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      • Water Taxis in Venice – How to Get Around
    • Mexico
      • Cobá Ruins
      • Ek’ Balam and Chichén Itzá Ruins
      • Mayan Palace and the Grand Mayan Resorts
      • Puerto Morelos
      • Tulum Beaches: Playa Paraíso
      • Tulum Ruins
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      • Arrowtown
      • Blue Pools
      • Brunner, Waiuta, and Motueka
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      • Fox Glacier
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      • Hokitika
      • Makarora West
      • Moeraki Boulders
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        • Napa Valley Wine Tasting Tours
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Purple mountain lupien contrast with the dark and light green background at Tamarack Resort in Central Idaho.
Written by Mod Fam on June 30, 2019

Idaho Resorts: Tamarack Resort

#PNW . Idaho . Mountain Biking . Outdoor Recreation . Running . Trailer Camping . Travel
Idaho Resorts: Tamarack Resort. 
Riding the ski chair lift in summer at Idaho's Tamarack Resort near Donnelly and Cascade off of Highway 55.  Mountain bikes hang off the back of empty chairs as they ascend the mountain lift.  The resort operates the ski lift throughout the summer for mountain biking, hiking, and the resort's zip line through the forest.

Idaho Resorts: Tamarack Resort & Lake Cascade Day 2 Activities

We planned a full second day, as we often do when heading out of town for a three-day trip. And Tamarack, like a lot of Idaho resorts, has plenty to keep you busy for days. Yet even with all the activities for our only full day at Poison Creek and Tamarack, we had plenty of time to unwind and relax back at camp and on the lake shore.


Idaho Resorts: Tamarack Resort. 
Ben sits with a glass of Cabernet Savignon at a vacation rental cabin at Idaho's Tamarack Resort near Donnelly and Cascade off of Highway 55.  The resort has two rental options for cabins, homes, and other mountain accommodations.
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Running Tamarack: Be Prepared for 5,000-Foot Elevation!

After some beach time, I went for a 5k run from Poison Creek across West Mountain Road into Tamarack Resort, past the golf course (not currently maintained) and up around the hotel complex that sits on a slight rise overlooking the lake. The hotel has comfortable accommodations ranging from single hotel rooms to full apartments with balconies.


Idaho Resorts: Tamarack Resort. 
A satellite map view of a running route through Idaho's Tamarack Resort near Cascade and Donnelly, Idaho.  The route shows West Mountain Road and the home site developments inside Tamarack, as well as most of Cascade Lake and the Idaho State Parks on both sides of the lake.  Highway 55 from Donnelly to Cascade is visible on the East side of the map.
Idaho Resorts: Tamarack Resort. 
A satellite map view of a running route through Idaho's Tamarack Resort near Cascade and Donnelly, Idaho.  The route shows West Mountain Road and the home site developments inside Tamarack, as well as the edge of Cascade Lake and the Idaho State Parks on the West side of the lake.
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Tamarack had a difficult start; after the initial phases of construction and development, the project came to a screeching halt. Private owners banded together to keep the ski lift and other basic amenities operational, but the golf course is no longer maintained, and the massive lodge and commercial complex has sat half-constructed for years. Earlier this year, though, the Resort found a buyer, and construction on the central lodge has started up again. Before too long, Tamarack will look more like Sun Valley, Park City, or other Idaho resorts and less like it does now. Never mind the ongoing construction and former investment woes; Tamarack is a fun place to visit, no matter the season. And whether you rent a cabin or camp next door, there’s plenty to do year-round.


Idaho Resorts: Tamarack Resort. 
A view of the back side of Tamarack Resort's hotel accommodations overlooking the former golf course.
Idaho Resorts: Tamarack Resort. 
A view of the pool at Tamarack Resort's hotel accommodations overlooking the former golf course.  The ski hill and mountain biking trails are visible in the distance, past green cushioned deck chairs lining the swimming pool.
Idaho Resorts: Tamarack Resort. 
A view of the pool at Tamarack Resort's hotel accommodations overlooking the former golf course.
A view of the hot tub at Tamarack Resort's hotel accommodations overlooking the former golf course.  Cascade Lake can be seen in the distance, past the resort toward Donnelly and the city of Cascade on Idaho's Highway 55.
Idaho Resorts: Tamarack Resort. 
A view of continuing construction at Tamarack Resort's lodge and commercial buildings.  Construction has begun again after several years of incomplete work on the project, now that Tamarack was bought by new investors.
redbox deals

I ran past the half-built structures, wrapped in fresh Tyvek paper and sporting new metal and shingle roofs. Construction crews moved scissor-lifts and other machinery around the complex, a sure sign the project will now eventually be completed. Home prices in Tamarack are steep; the completion of the resort will only drive those further up as the Resort expands and develops more services, shops, and restaurants. Tamarack has always been a beautiful spot in Central Idaho; the latest investment and change in ownership will kick-start the next phase, bringing more vacationers and tourists to the area. All that to say now is the time to make an offer on property if you’re thinking of buying a summer cottage or winter ski destination home in the mountains of Idaho. Or at the very least, plan your summer or winter getaway with one of Tamarack’s luxury properties through VRBO Vacation Rentals.


