Tamarack Resort Ranks 21st in US Ski Resorts

Scott Turlington, the president of Tamarack Resort, called the recent award an incredible honor, and honestly, the data backs him up. Condé Nast Traveler just released its 2026 Readers' Choice Awards, and Tamarack landed at number 21 for the best ski resort in the United States. This isn't just another glossy magazine pick. It is based on more than 798,867 survey responses from actual travelers who went there, stayed there, and came back for more. That is a lot of people vouching for a single mountain in Idaho.

Most ski resorts are seasonal. You go in winter, you leave in spring, and then the place goes quiet for six months. Tamarack is different. It is the only resort in America that combines skiing, golf, and lake access in one master-planned community. That distinction is rare, and it is why this award feels like a validation of a specific type of travel: the kind where you do not have to choose between activities. You just do them all, one after the other, in the same zip code.

The Weight of the Readers' Choice Award

Let's be clear about what this award actually means. Condé Nast Traveler is not a brand that hands out stars lightly. Their Readers' Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious accolades in the travel industry. They are not chosen by a panel of editors who read press releases. They are chosen by the people who pay for the plane tickets and the lift tickets. When 798,867 readers submit their ratings, you get a snapshot of real satisfaction, not marketing spin.

Turlington noted that this recognition is especially meaningful because it comes directly from travelers who experienced the mountain and the community firsthand. That is the key phrase. It is not about the marketing budget. It is about the guest experience. In a market saturated with luxury resorts that charge a premium for a view, Tamarack is winning on the quality of the stay itself. The team has worked tremendously hard to elevate that experience, and the numbers suggest it is finally paying off in a big way.

More Than Just Snow

The stats for the ski season are solid. You have 2,800 vertical feet of skiing and riding across 2,000 mountain acres. There are 59 named runs and three terrain parks. The mountain gets an average of 300 inches of snowfall per year, which is a healthy amount for the region. But if that were all there was to it, it would just be another mid-mountain resort. The magic is in what surrounds the slopes.

Located 90 miles north of Boise on the shores of Lake Cascade, Tamarack is a pedestrian-friendly alpine village. You can walk from your lodging to the dining spots, to the après-ski areas, and out to the lake. It is a complete ecosystem. You are not just a skier; you are a resident of a small community for a few days. That level of integration is what sets it apart from the typical resort model where everything is siloed and transactional.

The Four-Season Play

This award did not come in a vacuum. It follows a year of national recognition and continued investment across Tamarack's four-season resort experience. In the same 2026 cycle, Tamarack was named the number one resort in the West in Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards. That is a massive win. Being the best in the West is a different tier than being the best in the country, but it shows a consistent trajectory of excellence.

The summer side is just as impressive. The Osprey Meadows Golf Course was ranked the number one public-access golf course in Idaho by Golfweek for 2026. So when the snow melts, the resort does not shut down. It pivots. You can swap your skis for clubs and head out on the links. It is a seamless transition that keeps the property active and relevant year-round. This is a smart business model for a destination that wants to be a primary vacation spot, not just a weekend trip.

New Waterfront Access

This summer, the resort launched a new marina on Lake Cascade. It features 100 boat slips and a fuel dock. For a ski resort, having a functional marina is a bold move. It signals that Tamarack is committed to the water as a primary asset, not just a scenic backdrop. You can wake up, go skiing, and then head out on the water in the afternoon. That is a full day of activity without ever leaving the property.

The infrastructure is there to support it. The fuel dock means you do not have to drive to a distant marina to refuel. You are in the village, you are on the water, and you are back at your lodge for dinner. It is a level of convenience that is hard to replicate elsewhere. The 100 slips suggest a serious investment in the boating community, welcoming both residents and visitors to enjoy the lake in a structured, safe environment.

The Momentum

Turlington is excited to build on this momentum as they head into another winter season. The 2026 Readers' Choice Awards are published on the website and celebrated in the November issue, which means the recognition is fresh and highly visible. Travelers are looking at these lists right now as they plan their trips. Being in the top 25 puts Tamarack in the conversation with much larger, more famous brands, and it is winning on the strength of its specific offering.

The fact that it is an independent resort adds to its appeal. It is not part of a giant conglomerate. It has its own identity, its own community, and its own set of priorities. That independence is often what creates the unique character that readers are looking for. They want a place that feels alive, not just a place that looks nice in a brochure. Tamarack seems to have found that balance, and the awards are the proof.