Blackhawk real estate is ideally situated between two major ski resorts: Brundage Mountain Resort 12 miles to the north and Tamarack Resort 12 miles to the south, the first American ski resort built in over 23 years.
For skiers and snowboarders, the snow here is outstanding, with an annual average at Brundage Mountain of 300 inches (100 more than Sun Valley) that falls in a steady stream of talcum-dry powder. Then, there’s the noticeable lack of crowds. With thousands of acres of lift-served terrain, you can still find runs that are untouched, days after the last storm.
Tamarack Resort
The skiing and snowboarding
The $1.5 billion Tamarack Resort opened to great acclaim in the winter of 2004. Tamarack’s 7,700-foot summit overlooks Lake Cascade, with a total vertical drop of 2,800 feet. Lifts service 600 acres of groomed terrain and 1,100 acres of skiable terrain. The trail design is extremely varied for a range of skill and interest levels. Tamarack offers steep mogul runs, cruising runs, powder bowls, and terrain parks. Nordic skiers can enjoy 30 kilometers of groomed trails.
The golf
An 18-hole golf course called Osprey Meadows is set among meadows, wetlands, ponderosa pines and aspens at the base of the mountain. Course designer Robert Trent Jones II observed, “The dramatic changes in landscape, and majestic views of the mountains, the meadow and Lake Cascade, qualify Osprey Meadows as one of the finest courses in the Pacific Northwest.” Osprey Meadows was named the best Idaho course by GolfDigest in 2013.
The trails
Tamarack offers an extensive network of mountain biking and hiking trails, including 25 miles of trails developed by the IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association).
The events
During the spring, summer and fall, Tamarack opens onto 86 miles of shoreline on Lake Cascade and offers lakefront rentals of kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and more in addition to guided whitewater trips down the Cabarton stretch of the Payette River.
Brundage Mountain Resort
The skiing and snowboarding
Designed by former U.S. Olympian Corey Engen, Brundage Mountain opened to skiers in 1961. Its summit is 7,640-feet high with a vertical drop of 1,800 feet and 1,300 acres of skiable terrain. It offers three chair lifts, two tow lines, and runs that range from expert to beginner. The longest run, Temptation, is over two miles long. Brundage offers guided Cat ski trips into the expansive, 19,000-acre backcountry of the Payette National Forest.
The trails
Lifts bring mountain bikers to Brundage’s summit, overlooking New Meadows, McCall and Payette Lake, with a vertical drop of 1,640 feet. Twenty miles of hand-built, single track trails offer routes to fit every experience level.
The events
Brundage hosts a world-class concert series on its grass amphitheater during the summer.
Little Ski Hill
Another local attraction is the Little Ski Hill, built as a diversion for forest workers in 1937. Operated by the nonprofit Payette Lakes Ski Club, the Little Ski Hill has one lift, a 405-foot vertical drop, and 40 acres of skiable terrain. It also offers 50 kilometers of groomed skating lanes, touring trails, a biathlon range and night skiing on weekends.
Come learn more about the resorts of McCall, Idaho for yourself by taking a tour of our community and view the unique real estate offered at Blackhawk.
(Photo courtesy of Tamarack Resort)