Mountain Review: Brundage
MOUNTAIN SCORE
CATEGORY BREAKDOWN
See our criteria
8
Snow:
7
Resiliency:
5
Size:
6
Terrain Diversity:
6
Challenge:
7
Lifts:
8
Crowd Flow:
4
Facilities:
6
Navigation:
6
Mountain Aesthetic:
GOOD TO KNOW
1-Day Ticket: $65-$109
Pass Affiliation: Indy Pass
On-site Lodging: Limited
Après-Ski: Moderate
Nearest Cities: Boise (2.5 hrs), Spokane (4.5 hrs)
Recommended Ability Level:
+ Pros
Strong snowfall and snow quality for the region
High-speed lifts serving the main face
Excellent intermediate and advanced glades
Charming nearby ski town of McCall
– Cons
Lengthy drive from a major commercial airport
Predominantly south- and west-facing slopes
Smaller footprint than many destination resorts
Limited on-mountain lodging
Limited dining options away from the main base
MOUNTAIN STATS
Lifts: 6
Trails: 70
Beginner: 29%
Intermediate: 42%
Advanced/Expert: 29%
Mountain Review
Located near McCall, Idaho, Brundage combines strong snowfall and excellent tree skiing with a more modest footprint than the West’s best-known destination resorts. High-speed lifts make its main slopes easy to lap, and McCall offers an appealing base for a ski trip. But limited on-mountain amenities and the effort required to get here mean its strengths will matter more to some visitors than others.
Resort Layout
Brundage is generally straightforward to navigate. Two high-speed quads, Bluebird Express and Centennial Express, serve the main face, while the fixed-grip Lakeview chair accesses a separate pod on the mountain’s south side. Dedicated beginner lifts operate near the main base.
Lakeview is easy to reach from either main lift, but returning to the base takes a little more planning. The signed route follows a long cat track; a more enjoyable alternative is to ski down to Centennial Express and take another lap before heading back.
Brundage has some incredible views from its summit and Lakeview areas.
Mountain Aesthetic
Payette Lake is the standout feature of Brundage’s scenery, with sweeping views from the summit and especially the Lakeview pod. Forested ridges and surrounding mountains round out the setting. It’s an attractive place to ski, even if the nearby peaks lack the dramatic relief found at many other destination resorts.
Snow Quality and Resiliency
Snow is one of Brundage’s biggest strengths. The resort averages more than 200 inches annually, and its base sits higher than those of some nearby competitors. Together, these advantages help Brundage deliver some of the best snow conditions in Idaho.
That strong natural snowfall matters because Brundage’s snowmaking system remains limited, leaving much of the mountain dependent on storms for coverage. The predominantly west-facing main slopes generally retain snow decently enough, but conditions are more variable in the south-facing Lakeview pod, which typically opens considerably later than the rest of the mountain.
The Lakeview pod offers some of the mountain’s best cruising terrain and mellower glades, though its south-facing slopes typically open well after the rest of Brundage.
Beginner
Beginners can start on the bunny slope, served by a conveyor and a short chairlift, before progressing to the Bear Chair’s winding green runs. These shorter trails offer a useful next step without requiring a trip to the summit. Both areas are accessible from the main base, although reaching the Bear Chair from the lodge involves a flat catwalk.
Intermediate
Intermediate skiers and riders will find a strong mix of groomers and lightly wooded terrain. Lakeview is particularly appealing, pairing intermediate runs and mellow glades with some of the mountain’s best lake views. The front side adds several standout longer groomers, although the overall selection is narrower than at larger destination resorts.
The front side offers several standout longer groomers for intermediate skiers and riders.
Advanced
Brundage is at its best for advanced skiers and riders who enjoy the trees. The main face has a handful of marked black runs, but much of its appeal lies in the woods between them. Skiable glades fill the spaces between most cut trails, with gullies and rock features adding challenge in places. For those who like exploring off the groomed runs, these trees are a major reason to visit.