Riding the ski chair lift in summer at Idaho's Tamarack Resort near Donnelly and Cascade off of Highway 55.  This view looks down to the resort and the base of the ski run, with Cascade Lake visible in the distance. The resort operates the ski lift throughout the summer for mountain biking, hiking, and the resort's zip line through the forest.

Mountain Biking Tamarack: The Perfect Use of the Ski Lift in Summer

This time of year is the perfect time to mountain bike Tamarack Resort; it’s not cold and icy like it was a few months ago, yet it’s not so hot that the open sections of single track and the connecting forest service roads become unbearable. We got some free passes up the chairlift, so between my mountain bike and the lift tickets, we only had to spring for a couple of mountain bike rentals. Resort staff load and unload the bikes, making the ride up and off the lift easy and fun. (The resort also maintains and runs a zip line toward the summit, an activity you can book through the rental facility at the base of the mountain).


Idaho Resorts: Tamarack Resort. 
Riding the ski chair lift in summer at Idaho's Tamarack Resort near Donnelly and Cascade off of Highway 55.  The resort operates the ski lift throughout the summer for mountain biking, hiking, and the resort's zip line through the forest.
Idaho Resorts: Tamarack Resort. 
Riding the ski chair lift in summer at Idaho's Tamarack Resort near Donnelly and Cascade off of Highway 55.  Mountain bikes hang off the back of empty chairs as they ascend the mountain lift.  The resort operates the ski lift throughout the summer for mountain biking, hiking, and the resort's zip line through the forest.
Idaho Resorts: Tamarack Resort. 
Riding the ski chair lift in summer at Idaho's Tamarack Resort near Donnelly and Cascade off of Highway 55.  This view looks down to the resort and the base of the ski run, with Cascade Lake visible in the distance. The resort operates the ski lift throughout the summer for mountain biking, hiking, and the resort's zip line through the forest.

Dozens of tracks criss-cross the mountain, occasionally overlapping forest service access roads and former logging routes. The single track is steep and fun, well-designed and maintained for some of the best mountain biking trails in the area.


Idaho Resorts: Tamarack Resort. 
Ben, Michelle, and Javier wear full mountain biking helmets as they prepare to ride the biking trails at Idaho's Tamarack Resort near Donnelly and Cascade, Idaho.
Idaho Resorts: Tamarack Resort. 
A man riding a red Trek mountain bike smiles as he descends a single track mountain biking trail at Idaho's Tamarack Resort near Donnelly and Cascade, Idaho.  Large boulders, shrubs, and a few Ponderosa or Tamarack pine trees are visible just beyond the biking trail.

On our first few runs, we cut down the mountain on the narrow, winding single track, occasionally stopping to catch our breath and steady ourselves for some even steeper turns. After a few trails, we followed a forest service road down to another section of trails on the opposite side of the ski run and chair lift. We took turns taking spills, but mine was the most avoidable (and most embarrassing): I hopped on Javier’s bike to test the hydraulic brakes and bounced the front fork a few times. I gripped the front brake at just the wrong time and the back end came up and over me, throwing me to the ground before crashing down on top of me, bruising a left rib or two. Michelle and Javier got a good laugh, especially after I had cautioned them about going over the handlebars. (“Don’t worry guys; it’s a right of passage to fly over your handlebars, and it’s less painful than it looks!”).


