The modern girlfriend getaway is just as likely to include a backcountry snowcat or snowmobile adventure (see Guide #5) or a Fat Bike Tour (Guide #2), but if your stay allows for a ‘down day’, we’ve got some suggestions on how to make the most of it.
First, and most importantly, START SLOW. More active winter pursuits often require an early morning wakeup call, so our Ladies Day itinerary starts with sleeping in! Our favorite hotels for not-so-early rising include two luxurious lakefront options. Shore Lodge and Hotel McCall both offer pampering touches and easy access to a delicious breakfast on-site.
POKING AROUND TOWN
If you skipped breakfast at your hotel, splurge-worthy Stacey Cakes makes a great first stop. Pick up one of Stacey’s handcrafted, highly addictive sweet and savory pastries or grab a cookie for later. Pro Tip: Yes, you really do need a whole bag of gingersnaps. Trust us!
Swing by North Fork Coffee Roaster’s new downtown storefront for a hot cuppa or to stock up on locally roasted organic beans and grounds. The new location includes a full-service coffee and espresso bar, toasty breakfast burritos and sandwiches, and stylish North Fork merch. Once you’re sufficiently caffeinated, bring on the shopping!
McCall is a haven for shoppers who prefer a unique boutique to a chain store. While you’re in the heart of town, be sure to check out Lake Street’s Monkey Love, which aims to celebrate the mountain lifestyle with everything from cool apparel to artisan candles and ethically-sourced and sustainably made jewelry. Backcountry Boutique features women’s apparel and has a cool and eclectic footwear collection, to boot.
Carve out some time to cruise through Silver Linings, Wild Onion and Bella Kitchen in search of unique housewares and gifts. Don’t miss member-owned Gallery Fifty-Five, which showcases a beguiling array of local art, and the Granite Mountain Nature Gallery which highlights the beauty and vibrant color of natural stone. Two doors down, a new addition to the McCall art and craft scene, McCall Made, is filled with gifts made entirely by local artisans.
If antiquing is more your style, you’ll find Farm to Market Antiques, located next to Scandia Inn, to be a delightful walk down memory lane. Rustic Outlet features 29 unique dealers and is one-stop shop for antiques, home décor, clothing and gifts.
SPA TIME
Conveniently located on the top floor of the historic Yacht Club building, you’ll find Unwind Spa. Treat yourself to a Thai or Hot Stone massage with a calming overlook of snow-covered Payette Lake. Unwind also features facials, spray tans, Coolsculpting, and, for those who may have indulged in too many cocktails the night before, you can even get IV Therapy treatments at its companion shop, Hydrate 208.
A trip to The Cove Spa at Shore Lodge makes for an idyllic afternoon. Allow plenty of time for a soothing soak in the indoor/outdoor saltwater immersion pools. It’s the perfect way to get yourself centered and primed for an aromatherapy, deep tissue or pressure point massage. Add on a facial or full-body scrub for the ultimate indulgence.
Located in the heart of Donnelly, Emulate Natural Care incorporates wild healing herbs in its one-of-a-kind, organic massage, body scrub and facial treatments.
If your day of leisure started at Tamarack, you can pair your spa day with an evening of fine dining. The newly-updated Tamarack Spa reopens this winter, offering massage and facials in the Lodge at Osprey Meadows. From there, head over to The Reserve in the Tamarack Village to savor signature cocktails and settle in for a multi-course dinner in a modern mountain atmosphere. The Reserve’s cuisine highlights the finest Pacific Northwest ingredients like wild salmon, steelhead, and wild boar, while drawing inspiration from the Eastern European Alps with signature schnitzel and spaetzli dishes.
If you’re heading back to McCall for dinner and drinks, the options are endless. Pop in to the newly-remodeled Foresters Bar for a happy hour cocktail, OR, opt for a glass of wine with your steak & seafood dinner at Steamers.
Pro Tip: if your girlfriend getaway starts on a Thursday or stretches into Monday, you can’t beat the delightful theme nights at Ruperts restaurant, located lakeside in Hotel McCall. Thursday is Thai Night when the nightly specials take on an extra flavorful and playful twist. Mondays feature the Chef’s Tasting Menu, when Chef Gary Kucy and his team roll out some of their most delicious culinary creations. Two freshly updated bar and lounge spaces provide ample opportunity to sample seasonal craft cocktails or the impressive wine and liquor list selections…in relaxing, lakefront style.
