Mountains all over Idaho had record setting seasons with the latest spring skiing anyone can remember. Brundage was open for skiing and riding until late May and Silver Mountain achieved their goal of sliding until June 1. That much snow, along with a wet spring, has caused summer operations to start a little later than usual, but by the July 4 holiday, everyone will be in full season swing.

If you haven't made the transition from boards to bike, there's never been a better time. If your mountain experience has been limited to the winter months, you're in for a treat. Summer on the peaks is absolutely beautiful. Ski runs are grassy meadows full of wildflowers. Glades are laced with clear, cold streams and trails that feel like enchanted corridors. Of course there's always the view - and when the cities cook like ovens down below, the cool mountain breeze is incredibly refreshing.

For an unforgettable adventure, check out the Route of the Hiawatha. You can learn more about this epic ride hosted out of Lookout Pass in this issue, plus a rundown of mountain events on tap for the Forth of July at places like Grand Targhee, Tamarack and Sun Valley. If you don't want to load a bike for the trip, you can rent one at the village. Heck, you don't even have to bike. Just take a chairlift ride to the summit and, breathe the cool fresh air and enjoy the view. ~ Bill Jennings

The "Route of the Hiawatha" was known among railroaders as one of the most scenic stretches of track in the country, traversing 11 tunnels and 9 trestles on a 46 mile route crossing the rugged Bitterroot Mountains between Idaho and Montana.

Today the route is the "crown jewel" of rail-to-trail mountain bicycle trails, operated by Lookout Pass Ski Area. Lookout is located adjacent to Hiawatha Tunnel - Interstate-90 at the Idaho/Montana state line, 12 miles east of Wallace, Idaho. The Hiawatha Trail is open daily through October 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PDT. To plan your trip, check out http://skilookout.com/hiawatha

Winding through 10 tunnels and 7 high trestles, this 15-mile bike trail is best known for the long, dark St. Paul Pass, or Taft Tunnel, which burrows for 1.66 miles under the Idaho/Montana state line.

The main parking area is at the East Portal of the big tunnel, 2 miles from Taft Exit 5 off I-90. Just follow the signs. The distance from the East Portal trailhead, which is the top trailhead, to the bottom trail head at Pearson is approximately 15 miles.

Riders can also drive up and over the tunnel for 5 miles via FS Road 506 and Roland Summit and park at the Roland trail head. This is a good option for those wishing to bypass the big tunnel. Highlights of the St. Paul Pass tunnel include an interpretive sign, located mid-tunnel on the right wall, that shows the Idaho/Montana state line and discloses which crew first reached the center of the tunnel in 1907, plus there is a beautiful waterfall at the West Portal of the tunnel.

From the Lookout Pass parking lot (el. 4730 ft.), the trail follows the old Northern Pacific railroad grade approximately 10 miles to the Taft Site (el. 3630 ft.). Along the way the trail crosses the St. Regis River 3 times, passes through one tunnel, and goes under Interstate 90 twice before arriving at Taft. Then from Taft, the trail rises gently at an about 2.1% grade for 2 miles to the East Portal of the St. Paul Pass, or Taft Tunnel (el. 4160 ft.).

BOGUS BASIN
Saturday, June 28 -- Star Party -- 7:00 PM Tour the telescopes set up in the parking lot and chat with volunteers from the Boise Astronomical Society; view the setting sun and it's solar storms; supper available from 7 - 9pm for approximately $8-$10pp; Nature Hike with Forest Service Rangers at 7:30pm; Night constellation tour w/Boise Astronomical Society guide at approximately 10:30pm/dark. Free to the public, however a donation at the parking lot is appreciated.

BRUNDAGE
Summer Chairlift Season Opens Friday, July 4 The highlight of Brundage Mountain's summer season is lift-served mountain biking. Regular mountain biking hours are Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm. The season runs through Labor Day weekend, with a bonus day Monday, September 1.

July 11-13 -- Brundage Mountain Bike Festival
The 17th Annual Brundage Mountain Bike Festival combines four different events in one great weekend: the Brundage Mountain Run on Friday, the Cross-country event on Saturday, and the Brundage Bomber Downhill on Sunday.

July 25 & 26 -- The Brundage Mountain Jam.
Expanded this year to 3 days worth of camping, music, art, & fun.
Beginning Friday evening, July 25, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. and ending Sunday, July 27, 2008, at 4:00 p.m.

