Whether you’re planning a vacation or simply plotting activities for a weekend close to home, keeping a family entertained can certainly present a challenge for even the most creative of parents. In an age where kids of every age seem to be flooded with Facebook and consumed by cell phones, disconnecting for family time and a breath of fresh air becomes all the more important- and all the more difficult to do.

But lucky for us, McCall moves at a little different speed. We like to shut it down and get out there, enjoying endless recreation and fun family events year-round. Recently, the lovely ladies of Traveling Mom visited Shore Lodge and The Cove spa and got a taste of what were talking about. From skiing at Brundage to movies in McCall’s only movie theater, the Idaho Traveling Mom deemed Shore Lodge and The Cove ideal options for fun family travel that was relaxing enough for mom and dad, too.

If you’re seeking a spot to enjoy some quality time with the kiddos, we invite you to experience nature’s playground and the family fun amenities here at Shore Lodge, too. Here are just a few ideas for your next adventure this winter:

Brundage Mountain – Located just a few miles from Shore Lodge, we proudly offer free transportation to the ‘Best Snow In Idaho.’ Whether your kids are into skiing or snowboarding, sledding or snowman building, Brundage truly is the place to be. Take a peek at our ‘stay and ski’ packages for special offers on snowy family fun.

Snowmobiling – If you group is the thrill-seeking sort, Shore Lodge’s staff will help you plan the perfect back country adventure to satisfy your need for speed. Rent all the gear and hit the trail for Burgdorf, located a few miles away through finely groomed trails of fresh powder. Upon arrival, enjoy a bite to eat at the cafe and a relaxing dip in the hot springs. Two smaller pools, perfect for the kiddies, are also onsite.

Bicycle Cruises - Downtown McCall is truly a scene out of a postcard so why not take it all in by bike? We offer free beach cruiser rentals to guests who wish to explore our wonderful town. Take a ride down Lake Street and be sure to stop in McPaws Animal Shelter to visit the kitties and the McCall Candy Company for the tastiest local made treats in town.

Lakeside S’mores – After a long day of family fun, kick back lakeside and roast up classic campfire snacks. From 7-10 p.m. we put out all the fixings for s’mores and invite you to enjoy a sweet and a smile with the ones you love.

And when the snow melts and the sun shines, be sure to come back as Shore Lodge offers a whole other set of summer activities for families including a kid’s camp, water sports, golf and more. Stay tuned for special offers on other fun family vacations here in McCall!

4t
34
t
Date: 2012-02-16

…to our parade float fun…

Winter recreation rolls on in McCall as nearby Brundage Mountain continues to see unprecedented snowfall in comparison to many ski destinations around the country. Currently the summit depth sits at 73″ so you can bet that you’ll be seeing McCall locals and Shore Lodge guests on the slopes all season long for the best skiing in Idaho.

For Valentine’s Day, we are spreading the love with our special packages designed just for lovers seeking a romantic getaway. Couples can retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life and enjoy an escape to McCall, Idaho- a relaxing and gorgeous town surrounded by natural beauty that offers a certain calm that can’t fully be described, it has to be felt. If you’re looking to get away from it all with the one you love, there’s truly no place like it and we want to welcome you here.

Shore Lodge is excited to offer our Decadence Package which includes a night of accommodation in a spacious Lake View Suite, one hour-long spa treatment per person at The Cove spa and champagne and strawberries delivered to their room. The package is available from $399 per night and is available through Feb. 29, 2012.

Guests can also enjoy an incredible, and incredibly romantic, dinner at The Narrows restaurant where Executive Chef Eric Gruber will be whipping up seasonally-inspired dishes that are served up alongside an award-winning wine list and panoramic lake views.

For McCall locals or nearby residents, The Cove offers a package that includes a bit of pampering and fine dining. The Valentine’s Day Excursion for couples, which includes a relaxing hour-long Vintage McCall Massage per person and an intimate dinner for two at The Narrows. This offer, also available through Feb. 29, 2012, is available for $279 per couple.

Though romance can be found here year-round, why not steal away this Valentine’s Day and enjoy some quality time with your special someone? We can bet they’ll love you for it.

For more on these packages and other offers from Shore Lodge, visit our website.

