Sun Valley and McCall are beautiful resort towns that people flock to during their winter vacations for the chance to ski down snowy mountainsides. While both towns beckon people with their incredible outdoor recreation opportunities, they both possess a distinct charm. If you’re planning a trip to Idaho’s ski slopes, you’re probably wondering which area will best suit the vacation you’re dreaming of.
Given that McCall and Sun Valley have different offerings, it’s important to grasp the differences between these two areas when booking your next luxury vacation. Below we’ve broken down the pros of each to help you decide where to stay for your next winter wonderland holiday.
McCall
McCall is located on the southern shore of Payette Lake, roughly 100 miles north of Boise. This charming mountain village has a small-town feel to give you the seclusion you desire in a getaway while also being large enough to ensure you’re never bored. Between Payette Lake and the surrounding lush greenery, McCall is the perfect destination for a family vacation. It’s gorgeous and features a myriad of family-friendly activities, great restaurants, and friendly locals to boot!
Vacationers and Boise residents often make the trip to McCall for a more intimate and affordable vacation. Summertime calls for watersports, hiking, huckleberry picking, and an abundance of other outdoor activities.
The McCall Hiking Club plans hikes monthly, accommodating beginners and seasoned hikers. Summer hikes begin in June and continue through September, giving visitors and locals many opportunities to explore McCall’s landscape in addition to kayaking, dog hikes, and camping trips.
Winter activities include cross country skiing, snowshoeing and a ski social at a local resort. Look into this not-for-profit club if you’re an adventure seeker looking to discover McCall’s forests, lakes, and wilderness.
Brundage Mountain Resort is a classic Idaho ski resort boasting amazing terrain and a welcoming vibe. Brundage Mountain averages more than 320 base area inches of snowfall annually, earning the reputation of Best Snow in Idaho™.
In addition to phenomenal snowboarding and skiing, Brundage Mountain offers world-class amenities, including guided SnowCat Trips on 18,000 acres of backcountry terrain, guided snowmobile tours, snowmobile rentals, and more. There are plenty of hiking and mountain biking trails to enjoy in the Brundage Mountain Bike Park during the summer between scenic chairlift rides and disc golf games.
Payette National Forest, Credit: Porter Raab
Nature lovers head to Payette National Forest to enjoy a plethora of activities throughout the year. Summer in the forest means biking hundreds of miles worth of routes, adventurous camping among low-elevation canyons and high peaks, horseback riding, nature viewing, and much more. Winter in the forest offers plenty of snowfall that allows for snowmobiling, skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing, among other endeavors.
Those who like to enjoy the great outdoors with a golf club in hand can be found stopping by McCall Golf Club for a round or two of golf with buddies. The club provides three nine-hole courses, tree-lined fairways, a driving range, a full pro shop, banquet facilities, a full-service restaurant and bar overlooking the pristine courses, and more.
To enjoy all of the fantastic outdoor pastimes McCall affords, you’ll need to find appropriate lodging. McCall’s premier lodging is available at Shore Lodge, a stunning resort that offers breathtaking mountain views and plenty of luxury amenities. With seventy-seven gorgeous guest suites, the lodge allows guests to relax by the fire after a long day of skiing.
Spend Friday evenings in the summer months on the tiered grass amphitheater, dining on the scrumptious barbecue as you treat your ears to some fabulous musical acts during the TGIF Summer Concert Series. In between activities, stock up on the freshest seasonal produce and artisan goods at the McCall Farmers’ Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays all summer long.
If you opt to visit during winter, be sure to add McCall Winter Carnival to your itinerary to delight in tasty eats, a raffle, shop local vendors’ craft goods, and enjoy various festivities! A close-knit community, abundant nature exploration and entertainment opportunities make McCall an extraordinary place worth visiting.
Sun Valley
Sun Valley is a unique mountain town that’s known as a favorite celebrity vacation spot. Pop culture icons Tom Hanks, Bruce Willis, and Justin Timberlake, among others, are frequent Sun Valley patrons, spending their summer and winter vacations here.
An appealing destination for vacationers who enjoy the finer things in life, this resort town has been frequented by notable names since 1936. It is the nation’s premier destination ski resort town, having earned the name of Original Mountain Town. It’s a great town for skiing in winter and hiking in summer. Additionally, it has a thriving restaurant and bar scene, captivating visitors of all walks of life.
Given the 2,000 acres of skiable mountain terrain, it’s no wonder Sun Valley attracts so many thrill-seeking vacationers.
Bald Mountain, also referred to as Baldy, is Sun Valley’s big-time mountain. Baldy has no flats, no plateaus, and nothing but downhill. The mountain has a variety of runs suitable for everyone from novice snow bunnies to skilled experts. Eager snowboarders and skiers head to Baldy to soar down the monumental hill during winter, while summertime amusement includes over 28 miles of hiking and biking trails.
Dollar Mountain is the perfect spot for beginners to learn the ropes of skiing. The home of the world’s very first chairlift, Dollar Mountain now boasts two new high-speed quads, a full-featured terrain park, five lifts, beginner-friendly slopes, and the Wundercarpet, an effortless uphill transport for kids. Additionally, visitors can spend their time bowling, skating, swimming, Nordic skiing, relishing sleigh rides and spa treatments, and dining at an array of restaurants at the base of Dollar Mountain.
Winter isn’t the only time to visit Sun Valley. Summertime is ideal for playing on Sun Valley’s world-class golf courses, going fly-fishing, and getting in touch with nature on various biking and hiking trails. Within a 10-minute drive from the town center, visitors can reach a plethora of mountain trails suitable for working out, getting some fresh air, and recalibrating.
If you’re a golf lover, you’ll be happy to hear that Sun Valley’s Trail Creek Golf Course was recently recognized by Golf Digest as one of the top 75 resort courses in North America. Trail Creek is Sun Valley’s signature course, providing a challenging round for players of all abilities. This 18-hole traditional alpine championship course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and spans nearly 7,000 yards.
There are several high-end resorts and hotels to make your stay in Sun Valley as cozy and luxurious as possible. Sun Valley Lodge provides guests with an unrivaled experience, between its new, expansive guestrooms, 20,000-square-foot destination spa, world-class fitness center, yoga studio, and glass-enclosed outdoor pool and cafe. Sun Valley Lodge allows its guests to turn the lavish vacation they’ve been envisioning into a reality.
If you’re seeking an extravagant, completely hassle-free vacation, book your stay at The Hemingways. This resort offers full concierge services, pre-arrival grocery shopping, an outdoor pool and hot tub complex, and other sophisticated amenities. If you live for Sun Valley’s stunning offerings, you can even join The Hemingways’ private residence club.
Both of these resort towns would make for a memorable vacation destination. Once you’ve visited these incredible towns, you may even want to start planning a move to Idaho.
If you’re looking to create a new life in Idaho and are looking for Sun Valley, McCall, or Boise real estate, contact Oliver O’Gara Real Estate today. This small yet fierce team goes to great lengths to ensure the utmost client satisfaction. Trust them to lead you to the Idaho home of your wildest mountain-loving dreams.
