NORDIC/SNOWSHOE
Idaho Parks and Recreation got hit by the double whammy of a giant snowstorm followed by it’s trail groomer breaking down. That put trail grooming a week behind schedule, but nonmotorized trails coordinator Leo Hennessy said all Park ‘N Ski lots along Idaho 21 have been plowed and skiers and snowshoers have packed trails in the area. With more storms rolling through, people using the parking lots should bring a shovel because plows may come through while they’re out skiing or snowshoeing.
SNOWMOBILING
Snowmobilers have been hitting the higher elevations around McCall and Stanley for months now, but snowstorms allowed the groomers to get out and create those nice touring trails in popular snowmobiling areas like Idaho City, Garden Valley, Smiths Ferry and Fairfield.
Parking lots and trailheads at Deer Creek and Anderson Creek near Cascade are expected to be ready for the weekend. After those are done, groomers will turn their attention east of Cascade to open trails in the Warm Lake area.
Snowmobiling in the Trinities is challenging because groomers are struggling in the deep snow. Groomers also have not been into More’s Creek northeast of Boise because of high avalanche danger.
MORE INSIDE: NORDIC/SNOWSHOEING, TUBING HILLS , BACKCOUNTRY PAGE O4
We waited, and waited, and waited some more for snow. Then it hit with such fury many of us were caught a little flat-footed. Now you may be wondering “Where should I go?”
There are lots of options, so be warned. Conditions change daily, and a cycle of cold, storm and warm seems to be continuing, so get current conditions before you go. But the mountains are glistening with white and there’s no time to waste getting up there and enjoy the snow. Here are some details for all you snowlovers to maximize your fun regardless of a late start.
SKI RESORTS
It’s been famine to feast at area resorts. More than 5 feet of snow has fallen on Brundage Mountain Resort since Jan. 16, and other areas have gotten similar huge storms.
Bogus Basin Mountain Resort had the latest opener in its 69-year history on Jan. 19, but the whole mountain is now open for day and night skiing, including Bogus’ new high-speed quad chairlift.
Soldier Mountain Ski Area opened on Jan. 21 and was the last local resort to open in the area. It will operate Thursdays through Sundays and holidays. For details go to soldiermountain.com.
This is the last week at Tamarack Resort for the special deal for Bogus Basin season pass holders. Adult lift tickets are $25 on Thursday and $35 for Friday-Sunday. A Bogus pass holder will get a $5 discount after Sunday.
Storms allowed Sun Valley to open all runs on Baldy and Dollar mountains, and the resort’s terrain parks are ready for skiers and boarders.
TUBING HILLS
Yeah! Time to slide down the hill and relax on the tube as we get pulled back up. Tubing hills are a fun, economic way for families to enjoy a day in the snow, and they’re open or getting ready to go.
The Pepsi Gold Rush Tubing Hill at Bogus Basin Mountain Resort opens Friday. Two-hour tubing sessions start at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. Reservations are strongly recommended by going to bogusbasin.org. For details call 332-5493.
Idaho X Sports in Garden Valley has been open since December, but more snow means more fun on this 900-foot-long slope. It’s open on weekends and holidays. For details go to idahoxsports.com.
The Activity Barn near McCall is open for tubing, and it will be remain open daily through the end of Winter Carnival, Feb. 5, then return to its regular hours and open dates. The Activity Barn will also have its Nordic ski trails groomed and ready by Saturday. For details go to activitybarn.com.
The Steamboat Gulch tubing hill near Idaho City is open on weekends. There will be an opening celebration at noon Saturday with hot dogs and hot chocolate. This is a walk-up hill with plowed parking area and outhouses. Parking fee is $5 per car. For more information www.steamboatgulch.com
NORDIC SKI/SNOWSHOE
Idaho Parks and Recreation Idaho City trails got hit by the double whammy of giant snowstorms followed by its trail groomer breaking down. That put trail grooming a week behind schedule, but nonmotorized trails coordinator Leo Hennessy said all Park ‘N Ski lots along Idaho 21 have been plowed and skiers and snowshoers have packed trails in the area. With more storms coming, people using the parking lots should bring a shovel because plows may come through while they’re out skiing.
Bogus Basin’s Nordic trails are groomed and the Frontier Point Lodge is open.
Nordic skiers may want to check out the Sun Valley area, which has 250 kilometers of groomed trails between Galena and Hailey. It’s also having its Nordic Festival starting Saturday and running through Feb. 5. (For details see O2).
McCall/Donnelly area’s Nordic trails are groomed and ready for skiers, including Ponderosa State Park, Little Bear Basin, Tamarack, Jug Mountain Ranch and The Activity Barn. For details on grooming go to littleskihill.info/grooming-report, or tamarackidaho.com.
Lake Cascade State Park crews have groomed the Park Loop trail and rolled the Crown Point trail.
BACKCOUNTRY SKIING
Backcountry skiers have a huge amount of terrain available, and conditions are good, but constantly changing as storms roll through. Marty Rood, owner of Payette Powder Guides near McCall, said last week’s storms doubled the snowpack in the LIck Creek area northeast of McCall and the terrain above 7,000 vertical feet has 8 to 9 feet of snow and up to 15 feet where there’s wind deposition. Rood said with storms continuing to roll through Central and Southwest Idaho and temperatures fluctuating, avalanche conditions can change quickly so backcountry travelers should get current avalanche updates and test slopes themselves while they are out there. For details on yurt rentals and avalanche training go to payettepowderguides.com. For avalanche forecasts go to payetteavalanche.org and link to forecasts in other areas.