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, finding the perfect way to set the mood might be becoming more and more stressful. While flowers are nice and chocolates are sweet they don’t necessarily feed the passion quite like a delicious culinary experience would. To ensure maximum romance, Chef Eric Gruber suggests you start in the kitchen.

On Feb. 11, Chef Eric will be turning up the heat as he invites couples into his kitchen for an exclusive cooking class. Aptly named “Love Potion No. 9,” this Valentine’s-inspired evening will leave folks drunk on love and filled up on gourmet cuisine that they have helped prepare. Participants will work alongside the Shore Lodge culinary team to help prepare all courses while learning some culinary secrets along the way. They will then team up with John Wood, our expert wine manager, to select vino pairings for the meal. Finally, guests will enjoy their wine and social time while Chef finishes up the dishes they’ve started and serves them up for the class to enjoy. As if that doesn’t sound tantalizing enough, here’s what’s on the menu:

• Blood Orange Sangria
• Crostini with Fig Marmalade and Prosciutto
• Roasted Sweet Pepper Bisque
• Arugula, Avocado and Blood Orange Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette
• Capellini Putanesca with Fresh Mozzarella Cheese and Basil
• Parmesan Risotto with Seared Sea Scallops
• Tiramisu with Marscarpone Cheese

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $250 per couple. Space for this event is extremely limited so call 208-634-2244 to make your reservations soon. For more on dining, vacations and spa offers from our ever-romantic McCall, Idaho resort, visit our website.

The 2011 Winter Carnival parade filled the streets of McCall with festive winter fun.

McCall’s signature event kicks off next week as folks will flock from across the country to enjoy the wonders of winter with us.  The 47th Annual McCall Winter Carnival, Jan. 27 – Feb. 5, combines art, music, food and fun for the whole family and we simply can’t wait!

This year’s Winter Carnival theme is “Destination Adventure” in honor of the endless recreational adventures and adventurous spirit that can be found in McCall year-round. The Cove spa here at Shore Lodge will be creating a parade float and ice sculpture dedicated to the adventures that await guests at the destination spa, which opened last summer. The float will be called”Après Adventure at The Cove” and will feature a mobile mock-up of the spa complete with a stone hot tub and faux fireplace. Their ice sculpture will also be on display daily alongside the other intricate creations by McCall businesses and locals. Hopefully The Cove will be able to top our awesome ice train from last year:

Anyone who would like to get out of the cold and enjoy the sweeter side of Winter Carnival can stop by our annual Chocolate and Spirit Tasting on Feb. 2. Guests will enjoy an evening of premium spirits and locally handcrafted chocolates. All proceeds from this event benefit the McCall-Donnelly Education Foundation.

The first McCall Winter Carnival took place in 1924 as a three-day event that attracted 250 visitors. Today, the nine day festival brings together thousands from across Idaho and the Pacific Northwest to celebrate our favorite season. If you’re in town, be sure to stop by and say hi and if you’re not, well, we hope you plan on getting here next year!

Located just 2 hours north of Boise, McCall is the ideal destination for folks who want to get out of town and hit the slopes right now. Snow seekers can take advantage of our ‘Ski & Stay’ packages now through March 31:

Brundage 2 Night 2 Lift Ski Package includes two nights of lodging in a spacious Lake View Suite and two lift               tickets to Brundage Mountain. Plus, transportation to the ski area is provided   complimentary on the Shore Lodge shuttle. The package, priced starting from $365 per room excluding resort fee and tax.

For a short luxury ski getaway, the Brundage 1 Night 2 Lift Ski Package also is available.

Those who wish to add some relaxation to their ski-town getaway can indulge in the Stay, Spa & Ski Package, which features two nights of lodging in a Lake View Suite, two $100 credit vouchers at The Cove spa and two lift tickets to Brundage. The package is priced starting from $565 excluding resort fee and tax.

For more information, visit our website. See you on the slopes!

With January 1 fast approaching, for most this is the time to begin planning for the coming year. Before we begin making our list of New Year’s resolutions, here at the Shore Lodge, we’d like to take a moment to look back on the past year as we gear up for the amazing one before us.

