Idaho Might Just Be the Most Underrated Winter Destination in America. Here’s Why.
1. It’s where skiing in the U.S. as we know it today got its start.
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After the 1932 Winter Olympics, the chairman of the Union Pacific Railroad decided America needed its own destination resort like those of the Swiss Alps. He searched all over the Western states for an ideal location, scouting Yosemite, Mount Rainier, Jackson Hole, and more…and eventually decided that Ketchum, Idaho, was the perfect place. And thus, in 1936,
Ketchum’s snowfall, abundant sunshine, moderate elevation, and absence of wind make it a perfect place to host a ski resort. Sun Valley today is still one of the world’s premier ski destinations and a favorite of celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Hanks, both of whom have homes nearby.
2. There are 18 ski resorts and over 300 miles of groomed Nordic trails in the state.
While Sun Valley is going strong 80 years on, it’s definitely not alone. No matter where you are in Idaho, from Sandpoint to Sugar City, skiable terrain is never more than a few hours’ drive. There are
Plus, Idaho’s resorts go beyond the ordinary. Affordable lift tickets and world-class powder are the norm, but
3. It also saw the origin of U.S. heli-skiing.
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Forget lift lines. Instead, you can be air dropped into some of the deepest and lightest powder in the continental U.S. Beyond the designated areas and resorts, Idaho has some tremendous backcountry. Not only was Sun Valley the nation’s first ski destination, it’s also where heli-skiing in the U.S. first began.
Idaho now has seven different heli- and cat-skiing outfitters that can guide you to pristine snow, covering hundreds of thousands of acres and multiple mountain ranges, for some serious backcountry skiing and
4. Soaking in hot springs is the way to end a winter day.
After shredding that fresh powder, tromping through the woods on snowshoes, or relaxing in the lodge, nothing caps off a winter day like a soak in one of Idaho’s 300+ hot springs. Whether you’re at
5. The winter festivals here have it all.
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What began as the Payette Lake Winter Games in 1924 has grown into an iconic winter tradition: the
The
6. Idaho’s yurts take winter camping to the next level.
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It may be cold outside, but within the canvas walls of a Mongolian-style yurt, inviting bunks and a warm woodstove help you stay cozy no matter how much the snow piles up overnight.
Idaho has four state parks with yurts managed by Idaho Parks and Recreation, plus more backcountry yurts near Idaho City and in other areas, including the
7. There are more than 7,000 miles of snowmobile trails here.
That’s more than any other Western state. There are 29 grooming programs across Idaho, and many of the snowmobile trails are interconnected for virtually endless riding. In addition to the trails, there are millions of acres of open riding on Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, state, and private land. This means riding on untracked powder over frozen lakes, wide-open plains, and up blanketed ridges that lead to 10,000-foot elevations and unparalleled mountain views.
8. Ice fishing in Idaho isn’t just about the fish.
There are plenty of lakes that freeze thick enough for fishing (you need at least 4 inches of clear ice to do so) including Lake Cascade and Horsethief Reservoir in Central Idaho. But a day of fishing for fresh mountain trout or perch isn’t just about the catch. An ideal ice fishing trip also includes friends, chairs, a well-stocked cooler, maybe a heater, definitely some warm gloves — and don’t forget the fishing license.
9. You can keep cycling no matter how much snow falls.
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You can’t mountain bike in winter…but you can
Tory Canfield of the Fat Bike Advocacy Group says, “For me, fat biking on snow creates a sense of ethereal floatiness that conjures up the sensation of powder skiing. As soon as your tire rolls forward, your mouth turns up into a big, fat grin.” Idaho mountain bikers can go fat biking at Discovery Hill in Salmon, Jug Mountain Ranch in McCall, or take the trail to Tornak Hut in the Smoky Mountains outside Ketchum.
10. Nothing rings in the new year like a giant potato.
The ball drop in NYC is uninspired compared to a 10-foot-tall russet descending from the sky at the stroke of midnight. This distinctly
You’re not going to see that anywhere else this winter.
