Brundage Mountain is a powder-rich ski resort in the mountains of west-central Idaho in the United States. It gets some of the deepest, lightest snow in the region, over 8m in an average season, and it falls on a glorious mix of tree-lined glades and wide, rolling groomers. Open since 1961 and still independently owned, Brundage has a friendly, down-to-earth feel that keeps regulars coming back year after year. It sits above McCall, a lakeside town on the southern shore of Payette Lake, and on a clear day the frozen lake and snow-covered peaks of the Payette National Forest make a beautiful backdrop to your skiing.

Brundage covers 1,920 acres of mostly west-facing terrain, with a vertical drop of 549m from its 2,347m summit. There's enough variety to keep every level happy. Wide, sweeping greens and blues roll down the mountain's front face for beginners and intermediates, while higher up, steep blacks and ungroomed terrain give stronger skiers plenty. Beyond the downhill, tree skiing is the real draw for many, with gladed runs holding soft snow between the pines, plus a terrain park for freestyle riders and guided snowcat skiing across 18,000 acres of backcountry. The season usually runs from early December through mid-April, and the cold, dry inland climate keeps conditions consistent throughout.

Off the slopes, McCall is a welcoming town with restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, and a lively arts scene. There's plenty to fill the days you're not skiing, from cross-country trails and snowshoeing to ice skating, dog sledding, and soaking in natural hot springs around the area. The town properly throws itself into the winter spirit, with frozen-lake walks, firepits outside the breweries, and a calendar of events running through the season. It all adds up to an unpretentious, easygoing holiday, with serious snow on the mountain and a town that knows how to make the most of the season.

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