How to Float a River with Kids

One of our favorite outdoor activities to do as a family is float the river. It’s relaxing and fun. We typically float for half a day so somewhere between 3 – 5 hours. If you’ve never floated a river, it can be a little intimidating even though there’s no skill needed. There are a few designated areas that I call out below where you can float.

There are some things you need to know before you float. For example, what to wear and how to chill your drinks.  Use your judgment and make sure conditions are safe before heading out.

What to wear while floating the river:

• Clothes and shoes that can get wet like your swimsuit
• Shoes that stay on your feet, like river sandals, aqua socks, or even tennis shoes you don’t mind getting wet. Do not wear flip flops.
• Sunglasses
• If you wear glasses, straps to keep them secure are a good idea.
• Hat
• Wearable Drybag

Other Items to Bring

• Raft or tubes: In Texas, tubes are ideal, because it’s so hot and the water is warm. In Oregon and Idaho, rafts are better because the water is so cold.
• Life jackets: Laws vary by state, but everyone should always have a life jacket. Never take a child into a river without a life jacket.
• Paddles: You may not need them, but on the off chance you do, you will be happy to have them with you.
• Sunscreen
• Snacks: Pack snacks with minimal packaging.
• Non-alcoholic beverages
• Water: It’s important that everyone stays well hydrated while out in the sun.
• Mesh laundry bag: I use a mesh laundry bag and fill it with drinks and tie it to our raft. Typically the water is so cold it will keep the drinks super cold.
• Waterproof camera: Nowadays there are lots of waterproof cameras on the market.
• Air Pump: You will want to quickly fill up your tubes and rafts.

What else to bring, but leave in the car until the end:

• A change of dry clothes
• Towel

What Not to Bring

• Glass bottles or containers
• Styrofoam coolers or cups

Where to Float a River with Kids

Florida:

Fort White offers the most popular place to float in Florida at Ichetcucknee Springs State Park and is open May – September.

• Visitors bringing tubes into the park:  Enter park at the north park entrance located at 8294 SW Elim Church Road.
• Drivers will leave tubes and passengers at the tube drop off location in the upper parking lot area.
• Drivers will proceed to the South main entrance parking area located at 12087 SW U.S. Highway 27.
• Drivers will purchase a shuttle bracelet for transportation to North main entrance tube drop off from the general store. (The driver can also purchase tram bracelets for everyone in their party)
• Visitors renting tubes from within the park will need to enter the park at South main entrance instead, located at 12087 SW U.S. Highway 27.

Between Jacksonville and Tallahassee is Madison Blue Spring State Park, where you can float on weekends from May to September.

In Apopka, you can float Rock Springs Run in Kelly Park. Bring your own, or rent tubes for $5 – $7 from private outfitters located just outside the park. The float trip is short, it only takes about 25 minutes.  When you are done, it is a 5-minute walk on a paved sidewalk back to the start. The deepest part is about 5 feet and is much shallower in many places.

In High Springs you can do a short float down the Santa Fe River at Ginnie Springs. Put in at Devil’s Spring and float for an hour. You will exit at Twin Spring and walk back to where you parked. It takes around 15 minutes to walk back on the tubing trail. There are free air stations located in the park.

In Holt, in the Florida panhandle is Blackwater River State Park. Blackwater River offers a four-mile stretch of water that will take you 3-5 hours to float.

Spring Creek in Marianna near Tallahassee offers a four-hour tubing experience.  Start at Merrit’s Mill Pond where Spring Creek opens up to the Chipola River.

Georgia:

Near Atlanta, in Roswell, you can float the Chattahoochee River. You will only want to float here if it is over 80 degrees outside because the water is cold.

In Blue Ridge, the Toccoa River offers smooth rides through the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Idaho:

In Boise, you can float the Boise River.  (Some people even surf it, but we just float!) You can park your car at Ann Morrison Park and catch a bus. For a few dollars, the bus will take you up the river and drop you off at Barber Park. Last time we paid $2 per adult and they didn’t charge me for the kids. At the drop off point, there’s air available and you can inflate your raft or tube. You can also rent a raft or tube where they drop you off. I recommend using a raft because this river is extremely cold. It takes about two hours to float back down to the park. There are two small drops so you will have to hang on to your kids a few times.

Oklahoma:

In Oklahoma, in Chickasaw Country, you can float the Washita River. Washita River Floats will take you up the river and drop you off for a 4 mile float. It will take between 2.5 – 4 hours depending on how the river is moving. 

