If a winter wonderland is on your bucket list this year, here are the top five must-do activities in McCall.

#1 Chase Fresh Tracks

Brundage SnowCat Adventures has been guiding powder-hungry skiers and snowboarders to 18,000 acres of coveted backcountry stashes since the early 90’s. Unlike your typical snowcat program, the terrain doesn’t lie adjacent to the ski area. Instead, you’ll journey several miles beyond the ski area into the Goose Creek drainage and ski or snowboard from four different mountain peaks.

#2 Enjoy Bluebird Groomers

Whether you’re a powder hound, a beginner learning the ropes, or a family looking for some playful adventure, Tamarack has you covered with fresh, fun options and legit alpine terrain. With 2,800 feet of total vertical drop, the views and the playful pitch variations make for a perfect day on the slopes. Be sure to check out the namesake Tamarack grove for a fresh twist on tree skiing. The Tamaracks drop their amber needles each fall, causing these trees to develop less intense tree wells than evergreens and creating a unique off-piste experience that powder fans won’t want to miss. And new this year for the family, “Lumberjack Land” with features like berms and whoop-di-dos, a teepee you can ski under, and lots of friendly looking characters you can high-five on your way through.

#3 Snowmobile the Backcountry

Immerse yourself in the beautiful backcountry of the Payette National Forest with a snowmobile tour from Brundage Snowmobile Adventures. For those new to the sport, a guided tour is a great way to make this high-octane adventure approachable. Tours are geared tailored to take advantage of the fresh groomed trails and lead you to magical places like Hazard Lake and Upper Payette Lake.

#4 Après Idaho Style

Nothing caps a day in the snow quite like a quality après experience. Downtown McCall has that elusive small-town charm with loads of friendly boutiques, bistros, and restaurants for a drink and a bite. We love Rupert’s at Hotel McCall for a decidedly Idaho menu. Chef Gary Kucy combines well-loved staples with adventurous eats while the bar serves up craft cocktails and an impressive wine list to match.

#5 Get Cozy

One of the best things about staying in a mountain town is taking in the view from your warm and cozy lodgings. The Glass House offers a unique take on a traditional vacation rental with stunning views of Payette Lake. With three bedrooms, two baths, ample room to hold the entire family, and two blocks from the heart of downtown McCall, this vintage showstopper is the perfect home base. Looking for something more traditional? Book a room at Hotel McCall. Built in 1904, this boutique hotel offers the warmth of a bed and breakfast with the amenities of a modern hotel.

Looking for more great ideas to plan your winter getaway in McCall, Idaho? Go to visitmccall.org to explore more activities like Nordic skiing, hot springs, fat bike riding, snowshoeing, snow biking, ice skating, and so much more.

VisitMcCall.org

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When the snow starts to fly, the fun is just getting started. The best place to start planning your winter vacation is: https://www.wyomingcarboncounty.com/winter-recreation

Winter Adventures

Experience world-class power on 500+ miles of area trails perfect for snowmobiling, dog sledding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing! Carbon County has some of the best snowmobiling in Wyoming with terrain to excite users of all skill levels.

You can rent snowmobiles from Saratoga Hot Springs Resort. It’s not just the ease-of-use that makes this such an enticing adventure—it’s the fact Saratoga is home to lots of well-marked trails to explore. Each trip is guided by an expert who knows the Medicine Bow National Forest to help you navigate.

The Rendezvous Lodge in the beautiful Snowy Range in the Medicine Bow National Forest is just 10 miles from scenic Medicine Bow Peak. It’s a perfect winter base camp for snowmobilers and cross-country skiers to relax after a fun day exploring. There are over 200 miles of groomed trails starting from the parking lot! The onsite restaurant is famous for their hand-cut rib-eyes and homemade pie.

If you are looking for luxury, there is no place quite like the exclusive Brush Creek Ranch. Green Mountain, part of the Brush Creek resort collection, is a 600-acre private ski mountain where guests can enjoy incredible downhill skiing and snowboarding. These ski trails are only accessible via a heated snowcat! You’ll also want to check out “The Farm at Brush Creek.” At the Farm you can learn new cooking skills or experience the on-site restaurant, green house, distillery, creamery, bakery, and massive wine cellar.

Hot Springs

Take a soothing dip where Native Americans once soaked for the healing powers of the hot springs at the Hobo Hot Springs in Saratoga, Wyoming. It’s free to the public and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The historic Saratoga Hot Pool is located on the banks of the Platte River, where a bathhouse was constructed that is now a locker room for visitors. Water temperatures in the hot pool range from 101to 120 degrees.

Nestled between the Snowy Range and the Sierra Madre Mountain Range on the North Platte River is an immersive hot springs experience at the Saratoga Hot Springs Resort. When you stay at this expansive property, you can swim in the 70-foot mineral hot springs swimming pool and soak under a teepee in small covered hot pools. The resort also offers the Healing Waters Spa.

Discover Carbon County’s History, Legend and Lore

A large draw to Carbon County is the history, legend and lore of its western past. When you visit Carbon County, you can step back in time and stay in one of the three hotels on the National Register of Historic Places. The oldest hotel in the county is The Hotel Wolf. Passengers on stage coaches used it as a place to rest and eat. The Historic Elk Mountain Hotel features an eclectic style with a touch of Victorian elegance and Country charm, and no two rooms are alike. The food there is pretty incredible as well! The Historic Virginia Hotel was the biggest one between Denver and Salt Lake City back in 1911. This was the place for cowboys and railroad workers to rest and refuel, as well as serving as a central spot for meetings and gatherings. Today, you can return to those times in antique sleeping rooms or at the Shiloh Saloon, where bullet holes riddled throughout remind you of past shootouts!

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