Brundage Mountain Resort will be celebrating its latest closing date in history as its 50th Season comes to a close this weekend, May 14-15.
Brundage Mountain is now closed mid-week, but is planning to operate for a final Bonus Weekend this Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm.
A barrage of snowfall during March and April resulted in an unusually deep spring snow base. The ski area currently has 78” at the base and 128” on the summit, and has received four inches of fresh snow this week.
“The weekend forecast includes sunshine and comfortable temperatures, so we’re expecting classic spring skiing conditions and some enthusiastic crowds here to help us make history,” added Russell.
Prior to this year, Brundage Mountain’s latest closing day was May 10, 2008.
Brundage Mountain saw more overall snowfall over the course of the season in 2007-2008, but this year’s snow base remains more than a foot deeper than it was on closing day in 2008.
“We are proud to offer our longest extended season ever to celebrate 50 years at Brundage Mountain,” said resort spokesperson, April Russell. “The conditions have been incredible for our first four bonus weekends, and we’re excited to share one final weekend on the slopes with our loyal visitors.”
Brundge Mountain Resort celebrates 50 years!
Brundage Mountain is inviting all Closing Day skiers and riders to meet in front of the main lodge at 1:00 pm for a commemorative photo.
Brundage Mountain is offering special closing weekend ticket discounts. Adults 18-69 can purchase a one-day ticket for $30, or a two-day ticket for $50.
Seniors 70 & over are free. Kids 17 & under are also free.
In addition to adding value for Brundage Mountain’s season pass holders, the extended season benefits the local economy by keeping seasonal employees working longer into the shoulder season and keeping tourist traffic moving through the nearby communities.
“Even a little bit of increased traffic can really help our local businesses this time of year,” added Russell.
Season passes are also still discounted through this final weekend. It’s a great time to purchase your 2011/2012 pass and enjoy using it this summer for scenic chair rides and mountain biking.
SKI THE BONUS WEEKENDS AT BRUNDAGE MOUNTAIN RESORT!
Brundage Mountain Resort has had a great year with over 330″ of snow this season. With a dumping of fresh powder this past week, Brundage has decided to extend their season into May! Three Bonus Weekends are planned – and more are quite possible. Snow conditions are almost the best of the entire season, so they now plan to stay open on weekends at least through the first of May.
A powder day at Brundage; Compliments of Brundage Mountain Resort
April 10th is the last day of Brundage’s normal season. Their three planned Bonus Weekends are scheduled as follows, conditions permitting:
Bonus Weekend #1 – April 16 – 17
Bonus Weekend #2 – April 23 – 24
Bonus Weekend #3 – April 30 – May 1
Brundage Mountain will continue to assess conditions in the coming weeks in hopes of adding more bonus weekends beyond the May 1 date. You can continue to moniter the conditions yourself here.
Brundage has announced that discount lift tickets will be offered during the Bonus Weekends.
Brundage Mountain Resort is celebrating its 21st Winter Games competition with Slalom and GS races for competitors of all ages and abilities. They are happy to have back this year as their sponsors Sterling Savings Bank! NEW THIS YEAR: Skiers and Snowboarders are invited to join Brundage Sunday for their newest medal event: the FREESTYLE JAM. Freestyle Jam registration is separate from other events. Register at 9:00 am Sunday on the 3rd floor of the lodge – the event starts at noon!
Join Brundage for this Idaho tradition and make lasting family memories.
One of my favorite forms of exercise this time of year is snowshoeing almost anywhere around McCall. It’s one of those great sports….if you can walk you can participate.
If you love walking through the forest, snowshoeing in Ponderosa Park is for you! The trails wind through huge ponderosa pine stands and around the beautiful frozen marshes. Being home to elk, deer, bear, fox, coyote as well as many species of birds, there are ample chances to spot wildlife during an afternoon snowshoe tour.
Snowshoes available at River Ranch for owners and guests
River Ranch is a fabulous location if you love solitude, 360 degree views, listening to the babbling of the river, viewing wildlife or just some good old exercise! With 2-1/2 miles of river available to our owners and their guests, there is plenty of river bank to travel along. The 80 acres of conservation land accessible from the river, as well as from many of the homesites, is a great place to catch of glimpse of some of the resident wildlife.
There may be no better way to view your future home site than on snowshoes during a beautiful McCall, winter day!
River Ranch is assisting with the building of Community Real Estate’s first ever ice sculpture for McCall’s 2011 Winter Carnival. Located at the south end of McCall, it will be the first sculpture to come into view as tourists and carnival attendees drive up the highway from Boise.
Community Real Estate’s entry is entitled “The Payette Express.” They chose a locomotive and passenger car appearing out of a mountain tunnel as their entry for the 2011 100 Years of McCall theme. “We’re not building our sculpture to win,” commented Pete Hitt, a Community Real Estate sales associate and designer of the sculpture, “we’re designing it to be a hit with the kids.” The passenger car is being built so that viewers can enter and have their photo taken through a rear window.
Ice sculpture in progress at Community Real Estate
A map for viewing this year’s ice sculptures can be downloaded here.