Oregon:

There are several rivers that you can float in Oregon, but we tend to stick to the same one. We float the Sandy River near Troutdale, Oregon. Start at Dabny State Park and pull out at Lewis and Clark state park. You do have to pay to leave your car in both of the parks. The last time we went it was $5 and they took credit cards.

Texas:

For the most part, there are shuttles available along popular Texas rivers. In Texas, the only legal access points are where bridges cross a navigable river. Keep this in mind if you’re doing it yourself and not using a shuttle service. The tube rental/shuttle companies are fairly cheap and make the whole thing super easy.

In San Antonio, you can float the Comal or Guadalupe River. Near San Antonio in Bandera is also the Medina River that can be floated

In San Marcos, you can float the San Marcos River.

In Austin, you can float the Barton Creek Greenbelt. There are no shuttles or tube rental outfits here.

In the Dallas/Fort Worth area, you can float the Trinity River.

Best Places to go Tubing in Texas

Virginia:

Most people float the South Fork of the Shenandoah River in Shenandoah Valley. Virginia has a no drinking in public law, so leave the booze at home.

Washington:

Yakima River Canyon is a popular place to float near Yakima, Washington. – Start at Umtanum for a three-hour float to Roza. Leave one car at Roza, this is where you will pull out of the river. It will likely cost $5 per car to park.

Get Travel Insurance

Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can go wrong on any trip. Be prepared for the worst with travel insurance. We use Travelex or Safety Wing (often cheaper).

Book Flights

I use Skyscanner to find flights. I use it so much, I wrote an entire guide to finding cheap flights with Skyscanner! Another option for finding deals is FlightHub.

Book a Place to Stay

I recommend using Expedia.com or Hotels.com for most hotel bookings. I prefer to book directly with Marriott when I stay there because of their excellent military discount.

If you prefer staying in a vacation rental instead, I recommend VRBO. If you are looking for a hostel, I use HostelWorld.

Choose Activities and Tours

To find great activities in any area I use Viator. If we are visiting a city with lots of popular attractions I always check CityPass, PogoPass, and GoCard to see if they have discount cards available. Groupon also tends to have a lot of local travel deals.

When I want to book a full-on multi-day tour I use TourRadar. They’ve got fantastic weekly deals. If going somewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean, I use Apple Vacations.

Rent a Car or Get a Lyft

More often than not, Lyft is cheaper than Uber. Use my Lyft link for an $18 credit! For a car rental in any country, I recommend Hertz or Discover Cars.

Save Money on Gas

Upside a free app gets you cash back on gas! Use promo code RV2Q2 to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus on your first purchase.

Get a Visa

I use iVisa to get all of my Visas.

Travel Printables

If you found this information helpful consider buying me a cup of coffee aka helping me pay to put kids through college! Just scan the QR code or click the link. As always, thank you for your support!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended but doesn’t cost you any extra. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

The post How to Float the River appeared first on Mommy Travels.

Sun Valley is best known for its ski resort and is most likely the reason you are visiting the area. In fact, they were the #1 ranked ski resort in the West by SKI Magazine last year. Because of this, we are going to start out with all the ski resort information. After that, we will break down other things to do, restaurant suggestions, and lodging recommendations.

They have large lifts and a gondola, making it easy to take kids up to the top of the slopes.

Sun Valley Ski Resort

Dollar Mountain Lift Tickets

Full-Day: Ages 13 – 64 $135, Seniors 65+ $105, and Child 12 and under $99

Bald Mountain Lift Tickets

Lessons

The lessons offered at Sun Valley are extensive. We had two instructors who skied with us all day. One was a snowboarder so he took one of the kids to practice snowboarding all day. Nothing beats one on one instruction. These private lessons start at $1,049.

Rentals

You can get rentals onsite. You can rent Skis, Boots, Poles & Helmet for $or a Snowboard, Boots & Helmet for $71 and up depending on the type of skis. Kid rentals are only $47.

Be sure to check out our Ski Trip Packing List for Families to make sure you remember everything you need.

Trail Map

You can find both maps here.

Mountains

There are two ski mountains in Sun Valley, Dollar Mountain, and Bald Mountain.

Dollar Mountain

Dollar Mountain at Sun Valley Ski Resort is a haven for beginners and families, offering a welcoming and nurturing environment to learn and enjoy the sport of skiing and snowboarding. This mountain is celebrated for its gentle, well-groomed slopes and user-friendly terrain, making it an ideal setting for those new to winter sports or for families with young children.