2011 has brought many exciting changes to Shore Lodge and left us with much to be thankful for. After years of planning, hard work and imagination, The Cove Spa opened in June and has quickly become one of McCall’s premier sites for relaxation and rejuvenation. Just two months later, we teamed up with Whitetail Club to host the Sixth Annual Payette Cup couple’s golf tournament where golf enthusiasts enjoyed gorgeous summer weather and the spacious fairways of one of the top private golf courses in the country. This fall, professional successes abounded our team as Brian Scott and the Shore Lodge racing team had a fantastic season at the NASCAR Nationwide series while our director of sales and marketing, Jocelyn Kidd, was named club director for Whitetail (and we couldn’t be more proud). It truly was a fantastic year.

With so many things to be grateful for in 2011, we can’t help but await the coming year in eager anticipation, and living in beautiful McCall gives us plenty to look forward to! Here is our list of 12 things we’re most looking forward to in 2012:

1. Building a snow sculpture for McCall’s 47th annual Winter Carnival. Check out the Shore Lodge team’s sculpture from last year, a squirrel skiing by fish and tow –we called it “Chain Reaction! “
2. Experiencing the jaw dropping 1,800 vertical drop at Brundage, named one of the top 7 thrill ride ski spots by Yahoo Sports.
3. Attending Brundage Mountain’s annual Crazy Daze pond skimming contest. The signature event is a local favorite and a celebrated rite of spring. Read how Shore Lodge blogger Ali braved the 54 degree waters, here.
4. Enjoying a spring picnic at Bear Basin, located just two miles west of Shore Lodge, preferably after an invigorating bike ride through the meadows, vistas and scenic wooded terrain.
5. Tackling a day-hike up Jughandle Mountain (followed by a much needed massage at The Cove). The view from its summit is breathtaking and ideal for appreciating the scenic McCall backcountry at its best.
6. Picking huckleberries– the state fruit of Idaho– and mixing up a batch of Chef Eric’s delicious and refreshing Huckleberry Lemonade.
7. Stepping onto the green for that first swing of golf season at the Whitetail Club golf course.
8. Searching for Sharlie, the maybe mythical creature that roams the waters of Payette Lake and also happens to be the namesake of our kid’s summer program, Camp Sharlie.
9. Enjoying good eats and front row seats of the firework show during our annual 4^th of July BBQ on the patio of the Lake Grill.
10. Splashing around the waters of Payette Lake in canoe or kayak, or enjoying an invigorating whitewater rafting trip down Snake or Salmon River. McCall offers virtually unlimited choices when it comes to water sports and we love them all. 
11. Saddling up as we enjoy a bit of cowboy culture and McCall’s picturesque back country along a horseback guided tour.
12. Continuing to be grateful for our beautiful community, fantastic staff and wonderful guests that make each year in operation better than the last.

What will you be toasting to this New Year’s Eve?
Whatever it may be, we hope 2012 brings you all the happiness you seek. Cheers!

The holidays are in full swing and Shore Lodge is offering a variety of fun and festive events to celebrate the season. From family-friendly parties to gourmet culinary celebrations, there is something for everyone over the coming weeks. If you’re traveling to McCall or are lucky enough to be a local, please join us for any and all of these truly special occassions.

Holiday Cookie Decorating with Chef Eric: On Wednesday, Dec. 21, Shore Lodge Executive Chef Eric Gruber invites families to come get creative with their holiday cookies. He will be hosting our annual decorating party that includes cookies and all of the fixings, free of charge. Join us next week from 2-4 p.m. for an afternoon of delicious fun.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dinners: The Narrows will be open for full service on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Come in for a delicious and stress-free holiday meal complete with a variety of holiday-inspired dishes.

New Year’s Eve Dinner: Ring in 2012 in gourmet fashion with an incredible prix fixe menu at The Narrows. Enjoy treating yourself and toasting with friends to another fantastic year.

New Year’s Eve Bash: Celebrate 2011 and toast to 2012, Shore Lodge style at our annual New Year’s Eve Bash! Enjoy a gourmet dinner buffet, live music and of course, a champagne toast at midnight! While you’re celebrating, bring the kids by our New Year’s Eve Kids Party where they’ll enjoy dinner, games, movies, a scavenger hunt and more under the supervision of trained child care professionals.

For more information on these and all other Shore Lodge events, call our Reservations Department at 208-634-2244.