When we heard about a fairly new ski resort in Idaho we jumped on the chance to check the place out. Located about 100 miles north of Boise, ID, we knew the drive from Salt Lake would be a piece of cake. Little did we know that the drive up to Tamarack Resort was going to be our biggest obstacle on this trip.
Tearing out of Salt Lake at 6:30pm Friday night, we planned to arrive in Boise around 11:00pm, shack up, get a good nights sleep and then head to Tamarack early Saturday morning. However, two hours into our drive we began experiencing car trouble, just outside of Burley, ID. After some serious deliberation we turned around and limped back to Salt Lake at 59 miles per hour. At this speed on the interstate we had more than enough time to brainstorm and figure out how we were still going to make our appointments up at Tamarack and scope the place out. Arriving back in Salt Lake at 12:30am, we grabbed another vehicle and tossed all our gear from car “bad” to car “good.” On our way out of town for the second time, we decided to do things right and grabbed some grub at Molcasalsa. By 1:00am we were on our way back up to Tamarack, and even though it was late, we were feeling good about the Red Bulls and Twix we purchased to keep us up on what was about to become a sleepless night.
After a total of 15 hours in the car, we pulled into the parking lot at Tamarack Resort. We beat the odds and arrived almost on schedule. Meeting up with ski guides Dave Williams and Dave Bingaman, we began our tour of Tamarack at Discovery Square. The main lodge area is like an Everest Base Camp on steroids – three gigantic yurt-style, temporary structures. After checking out the plush digs inside each facility, the Sports Dome, Canoe Grill, and Seven Devils Pub – you soon forget you’re in a canvas tent.
The Sports Dome is currently home to ticket sales, ski rentals, a bistro, and a retail shop selling everything from hand warmers to full outer-wear get ups. Tamarack’s backcountry guided services are also headquartered here. Adjacent to the Sports Dome is Tamarack’s Canoe Grill – a full-service, cafeteria-style dining room. For those arriving at the resort before the chairs start running, this is THE place to grab a breakfast burrito or a short stack of pancakes. For lunch start out at the salad bar and then go grab a slice of pizza or a burger. Not in the mood for American fare? No problem - have one of the chefs cook up some stir-fry in a wok. If you’re looking for a mid-day adult beverage, head to the Vertical Bar at the back of the Canoe Grill for a wide selection of beers on tap and mixed drinks. After a day of shredding Tamarack’s terrain, be sure to drop in to the Seven Devils Pub before heading home. Located conveniently next to the Canoe Grill, the pub offers a casual dining atmosphere.
When you’re ready to get on the snow, jump on your sticks and head down to the Tamarack Express high-speed quad. This eight-minute lift carries you up to Packer Station. From here, you can slide down Tamarack’s Showtime run – a nearly top-to-bottom run of terrain park features that will include several large hits as well as a variety of rails and boxes to boot. When riding the pipe is at the top of your list, take a few laps through the Hells Canyon Superpipe, a 450-foot long shred-tube with 18-foot walls. Can you say off the hook? For those just starting out in the park, make a few laps through the beginners’ park located under the Discovery Lift (just outside Discovery Square).
If shredding the gnar is more your style, sweep down from Packer Station to the Summit Express and take this quad all the way to the top of Tamarack. From here, tons of tree stashes and pillow lines can surely be found when the pow is in town. Or, if you’re up for a day outside the resort, sign up for a guided day of skiing via touring or snow cat; where Tamarack’s guides will open your eyes up to the 5,000 acres of backcountry skiing tucked away up in central Idaho. For the steep and deep, check out the Wildwood and Half Moon Bowls (be sure to ask your guides about the real name for Half Moon Bowl and the story behind it), but if you’re seeking mellower terrain, head south to the Summer Ridge and Grouse Bowls. Wherever you decide to ski off to from Tam’s peak, just promise us that you’ll take in the killer views of Lake Cascade; hell, snap a picture or 12 while you’re up there too to take home to the kids.
Bottom line, Tamarack has a ton of good things going for them; and we think they’ve got a load of stuff up their sleeves for later on down the road. In the three years that Tam has been open for shredders, they’ve built a reputation of making this resort feel like your resort. If you’re looking for that unique skiing experience where you’re the only person on the trail, or one of four people in a backcountry bowl, this is the place for you. Don’t count on Tamarack blowing up in the near future, we have a feeling this place is going to stay small – and not in a bad way – but small enough that you feel home wherever you go up here. Take our word, check out Tamarack this season.
Need more information? Cruise over to Tamarack’s website at
www.tamarackidaho.com