The resort features a top-notch ski school with experienced instructors who provide personalized lessons, ensuring a fun and safe learning experience. In addition to its beginner-friendly runs, Dollar Mountain also boasts several progressive terrain parks, where more experienced skiers and snowboarders can hone their skills on jumps, rails, and boxes.

The smaller scale of Dollar Mountain creates a more intimate and less intimidating atmosphere, perfect for building confidence and skills before tackling larger slopes. With its focus on learning and family fun, Dollar Mountain at Sun Valley Ski Resort stands out as a premier destination for families and beginners eager to embrace the joys of skiing and snowboarding in a supportive and scenic environment.

Bald Mountain

Bald Mountain, affectionately known as “Baldy” by locals, stands as the crown jewel of Sun Valley Ski Resort in Idaho, offering a premier skiing experience for enthusiasts around the world. Renowned for its consistently smooth, powdery slopes and minimal wait times, Baldy boasts a diverse range of runs that cater to all skill levels, from gentle, meandering paths for beginners to challenging, steep terrain for expert skiers.

The mountain’s impressive vertical drop and expansive terrain, coupled with Sun Valley’s state-of-the-art lift system, ensure a thrilling and efficient day on the slopes.

Off the trails, Baldy’s summit offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Wood River Valley, making it not just a skier’s paradise, but a haven for those who appreciate the serene beauty of alpine landscapes. 

Lodges at Sun Valley

There are several lodges on the mountain where you can grab lunch or a drink. 

Things to do in Sun Valley

Sun Valley, Idaho, offers a wealth of activities beyond skiing and snowboarding, making it a versatile destination for all types of travelers. Here’s a list of things to do in Sun Valley that don’t involve hitting the slopes:

1. Ice Skating: Enjoy gliding across Sun Valley’s iconic outdoor ice rink, suitable for all skill levels and a favorite among both locals and visitors.
2. Snowshoeing: Explore the serene winter landscapes of Sun Valley on snowshoes, a peaceful way to connect with nature and enjoy the area’s natural beauty.
3. Cross-Country Skiing: Try your hand at Nordic skiing with miles of well-groomed trails winding through the stunning scenery of the Wood River Valley.
4. Sleigh Rides: Experience a traditional horse-drawn sleigh ride, a romantic and family-friendly activity that offers a unique way to see the snowy countryside.
5. Spa and Wellness: Indulge in some relaxation and rejuvenation at one of Sun Valley’s luxurious spas, offering a range of treatments to soothe post-adventure muscles.
6. Cultural Experiences: Visit the Sun Valley Museum of Art or catch a performance at the Sun Valley Opera House, showcasing a variety of artistic and cultural events.
7. Snow Tubing: A fun and exhilarating activity for all ages, snow tubing is a great way to enjoy the winter snow in a more relaxed setting.
8. Shopping and Dining: Explore Sun Valley’s charming boutiques and shops, followed by a meal at one of the area’s excellent restaurants or cozy cafes.
9. Photography and Scenic Tours: Capture the beauty of the Idaho mountains and valleys on a photography tour, or take a scenic drive to enjoy the vistas.
10. Fat Biking: Rent a fat bike and pedal your way through snowy trails, a unique and increasingly popular winter activity.
11. Fly Fishing: For a unique winter experience, try fly fishing in the nearby rivers, a peaceful activity amidst beautiful surroundings.
12. Hot Springs Visits: Take a short trip to one of the many natural hot springs near Sun Valley, where you can relax in warm, mineral-rich waters.
13. Dog Sledding: Experience the thrill of dog sledding, an unforgettable way to explore the snowy landscapes, led by a team of enthusiastic sled dogs.
14. Yoga and Fitness Classes: Join a yoga or fitness class to stay active and centered during your vacation, with many options available throughout Sun Valley.
15. Wildlife Watching: Embark on a wildlife watching adventure to see local animals such as elk, deer, and various bird species in their natural habitat.

Summer Activities – In the summer, enjoy incredible hiking, horseback riding, and biking through over 400 miles of trails, as well as fishing, golfing, and more. There’s even a year-round ice skating rink!

Where to Eat in Sun Valley

There are a lot of Sun Valley restaurants to choose from in town, on top of what is offered at the mountain.

Ketchum Grill

Ketchum Grill is a Sun Valley favorite, known for its delicious steaks and friendly service. The restaurant has a cozy, lodge-like feel and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Be sure to try the bison ribeye!

Pioneer Saloon

Pioneer Saloon is an iconic Sun Valley eatery, housed in an old stagecoach stop from the 1800s. The restaurant is famous for its juicy burgers and hand-cut fries, and it also has a great selection of local beers on tap.