Expert
Brundage has fewer options for experts seeking sustained, demanding terrain, but Hidden Valley provides a step up in challenge. Reached by traversing through a gate from the Bluebird Express side, this area offers steep glades and moguls. A short hike along the ridge above Hidden Valley leads to steeper chutes.
Hidden Valley also benefits from a more sheltered setting than much of the mountain. Combined with the effort required to traverse in and out, that protection can help preserve softer snow after more accessible areas have been tracked out.
Northwest Passage is one of Brundage's marked black runs, though much of the advanced appeal is in the glades between trails.
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Recommended all-mountain ski
Recommended carving ski
Recommended glade ski
Recommended expert/touring ski
Terrain Parks
Brundage’s terrain parks emphasize progression, with smaller features on Easy Street and larger features in the Bear and Jammer parks served by the Bear Chair. The available features vary with conditions.
Lifts
The replacement of the old Centennial chair with Centennial Express substantially improved access to Brundage’s longer frontside runs. Along with Bluebird Express, it gives the main face two high-speed options and makes repeated laps much more convenient. The remaining chairlifts are fixed-grip, but their relatively short lengths keep ride times reasonable.
Bluebird Express and Centennial Express make repeated laps on the main face much more convenient.
Facilities
Most visitors will find the main base the most convenient place to take a break. The main lodge offers cafeteria-style dining along with a bar and restaurant, while the Mountain Adventure Center houses a café, ticketing, ski school services, and lockers.
Options are more limited farther up the mountain. The Bear’s Den, at the top of the Bear Chair, offers drinks and a small selection of food and snacks. It’s easiest to reach from that lift; approaching from the Alpine run can involve an uphill push. As a result, a food stop can require a detour when lapping other parts of the resort.
Restrooms are spread out, with facilities at the bases of Centennial Express and the Bear Chair, as well as near the tops of Lakeview and Bluebird Express.
The main base is the most convenient place for a break, since dining options are somewhat limited farther up the mountain.
Getting There
Brundage’s location requires some commitment from visitors flying in. Boise Airport is roughly a two-and-a-half-hour drive from the mountain, with additional time needed in difficult winter conditions. McCall provides a nearby base once you arrive, but the airport transfer makes Brundage less convenient for a short fly-in trip than resorts closer to major airports. The resort is also about four-and-a-half hours from Spokane, Washington.
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Recommended intermediate board
Recommended advanced board
Recommended expert board
Recommended touring board
Lodging
On-mountain lodging is limited, so McCall is the main place to look for hotels and vacation rentals. The new Northwoods neighborhood has a small number of ski-in/ski-out homes along Lower Rodeo, and a second slopeside development, Norhaven, is under construction. Brundage also permits free winter camping in a designated portion of the Centennial parking lot for RVs and self-contained vehicles. Guests must register with Guest Services, and holiday blackouts apply.
On-mountain lodging is limited, but Brundage permits free winter camping for RVs in part of the Centennial parking lot.
Après
Après at Brundage is relaxed. The base lodge bar offers a casual place for a post-ski drink, with little of the rowdiness associated with larger destination resorts. For more evening options, head to McCall, where the nightlife remains low-key but the town adds plenty of charm.
Après at Brundage is relaxed, centered on the base lodge bar.
Verdict
Brundage makes its strongest case to skiers and riders who prioritize snow quality and tree skiing over a sprawling trail network or extensive resort amenities. Its glades, two high-speed lifts, and relatively uncrowded atmosphere make it a compelling alternative to busier destinations in Colorado, Utah, and California, while McCall adds an appealing place to stay off the mountain.
The trade-offs are a smaller footprint, limited on-mountain dining and lodging, and a substantial drive from Boise. Those looking for extensive groomer variety or consistently demanding expert terrain may prefer a larger resort. But for a trip centered on powder and laps through the trees, Brundage has a clear appeal.
Pricing
Brundage is highly affordable as far as Western U.S. ski resorts go, with 1-day adult lift tickets going for as low as $65 USD and topping out at just $109 even if bought at the window. The resort is also a two-day member of the Indy Pass, although there are notable holiday blackouts on the Indy Base Pass, and advance reservations are required.