Idaho Resorts: Tamarack Resort. 
Michelle and Javier wear full mountain biking helmets as they break from their ride down mountain biking trails at Idaho's Tamarack Resort near Donnelly and Cascade, Idaho.  Cascade Lake is visible in the distance, along with multiple single-track dirt trails.
Idaho Resorts: Tamarack Resort. 
A woman wearing a full mountain biking helmet stands over her bike and prepares to descend mountain biking trails at Idaho's Tamarack Resort near Donnelly and Cascade, Idaho.
Idaho Resorts: Tamarack Resort. 
A woman with a full mountain biking helmet lays in the dirt while still straddling her mountain bike after a minor crash along mountain biking trials at mountain biking trails at Idaho's Tamarack Resort near Donnelly and Cascade, Idaho.  Sunlight filters through Ponderosa and Tamarack pine stands on forest service land, casting shadows across the woman and her bike.
Idaho Resorts: Tamarack Resort. 
A woman with a full mountain biking helmet lays in the dirt while still straddling her mountain bike after a minor crash along mountain biking trials at mountain biking trails at Idaho's Tamarack Resort near Donnelly and Cascade, Idaho.  Sunlight filters through Ponderosa and Tamarack pine stands on forest service land, casting shadows across the woman and her bike.
Idaho Resorts: Tamarack Resort. 
A wide-angle view of the mountain biking trails at Idaho's Tamarack Resort near Donnelly and Cascade, Idaho. Large stands of Ponderosa and Tamarack pine trees flank the double track path, and Cascade Lake sits below the forest service road and Tamarack Resort.
Idaho Resorts: Tamarack Resort. 
A wide-angle view from the mountain biking trails at Idaho's Tamarack Resort near Donnelly and Cascade, Idaho. Large stands of Ponderosa and Tamarack pine trees stand between the trails and Cascade Lake, which sits below Tamarack Resort.

See Our First Day of Adventures at Lake Cascade State Park

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Tags: Camping, Cascade Idaho, Cascade Lake, Cascade Lake State Park, Donnelly Idaho, Mountain Biking, Mountain Resort, PNW, RV Camping, Tamarack Idaho, Tamarack Resort, Trailer, Trailer Camping
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Fatima
Fatima
2 years ago

That pool does look refreshing. I will say the bike rack is quite interesting.

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Mod Fam
Mod Fam
Author
Reply to  Fatima
2 years ago

Yes! Bike rack is actually the chairlift from the ski hill. When there isn’t snow the mountain is used for mountain biking.

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Reply
Lifedreamers.blog
Lifedreamers.blog
2 years ago

What a beautiful place – the swimming pool with the mountain view – breathtaking

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Reply
Mod Fam
Mod Fam
Author
Reply to  Lifedreamers.blog
2 years ago

It is one of my favorite places I need to see every year! Beautiful and relaxing!

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Reply
Charlene
Charlene
2 years ago

Oh my goodness! This place looks absolutely beautiful and so relaxing!

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Reply
Mod Fam
Mod Fam
Author
Reply to  Charlene
2 years ago

Oh, it is! If you are near, it is worth a visit!

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Reply
India
India
2 years ago

That looks amazing!! Love the beautiful scenery <3

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Reply
Mod Fam
Mod Fam
Author
Reply to  India
2 years ago

Oh its gorgeous! Fun fact: one of the homes has bullet proof glass in the bedroom, because Pres. GW Bush stayed there.

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Reply
chad
chad
2 years ago

oh my, take me there now!!! How I need to spend a couple of weeks in a resort like this one, that would be amazing…

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Reply
Mod Fam
Mod Fam
Author
Reply to  chad
2 years ago

Ha ha! I hear you! Can we have a reset on 2020?

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Reply
Kathy
Kathy
2 years ago

I think everyone is just dreaming of the times that they can go back to vacationing and planning things.

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Reply
Mod Fam
Mod Fam
Author
Reply to  Kathy
2 years ago

Yes, that’s what we are doing! Dreaming! Planning! and more Dreaming!

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Reply
Tessa
Tessa
2 years ago

What a gorgeous place! It’s great that there are so many fun activities for all ages and abilities.

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Reply
Mod Fam
Mod Fam
Author
Reply to  Tessa
2 years ago

Yes, it’s lovely. You can be as active or relaxed as you want!

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Reply
World in Eyes
World in Eyes
2 years ago

What a beautiful place this is, it looks these kids enjoyed a lot.

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Reply
Mod Fam
Mod Fam
Author
Reply to  World in Eyes
2 years ago

Oh, yes the kiddos love it there!

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Reply
Joanna
Joanna
2 years ago

It’s so cool that you can take your bike up the mountain, on the teleski. I don’t think I’ve seen this before. Tamarack sounds like a lovely place to go on a nature break, especially after they will finish all the building sites around.

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Mod Fam
Mod Fam
Author
Reply to  Joanna
2 years ago

Yes, isn’t that neat! It’s becoming more of a popular thing to do here in the states. It’s a wonderful way to use the mountain and lift in the summer months when there is no snow.

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Reply
Marie Phillips
Marie Phillips
2 years ago

What a fun family vacation! It’s so beautiful there. And I’m so glad all those buildings aren’t going to waste and someone is going to finish them!

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Reply
Mod Fam
Mod Fam
Author
Reply to  Marie Phillips
2 years ago

Oh, yes it’s becoming more popular. I am not sure if that will change with the slowing down of the economy.

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