Sawtooth Club

The Sawtooth Club is a popular après-ski spot, located right at the base of the ski area. The menu features classic American fare such as wings, nachos, and cheeseburgers, and there are also a few vegetarian options available.

Ram Restaurant & Brewery

The Ram Restaurant & Brewery is a great option for those looking for a hearty meal after a day on the slopes. The menu features a variety of hearty soups, sandwiches, and burgers, as well as a selection of house-brewed beers.

Gondola Pizza

Gondola Pizza is the perfect spot for grabbing a quick slice after hitting the slopes. The pizzeria offers both traditional and gourmet pies, and there’s also a full bar with beer and wine available by the glass or pitcher.

Wrap City

Wrap City is a great option for those looking for a quick and healthy meal on the go. The restaurant offers wraps made with fresh ingredients and whole wheat tortillas, as well as salads and soups.

Where to Stay in Sun Valley

Sun Valley Resort

The Sun Valley Lodge is the perfect place to stay if you want to be in the heart of all the action. The lodge is located right in the center of Sun Valley, just steps from all the best shops, restaurants, and bars. The lodge also has its own ski school and rental shop, so you can hit the slopes as soon as you arrive. Plus, you can take advantage of the swimming pools.

Shopping in Sun Valley

Gold Mine – If you need ski gear, but do not want to pay top dollar head here to shop for used gear. They’ve got a pretty good selection, so chances are high you will find what you need.

Sun Valley FAQ’s

What time is it in Sun Valley?

Sun Valley is on Mountain time, so one hour later than Pacific Time.

Where do I find the Sun Valley snow report?

You can find the daily snow report at https://www.sunvalley.com/mountain-snow-report/

Where to fly into to get to Sun Valley?

There is a small airport just south of town and a few major airports fly into it. If you need to use a major airport we suggest flying into Boise or Salt Lake City. Be sure to rent a car that has AWD.

How far is Sun Valley from Boise?

It is 155 miles, so 2 hours and 45 minutes drive time.

More Fun Places to Ski in Idaho

Pomerelle Ski Resort

Magic Mountian

Soldier Mountain Ski Resort

Get Travel Insurance

Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can go wrong on any trip. Be prepared for the worst with travel insurance. We use Travelex or Safety Wing (often cheaper).

Book Flights

I use Skyscanner to find flights. I use it so much, I wrote an entire guide to finding cheap flights with Skyscanner! Another option for finding deals is FlightHub.

Book a Place to Stay

I recommend using Expedia.com or Hotels.com for most hotel bookings. I prefer to book directly with Marriott when I stay there because of their excellent military discount.

If you prefer staying in a vacation rental instead, I recommend VRBO. If you are looking for a hostel, I use HostelWorld.

Choose Activities and Tours

To find great activities in any area I use Viator. If we are visiting a city with lots of popular attractions I always check CityPass, PogoPass, and GoCard to see if they have discount cards available. Groupon also tends to have a lot of local travel deals.

When I want to book a full-on multi-day tour I use TourRadar. They’ve got fantastic weekly deals. If going somewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean, I use Apple Vacations.

Rent a Car or Get a Lyft

More often than not, Lyft is cheaper than Uber. Use my Lyft link for an $18 credit! For a car rental in any country, I recommend Hertz or Discover Cars.

Save Money on Gas

Upside a free app gets you cash back on gas! Use promo code RV2Q2 to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus on your first purchase.

Get a Visa

I use iVisa to get all of my Visas.

Travel Printables

If you found this information helpful consider buying me a cup of coffee aka helping me pay to put kids through college! Just scan the QR code or click the link. As always, thank you for your support!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended but doesn’t cost you any extra. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

The post Sun Valley Ski Resort appeared first on Mommy Travels.

During our last ski trip to Idaho, we ended up skiing for a day at Magic Mountain. Although it was the smallest ski resort we visited during the trip, we still had just as much fun! Sometimes the smaller mountains are just more fun. Shorter lines and less people on the trails means more ski time!

Magic Mountain Ski Resort

Lift Tickets

• Full Day Adult (18+): $39; Kids Ticket (7-17): $29
• Half Day Adult (18+): $30; Half Day Kids Ticket (7-17): $22
• Full Day Senior (70+)/Military/Police: $28
• Half Day Senior/Military/Police: $22
• Kids Under 6: Free with paying adult

Season Passes

• Adult 10 Punch Card (18+): $350
• Adult 5 Punch Card (18+): $175
• Junior 10 Punch Card (age 7-17): $250
• Junior 5 Punch Card (age 7-17): $125

Lessons

They do offer lessons, which if I am honest I was surprised. The place is tiny but they offer so much anyway. They only have ski lessons, no snowboarding lessons. 

