McCall Earns Best Ski Town Nomination in USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards

McCALL— McCall is once again in the running for Best Ski Town in the 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards, recognizing a place where skiing is part of everyday life and winter traditions connect generations.

Two additional nominations highlight the people and experiences that help make the area special: Brundage Mountain’s MTN Sports School is nominated for Best Ski School, and The Reserve at Tamarack Resort is nominated for Best Ski Restaurant.

The McCall Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau (MCCVB) is encouraging residents, visitors and everyone with a connection to the area to support all three nominees. Readers can vote once per day in each category through 10 am Monday, Nov. 9. The top 10 winners will be announced Wednesday, Nov. 18.

“People come here for the mountains and snow, but the connections they make often become just as important,” said Sheila Francis, executive director of the McCall Area Chamber of Commerce. “It might be an instructor who helps a child find their confidence, a favorite restaurant where everyone gathers after skiing, or a neighbor who makes room for one more person on a powder day. Those experiences say a lot about the true nature of this community.”

Set beside Payette Lake and surrounded by forests and mountains, McCall offers access to three distinct alpine ski areas: Brundage Mountain, Tamarack Resort and Little Ski Hill.

The areas offer terrain for beginners through advanced skiers and snowboarders, along with instruction, terrain parks and night skiing at Little Ski Hill. Brundage Mountain offers guided Snowcat Skiing on 18,000 acres of backcountry terrain, while the Payette Powder Guides orchestrate backcountry yurt trips with plenty of vertical.

Nordic skiing, lift-served snowtubing and snowshoeing provide additional winter recreation opportunities nearby.

Beyond the slopes, McCall’s downtown includes independent shops, restaurants and lodging near Payette Lake. The McCall Winter Carnival is a long-standing community tradition that highlights McCall’s welcoming nature and legacy of winter sports.

Nominations Reflect Homegrown Amenities

Brundage Mountain’s MTN Sports School nomination recognizes an approach to instruction built around helping skiers and snowboarders develop skills and confidence. This winter, improvements to the resort’s Beartopia learning terrain and a refreshed lineup of children’s programs will create more ways for families to learn and explore together.

At Tamarack Resort, The Reserve’s Best Ski Restaurant nomination highlights another part of a memorable mountain visit: gathering around the table. Located in Tamarack’s village, the restaurant pairs mountain dining with an opportunity to slow down and share the day’s stories. The Reserve won first place honors in last year’s voting.

“These nominations recognize different parts of the same experience,” Francis said. “Learning something new, spending time outside and sharing a good meal all bring people together. We’re proud of the teams behind these nominations and the care they put into welcoming people to our area.”

Celebrate and Care for McCall’s True Nature

For the Chamber, national recognition is also an opportunity to share the values that sustain McCall as a place to live and visit. Supporting local businesses, respecting the lakes, rivers and forests, and showing consideration for neighbors help preserve the experiences people treasure.

“We love this place, and welcome people who share that spirit,” Francis said. “If McCall has given you a favorite winter memory, casting a vote is a simple way to celebrate the community and the people who helped make it possible.”