
Tamarack Resort
1,100 acres, 50 runs above Lake Cascade. Four-season resort with golf, marina, Indy Pass access.
Tamarack Resort's summit reaches 7,700 feet, dropping 2,802 vertical feet to a base at 4,898 feet across 50 runs spread over 1,100 acres overlooking Lake Cascade in central Idaho. Terrain splits 45 per cent intermediate, 38 per cent advanced and 17 per cent beginner, with no expert-rated runs, and average annual snowfall of roughly 300 inches. The resort carries Indy Pass affiliation. Seven lifts, including five quad chairs, serve the mountain alongside one surface lift and one t-bar.
Tamarack's lake-view setting and four-season resort amenities, including golf and a marina, distinguish it from Idaho's more purely ski-focused mountains. The resort's turbulent financial history has shaped much of its development, with terrain and lift buildout proceeding in stages tied to successive rounds of investment rather than a single continuous expansion. Its current 1,100-acre footprint remains smaller than the resort's original master-planned scope.
The project was first announced in 1988 as Valbois Resort on West Mountain in Valley County before going bankrupt, and in 1998 Mexican businessman Alfredo Miguel Afif purchased the assets and renamed it Westrock. When it opened in 2004 as Tamarack, it was the first new destination ski resort built in North America in 23 years. The resort's majority owners filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 2008 after failing to secure financing against an existing 262 million US dollar loan from Credit Suisse, and the resort closed in 2009.
A group of homeowners restarted limited ski operations in 2010 to keep the lifts running while foreclosure proceedings continued, with Credit Suisse ultimately gaining ownership through a 2014 sheriff's sale. New ownership group Tamarack Resort Holdings, a joint venture called Imperium Blue, took over in November 2018, and MMG Equity Partners assumed full ownership in October 2021, investing more than 245 million US dollars into the property since. Adult daily tickets run from 89 to 129 US dollars, with Boundless season passes from 699 dollars.
Tamarack Resort stretches 50 runs over about 1,100 acres (445 hectares) on West Mountain above Lake Cascade, rising from 4,900 feet (1,493 m) to 7,700 feet (2,347 m) for roughly 2,800 feet (854 m) of vertical. Intermediates dominate with 45% of the terrain, advanced skiers hold 38% and beginners 17%, with no expert-rated runs. Five quad chairs, a t-bar and a surface lift handle the uphill traffic, so the lift system is modern and efficient. The mountain faces east, which brings morning sun and a distinctly big-mountain feel for its size.
The Summit Express serves the upper mountain, where the steepest runs and the most challenging pitches sit. Tamarack Express loads straight from the base and leads to beginner and intermediate runs, along with several terrain parks. Wildwood Express works the northern boundary, with groomed trails and fun tree skiing. Runs descend a long way before reaching the base, which gives strong skiers plenty of consistent fall line to enjoy. Tamarack suits intermediates and advanced skiers wanting quad-chair efficiency, and its lake views and four-season amenities add appeal for families on longer stays.
The 2025-26 season at Tamarack Resort ran from 27 November 2025 to 12 April 2026, a roughly nineteen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 300 inches. This snowfall total supports a reasonably long season for a resort of Tamarack's size and elevation. Season dates can shift slightly depending on early and late-season weather.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions across the resort's intermediate and advanced terrain. As a resort still rebuilding its destination profile following years of financial difficulty, Tamarack's crowd patterns tend to be lighter than more established Idaho destinations, even during peak holiday periods. Weekday visits are generally quiet.
The resort's four-season amenities, including golf and a marina on Lake Cascade, mean Tamarack's identity extends beyond winter operations alone, though ski season remains the primary draw during the colder months. As an Indy Pass resort, Tamarack draws some visiting skiers holding that multi-resort pass in addition to its regional Idaho base. School holiday periods bring increased family visitation to the resort's lodging and amenities.
Specific event programming beyond standard lift operations is not confirmed in available resort information. MMG Equity Partners' substantial ongoing investment since 2021 continues to shape the resort's development, with improvements extending across lodging and amenities as well as the ski terrain itself. The resort's lake-view setting remains a distinguishing feature relative to other central Idaho ski areas.
Tamarack Resort sits above Lake Cascade in Valley County, central Idaho, with a base elevation of 4,898 feet and a summit at 7,700 feet across a 2,802-foot vertical drop over 1,100 acres. The resort's West Mountain location places it within a scenic lake-and-mountain setting roughly 90 miles from Boise.
The nearby town of Donnelly and the larger community of McCall offer additional lodging and dining options beyond the resort's own on-site facilities. Lake Cascade itself is a significant regional recreation draw beyond winter sports, contributing to Tamarack's four-season resort identity. Boise, the nearest major city, supplies much of the resort's weekend and holiday visitor base.
Idaho State Highway 55 connects Boise to the Cascade and Donnelly area, with local roads then leading to the resort on West Mountain above the lake. The drive from Boise typically takes around 90 minutes depending on conditions, with winter weather occasionally requiring extra caution on the mountain roads near the resort. There is no direct public transport service to Tamarack.
Boise Airport is the nearest airport with substantial commercial service, roughly 90 miles south of the resort. This makes Tamarack accessible to fly-in visitors willing to make the drive north through the Treasure Valley and into the mountains. Most visitors, however, arrive by car from Boise or the broader western Idaho region rather than flying in directly.
Hotels and lodges near Tamarack Resort, powered by Stay22.

The Alps are about to swap mild, sunny October weather for something far more wintry. A cold front arrives Tuesday, and SnowStash forecasts have Monterosa Ski out in front with 64 cm over 14 days, ahead of Blatten Belalp (55 cm) and Verbier (43 cm). The snow line should fall below 2000 metres by Wednesday night, and glaciers across Switzerland, Italy and Austria are in line for the best of it. The wind will have a say too.