Rentals

They do offer an on-site rental shop where you can do a half-day or full-day ski or snowboard rental.

• Skis Full Day: $20
• Skis Half Day: $18
• Snowboard Full Day: $25
• Snowboard Half Day: $23
• Helmet: $5
• Poles: $5

In addition to regular ski and snowboard rentals, they also have other items you can rent. 

• Snow Bike: $25
• Snow Shoe: $10
• Cross Country Skis: $10
• Season Rentals: $89

Be sure to check out our Ski Trip Packing List for Families to make sure you remember everything you need. 

Trail Map

Tubing Hill

Next to the small restaurant is a tubing hill. The tubing hill must be a lot of fun because there were loads of people there. Seemed like there were twice as many people there to tube as there was to ski. 

Things to do near Magic Mountain

To be honest there is not that much around this area. You will have to head back to Twin Falls to find things to do. I did hear that the area has good snowmobile trails, here is a trail map. 

Where to Eat near Magic Mountain

Although Magic Mountain was the smallest ski resort we visited during our trip to Idaho, some of us would argue that it had some of the best food. With classic options to choose from, burgers, fries, chicken tenders, and other choices, the food was simple and delicious. There is nowhere else around here to eat so you either need to bring food with you or plan to eat at the mountain’s restaurant. 

Where to Stay Near Magic Mountain

Do yourself a favor and get a vacation rental through VRBO,  this will be by far the best option. There is only one motel in Kimberly, so if you want to stay in a hotel you will need to plan on staying in Twin Falls. They’ve got a good Best Western there, a few Hilton properties, and a few Marriott properties. You can scroll through them all here. 

Magic Mountain FAQs

What time is it at Magic Mountain?

Magic Mountain is on Mountain time, so one hour later than Pacific Time. 

Where do I find the Magic Mountain snow report?

You can find the daily snow report at  

Where can I fly into to get to Magic Mountain?

The two closest major airports are Boise or Salt Lake City. There are some smaller airports that are much closer, like Twin Falls. Be sure to rent a car that has AWD. I rented a Jeep and that worked well. 

How far is Magic Mountain from Boise?

161 miles

How far is Magic Mountain from Salt Lake City?

224 miles which is a 3.5 to 4-hour drive depending on the weather. 

More Fun Places to Ski in Idaho

Soldier Mountain

Pomerelle

Sun Valley Ski Resort

The post Magic Mountain Ski Resort appeared first on Mommy Travels.

Pomerelle Ski Resort

Although, Pomerelle is a small ski resort I promise you will be skiing all day. We had so much fun we extended our day and night skied for several hours. During the day both lifts run, but at night they only run one lift. I highly recommend only taking a car up here with AWD or 4WD. I had to use 4WD extensively coming down the mountain.

One of the best times to ski here is after the sunsets. During night skiing there’s hardly anyone on the mountain!

Lift Tickets

Full-Day: Adult $48, Child $35 (Children 6 and younger are free with a paying adult.)

Half Day: Adult $40, Child $30

Magic Carpet only $17

Season Passes

Pomerelle has an odd season pass pricing system. The more people in the family get a season pass the cheaper the pass. The first pass is $450, the second $410, the third $370, and the fourth $330. Any family members past that are $330. Children ages 7 – 12 are only $295. 

Lessons

The ski and snowboarding lessons here are excellent. They have private lessons and group lessons. Classes Depart at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm. They are for 7 years of age and older. All abilities, skier or boarder. Group lessons start at $40 and private lessons start at $65. 

Rentals

You can get rentals onsite. You can rent Skis, Boots, Poles & Helmet for $30 or a Snowboard, Boots & Helmet for $30. Kid rentals are only $15. 

Be sure to check out our Ski Trip Packing List for Families to make sure you remember everything you need. 

Trail Map

Where to Eat Near Pomerelle

I recommend that you plan to eat lunch and dinner at the lodge. There are other places once you get down the mountain but depending on when you visit they may not be open. The day we were in the area we couldn’t find an open restaurant.

During the day there’s an outside grill serving hamburgers and hotdogs. We had the hamburgers with the pepper toppings and they were delicious and filling. The outdoor grill does have drinks and cocktails as well.

Inside the lodge is another restaurant with lots more options and cheaper than the outdoor grill. The chili cheese fries and hot chocolate make a good afternoon snack. The West Texas girl inside me was thrilled to see steak fingers on the menu! You can see the menu pictured above.

