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A 10-Day Winter Extravaganza in Beautiful Western Idaho

A winter wonderland awaits in McCall, Idaho. This resort town is perched on the shores of Payette Lake and in the shadows of the wooded mountains of the Payette National Forest, providing spectacular scenery in every direction. The town receives more than 300 inches of snowfall annually and is in proximity to Brundage Ski Resort, Little Ski Hill, and Tamarack Resort, making it a winter haven for outdoor enthusiasts.   

 

The McCall Winter Carnival has provided fun winter activities for thousands of attendees since its inception more than 50 years ago, and it will take place January 26 to February 4. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever with events and activities for a variety of ages and interests. Those traveling with the entire family will love the vibrant and fun-filled Children's Torchlight Parade. Perhaps the most significant event of the celebration in the Mardi Gras Parade which includes floats, music, live entertainment, and more. The Idaho State Snow Sculpting Championships will also take place during the carnival and feature top snow carvers from around the state. Any fan of competitive athletics will gravitate toward the Flashpoint Snow Bike Race which features competitors on snow bikes racing around a groomed one-mile track. The Chocolate and Spirits Tasting is ideal for any libation lover with a sweet tooth and attendees will be able to sample a variety of premium bourbons, vodkas, and specialty ports, as well as dark chocolates. We interviewed Event Representative, McKenzie Christensen Kraemer, to learn more about this unique celebration of the season.

 

RAL: Tell me a little bit about the event.

MCK: The McCall Winter Carnival is a celebration of all things winter. This 10-day event is held the last weekend in January each year in McCall, Idaho and includes a massive lineup of events. Crowd favorites include the snow sculptures, Mardi Gras parade, Monster Dog Pull, McCall Starz on Ice show, Flashpoint Snowbike Race, Winemaker Dinners, Chocolate and Spirits Tasting, and live music. Brand new to Winter Carnival this year is the McCall Ultra Challenge Sled Dog Race, a 250-mile Iditarod qualifying race.

 

RAL: How long has the event been running?

MCK: The McCall Winter Carnival is currently in its 53rd year, however, the current version of this event was inspired by the Payette Lakes Winter Games which was first held in 1924. That first year, a train from Boise brought 248 visitors to the event which included events like dogsled races, horse ski-jouring, and a tug-o-war where the prize was a box of oranges.

 

RAL: How many annual participants do you draw?

MCK: Over the years, the McCall Winter Carnival has grown from a three-day event to a ten-day event that attracts approximately 60,000 people annually. Considering the town of McCall has about 3,000 full-time residents, that is quite a crowd!

 

RAL: What demographic does your event attract? Children? Families? Couples?

MCK: This is a family-friendly event, but there is something for everyone. The first weekend is great for families, midweek events tend to focus more on adults and couples (wine dinners, live music, etc.) and the second weekend features outdoor activities (skiing, snowmobile fun runs, etc.).

 

RAL: What makes this event unique?

MCK: The most iconic part of the McCall Winter Carnival is the snow sculptures. We get a lot of visitors who use this festival as a time to try new things and get out and enjoy the snow!

 

RAL: Take me through a day at the event. What can I expect as an attendee?

MCK: Follow the link for a full breakdown of the activities.

 

RAL: What can an attendee expect to find for local lodging?

MCK: The area offers a wide range of lodging options including hotel rooms, condos, and cabins. Find everything from a rustic cabin on Payette Lake to luxurious chalets slopeside.

 

RAL: Are there any lodging specials that are set up for the event?

MCK: There are lodging specials available, but lodging books quickly! For current deals, please follow the link.

 

RAL: What does this event mean to the community?

MCK: This event is a substantial boost to our economy. In 2015, an economic impact study was conducted during Winter Carnival and found that over the course of the ten festival days, $27 million was injected into the local economy (based on lodging, food, activities, transportation costs).

 

RAL: Does this drive business to your local economy?

MCK: Yes. Not only for the ten days, but our ultimate goal is to showcase our community and inspire visitors to return throughout the year.

 

RAL: Does the event support a particular cause in the community?

MCK: Any proceeds from the event go to the McCall Area Chamber of Commerce to fund additional community events throughout the year, such as the Fourth of July fireworks.

 

RAL: Why should people come to your event?

MCK: This is a bucket-list-worthy event. Many of our events offer opportunities to see something you don’t see every day – snow sculptures, snow bikes racing around a course, world-class ice skaters doing backflips at the rink, and dog sled teams.

 

For more information about the McCall Winter Carnival, please visit the event website.