops usually have fantastic sales at the end of the season! Or there are several used-gear shops in nearby Donnelly and McCall.
What questions do you have? Let me know in the comments below!