Piggy Sue BBQ – A delicious food truck in Albion. 

Things to do near Pomerelle

Durfee Hot Springs –  a natural warm spring operating with 2 hot tubs, 1 kiddie pool, & 1 large lap pool, in Almo, Idaho.

Snowmobile at Mount Harrison – Located near Pomerelle Mountain Resort and accessed by Howell Canyon. Here you will get incredible panoramic views of the valley below and reliably deep powder.

Where to Stay Near Pomerelle

Finding somewhere close to Pomerelle can be somewhat difficult since it’s a sparsley populated area. 

Almo Inn

This is a small rustic-looking hotel. It is pictured above. It’s located just south of Pomerelle in Alma. When we stayed here there were no restaurants open and we hadn’t planned in advance for this. So, if you stay here plan accordingly. If you get in late it can be a little confusing which room is yours or where you are supposed to check-in. There’s nowhere to check-in. Look for the post-it note on the door with your name on it. We stayed in the Buffalo Bill room. It’s two stories with a kitchenette, master bedroom with a king bed and full bath. Upstairs is a bedroom with 2 full beds, another bathroom and rear access with balcony. (Pictured above.)

Pomerelle FAQ’s

Where is Pomerelle?

The address is 961 E Howell Canyon Rd, Albion, ID 83311.

What time is it at Pomerelle?

Pomerelle is on Mountain time, so one hour later than Pacific Time. 

Where do I find the Pomerelle snow report?

You can find the daily snow report at on their website at http://www.pomerelle.com/conditions/index.htm.

Where can I fly into to get to Pomerelle?

The two closest major airports are Boise or Salt Lake City. There are some smaller airports that are much closer, like Twin Falls.  Be sure to rent a car that has AWD. 

How far is Pomerelle from Boise?

It is a 2 hour and 58-minute drive from Boise to Pomerelle. 

How far is Pomerelle from Salt Lake City?

It is a 2 hour and 43-minute drive from Salt Lake City to Pomerelle. 

More Fun Places to Ski in Idaho

Sun Valley

Magic Mountian

Soldier Mountain

The post Pomerelle Ski Resort appeared first on Mommy Travels.

Soldier Mountain Ski Resort

The resort has two chairlifts reaching heights up to 7,177′ and a magic carpet for the little ones or beginners to learn on. They offer a nice assortment of green, blue, and black trails. They have 36 runs. Because of the nearby airbase, Mountain Home AFB, they offer a good military discount. 

Lift Tickets

Full-Day Ticket: Adult $47, Child $27

Half a Day Ticket: Adult $40, Child $20

Children 5 and under free.

Full-Day with Military Discount: Adult $30, Child $19

Magic Carpet Only: $16

Season Passes

Season pass holders enjoy a few special perks like two complimentary winter lift tickets to Bogus Basin near Boise and three complimentary tickets to Nordic Valley Ski Resort in Utah. Pass holders also receive a 40% discount at the following ski resorts: Kelly Canyon, Pebble Creek, Magic Mountain, Snow King Mountain Resort, and Beaver Mountain Ski Area!

Adult $435, Child $225

Military Adult $249, Child $129

Seniors ages 70+ $119

Lessons 

Soldier Mountain offers a variety of lessons depending on what day you visit and the snow conditions. For example, if there is not enough snow to run the Magic Carpet there will not be any lessons. You can take a group lesson or a private lesson. Lessons are taught by Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) certified. Here are the prices:

• (1.5 hr) Private Lesson $58
• (1.5 hr) Group Lesson $40
• 3 (1.5 hr) Private lessons $160

Cat Skiing

If you want to elevate your ski experience consider doing cat skiing. A cat will take you up to an elevation of 10,095′ where you can ski down Smoky Dome’s private powder. This part of the mountain has 2,000 acres of skiable backcountry terrain. ​For a single seat on the cat to ski this area the cost is $299 for a single seat. Cat ski prices include the use of a transceiver, backpack, shovel, and probe. You need to be an expert skier or snowboarder in order to participate. 

Trail Map

Rentals

They do have a rental shop where you can rent ski or snowboard equipment. Rentals start at $21 and go up to $39 depending on what you need. All rentals include a free helmet. If you have your own equipment you can get it tuned up or waxed here. Be sure to check out our Ski Trip Packing List for Families to make sure you remember everything you need. 

Food

There’s a little cafe inside the lodge with excellent hamburgers. They also have great chili. Next door is a full bar, the Fox Den Pub. 

