Mountain Review: Tamarack
MOUNTAIN SCORE
CATEGORY BREAKDOWN
See our criteria
7
Snow:
6
Resiliency:
6
Size:
6
Terrain Diversity:
6
Challenge:
8
Lifts:
8
Crowd Flow:
7
Facilities:
6
Navigation:
6
Mountain Aesthetic:
GOOD TO KNOW
1-Day Ticket: $93-$167
Pass Affiliation: Indy Pass
On-site Lodging: Yes
Après-Ski: Yes
Nearest Cities: Boise (2 hrs), Spokane (5 hrs)
Recommended Ability Level:
+ Pros
Modern, walkable base village
Fast lifts
Great cruising terrain for all abilities
Long vertical drop
– Cons
Some frustrating flat catwalks
Moneyed vibe and variable snow quality in lower mountain areas
Difficult to reach compared to competitors
MOUNTAIN STATS
Lifts: 7
Trails: 57
Beginner: 17%
Intermediate: 45%
Advanced/Expert: 38%
Mountain Review
First opened in 2004, Tamarack is the newest destination resort in the United States. It’s also had one of the most volatile histories in American skiing, as the 2008 housing crisis led to it declaring bankruptcy, and having ones of its ski lifts foreclosed on and removed by the bank. But now, a few years removed from those bumpy times, Tamarack has become a complete four season resort, with large plans for the future, and a compelling current footprint. So should you direct your next ski vacation to Tamarack?
The views from Tamarack’s slopes stretch for miles.
Size
Tamarack isn’t the biggest resort in the west, only covering around 1,000 acres, but it offers terrain for all abilities and in most categories, from bowls, to trees, to moguls, and of course, groomed runs. Tamarack’s groomed runs are its standout terrain, offering long, rolling blue cruisers across the resort, which give great views of Lake Cascade below. Some of these runs require multiple lift rides to lap, though all major lifts at Tamarack are high-speed quads, so you won’t be spending too much time on chairs.
Lifts
Tamarack has a very modern lift setup, with high speed lifts in all major mountain pods. A few lower mountain lifts are fixed grip, though those are for homeowner access and beginner terrain. There is also a platter lift that serves a few mansions, though this lift typically only runs on weekends and holidays.
Snow
Tamarack sees admirable snowfall throughout the season, typically averaging around 300 inches per year. Snow quality is on par with other Idaho resorts such as Sun Valley and Bogus Basin, but the quantity is less than nearby Brundage or other areas in Northern Idaho. One issue with Tamarack's snow, however, is that the resort largely faces east, which means it gets much more sun than typical the typical northern exposure found at other resorts. It’s also at a lower elevation than other Idaho areas, meaning snow quality deteriorates faster than nearby Bogus Basin and Brundage Mountain. Due to its exposed location, the Summit lift does close down due to wind relatively often, cutting off about a third of the terrain from access.
TRAIL MAP
Beginner Terrain
Beginners have a few options at Tamarack, though some upper mountain trails have less than ideal pitches. The beginner area at the base offers some great learning terrain served by a dedicated carpet and lift. Near the base there are also some beginner focused tree runs, marked as a “kids zone”, which can make for some more interesting runs. There are some green trails off the Tamarack Express and Summit Express lift, but most of these are just flat cat tracks. One exception is the Hootenany trail, which is one of the steepest and narrowest green trails we have seen anywhere, and is not recommended for true beginners. The summit green trail is also not the best for beginners, as the top of the trail runs along a very flat ridge, and can require more skating or pushing than beginners may be comfortable with.
Intermediate Terrain
Tamarack becomes a pretty great ski area when you progress to the intermediate level. There are multiple blue trails cascading from every lift, offering some fantastic cruising runs from top to bottom. One standout run is Bliss, which runs from the top of the Summit lift to the base, winding its way from near alpine slopes to the base village, flowing through the woods with some great grooming and fun rollers.
Advanced Terrain
There are a few options for advanced skiers and riders at Tamarack, with small bowls, tight glades, and steep groomers throughout the footprint. Some of the glades go through groves of the resort’s namesake tree, which loses its needles in the winter, making for a unique experience. Off the Summit lift, steep groomers make for some high speed runs, and the lightly spaced trees allow for some great powder runs. If moguls are what you’re looking for, the Wildwood liftline hosts a long mogul line, though its pitch isn’t sustained throughout the run, so it's not much of a mogul marathon.
The tamarack trees provide a unique flavor to some of the resort’s terrain and visuals.
Expert Terrain
At Tamarack, there isn’t much for the expert skier or rider, but there are a few runs to get the blood pumping. There are some cliffs and rock features right next to the top of the Wildwood lift, though these are quite short. In addition, the bowl to the far looker’s left of the summit hosts some cornice drops, though the pitch mellows out quickly.
Terrain Parks
Tamarack has a typical terrain park setup for a western destination resort. There are a couple of terrain parks, with one focused on beginner features, and the other being more focused on advanced riders. The parks each feature boxes and rails, and the large park has some more unique features, including a half pipe in bigger snow years.
