Fire Helps Tamarack Resort Create New Ski Terrain
Fire season poses a unique challenge for ski resorts, in some cases, burning terrain and damaging lift infrastructure.
This summer, one of those blazes—the Rock Fire—threatened Tamarack Resort, Idaho, edging up against and into the ski resort's property. Rather than bemoan the fire, which has long since been contained and extinguished, Tamarack Resort is taking advantage of the changes it made to the mountain landscape, undergoing plans to establish 50 to 60 acres of new skiable terrain, Idaho 6 News reported.
"That was the hand mother nature dealt us, so we adapted and overcame," Tamarack Resort's president, Scott Turlington, told the news outlet. The mountain is in the process of removing burned timber to make way for the new slopes. Turlington said the terrain will mainly be for advanced skiers, according to Idaho 6 News.
Tap or click below to watch IdahoNews6's report from the burn scar and new terrain at Tamarack Resort.
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It's one example of ski resorts responding to and managing the effects of fire.
In 2021, the Caldor Fire torched Sierra-at-Tahoe, California, tearing across 80% of the ski resort's slopes. It only opened for a single weekend during the 2021-22 season, but the mountain worked hard to bounce back and is now planting thousands of saplings with the goal of enhancing gladed skiing.
In the summer of 2024, blazes also threatened ski areas like Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe, Sky Tavern, and Mountain High Ski Resort. With fear of fire behind it, Tamarack Resort plans to open for skiing and riding this coming season on November 28, 2025.
The ski resort is nestled in the mountains near McCall, Idaho. It features 1,530 skiable acres, 300 inches of average annual snow, and more than 56 named runs. You may have also heard of Brundage Mountain, another ski resort in the McCall area, which also has a planned opening day of November 28, 2025.
In other news, Tamarack Resort recently announced plans to limit day ticket sales on peak dates this winter—a measure adopted by other ski resorts across North America to control crowds and improve the on-mountain experience.