GRAND TARGHEE
13th Annual WYDAHO Mountain Bike Race, July 4
This annual single-track race has become a favorite mountain bike event for enthusiasts of all ages. This race meanders through the spectacular Caribou-Targhee National Forest and fields of wildflowers just a short distance from Jackson Hole. See http://www.grandtarghee.com/summer/adventure/WYDAHO-Mtn-Bike-Race.php for details.

July 18-20 -- 4th Annual Targhee Fest
Join us for this fantastic event now extended to three days. A festival for music lovers everywhere and should not be missed.

SCHWEITZER
Summer Celebration! Kick off summer right with a free chairlift ride at Schweitzer on June 28th. Get ready for some great live music with Laura Convery and Tennis; oh and maybe play some free tennis too on our courts in the village! We'll also have a BBQ, the tower bungee trampoline, hiking and more.

Saturday July 12th -- Sandpoint Wooden Boat Show
Take in the best of both worlds and stay on the mountain when Sandpoint hosts their classic wooden boat and car show.

Saturday July 19th -- Artists Studio Tour of North Idaho
During the last two weekends in July local artists open their studios to you. Don't miss a mountain top stop at the Artists Studio at Schweitzer.

Bluegrass Festival -- Annual free outdoor concert featuring an array of live bluegrass music is on July 19th.

Visit www.schweitzer.com or call 208.255.3081 for event details, or call 877-ITS-IN-ID for lodging reservations.

SILVER MOUNTAIN
Weather Proof Your 4th of July Weekend! Still haven't made plans for your 4th of July weekend? Why not stay at Silver Mountain's Morning Star Lodge and weather proof your weekend at Silver Rapids Indoor Waterpark. Come rain, shine, snow the waterpark is a constant 84 degrees. Receive one night lodging and two days of waterpark fun for a family of four for only $227. See silvermt.com for detals.

July Summer Operations Gondola open 6 days a week (closed Tuesdays)
July 4-6 Silver Valley 4th of July Celebration
July 11 Village Party
July 12 Jonny Lang Live in Concert
July 19-20 SilverRoxx Mountain Bike Race
July 24 Summer Wine
July 25 Village Party & Music
July 27 Ted Nugent Live in Concert

SUN VALLEY

Music, parades, and free activities abound in the Wood River Valley during the 4th of July weekend

Sun Valley/Ketchum has a line up of fun events to get everyone excited over 4th of July weekend. Visit the link below for a list of the activities happening in the Wood River Valley area July 3rd-6th.

Lodging rates are available beginning at $44 per person, per night. For complete details, visit www.visitsunvalley.com/hotdeals.

For more information on these and other events, visit the Sun Valley/Ketchum Chamber Events Calendar at www.visitsunvalley.com/calendar , or call (208) 726-3423.

TAMARACK
Take a swim, have a BBQ and watch the fireworks on July 4. The 3rd Annual Tamarack Open Water Mile Swim, July 4 is a one mile swim in Lake Cascade in one of four categories:

* Men and Women 35
* Men and Women under 35
* Kids (12 and under)
* Dogs

Fourth of July Community Fireworks Celebrations

Location: Cascade and McCall
Time: All Day
Contact: Cascae or McCall Chamber
Location: Tamarack Poison Creek Marina
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Cost: $12 for adults, free for kids and dogs
Contact: Tamarack Resort
Contact Phone: 208.325.1006
Contact Email: info@tamarackidaho.com

Old Fashioned BBQ
Celebrate July 4th on the shores of Lake Cascade with The Club. We will have a casual BBQ and reserved boats for the day (pontoon boats, kayaks, and hobie cat) in addition ot bocce ball, horseshoes & volleyball! Bring your beach chairs and sunscreen.
Location: Tamarack Beach Front Cabana
Time: 12:00 - 8:00pm
Contact: Club Concierge
Contact Phone: 208.325.1005
RSVP For This Event: theclub@tamarackidaho.com

July 5 Sorry for Partying Music Festival

IDAHO SKI AREAS ASSOCIATION MEMBERS:

Bald Mountain - Bogus Basin - Brundage - Cottonwood Butte - Grand Targhee - Kelly Canyon - Little Ski Hill - Lookout Pass - Lost Trail - Magic Mountain - Pebble Creek - Pomerelle - Schweitzer Mountain - Silver Mountain - Snow Haven - Soldier Mountain - Sun Valley - Tamarack