McCall Winter Carnival kicks off Friday, Jan. 28! Ice sculptures, skiing, xc skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, live music, food you name it!

Return to the Sea ice sculpture at the 634 cafe on main street in McCall.

Hi all, 

With the dreaded gray, cold inversion in place in the Treasure Valley, it's pretty much a no-brainer for me to find a way to escape from that depressing scene to go play in the mountains above! Hope you can do that, too! 

The weather forecast for this weekend is nothing but sunshine at higher elevations and ground fog and cold temps in the valley floors. 

The McCall Winter Carnival kicks off on Friday and runs for two weekends through Feb 8. This year's theme is: "Return to our Roots." I've heard lodging is really hard to find in McCall proper, and Donnelly and Cascade may be tough, too, so be sure to reserve something quick, if you're hoping to stay overnight. Maybe try for mid-week, next week? 

But even a day trip to McCall to see all the ice sculptures - and perhaps get out on some type of outdoor outing during the day - would be worth the trip! There are things to see and do in Donnelly and Cascade as well this weekend, and also Tamarack Resort has ice sculptures to view, live music, multiple food venues, and all kinds of skiing/riding, of course, on the mountain. 

Check out the McCall Winter Carnival events schedule for all of the details.  

I noticed that the free ice skating rink at Golden Glove Park in McCall is freshly flooded and ready to go. There was no one there when I shot this picture, and the ice skating surface is beautiful! 

Ice skating is free, BTW. Just bring your own skates. 

More sculpture pics that took on Thursday ... 

Train at Fogglifter coffee house and cafe. 

Horse-drawn chariot at Whitetail Real Estate and Shore Lodge 

Rupert's executive chef Gary Kucy fashioned this sculpture for Stacey Cakes ... "Pig Out!" 

Other events of note include: 

• Idaho Mountain Freeride series with slopestyle and rail jam events going on at the Little Ski Hill this weekend and Tamarack Resort next weekend.  
• Bloody Marys and DJ Dance Party at the Yacht Club in McCall. 
• Snowbike race in Cascade
• Fireworks
• Beer gardens 
• Dog sled races 
• Pancake breakfasts
• McCall Starz on Ice

Again, see the McCall Winter Carnival events schedule for all the details. 

Remember that you can go downhill skiing at Brundage Mountain in McCall, xc skiing or snowshoeing at Bear Basin, Ponderosa State Park, Jug Mountain Ranch and the North Valley Trail, snow biking at Jug Mountain Ranch, tubing at the Activity Barn, guided snowmobile trips, snowmobile rentals, hot springs and more to do!   

Lake Cascade State Park has xc skiing and snowshoeing on the Crown Point Trail. 

Have a great weekend! 
- SS