Ponderosa State Park

McCALL, Idaho

The skinny: The park’s 22K trail system winds through forest and sagebrush flats on a 1,000-acre peninsula with sweeping views of Payette Lake, yet it’s adjacent to the wide range of accommodations, eateries and brew pubs in McCall. This is one of America’s handful of nordic sites certified for international competition, along with Anchorage and the former Olympic venue at Soldier Hollow in Utah. McCall has been a ski town since the 1920s, when Finnish settlers introduced not only cross country skiing to the area, but also ski jumping and alpine skiing.

Daily trail fees: $2 plus $4 vehicle parking pass.

Distractions: McCall is surrounded by developed and undeveloped hot springs within a reasonable drive. Consider renting a snowmobile and riding to Burgdorf Hot Springs, a rustic out-of-Idaho experience.

Cool factor: Chosen for the 2008 World Masters Nordic World Cup. Info: www.mwc2008.com.

Contact: Ponderosa State Park (208) 634-2164 or www.idahoparks.org/ parks/ponderosa.aspx. For services and accommodations in McCall, (208) 634-7631 or www.mccall- idchamber.org.