Tamarack Resort Submits Plan For Mountain Expansion

Tamarack Resort has submitted a special use permit application to the U.S. Forest Service to expand and enhance operations at the all-season destination.

The submission follows more than 18 months of groundwork completed by Tamarack as it updated its Master Development Plan (MDP), which sets the resort’s long-term development vision and identifies the mountain terrain necessary for expanding winter and summer operations on lands administered by the Boise National Forest.

In August 2020, Tamarack submitted the final MDP to the U.S. Forest Service. Filing an application for a special use permit is the next step in the lengthy process.

In its application, Tamarack is proposing:

• An expanded lift network of six new aerial lifts, including a 10-passenger, base-to-summit gondola, three detachable quads and two fixed-grip triples.
• An upgraded terrain network covering an additional 3,300 acres.
• Enhanced guest services facilities, including a year-round facility atop Lone Tree Peak that would serve as a destination for the base-to-summit gondola for both scenic lift rides and dining.
• Expanded all-season operations, including nearly 20 miles of new hiking and mountain biking trails covering approximately 980 acres.
• New recreation offerings, including a via ferrata area — a climbing route that employs steel cables, rungs and ladders affixed to rock — and a mountain coaster.

This application represents another step in the process of completing the grand vision of Tamarack Resort. We’ve all worked hard to get to this point, and we know a lot of work remains to be done,” said Tamarack Resort President Scott Turlington. “We look forward to continuing to work with the professionals at the U.S. Forest Service, and we are eager to begin engaging the public and other stakeholders in the public process that will soon follow the submission of this application.”

Tamarack plans to meet with Valley County community leaders in the coming weeks to walk through the proposal and continue its outreach with local stakeholders. The proposed terrain expansion will be subject to the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, which will require a public comment process before a special use permit can be issued. For more information, visit https://tamarackidaho.com/tamarack-land-expansion

Tamarack Resort is an all-season destination situated on 3,500 acres, located 90 miles north of Boise in Tamarack, Idaho. From on-site lodging, dining and event space to the full range of outdoor recreation in the Idaho mountains, there is adventure for any season. The winter brings 2,800 feet of vertical on 2,000 mountain acres for skiers and snowboarders, along with Nordic and snowshoe trails. During the summer, the resort is home to mountain biking, ziplining, hiking, rafting and watersports on Lake Cascade.