Yurt Rentals
Looking for a place to get away from the stress of city life? How about a snowshoe or backcountry ski trip to a yurt? There's no better place to sit back, relax, and take in the silent beauty of an Idaho winter.
The ISU Outdoor Adventure Center Yurt System is made up of four Mongolian yurt-style structures located in the Portneuf Mountains of Southeast Idaho. The yurts are: Catamount, Inman, Jackson, and Skyline. They're for everyone; families with children can reach the easier yurts while backcountry skiers and boarders will find delightful powder runs at the two yurts located higher in the range.
If you're not familiar with a yurt, it is a beautiful, dome shaped structure with a plastic skylight for watching the stars at night. Each yurt is outfitted with bunk beds, a wood burning stove, a Coleman propane cooking stove and lantern, pots, an axe, and fire wood.
Ideal for backcountry touring, Southeast Idaho is known for its exhilarating wide open powder slopes and uninhibited cross-country travel. The yurts along the Portneuf range are spaced so skiers can make yurt to yurt trips or, if desired, parties can ski into one yurt and make day trips with the yurt serving as a base camp.
Rentals require payment at the time of reservation. There are no refunds. See policy below.
For reservations and information please call the Outdoor Adventure Center office at (208) 282-3912.
Rental Prices
3 night stay required on MLK Weekend (Jan. 17-20 2025) and President's Day Weekend (Feb. 14-17, 2025)
| Skyline Yurt | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Sunday-Thursday Nights | $60 |
| Friday-Saturday Nights | $90 |
| Catamount, Inman, and Jackson Yurts | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Sunday-Thursday Nights | $50 |
| Friday-Saturday Nights | $80 |
ISU Outdoor Adventure Center Yurt System
Inman Yurt
Difficulty: Intermediate This is a moderately easy yurt to reach. The distance and elevation gain is slightly greater than the two lower yurts. For some skiers, this tour can be difficult, particularly in icy snow conditions. Be prepared and use good judgement.
Distance, Route & Other: The route to the yurt follows a snowbound road for the first 3 miles. The last half mile is up a narrow hiking trail though heavy timber. The total distance to the yurt is 3.5 miles with a vertical rise of 1000 feet. Avalanche potential is very low. In unusually unstable snow conditions, there are a couple of isolated snow slopes that can slide on to the road. USGS topographic map 7.5 minute series; Bonneville Peak. The road is regularly machine groomed and is utilized by skiers and snowmobilers. The yurt capacity is six. You must have a Park and Ski Pass to park in this parking lot.
Skyline Yurt
Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate. Even though the tour is easy, it can be difficult for some individuals.
Distance, Route & Other: 350 feet over 2 miles. Avalanche potential is very low. USGS topographic map 7.5 minute series; Bonneville Peak. Access to this yurt crosses private land. Please respect the land. The landowner requests that no snowmobiles are used to access the yurt area. The yurt capacity is eight. It is the most beginner friendly yurt in the system.
Catamount Yurt
Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate, Catamount is great to ski or snowshoe to. Although easy, treat the tour with respect. Make sure you know the route well.
Distance, Route & Other: The tour into the yurt is 2.25 miles long and is across mostly open, rolling terrain. Total vertical rise is 816 feet. Avalanche potential is very low USGS topographic map 7.5 minute series; South Putnam. The yurt capacity is six. Use caution during times of bad visibility in the open areas of the route. The land owner has asked that snowmobiles not be used to access the yurt.
Jackson Creek Yurt
Difficulty: Advanced intermediate to advanced
Distance, Route & Other: 600 feet climb over 2 miles. Pebble Creek Ski Area to Inkom Pass. Avalanche potential exists. Crossing steep slopes is dangerous. Avalanche transceivers, shovels, probes and knowledge of safe route finding in avalanche terrain is highly recommended for this tour. USGS topographic map 7.5 minute series; Bonneville Peak.
All members of the party should have climbing skins. The need for avalanche safety gear and knowledge of how to use it can not be stressed enough. A late start could find you camped out under a tree instead of in the yurt. More people have spent the night out trying to find this yurt than any of the other yurts in the system. The yurt capacity is six. Parking passes must be obtained, for free, from the Pebble Creek Ski Area ticket office. A lift pass will be required.
Reservation and Cancellation Policy
Yurt reservations require a complete payment of fees that are non-refundable. A credit for a future date during that season will be given with a 2 week cancellation notice. The fees will be applied to a yurt rental of equal or lesser value. If a renter chooses a rental of greater value, additional fees will be collected before the rental is secured. Those who cancel within the tow weeks before their reservation will forfeit their fees. A reservation and credit transfer will be allowed only once and credit must be used that season. Please understand that it is the responsibility of the yurt user to locate the yurt. Yurt rental fees will not be refunded if the yurt is not located. The OAC makes no guarantees of weather, snow, or avalanche conditions and refunds will not be issued for these conditions.