A few things you should know about me:
- I LOVE exploring new places. I plan at least one family trip to a place we have not skied before every season.
- During these explorations I am constantly on the lookout for that ideal location I could see us moving to one day.
- McCall, Idaho and Brundage Resort is the closest to “slam dunk” I’ve found when it comes to gorgeous mountains, easy access skiing, backcountry ski terrain, an adorable town, and a great summer vibe.
If you have not skied at Brundage Mountain, Idaho, then you are in for a treat.
Brundage Mountain
Brundage Mountain is located 15-20 minutes outside of McCall, Idaho, receives 320″ of snow annually and has earned the reputation of the Best Snow in Idaho. While we didn’t get a recent powder dump during my visit (trust me, powder skiing here would be AMAZING), we had fantastic snow.
Ski Brundage Mountain, Idaho
Brundage Mountain has a bit of everything for everyone. Amazing scenic views off the Lakeview side, steeps, rock drops and chutes in Hidden Valley, fantastic kid-friendly terrain, endless glade and tree skiing, and even uphill access and backcountry terrain adjacent to the resort.
The Basics:
Driving:
Brundage Mountain is 20 minutes from McCall, Idaho and 2.5 hours from Boise by car.
Cost:
Day Passes at Brundage are super accessible for most families. Adult tickets come in around $80, teens are $52 and kids are $34. Kids ages 6 and under are free. Hop on buying tickets early season before they sell out, and you can take advantage of their 4-pak:
Brundage’s Select 4-Paks are unique because these are actual lift tickets that can be used by anyone on any day of the 2021/22 season. Use the tickets yourself on four different days or share with friends and family all on the same day.
Brundage is an independently owned resort so they are also on the Indy Pass – a multi-mountain pass targeting resorts across the country that are independently owned, often family-operated, and are often less crowded.
Parking:
Brundage Mountain has two main parking lots. The first lot you will come to on your right will provide easy access to the beginner terrain. Easy Street is the beginner lift that is angled up towards the main base area. Access to Beartopia and the Bear Chair is easy from this lot.
The second lot, and what I refer to as the main lot, is adjacent to the main base area and is where you will find the rental shop, ski school area, food services and the Bluebell Express which takes you to the top of the mountain.
All in all – no matter which lot you are parked in, you will not be walking more than a few rows to the snow, and can likely ski all the way back to your car at the end of the day (depending on conditions).
Insider Tips:
- Beartopia is the kid-friendly and beginner area on the mountain. As a parent, I value greatly that the green terrain in this area all drops down to Bear Chair – making it hard to loose little ones or group members since everyone will end up at the same chairlift.
Beartopia and beginner friendly terrain at Brundage Mountain, including the Bear Den for dining and beginner terrain parks.
In addition to this, the Bear Den, the food and drink lodge in Beartopia, is super ADULT friendly. A rotating menu and drinks with “inspiration added”, specialty Mules, and more, all make that the perfect place for aprés while the kids ski a few laps on their own once they are old enough.
Wondering how early to show up on a holiday weekend? Arrive by 10 a.m. and you should have your pick of good parking options.
There are a variety of on mountain food options but I appreciated the vegetarian options, including a fantastic falafel greek sandwich at Smokey’s Grill.
Uphill Travel Policy
Our family is passionate about backcountry skiing and a ski area with a user-friendly uphill policy is important to us. We have four of our five family members involved in the Silverfork Skimo Team, so being able to take an uphill lap inbounds at a resort is a major selling point!
Skimo and backcountry photos from various location in Utah and Colorado
Brundage Mountain allows amazing uphill access on the mountain and to the terrain surrounding it, including the lift-served backcountry near Hidden Valley. You can find uphill travel information on their uphill policy web page, but in short:
The Orange area is where Uphill travel is allowed.
Uphill Travel is allowed between 4:40 p.m. and 9:00 a.m.
- Utilize Approved Uphill Routes Only – (AS YOU ARE LOOKING UPHILL):
- Left Groomed Edge of Lower/Upper Rodeo
- Left Groomed Edge of North
- Left Groomed Edge of Lower/Upper Alpine
- Left Groomed Edge of Main Street
- No dogs.
Lodging
Currently there is no on-mountain lodging but the base area future plans will change that.
McCall, Idaho is a cute mountain town nearby, with a variety of lodging options. I stayed at the Hotel McCall and would highly recommend it. Located downtown, and within walking distance to the lakefront, dozens of restaurants, shops, nordic ski and fat bike rentals and more. The location cannot be beat. Hotel McCall also has a beautiful indoor heated pool, breakfast in the morning and a restaurant with a full bar just off the lobby.
Other dining options I’d recommend are The Cutwater at the Shore Lodge and the Salmon River Brewery.
Off Snow Activities
McCall is truly a multi-sport center.
McCall, Idaho and Payette Lake
Skating in town at the local rink. Cross Country Skiing on the extensive trails at Ponderosa Sate Park. Snow shoeing at Brundage mountain or on trails near town. Fat Biking at Jug Mountain. Spa days at the luxurious Cove Spa. McCall truly has it all! Learn more at the McCall Visitor’s Center.
Shore Lodge and Cove Spa McCall, ID