A large avalanche struck near Laguna del Inca adjacent to Ski Portillo on Saturday afternoon, killing four people and injuring four others. The group were day visitors mountaineering in the backcountry after reportedly being warned about elevated avalanche risk by resort staff.

Europe’s ski season is open, technically. After a record-warm summer, glaciers in Austria, Switzerland and Italy are running a few pistes apiece, Sölden, Stubai and Kitzsteinhorn started late, Titlis has pushed back to 24 October, and Zermatt reopens a few lifts on 14 October after more than two months shut. Finland’s Levi and Ruka are skiing on stored snow. Here is what is open, and what you actually get at each.

Zermatt is having another crack at a World Cup downhill, and this time nobody has to cross a border. Around 13 million Swiss francs is going into rebuilding the Gornergrat piste, including a jump fed by a roughly 300-metre in-run across the roof of the Gornergrat Railway gallery, with the Matterhorn lined up behind it for the TV cameras. First men’s race is pencilled in for March 2028, pending FIS homologation.

Lake Tahoe’s highest base elevation is paying off early: Mt. Rose has started making snow for 2026-27 after the first flurries and a cold snap. The Nevada resort is backing it with nearly US$2 million in upgrades, including a replacement snowmaking main line, a new PistenBully groomer and restraint bars on every lift. Opening day is yet to be confirmed, though Heavenly and Northstar are already eyeing 20 November.

Utah is still building flat out. For 2026-27, Powder Mountain opens a steep new Skytrac chair into more than 1,000 acres of advanced terrain, Deer Valley adds 200 acres on Hail Peak, Sundance gets a new quad and Park City adds a gondola from its new parking structure. Snowmaking is expanding almost everywhere, Eagle Point stays closed after the Cottonwood Fire, and the 2034 Games are setting the pace. Here’s what’s new, resort by resort.

Mt Hutt is getting busier, and its base lodge is about to catch up. NZ$12 million goes into a heated sun deck roughly three times the current size (430 m² to 1,300 m²), plus a new toilet block, heated steps down to snow level, extra storage and a new food and beverage outlet. Building starts after the 2026 season, with everything due for winter 2027.

Vermont's season is slow to take shape. Stratton is tentatively targeting 18 November and Sugarbush 21 November, while Pico has Friday 11 December on the calendar. Killington never sets a date and opens when the snowmaking allows, and Vail Resorts has yet to name days for Stowe, Okemo and Mount Snow. The forecasts disagree about snow, and the main El Niño worry for the Green Mountains is warmth.
Opening day for the winter 2026 - 2027 season is scheduled for Oct 27, 2026 (subject to change). Lift tickets at Tamarack Resort typically go on sale well before the start of the ski season.
Day passes start from US$69, with peak rates up to US$129.
Full access to Tamarack Resort's 50 trails across 1,100 acres with 2,800 feet of vertical. All-season destination resort north of Boise featuring mountain, meadow, and lake views. Experience world-class skiing with luxury amenities, fine dining, and modern lodging at Lake Cascade.
Buy passYouth access to Tamarack Resort's diverse terrain perfect for skill development. Experience this premier all-season destination with 50 trails and spectacular Lake Cascade views. Tamarack combines world-class skiing with luxury resort amenities and family-friendly atmosphere.
Buy passSenior access to Tamarack Resort's scenic terrain with excellent value pricing. Enjoy peaceful skiing on well-groomed runs with stunning mountain, meadow, and lake views. Tamarack's luxury amenities and moderate terrain make it perfect for discerning senior skiers.
Buy passChild access to Tamarack Resort's family-friendly terrain and learning areas. This all-season destination offers safe, gentle slopes perfect for children with excellent ski school programs. Spectacular resort setting with luxury amenities for the whole family.
Buy passFREE access to Discovery Chairlift and learning area at Tamarack Resort. Perfect for beginners and children learning to ski. Simply stop by Tamarack Outfitters in The Village to get your free day ticket. No cost introduction to skiing at this luxury resort.
Buy passAfternoon access to Tamarack Resort starting at 1pm. $10 off window rate for each ticket type. Perfect for combining morning resort activities with afternoon skiing. Experience world-class terrain with luxury resort amenities and Lake Cascade views.
Buy passFour-day package at Tamarack Resort for use any four days during the winter season. Non-transferable pass product with blackout dates. Experience this all-season destination multiple times with significant per-day savings on luxury mountain resort access.
Buy passFREE skiing for local Valley County K-12 students at Tamarack Resort. Every student in Valley County Idaho can get a free Boundless Pass. Perfect opportunity for local youth to experience world-class skiing at this premier destination resort.
Buy passUltimate Tamarack experience with year-round lift access including winter skiing and summer mountain biking. Resort-wide deals, special offers, and exclusive passholder benefits. Experience the perfect intersection of mountain, meadow, and lake at this luxury destination.
Buy passYouth unlimited year-round access to Tamarack Resort including winter skiing and summer activities. Perfect for young adventure seekers wanting unlimited access to this all-season destination with luxury amenities and spectacular Lake Cascade setting.
Buy passChild unlimited year-round access to Tamarack Resort. Excellent value for families with young skiers and riders. Includes winter skiing and summer mountain biking access at this luxury all-season destination with world-class amenities.
Buy passSenior unlimited year-round access to Tamarack Resort with discounted pricing. Experience this luxury all-season destination with unlimited skiing, summer activities, and resort-wide benefits. Perfect for active seniors seeking premium mountain experiences.
Buy passMore Tamarack Resort intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.