Tamarack Resort: A Destination for All Seasons

The ski season in west-central Idaho faced a challenging start due to low snowfall and warm temperatures, but late March snowstorms helped to improve the situation. Now, Tamarack Resort is preparing for the summer season, which begins on May 23 with the opening of the Osprey Meadows Golf Course and the debut of its new 100-slip marina.

Located 90 miles north of Boise, Tamarack Resort stands as the only U.S. destination where visitors can simultaneously enjoy skiing, golfing, and water sports. This sprawling 3,600-acre resort recently completed a significant $200 million revitalization. Key aspects of this renovation included the restoration of the Osprey Meadows Golf Course, originally designed by Robert Trent Jones II, and the construction of the new marina on Lake Cascade.

Gabe Navarro, managing partner at MMG Equity Partners and a key owner-developer of Tamarack Resort, emphasized the new marina's crucial role in positioning Tamarack as a year-round destination. He noted that Lake Cascade is one of the most picturesque alpine lakes in the region, and direct access through the marina allows for a full integration of water-based activities into the resort experience. According to Navarro, the marina reinforces Tamarack's image as a unique location combining mountains, lake, and golf. It opens opportunities for boating, paddle sports, fishing, and lakeside gatherings, offering guests another compelling reason to return in the summer. For many, the combination of these three elements in one place is an exclusive offering.

Situated in Idaho's Payette River Mountains region, Tamarack offers a diverse range of recreation, real estate, vacation rentals, event spaces, and an inviting alpine-style village. In winter, it boasts 1,530 acres of skiable terrain with a vertical drop of 2,800 feet, alongside extensive Nordic and snowshoe trails. During summer, in addition to golf, the resort provides mountain biking, ziplining, hiking, rafting, and various water sports on Lake Cascade.

Navarro also spoke about the substantial investments made in recent years to rejuvenate the resort village, enhance infrastructure, expand amenities, and elevate the overall guest experience. He observed that visitors notice all the changes, from new residential options and improved dining to expanded recreational opportunities and communal spaces. Most gratifying, he shared, is hearing long-time guests say that Tamarack now feels like the resort it was always meant to be. One of Tamarack's unique aspects is its swift and seamless transition between seasons—moving effortlessly from skiing and snow sports to golf, mountain biking, lake activities, and hiking. This year, the focus has been on continuing to build momentum in summer offerings while maintaining the high-quality winter experience guests anticipate. It is highly encouraging that more people are beginning to view Tamarack as a year-round destination rather than a single-season resort.

The 2024 renovation of the Osprey Meadows Golf Course has further solidified Tamarack's status as a premier golf destination. Located nearly 5,000 feet above sea level, the course stretches 7,447 yards from the furthest tees, offering five tee options. Navarro pointed out that the renovation improved playability while diligently preserving wetlands, native trees, beaver habitats, and historic bald eagle nesting sites. Approximately 70 percent of the fairways and greens incorporate water features.

Robert Trent Jones II masterfully designed two distinct nines at Osprey Meadows. The front nine meanders through lakes, wetlands, streams, wildflower meadows, and aspen groves; the back nine ascends into ponderosa pines, unveiling breathtaking views of Lake Cascade. Waterfalls, island-style greens, doglegs, split fairways, and boardwalk bridges collectively create a genuine sense of adventure and wilderness.

The 19th hole, affectionately known as "The Gambler," is a par-3 often used by players for a "double or nothing" finish. It offers an enjoyable way to conclude a round on this superb golf course. Additionally, the resort features a 23,000 square-foot social and putting green—the largest of its kind in the region.

Navarro concluded by stating that Osprey Meadows is genuinely one of the most spectacular mountain golf courses in the Northwest. Its design fully capitalizes on the natural terrain, with many holes presenting incredible vistas of Lake Cascade and the surrounding mountains. As part of the resort's comprehensive revitalization, significant attention has been dedicated to elevating the entire golf experience—from course conditions to the clubhouse and guest amenities. The overarching goal has been to ensure the course perfectly matches its world-class setting.