Fun Fact: At one time it was owned by Bruce Willis, but has changed owners a few times in more recent years.

Things to do near Soldier Mountain

Baumgartner Hot Springs – Located at the Baumgartner campground is a hot spring that stays at 101 degrees year-round. 

Snowmobile – Just north of Fairfield is a good area to go snowmobiling. The runs near Fairfield are groomed weekly and regularly from December to March. You can pick up a free map of groomed trails from the Fairfield Ranger District. You can take your snowmobile to Worswick Hot Springs. 

Skillern Hot Springs – You will have to be super motivated to reach this well-fed hot spring. It is a two-hour hike along the Smoky Mountains in the Sawtooth National Forest. 

Bike Couch Summit – Couch Summit has miles of doubletrack and singletrack trails. As you ride you enjoy amazing views of the Sawtooth and Smoky Mountain ranges as well as the South Fork of the Boise River.

Worswick Hot Springs – This hot spring is located north of Fairfield, Idaho on the way towards Soldier Mt. There’s a parking lot making it easier to find. 

Fish for Rainbow Trout – Go boating and fishing at Mormon Lake. 

Where to Eat Near Soldier Mountain

Wrangler Inn – Burgers and shakes. 

Soldier Creek Brewing Company in Fairfield – Live music, bar food, and a large selection of beer. 

Iron Mountain Inn – Homestyle family diners like New York strips, Leg of Lamb, Surf and Turf, and Chicken Fried Steak.

Where to Stay near Soldier Mountain

There are not really any hotels nearby other than Prairie Inn, so you will likely need to look for a house to rent. You could also stay further away in Sun Valley if you prefer a hotel. Fairfield is the closest place to stay. 

For a totally unique stay check out this yurt! It has a hot tub. 

Soldier Mountain FAQ’s

Where is Soldier Mountain located?

The ski resort is located at 1043 North Soldier Creek Rd., Fairfield, Idaho 83327.

What time is it at Soldier Mountain?

Soldier Mountain is on Mountain time, so one hour later than Pacific Time. 

Where do I find the Soldier Mountain snow report?

You can find the daily snow report at https://www.onthesnow.com/idaho/soldier-mountain-ski-area/ski-resort.html. 

Where can I fly into to get to Soldier Mountain?

The two closest major airports are Boise or Salt Lake City. Be sure to rent a car that has AWD. 

How far is Soldier Mountain from Boise?

It is a one-hour and fifty-five-minute drive from Boise to Soldier Mountain. 

How far is Soldier Mountain from Salt Lake City?

From Salt Lake City, Soldier Mountain is a four-hour and nineteen-minute drive. 

More Fun Places to Ski in Idaho

Sun Valley

Magic Mountian

Pomerelle

All in all, Soldier Mountain Ski Resort is great for a weekend getaway. Just don’t forget your skis or snowshoes – and some goggles if you plan on going down one of those hills! See ya at the top!

The post Soldier Mountain Ski Resort appeared first on Mommy Travels.

From the lush trails of the Boise River Greenbelt to the interactive and educational wonders of the Discovery Center of Idaho, Boise is a city that invites families to explore, learn, and create lasting memories together. Whether you’re looking for a serene day in one of the city’s many parks, a cultural journey through its museums, or an exciting outdoor adventure, Boise promises a delightful and unexpected family getaway. Join us as we uncover the multitude of family-friendly experiences that make Boise, Idaho, a must-visit destination on your travel itinerary.

Family Fun in Boise, Idaho

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Boise, Idaho is the perfect spot for a family trip, or even just a family weekend getaway during the warm months. There are a variety of things to do in Boise. It is easy to get around and it’s a relaxing area.

Float the Boise River

I personally enjoyed floating down the Boise River.  (Some people even surf it, but we just float!)You can park your car at Ann Morrison Park and catch a bus. For a few dollars, the bus will take you up the river and drop you off at Barber Park. At the drop off point, you can inflate your raft or tube. You can also rent a raft or tube here. I recommend a raft because this river is very cold. It takes about two hours to float back down to the park. There are two small drops so you will have to hang on to your kids a few times. Don’t forget life jackets!

Julie Davis Park

Julie Davis Park is a great place to go bike riding or roller skating. They have paved sidewalks all along the Boise River. The Boise Zoo is also located at this park. The zoo was okay. It is no way near as good as any of the zoos you would find in Washington or Oregon.

Ivywild Pool

This is a great community pool with a fantastic area for toddlers. It is inexpensive and makes for a great day out!

• There are five other public pools in Boise. I have not tried them, but have heard good things about each of them.

