This Under-the-Radar Ski Area has Tahoe-Like Views Without Tahoe-Like Crowds
Adventurous skiers can find copious glades and expert steeps at Idaho's Tamarack Resort, all amid views of Lake Cascade.
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
The country’s newest ski resort since Beaver Creek and Deer Valley debuted in the 1980s, Tamarack’s terrain has oodles of potential. The resort opened in 2004 and has had a rocky go of it, with planned developments stalling out and several seasons lost to foreclosure. New owners bought the resort in 2018 with intentions of completing several of the stalled projects. Last season, the Wildwood lift was reinstalled—it had been auctioned off following the resort’s shuttering in 2009—and now accesses some fun expert terrain including glades and steeps. The village also finally saw some love last season, with condos and residences opening plus some skier amenities and dining options including a new full-service restaurant, The Reserve. But what gets lost in all the talk of Tamarack’s ups and downs is the skiing. Quite simply, this place is a great spot for intermediates who dig long, cruisy runs, experts who can’t get enough tree-skiing, and anyone who digs Tahoe-esque lake views with a fraction of the crowds. What’s not to like?
Also Read: Everything You Need To Know About The Indy Pass
Mountain Stats
Vertical Feet: 2,800
Lifts: 7
Trails: 50
Skiable Acres: 1,100
Average Snowfall: 300”
Related: A Late-Season Indy Pass Could Make Your Spring Road Trip Way Cheaper
Trip Planning
Lodging: Tamarack Resort Lodging
Choose from hotel rooms at the base area Lodge at Osprey Meadows or cottages, townhomes, or chalets located throughout the resort. Tamarack-managed properties come in all sizes for families large or small. Indy Pass holders receive 10- to 20-percent off when they book with Tamarack Resort Lodging.
Insider’s Tip: Spa at Tamarack
The Spa at Tamarack offers several different types of massages, from hot stone and CBD to the standard Swedish, plus facials, scrubs, and more. Located at the base village.
COVID-19 Policies
Face coverings are required indoors. Skiers are encouraged to use their cars as a home base. No more than six people to a table in the lodge. No group lessons for children will be offered this season.
More Indy Pass Coverage From SKI
Catamount, Mass.: This Berkshires Resort Makes Learning Easy
Schuss Mountain, Mich.: If You Haven’t Skied the Kingdom of Schuss, Have You Really Even Skied?
Caberfae Peaks, Mich.: One Reason to Ski This ‘Up North’ Michigan Resort: $39 Lift Tickets