Sun Valley, Boise & Tamarack (Sawtooth & Boise National Forests region)

At Tamarack, every season brings new adventures to experience. With a vertical drop of over 2,760 feet, Tamarack’s mountain is one of the tallest ski runs in the entire state. As you ski the fresh powder, you’ll take in the panoramic views of the mountains, lake and valley below. By mid-April, the waters of Lake Cascade begin to thaw. The mountains transform from a brilliant white into a lush green. Songbirds return to the trees and the valley springs back to life. Once the trails are dry, it’s a great time to explore the mountain by foot. The alpine meadows are blooming with syringa and larkspur. Migratory birds return to the forests, filling the air with song.

Long, sunny days. Cool, breezy nights. Summers at Tamarack are idyllic, if not downright magical. Because of its relative shallowness for a mountain lake, the blue waters of Lake Cascade warm to near-perfect swimming temperatures in the summer. Glide across the surface by kayak or paddleboard and take in the mountains surrounding you. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, race across the lake by motorboat and catch some waves while wakeboarding. As the leaves fall, the cycle starts all over again. The valley fills with snow, the lake thaws, the meadows bloom and the leaves begin to fall once more.