When my voice memo mysteriously canceled itself, I thought my story about Tamarack Resort might be lost. But the beauty of a place like Tamarack is that the experience lingers—in vivid detail—long after you leave.
This summer, my 16-year-old daughter Sydnee and I spent a weekend at Tamarack. From the moment we arrived, we were folded into something that felt like family. That’s largely thanks to Gabe Navarro—whose family owns the resort—and his wife, Claudia, who were there with two of their sons and 8 boys on a weeklong golf-trip.. Despite exploring on our own, we kept crossing paths throughout the weekend, sharing moments that blurred the line between “guest” and “friend.”
We golfed, took the lift to the new mid-mountain lodge for the weekly Saturday BBQ gathering, soaked in the spa with facials, lounged by the pool, and wandered between the restaurants, boutiques, and coffee spots. In between, we had casual, unscripted conversations with Gabe and Scott Turlington, Tamarack’s President and operations manager. Those chats revealed just how much is happening behind the scenes to make Tamarack the thriving, year-round destination it is today.
A Resort in Motion
Sydnee and I arrived with questions, and Gabe was quick to set the tone.
“Tamarack is a special place. Believe it or not, it is America’s only ski, golf, and lake resort – and it’s only 80 miles from Eagle.,” Gabe said with a grin. “While I am obviously biased, I’d argue that there are few places in the country as good for families to make memories as good as Tamarack. From a real estate standpoint, we have something for everyone, from studios in the $300’s to custom homes for $7 million custom homes.”
“The pace of real estate sales is strong, and we currently have over 30 privately owned homes under construction,” Gabe explained. “We recently began a program with Alturas Homes out of Eagle to take the pains out of building a custom home, with their handling the design build process and delivering a home within 12 months. An Alturas/Tamarack design center will be opening in the village shortly to make it even easier. Lots today range from the $200’s to $1.9 million.”
Tamarack sits on 3,600 acres with about 500 homes today. At full build-out, it will have around 2,200 units. The resort offers condos, townhomes, chalets, cottages, villas, and estate homes. There’s even a robust rental program operated entirely by Tamarack.
The Vision and the Stewardship
Scott Turlington has deep roots in Idaho, having been here for 30 years, and with Tamarack both before its original opening in 2004 and again since 2018. He has seen the resort through its changes and growth.
“We’re rolling along as quick as the market supports,” Scott told me. “My role is making sure everything—from real estate development to guest experiences—moves forward in a way that keeps Tamarack special.”
That approach has paid off. Beyond the slopes and fairways, Tamarack is home to distinct dining experiences, all clustered in the Village except for the mid-mountain lodge.
Village Market & Deli – Essentials, snacks, and coffee.
Bella Visita Pizzeria – Family-friendly comfort food.
Triple B Diner – Reimagined classic diner serving breakfast, burger and beers.
The Reserve – Upscale casual dining.
Seven Devils Pub – 40 taps and hearty fare.
Sugarloaf Creamery – Sweet treats and ice cream.
Clearwater Coffee – Cozy Cafe offering specialty coffee, baked goods, and sandwiches.
More Than a Winter Destination
While Tamarack is famous for skiing, the resort thrives year-round. In summer, you’ll find mountain biking, hiking, boating, whitewater rafting (through Tamarack’s own company), a zip line, golf, pickleball, axe throwing, and a full-service spa. The resort also hosts concerts and festivals, from blues and bluegrass events drawing up to 800 people, to more intimate gatherings like Art & Wine.
Why It Stands Out
What I’ll remember most isn’t just the amenities or the real estate options—it’s how personal it felt. When Claudia, Gabe’s wife, took time to connect with Sydnee, asking her about school, golf, college, it resonated with me. She’s a mother.
And that’s what makes Tamarack different – the residents refer to it as the “TamFam”. Yes, you can come here for the slopes, the golf, the lake, and the luxury homes. But you might also leave feeling like you’ve been welcomed into a community—one that just happens to be wrapped in 3,600 acres of Idaho mountain magic.