Backcountry Access
One aspect that Tamarack stands out that may be a bit unexpected is in its backcountry access. There are multiple backcountry gates, and lift accessed backcountry runs are quite easy and popular with locals. As always with backcountry terrain, make sure you enter with proper knowledge and a plan, as well as an avalanche beacon, probe, shovel, and partner.
RECOMMENDED SKIS FOR TAMARACK
NOTE: We may receive a small affiliate commission if you click on the below links. All products listed below are unisex.
Recommended all-mountain ski
Recommended carving ski
Recommended glade ski
Recommended expert/touring ski
Navigation
When it comes to getting around the resort, Tamarack is relatively straightforward, though there are quite a few frustrations for those that don’t know the mountain as well. There are a few flat catwalks that can sneak up on you, such as the run back to the Summit chair needed to lap the skier’s right runs, and from most of the runs skier’s left of the Summit chair. In addition, the catwalk from the top of the Wildwood chair to the mid-mountain lodge is either flat or uphill in parts, and should be avoided. If one tries to get to the mid-mountain lodge from that area, it’s much easier to head down to the base and take the chairlift up to mid-mountain. One other frustration is that the base of the Tamarack Express lift is below the main base village, so if you are waiting in the lift line and have to go to the base area, you have to take the long lift back up and ski back down.
Navigating Tamarack can require some flat traversing and catwalking.
Crowd Flow
But luckily, the lines are never too long at Tamarack. Due to its more isolated location, Tamarack doesn’t see the crowds of other destinations in Utah or Colorado, though it is getting more well known. There is, however, only one main out of base lift, the Tamarack Express, and the Summit lift occasionally goes down due to wind hold, putting more pressure on the other lifts. That being said, in comparison to other destination resorts across the west, you won’t wait in similar lines at Tamarack.
Mountain Aesthetic
Tamarack is located on the shores of Lake Cascade in the Long Valley of the Payette, which makes for some uniquely beautiful views, almost akin to the views of Jackson Hole. Across the valley are some striking peaks, and during cloud inversions, the views are spectacular. From the summit you can also look to the to an undeveloped valley and more mountains. Near the base there are quite a few mansions, which some people may not appreciate.
Tamarack’s well-thought-out base village is one of the resort’s main draws.
Facilities
If you’re looking to stop in for a break, Tamarack has one on-mountain restaurant and an extensive base village. The on mountain lodge is very convenient for those lapping the Summit Express or the Tamarack Express, as it’s located right between the bottom and top terminals of those two respectively. The lodge provides a sizeable eating area with plenty of options, and great panoramic views from the patio and large windows. While it looks like it’s accessible from the Wildwood lift, that’s not the case, as the catwalk between the two is flat or uphill.
Base Area
The base village is surprisingly extensive for such an under-the-radar location. Multiple restaurants, shops, and bars line the pedestrian mall, with reasonable prices for a ski area at many of the eateries. The base area even has a small convenience store for those hoping to save some money. Food quality is average for a ski area, but there are plenty of options for food, much more than you would expect from a resort the size of Tamarack.
RECOMMENDED SNOWBOARDS FOR TAMARACK
NOTE: We may receive a small affiliate commission if you click on the below links. All products listed below are unisex.
Recommended intermediate board
Recommended advanced board
Recommended expert board
Recommended touring board
Parking
With a base village, you may expect parking to be far off or served by a separate shuttle, but parking at Tamarack is quite convenient. One lot is directly slopeside, and while this lot can fill on busier days, the other lot is walking distance from the slopes as well.
Getting There
Tamarack is around two hours north of Boise, which is the nearest large airport. Other options to fly into are Spokane, which is 5 hours away, or Salt Lake City, which is 7 hours. For those averse to driving, there are no public transportation options to get to Tamarack, though the roads from Boise are generally easier than other mountain roads.
Tamarack’s slopes rise up from the beautiful Lake Cascade.
Après-Ski
Tamarack is around 30 minutes south of McCall, which is a tourism focused town offering plenty of lodging and things to do. The base village also has some lodging and rental options, but many visitors will choose to stay in McCall for the nightlife. McCall has a few bars and restaurants that stay open later into the night, but no one will mistake the nightlife scene for Aspen or Park City.
Tamarack provides a solid Idaho skiing experience for those willing to make it out there.
Verdict
So Tamarack has had its ups and downs over the past few years, but it has stabilized, and now offers a modern destination ski experience, albeit on the smaller side. While those looking for the biggest snowfall and gnarliest lines won’t find it here, anyone looking for some nice cruisers and fast lifts won’t be disappointed.
Pricing
Tamarack is generally more affordable than larger destination resorts, peaking at $167 on holidays for the 2025-26 ski season. Weekend tickets are $112 and weekday tickets are $93. Tamarack is also available as a two day partner on the Indy Pass, which also gives access to nearby Brundage Mountain, making McCall a popular destination for those with that pass product.
