IdaHome: Winter

IDAHOME: WINTER RECREATION PARADISE

BY ALICE KLEIN

ALTHOUGH IDAHOANS ARE AS DIVERSE AS THE LANDSCAPE THAT EXISTS IN ALL DIRECTIONS, THERE IS ONE THING WE ALL AGREE ON–WE ARE ASTONISHINGLY BLESSED TO LIVE IN THIS LAND APLENTY. In our capital city even, we’re but five minutes from a hike in the hills or a lunchtime trip to the Boise River, where we may run or raft, fish or focus, bicycle or simply breathe. This makes our state special any time of year, certainly, but more this year, months into a pandemic, when access to the outdoors is suddenly the one thing we have left. Humans thrive in nature–the clean air and water contribute to better mental health, stress relief, and even act as a natural immune booster. As winter approaches, people begin to worry that this too shall disappear, but Idaho, like always, delivers. If you’re anxious to hit the hills, look no further than your own (safer) community.

A Community Mountain–Bogus Basin

“Affordable, accessible, fun, year-round mountain recreation and education is our mission,” says Austin Smith, marketing director at Bogus Basin Ski Resort. “And, of course, safety is at the forefront of that,” he explains. On the mountain, they’ve been thinking about winter for months, which has obviously been exacerbated by COVID-19.

Smith stresses the importance of caring for the community, which includes staff and visitors, and the mountain has been devoted to figuring out how best to do that. They’re trying to limit touchpoints for guests, reducing contact in confined spaces, and encouraging season-long equipment leases and equipment purchases from local businesses when possible. “Be prepared for a mostly outdoor experience,” Smith says.

But also, a fantastic experience–Bogus has doubled their top to bottom runs and snowmaking, with plans for more in the future. “And if the temperatures hit, we’re just going to start dumping snow,” Smith says. They’re aiming for an opening day of November 27, though they’ll begin making snow as soon as their water rights are available on Nov 1. Smith explains that, although this year’s experience is different, it really focuses on skiing, which isn’t the worst thing. “We’ve actually expanded night skiing, which now starts at three. That’s seven hours of skiing on a $34 ticket,” Smith says. That also means that night skiers have time to access some of the chairs that close at 4:15 p.m.

“There’s this great reevaluation on the mountain, and we’re excited to be a part of it,” Smith says.

Sun Valley's Bald Mountain

Photo above and left page by Bogus Basin

The Resilience of Snow Country– Brundage Mountain

“If you want to breathe hard while you’re skiing, we have plenty of space up here–1900 acres,” says April Whitney, communication director at Brundage Mountain. Of course, when you get to what Whitney calls the bottleneck, they’re asking you to pull that face covering up, which will help the resort remain operational throughout the winter.

While the mountain isn’t planning to require reservations, they’re taking a number of precautions to help protect skiers, staff, and their community. “Our goal is to be open the entire season, and be able to deliver a great and safe experience,” she explains. This includes limited access to indoor lodge facilities, required face coverings in indoor areas, and a switch to a counter service dining model with expanded outdoor seating options. While chairlifts will still seat multiple people, you may request your own too.

The childcare program will also be closed for the season, although they’re now offering private lessons on the slope for people who make a reservation together and are otherwise part of the same pod. “This has kind of been a bit of a learning curve. But the core experience that we offer is a wonderful fresh air experience with amazing scenery and great snow,” Whitney says.

And, she says, if people take the time to do a little research ahead of their visit, the mountain will make it through the winter. “Living in snow country teaches people a certain resilience. I have been impressed with our business owners who have had a lot of restrictions on how they could reopen. And you know, they figured out how to make it work,” Whitney says. “To me, is an overarching message. And I think that’s one thing that’s really special about McCall - we all are connected, right?”

All in the Tam-Fam Tamarack Resort

“We had a successful summer. I think people were just ready to get out,” says Wolfe Ashcroft, vice president of resort operations at Tamarack Resort. “People realized that the outdoors are a healthy alternative to sitting inside your home, and we’re poised in a perfect spot. People just wanted to be here.”

Tamarack, beautiful in summer and winter, is now home to an exciting commercial space, which includes a coffee shop, market, and variety of restaurants, all of which maintain that Old World European feel. They’ve been able to use the existing domes, which were set to come down, as temporary spaces to help alleviate congestion. Eventually, Ashcroft says the domes will be gone, which will really open up the view.

For now, guests can enjoy access to the relatively new chairlift, now running seven days a week, and providing access from your lodging to the heart of the ski area. Or, when the lift isn’t running, take advantage of the dial-a-ride program, which allows skirers to place a call for a ride which will take them (plus equipment) to the base of the lift.

“One of the primary focuses when Tamarack was developed was building a community–the Tam Fam. Whether you’re an employee or a guest or a homeowner or passholder, you’re part of it. It’s become this ethereal kind of idea,” Ashcroft says. As such, the Tam Fam is devoted to keeping the community safe, which means a few changes. Ashcroft explains that, at some resorts, you have to make a reservation to ski to cut down on crowds. At Tamarack, you’ve got a lot of flexibility, which allows you to decide the day of, buy a ticket online, and pick it up at a box without ever making physical contact with anyone.

All in the Tam-Fam Tamarack Resort

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