In early February during the heart of the winter season, there are few places in existence that can match the peacefulness, purity, pristine beauty, and sanctuary of Shore Lodge. Originally opened in 1948, Shore Lodge is nestled in Idaho’s enchanting Salmon River Mountains in the charming town of McCall and is only a two-hour scenic drive from the city of Boise. It sits at an elevation of 5,000 feet on the edge of Payette Lake, an absolutely gorgeous body of 5,330 acres of glacial water surrounded by healthy forests and mountain peaks. The lake is usually much more lively during the summer months. But in winter, the scene is one of welcoming tranquility.
Tranquility and romance go hand-in-hand. Not to mention a trip for two to a magical mountain resort that serves up excellence in the form of amenities, experiences, dining, spa time, adventures, and more. And with Valentine’s Day fast approaching, we here at BigLife want to give you all the details on why Shore Lodge is the quintessential romantic getaway for Cupid’s Day, or any day.
THE ROOMS
Shore Lodge offers you and your special squeeze all kinds of different room options that embody the height of mountain luxury. All guest quarters are appointed with all the accoutrements of fine living that one would expect from a Four Diamond resort. The decor of each room can be described as warm and cozy, simple yet elegant, rustic yet modern, and of the highest quality and attention to detail. It is definitely adept at, ahem, setting the mood.
Guest room options range from the Standard Room all the way up to the Presidential Suite. Our go-to is generally the Lake View Suite. Aside from an absolutely stunning view, it includes a private sitting area with a sleeper sofa, an outdoor terrace, and is available with one king or two queen beds. In need of some burning flames and plan on having people over? Choose the Fireside Suite for its private living room with plenty of seating. It boasts a twin-size sleeper sofa, dining room table, outdoor terrace, and cozy fireplace sitting area. The Fireside is available with one king or two queen beds.
All rooms include the following in-room amenities:
- Shore Lodge Robes
- Hairdryer
- Coffee/Tea
- Coffee Maker
- Bottled Water
- Iron/Ironing Board
- Safe
- HD Satellite TV
- Flat Screen TV
- Wireless Internet
THE OUT-ROOM AMENITIES
There’s undoubtedly something romantic about going for a warm-water dip underneath a wide open mountain sky during the invigorating chill of winter. The heated outdoor pool and two soothing hot tubs at Shore Lodge are famous for providing the ultimate version of this rejuvenating experience.
Not feeling the water? Schedule a private movie screening from the lodge’s extensive movie library in the state-of-the-art theater. Fresh popcorn from the concession stand is always included. Feeling playful? Head to The Tank for some classic board games, foosball, giant connect-four, and much more. But don’t let the competition get too intense! This is a getaway for lovers, after all.
Other stellar amenities that exist for the romantically-inclined at Shore Lodge include a nightly lakeside fire pit with fresh s’mores, the Mercantile in the lobby area offering thoughtful gift items, assorted sundries, locally-crafted specialty wares, and more. There’s also a 24-hour fitness studio, complimentary guest shuttle for getting around town, high-quality snowshoes available from concierge, and valet parking. What’s not to love?
THE DRINKS & EATS
Kick an evening of getting cuddly off right with a signature cocktail at The Bar. Located within Shore Lodge, The Bar offers gourmet bar food, spectacular lake front views, and a warm and inviting atmosphere. Some of our recommended trademark drinks at The Bar include the Huckletini, Perfect Pig, Mezcal Medicina, and Lodge Mule. The Bar also features a superb list of red, white, and sparkling wines as well as regional and foreign beers on tap and by the bottle.
A luxurious romantic getaway at Shore Lodge would not be complete without a fine dinner for two at The Narrows Steakhouse. Located within the lodge and overlooking Payette Lake, The Narrows offers a selection of over 450 wines and has won awards from Wine Spectator and Diners’ Choice. The menu is pure class and features sophisticated, hearty, and lighter fare sourced with local Idaho ingredients. Mouthwatering appetizers include the Half Dozen Oysters, Seared Diver Scallops, Burrata, and Crispy Brussel Sprouts. With cold temps calling for a warm and savory soup, we highly recommend a bowl of the Lobster Bisque or French Onion. Obviously, saving room for the main course is mandatory. They’re all exquisite, but some stand-out mains for us include the cut-in-house Tenderloin and Rack of Lamb with house steak sauce. Also at the top our list are the Braised Bison Shortribs and Seafood Paperdelle signatures. Throw in some sides of Truffle Mac & Cheese Al Forno and Wild Foraged Mushrooms and you and your sweet thing will be more than set.
Other options for drinks and eats at Shore Lodge include The Cutwater on Payette Lake (less formal restaurant with simply delicious fare), as well as The Coffee Shop (quick breakfast items such as croissants, sandwiches, biscuits, and bakery treats).
THE SPA
Sometimes, the ultimate romantic getaway consists of getting 100 percent relaxed and rejuvenated with some quality time at an amazing spa. The Cove at Shore Lodge is definitely the best way to induce a serene state of mind. This state-of-the-art indoor/outdoor sanctuary offers a selection of spirited massages, soothing organic facials, and immersive full body wraps and scrubs for the perfect spa day.
Once all treatment is complete, sinking into the private outdoor hot springs with two heated saltwater immersion pools is an absolute must. We also encourage spending time in the indoor pool, the outdoor pool, or heading to the steam room for an extra dose of hydration. You simply can’t go wrong with all of the above.
THE ADVENTURES
The McCall area is lucky to receive roughly over 200 inches of snow per year. It sits at 5,000 feet and is chock full of rugged peaks, lush forests, and glacially-carved lakes. These facts make it no surprise that this place is an adventure-seeker’s paradise.
Here are a few winter adventures from Shore Lodge that we think would be perfect for lovers enjoying their getaway:
- Take a shuttle from the lodge that gets you to neighboring Brundage Mountain for some of the Best Snow in Idaho™. You can also enjoy backcountry skiing, snowmobiling to hot springs, snowshoeing, sledding, and more.
- Explore Ponderosa State Park. In the winter months, this expansive peninsula which juts into Payette Lake transforms into miles of groomed cross-country and snowshoe trails, ranging in intensity from beginner to advanced.
- Take a spin through town or explore the wintery wonderland of the forest on a fat bike. Concierge can help you get set up with a bike rental and directions to the best trails in the area.