Roaring Springs Water Park

Roaring Springs Water park is located right outside of Boise to the west in Meridian, Idaho. It is a good water park and they are pretty good about adding new stuff on a regular basis.

Boondocks Family Fun Center

Right next door to the water park is Boondocks Family Fun Center. The kids can putt-putt and play games.

Boise’s downtown area is nicely laid out and extremely clean. They have a farmer’s market on Saturday mornings during parts of the year that is fun to go to.

Tumble Time Gymnastics

We discovered this wonderful gymnastics gym, Tumble Time Gymnastics, in Boise, Idaho back in 2003 when our oldest was just two years old. They have a fantastic mommy and me program. They make gymnastics so much fun for all ages. The owners are great people and you can tell that they love what they do. Visit during their open gym time Mon- Thurs, 12-1 PM and Saturday from 11 AM – 1 PM.

Fly High Trampoline Park – Fly High Trampoline Park coupon. 

Morrison Knudson Nature Center 

Ann Morrison Park

This park is so great it should have its own post. We used to hang out here all the time. We would bring our bikes or roller skates, play tennis, or just watch the kids play on the massive playground they have.

If you want to float the Boise River along the green belt this is the park you need to be at in order to catch the bus. The bus never charged us for the kids and we were charged $1 or $2 per adult.

You can park at Julie Davis park, feed the ducks and then bike over to Ann Morrison Park along the Greenbelt.

There are always lots of people there playing horseshoes or cricket. I saw a lot of soccer teams out there playing. If you are visiting the area, it is a great park to take your kids to.

Boise Restaurants

An excellent kid-friendly Italian restaurant in Boise is Gino’s. They have several locations, including one in downtown.

The best Mexican food in the area that we were able to find was Rocca’s in Eagle, Idaho right outside of Boise.  

A good steak house is Cottonwood Grill, but I wouldn’t take the kids with you.

Dave & Buster’s – This is a great place for families. They have a huge arcade. 

Boise Hotels

The hotel we enjoyed the most while we were there was the Residence Inn by Marriott by the Boise mall.

Day Trips from Boise

Soldier Mountain

Two hours from Boise is a small ski resort, Soldier Mountain. This happens to be Eden’s favorite place to ski in Idaho. They are open every Thursday through Sunday. See our review of Soldier Mountain Ski Resort.

Sun Valley Ski Resort

This bougie ski town is just 3 hours away. Here’s everything you need to know to visit: Sun Valley Ski Resort

Magic Mountain

Another little ski resort not far past Twin Fallas. Magic Mountain Ski Resort Review

Pomerelle Ski Resort

Pomerelle Ski Resort is barely close enough to be a day trip but we love it, so I thought I would go ahead and include it. 

There are plenty of fun things to do with kids in Boise, Idaho! From the Zoo Boise and Discovery Center of Idaho to exploring local parks and caves, there’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy. With so many great options, you’ll never be bored in Boise!

Get Travel Insurance

Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can go wrong on any trip. Be prepared for the worst with travel insurance. We use Travelex or Safety Wing (often cheaper).

Book Flights

I use Skyscanner to find flights. I use it so much, I wrote an entire guide to finding cheap flights with Skyscanner! Another option for finding deals is FlightHub.

Book a Place to Stay

I recommend using Expedia.com or Hotels.com for most hotel bookings. I prefer to book directly with Marriott when I stay there because of their excellent military discount.

If you prefer staying in a vacation rental instead, I recommend VRBO. If you are looking for a hostel, I use HostelWorld.

Choose Activities and Tours

To find great activities in any area I use Viator. If we are visiting a city with lots of popular attractions I always check CityPass, PogoPass, and GoCard to see if they have discount cards available. Groupon also tends to have a lot of local travel deals.

When I want to book a full-on multi-day tour I use TourRadar. They’ve got fantastic weekly deals. If going somewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean, I use Apple Vacations.

Rent a Car or Get a Lyft

More often than not, Lyft is cheaper than Uber. Use my Lyft link for an $18 credit! For a car rental in any country, I recommend Hertz or Discover Cars.

Save Money on Gas

Upside a free app gets you cash back on gas! Use promo code RV2Q2 to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus on your first purchase.

Get a Visa

I use iVisa to get all of my Visas.

Travel Printables

If you found this information helpful consider buying me a cup of coffee aka helping me pay to put kids through college! Just scan the QR code or click the link. As always, thank you for your support!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended but doesn’t cost you any extra. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

The post Family Fun in Boise, Idaho appeared first on Mommy Travels.