Children enjoying The Payette Express
For additional information about the 2011 McCall Winter Carnival, visit the McCall Chamber of Commerce website.
Brundage Mountain Resort lit up the night sky December 29th in celebration of their 50th anniversary of operation. Hundreds of people gathered after a beautiful day of skiing for Brundage’s ‘Light Up the Night’ celebration to enjoy music by Idaho’s own Hillfolk Noir, drinks, torch-light parade, fireworks and pasta dinner in support of this wonderful event.
Light Up the Night Poster
The DeBoer Family, owners of this beautiful resort, were joined by many of their out-of-town relatives for this grand occasion. The DeBoer’s shared ownership of the ski resort with the J.R. Simplot Family until about 3 years ago when they purchased Simplot’s share to become sole owners.
Light Up the Night Torch-Light Parade
Many changes have taken place since then….the installation of the Lakeview Lift on the McCall side of the mountain, development of the Lakeview Bowl runs, installation of the Bear Chair, building of the Bear’s Den log yurt where skiers can enjoy lunch during holidays and on the weekends as well as many other programs to spruce up the resort’s infrastructure.
One of Brundage's special events
Many skier specials are being offered in celebration of Brundage’s 50th anniversary. Check out their website to learn more and to see the current conditions on the mountain as well as a current snow report.
McCall’s popular annual Winter Carnival is scheduled for January 29th through February 6th. The 2011 theme is “100 Years of McCall” and was chosen to kick-off the city of McCall’s centennial celebration. In the spirit of celebrating 100 years, the organizers are excited to bring a local focus to this year’s Carnival.
The Carnival will kick off with the Opening Ceremonies and followed by a beautiful Fireworks Display over Payette Lake on Friday night, January 28th, beginning at 6:00. A schedule of events, which is being updated on a regular basis, is available here.
New for this year is Winter Carnival clothing which can be purchased on-line or at vendors during the event. Short and long-sleeve t-shirts, sweatshirts, vests, hoodies, bibs and hats, are a few of the items available.
Link to purchase Winter Carnival Clothing
Probably the highlight of each McCall Winter Carnival is the Snow-Sculpture Contest. Local businesses, civic groups, school children and others gather this time each year to build one of the many snow sculptures to fit the theme of the year’s event and compete for an array of prizes. Check out the photo gallery of some of the past entries.
Along with the snow sculpture contest, some of the other popular Winter Carnival events include the Mardi Gras Parade, Bingo, Monte Carlo Night, sled-dog pull competition and comedy night.
The annual McCall Winter Carnival brings thousands of people to town each year to take part in this exciting event. If you’d like to come and check out McCall in the winter – this may be a great time to combine some great skiing at Brundage Mountain Resort with participation in Winter Carnival events. Check with InIdaho.com for lodging opportunities as well as accommodation and reacreation package deals. You won’t be sorry!
Brundage Mountain Resort opened for winter operations on Saturday, December 4th with over 40 inches of powder at the summit.
This is the resort’s 50th Season, and its earliest opening in the last three years. Brundage Mountain opened on December 18th in 2009 and on December 20thback in 2008.
The McCall, Idaho ski resort got 21 inches of fresh snow during the week, (13” in the 48 hours prior to opening) giving mountain crews the snow they needed to prep the slopes for Saturday’s opening.
The resort is offering a ski-free coupon on their website for today, December 6th, through December 9th. Brundage Mountain Resort has also been offering a buy-one-get-one-free gift card on their website since late November.
Free Gift Card Offer at Brundage Mountain Resort
With an early opening, Brundage Mountain Resort should see a good year and all of its guests a great season of skiing!
Brundage Mountain Resort is bustling with activity as employees work to prepare for their 50th season.
Brundage will be celebrating this landmark with lots of family-friendly events and special deals. Highlights include their “50 Days of Deals” through December 8th featuring a roll-back of season pass prices. Brundage will also host a free “Light Up the Night” party on December 20th featuring live music, a torchlight parade and an apres-ski fireworks display.
More events are planned throughout the winter including a “Retro Day’ in February and a “Fireside Chat” designed for community members to come share their stories of what Brundage has meant to them.
Brundage Mountain Resort is owned by the DeBoer Family, descendants of Warren Brown, who was one of the three original founders of Brundage Mountain. With strong ties to the local community, the DeBoer’s believe it’s important to do something special to thank their loyal visitors.
Brundage Mountain Resort founders, from left, were Warren Brown, J.R. Simplot and Corey Engen, shown in this photo taken in the early 1960s
Brundage is asking long-time skiers and boarders to share the memories, photos and stories so they can be included in a planned book about the area’s history. Anyone with amusing stories or interesting facts is being encouraged to write to brundagehistory@gmail.com.
Uniquely situated on 2-1/2 miles of Idaho’s famous Payette River in
the resort town of McCall, Idaho, River Ranch is a private, gatehouse
community
with 64 ultra-spacious homesites on 458 acres. Close to everything,
River Ranch owners are minutes from renowned golfing, fishing and world-class
skiing
as well as downtown McCall and recreation on beautiful, pristine Payette
Lake.
