Your Winter Bucket List

Six Must-Do Activities in Cascade, Idaho

You may know Cascade for its charming downtown or for its welcoming hospitality. You may know Cascade for its rich history or for its respect for small town traditions. But have you discovered Cascade for its diverse, family-friendly winter recreation? We rounded up our favorite activities that deserve a place on your winter bucket list this year. Which one will you check off first?

#1 SNOWMOBILING

With more than 101 inches of snowfall a year and miles of expertly groomed trails to get you to some of the most pristine terrain in the lower 48, snowmobiling makes the top of our list. You can rent sleds or bring your own for a magical day in the mountains.

One of our favorite places to ride is on West Mountain. An easy access point to miles of trails that traverse this area is at the intersection of West Mountain Road and Anderson Creek Road. From the parking lot you can ride to the top of four corners and enjoy the West Mountain Warming Hut for a great lunch stop. Trails from this area connect all the way to Tamarack Resort to the north and Wellington Snow Park to the south.

If you prefer to start from the southern end of the valley, we like the easy access of Wellington Snow Park just before Cougar Mountain Lodge. The Warm Lake area also offers great riding if you are up for a scenic drive (approximately 26 miles up Warm Lake road). From Warm Lake you can follow a groomed trail into the Clear Creek area and up to Cougar Rock and into the Clear Creek parking lot – a nice route for a full day’s ride.

If you are aiming for a bigger adventure, try a ride into Yellow Pine. Starting from the Warm Lake parking area near the North Shore Lodge, follow the groomed trail into the backcountry. You can choose to head toward Deadwood as a detour, but it is highly recommended avalanche safety training has been completed for this jaunt. Once you reach Yellow Pine, enjoy the Corner Bar or the Tavern, which hosts some wonderful meals as well as beer or wine. The General Store and other businesses have fuel if you are running low.

And finally, one of our favorite trails to the north is the No Business Loop Trail. From the Donnelly Snowmobile Hut on West Mountain Road (just north of the intersection at Roseberry and West Mountain Road), you can access hundreds of miles of groomed trails.

*Always observe winter snow safety tactics, backcountry safety tactics, and private property.

#2 ICE FISHING

Perhaps one of Cascade’s worst-kept secrets is its stellar ice fishing. Lake Cascade is gaining traction as one of the most sought-after winter fishing destinations in the country. Record size perch and feisty trout offer some of the most fun catches around.

Limited guide services are available, but you can also get into the ice fishing craze with a fairly simple setup and strike out on your own.

For the easiest access, start at Lake Cascade. With miles of frozen lake ice to explore, the hunt for that trophy perch is easier than ever. But don’t stop there. We also love Horsetheif Reservoir and Warm Lake for ice fishing.

A great way to dip your line is to join in on a tournament weekend. Each year the Idaho Youth Outdoor fishing tournament is held at Horsethief and Warm Lake hosts the popular WTF (Where’s the Fish) tournament. And on Lake Cascade, the largest ice fishing Tournament is Tackle Tom’s “Cascade Cup.”

#3 HOT SPRINGS

There’s only one thing that makes soaking in a one of the area’s hot springs even more enjoyable… the crisp, cool winter air. While there are numerous natural hot springs around Cascade, most are difficult to get to in the winter. Two great options when the snow flies are Trail Creek Hot Springs and the Cascade Aquatic and Recreation Center.

First up, Trail Creek hot springs sits at 5,614 feet in elevation and has an average temperature of115 degrees (which can be lowered by adding creek water to the soaking pools through pipes along the river). To get to Trail Creek, take Warm Lake Road approximately 19 miles NE. Watch for a large pullout on your right, 0.4 miles east of milepost 61. Follow a 60-yard path from the west end to the canyon floor and the soaking pools. The hot spring includes two small pools with steep access, and can be very slippery!

Our second soaking pick may come as a surprise… the Cascade Aquatic and Recreation Center. This municipal swimming pool is unique in that it is heated with geothermal water. Covered with a dome in the winter, the Center offers an easy way to soak (and swim!) all winter long.

#4 SLEDDING

Nothing brings back (or makes!) childhood memories quite like sledding. One of the best places to go sledding in Cascade – as well as catch some epic views of Lake Cascade- is the local golf course. The slopes at the Cascade Golf Course paired with the lakefront views make this a haven for this classic winter activity. Another favorite sledding location is the south end of Lake Cascade. At the

South end of the lake there is room for some winter tailgating with space for grilling hot dogs and using snowmobiles to haul sledders to the top of the hill (please note: this is only available at the south end of the lake, not on the golf course!). A perfect day for kids and kids at heart!

#5 NORDIC SKIING

Idaho may be famous for its ski slopes, but there is just as much excitement to be found on the valley floor. Cascade’s Nordic trails are no exception. From groomed trails for a skate or classic outing to ample open space to crust cruise, there is no shortage of ways to explore.

We like to start at Van Wyck State Park. With easy access and the Lakefront Restaurant just steps away, this is a great jumping off point for a ski. We also love exploring the groomed trails at Hasbrouck Ranch. Located off Cabarton Road (approximately 1.2 miles west from Clear Creek Station), the Ranch offers seven kilometers of trails for Nordic, fat biking, and snowshoeing.

#6 EXPLORE CASCADE

In between snowmobiling, ice fishing, hot springs soaking, sledding, and Nordic skiing, there is one winter gem that stands ready for any mood or ability… exploring this amazing small town. From our unique shops and boutiques offering a treasure trove of fun items to discover, to our cozy, family-owned restaurants ready to warm you up with delicious homecooked fare, downtown Cascade is an experience all on its own. Stay for the night or stay for the week. Our friendly folks are ready to make this winter one of your best yet.