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An espresso shack at the bottom of the Bluebird high-speed quad near the lodge will gas you up when you get tired. No Starbucks for the Potato State though—the coffee will be a special brew just for Brundage that’s made by Idaho’s own White Cloud Coffee. The Bear's Den, a yurt at the top of the mountain serves snacks, hot drinks, beer, wine and spirits. Brundage has a reputation for some of the lightest powder in the Pacific Northwest and one of the best snowcat skiing operations in the country. In a permit area of more than 19,000 acres in the Payette National Forest, the guided all-day tour costs $259 per person and includes lunch and snacks; half-day is $159 per person with just snacks. Child care at Bunny Hutch Daycare starts at 6 weeks; reservations required—208-634-4151, ext. 128.
You might want to add on a side trip to nearby Tamarack Resort. Lift tickets (2007/08 prices): Adults, $48; junior (12–18) and senior (65+), $34; youth (7–11), $22; ages 6 and younger free. Distance from Boise: About 110 miles north via Hwy. 55. The drive is quite scenic. Lodging information: McCall Central Reservations 800-844-3246. Recommended: Luxury lodging, with individually decorated rooms, jetted tubs and bay windows, can be found at The Ashley Inn (866-382-5621; $$–$$$$) in Cascade on Hwy. 55, 23 miles south of McCall and 75 miles north of Boise. Or try the modern, comfortable Hunt Lodge—Holiday Inn Express 800-465-4329; $$–$$$$) in McCall. Lodging Legend: (double room) $$$$–$200+; $$$–$141–$200; $$–$81–$140; $–$80 and less Photo courtesy of Brundage Mountain Resort |
Brundage is definitely an underrated resort. The skiing is pleasant and uncrowded with occasional challenging drops but mostly cruisers. Intermediates find this mountain a real delight. Advanced and expert skiers and riders should head into the trees or chutes of the Hidden Valley area. Payette Lake, which Brundage overlooks, is beautiful and sparsely populated, with many outdoor activities. From the top of the mountain, you can see the Salmon River Mountains, Oregon’s Eagle Cap Wilderness and the Seven Devils towering over Hells Canyon, America’s deepest river gorge. Here's a 
