[Thorquin Kiki]

Hey everyone,

I'm considering moving to Idaho from Western Washington and trying to determine exactly where to lay my roots. Where in Idaho should I consider so I can be relatively near the best trails? My preferred trails are steep and gnarly black trails with black-level features. XC is not really my thing. I can't be too rural but have no need to be in a major city. Being within an hour drive of a decently sized town would be nice. All I need is reliable high speed internet. Thanks for the insights!

 

[Wayndar]

There aren't too many 'major cities' in Idaho and if XC isn't your thing, then you've got fewer options. Seems like Cd'A is your best bet and you'll travel to Silver Mtn to ride. Boise and Bogus Basin trails would be 2nd place I think. Lots of small towns with rugged backcountry trails in between.

 

[Bikemusher]

Boise. Absolutely, Boise.

 

[flipnidaho]

Remember, in the best places to ride in Idaho, it's a short but spectacular riding season.

 

[dir-T]

There aren't too many 'major cities' in Idaho

Uh, yeah, this. OP have you looked at a map of ID?

 

[ransom208]

depends on your definition of major. Coeur d alene, idaho falls, pocatello, twin falls, boise, ect are not small anymore.

 

[Montana Rider]

The answer to the question as posed in the TITLE is Stanley (i.e. best biking with no regard for town size)

But as far as where you can find high speed internet access / black diamond trails in a "small" city in Idaho good luck with that.

I've haven't ridden Pocatello (yet) but they have one of the longest riding seasons of most ID towns.

Shout out to the trails along the ID/MT border (Lolo & further east Centennial / Henry's Mtns) re: quality and quantity but nothing remotely populous and definitely more back country / XC than lift-aided black diamond...

 

[Montana Rider]

dupe post...

 

[Nat]

There’s some fun black diamond terrain at Tamarack bike park near McCall. I wouldn’t mind living there. I like that resort for skiing too.

 

[mudflap]

I wouldn't necessarily suggest Stanley, but just so you all know, Stanley now has fiber optics and high speed inter tubes.
Sun Valley probably has what you're looking for, but expensive housing, and ridiculous traffic on highway 75 from town south, where housing is more reasonable.

 

[MtbHoopster]

Given your preferences I'd consider Idaho Falls. I've only been there once but there's Kelly Canyon, Grand Targhee for bike park fun. Victor/Driggs have lots of trails. Harriman state park for mellow cruising. Close to Pocatello and Jackson Hole. Close to I-15 for a road trip to Utah or Arizona. And there's St. Anthony dunes for year round fat bike sand dune riding and lots of fat bike trails in the winter. For anywhere you settle in Idaho a fat bike would be a necessity!