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Are you ready for a mid-winter vacation? I have reserved the Banner Ridge and Elkhorn yurt for President's weekend February 17-20th. I am looking for a few fun loving people to fill the two yurts . The yurts are free for you because I am using them to host the Outdoor Idaho TV show producer and his cameraman. Outdoor Idaho, the PBS TV show wants to do an episode on the Idaho City yurts so I am looking for a good mix of people that can snowshoe, skate ski, telemark ski, backcountry snowboard and traditional ski. I also would like a mix of experienced yurt users and newbies, Your stay can be one, two or three nights depending on the type of users we need for the filming. I can accommodate up to 12 people per night in the yurts. One half of the group will be staying at the Banner Ridge yurt that has spectacular views of the Payette River drainage and Sawtooths. The other half will stay at the Elkhorn yurt that has views of the Trinity Mountains and Pilot Peak. Both yurts have great telemark slopes nearby.
I plan to leave from my office in Boise located at Warm Springs Ave next to the Shakespeare Theater at 2:00 pm. on Friday, February 17th and will be returning to Boise by 2:00 pm on Monday, February 20. Car pooling is encouraged. Drivers will need a $7.50 Park N' Ski pass or annual to park at the Banner Ridge Park N' Ski area. I will be snowshoeing in to the yurt with a sled but you could ski if you want. If you are not comfortable going up and down steep hills with a backpack on skis the best choice would be to snowshoe. If the conditions are right for skiing, I plan to bring in my backcountry or skate skis in on my sled.
Recommended equipment: daypack, backpack or pulk sled, gaiters, poles, snowshoes, tele skis, skate skis, traditional skis, split-snowboard, trail lunches, snacks, beverages of your choice, lightweight sleeping bag, small pillow, sunglasses, slippers/booties, one water bottle, headlamp, emergency supplies, toothbrush/paste, wicking underwear top and bottom, a light weight polar fleece or down coat, wind/waterproof shell jacket and pants, warm hat, pair of lightweight gloves, and a T-shirt and cut off short to change into when we get to the yurt. I can provide for a following equipment of a few people: pulk sled, snowshoes and poles.
I will bring the following group gear: first-aid kit, paper towels, propane and maps. I would like to plan a group supper, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night and hearty group breakfasts on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Lunches are on your own. The kitchen is fully stocked so we can cook gourmet meals. Expenses such as group meals will be shared. Once I finalize who is going I will come up with menu and assign people to buying, preparing and serving certain meals.
To get to the Banner Ridge yurt, you should expect a 2 mile ski/snowshoe climbing 800 feet. It could snow just before we go so you could be breaking trail. It can take up to 1 to 1.5 hours to get in when we have a foot or more of new snow. To get to the Elkhorn yurt you follow the same route as the Banner Ridge yurt but you travel 1 mile beyond it on generally level ground. Each day we will come up with a plan to video and play. Example: One day we may need a couple of shots of skate skiers on a freshly groomed trail and then later we will video of someone cooking dinner. Each yurt will have a radio so we can plan each day the night before. You are not required to volunteer to be filmed but I hope a few of you are willing. Those that are not camera shy please bring your brightest clothing. Reds, yellows and purples are nice contrasts with the white snow, green dark trees and the light blue sky. If you prefer to relax you can just curl up on the futon bed and read a good book or yurt log. The yurt will be warmed up to 80 plus degrees so do not worry about being cold. After supper we can play table games or just socialize around the glass fronted wood stove. The camera crew is not expected to be there all weekend so I will likely have time to lead a few off-trail adventures to interesting places. If the group is in the right mood I am willing to lead a late night snowshoe to a secret meadow.
Sorry but dogs are not allowed during the winter at the Banner Ridge and Elkhorn yurts. If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask me or look on the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation website: Idahoparks.org under backcountry yurts and then winter yurt manual. The manual is a planning guide that covers all the details. Contact me as soon as possible if you would like to go. I plan to keep each yurt group small (6 persons). Day guests are welcome if you can not spend the night. I hope to hear from you.
Recommended equipment: daypack, backpack or pulk sled, gaiters, poles, snowshoes, tele skis, skate skis, traditional skis, split-snowboard, trail lunches, snacks, beverages of your choice, lightweight sleeping bag, small pillow, sunglasses, slippers/booties, one water bottle, headlamp, emergency supplies, toothbrush/paste, wicking underwear top and bottom, a light weight polar fleece or down coat, wind/waterproof shell jacket and pants, warm hat, pair of lightweight gloves, and a T-shirt and cut off short to change into when we get to the yurt. I can provide for a following equipment of a few people: pulk sled, snowshoes and poles.
I will bring the following group gear: first-aid kit, paper towels, propane and maps. I would like to plan a group supper, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night and hearty group breakfasts on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Lunches are on your own. The kitchen is fully stocked so we can cook gourmet meals. Expenses such as group meals will be shared. Once I finalize who is going I will come up with menu and assign people to buying, preparing and serving certain meals.
To get to the Banner Ridge yurt, you should expect a 2 mile ski/snowshoe climbing 800 feet. It could snow just before we go so you could be breaking trail. It can take up to 1 to 1.5 hours to get in when we have a foot or more of new snow. To get to the Elkhorn yurt you follow the same route as the Banner Ridge yurt but you travel 1 mile beyond it on generally level ground. Each day we will come up with a plan to video and play. Example: One day we may need a couple of shots of skate skiers on a freshly groomed trail and then later we will video of someone cooking dinner. Each yurt will have a radio so we can plan each day the night before. You are not required to volunteer to be filmed but I hope a few of you are willing. Those that are not camera shy please bring your brightest clothing. Reds, yellows and purples are nice contrasts with the white snow, green dark trees and the light blue sky. If you prefer to relax you can just curl up on the futon bed and read a good book or yurt log. The yurt will be warmed up to 80 plus degrees so do not worry about being cold. After supper we can play table games or just socialize around the glass fronted wood stove. The camera crew is not expected to be there all weekend so I will likely have time to lead a few off-trail adventures to interesting places. If the group is in the right mood I am willing to lead a late night snowshoe to a secret meadow.
Sorry but dogs are not allowed during the winter at the Banner Ridge and Elkhorn yurts. If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask me or look on the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation website: Idahoparks.org under backcountry yurts and then winter yurt manual. The manual is a planning guide that covers all the details. Contact me as soon as possible if you would like to go. I plan to keep each yurt group small (6 persons). Day guests are welcome if you can not spend the night. I hope to hear from you.
Leo Hennessy
Non-Motorized Trails Coordinator
Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation
PO Box 83720
5657 Warm Springs Boulevard
Boise ID 83720-0065
Work: (208) 334-4180 ext 228
Work Fax: (208) 334-3741
Cell: (208) 866-6471
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