Summer Resort Activities

In a place as diverse as Idaho, there’s no off-season when it comes to fun. With the arrival of summer, the snow has melted off our world famous ski slopes and mountain resorts are offering a fresh batch of warm-weather adventures.

Pomerelle’s triple chairlift will run all summer, enticing riders with a 50-mile panoramic view of the Magic valley and beyond. The ski runs, all blanketed with blossoming wild-flowers, are now open to hikers and mountain bikers searching for a thrill, and the view from the top even offers a glimpse of deer, elk, moose, and other native residents. Best of all, the chairlift makes these natural wonders accessible to visitors of all abilities

Summers in Sun Valley are packed with things to do, whatever your desire. The Sun Valley Gun Club features trap, doubles trap, wobble trap, duck tower, skeet and a new 5-stand to challenge first time shooters and experts alike. The ice rink offers an escape from the sun on a hot afternoon, along with ice shows featuring world class skaters. The rink also hosts open hockey sessions. Golf has always been a major draw to the resort, and after a day on the 72-par masterpiece, visitors can catch a sneak peak at the Gun Club 9, the long awaited 9-hole addition for which construction has finally begun.

Tamarack Resort, Idaho’s newest all-season resort, boasts of the ideal layout on the Osprey Meadows Golf Course: 5 par 5s, 5 par 3s, and 8 par 4s. The Robert Trent Jones II signature course touts 7,400 yards from the tips, with generous landing areas. For music lovers, the summer concert series will feature the 3-time Grammy nominated North Mississippi All-Stars on July 22nd. This musical trio evolved from a rich blues background and describes their sound as “loud psychedelic southern folk rock blues.” And you haven’t truly experienced Tamarack until you’ve ventured onto beautiful and expansive Lake Cascade for an afternoon of boating, fishing or swimming. If land adventures are more to your liking, try a mountain bike ride or hike down the many groomed trails.

A mere 45-minute drive from the bustling of downtown Boise, Bogus Basin Resort will offer free nature hikes throughout the summer led by Boise National Forest Specialists. The mountain is also an ideal venue for stargazing, offering a stunning view unpolluted by city lights and provides a breathtaking setting for reunions, weddings, and other events.

Bring the entire family to Schweitzer this summer, where the kids can enjoy Schweitzer Rocks! Adventure Camp. The resort will hold their annual bluegrass festival July 22nd, featuring the musical stylings of Clumsy Lovers, Jack Straw, and Big Red Barn, as well as BBQ, rock climbing, and plenty of outdoor recreation.

At Brundage the resort’s grassy green amphitheatre will continue to showcase well-known musicians throughout the summer such as jam band legends Widespread Panic, guitarist Preston Reed, and country artist Trace Adkins in a series of live concerts under the stars.

Silver Mountain’s summer events include a wine tasting and art auction, a living history series, and their annual Brewsfest. For a truly unique experience, try the Howl at the Moon: Full Moon Bike Ride on July 15. This 18-mile moonlit trail ride takes riders from Mullan Trailhead back to the village where participants can claim their souvenir and relax with fellow riders in the plaza.

Summertime Foods in Idaho

The hot summer months in Idaho provide a great climate for the state’s large variety of produce including cherries, corn, cucumbers, peas, raspberries, zucchini, tomatoes, and of course the world-famous Idaho potato.

While all of these items are available at local grocery stores, farmer’s markets in the area boast the “freshest of the fresh” in produce, wine and lentils. Enjoy the Capital City Market in downtown Boise located on 8th street every Saturday morning during the summer months and into the fall. Here you’ll find vendors selling everything from kettle corn, cherries, vegetables and homemade dressings and pies to soap, candles and pottery. For a complete list of all the great farmer’s markets in Idaho, visit the Idaho Department of Agriculture.

And of course, we can’t forget the highlight of Idaho summertime foods: the state fruit, the huckleberry. Huckleberries are a staple in Idaho, and especially in North Idaho, where you can find bushes for picking this tasty treat all around Priest Lake and Lake Pend Orielle in Coeur d’Alene. The most successful bushes grow at even higher elevations between 4,000-6,000 feet.

The most common variety of huckleberry found in Idaho is the black huckleberry, which produces single plump with dark purple berries. The bushes usually grow between 1 and 6 feet in height and produce berries up to ˝ inch in diameter. These local gems or “purple gold” as they are sometimes referred to, make great pies, pancakes, jams and jellies, the latter which can be found in local gift shops.

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Hot Temperatures, Cool Water

With temperatures climbing during the summer months, now is the best time to get out on Idaho’s whitewater. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker looking for a nail-biting ride down white rapids or if you prefer a calmer trip down lazy water with breathtaking scenic shots, Idaho has it all. Our new whitewater trail offers the best in both action and adventure to cool off during the dog days of summer. www.idahowhitewatertrail.com