Ep. 192: Lava Hot Springs Winter Camping | Ski Pebble Creek | Idaho RV travel

[@ignatzcmw]

After watching this, I better understand the appeal of skiing. At times it looked more like single track mtn biking. Back in my youth, when dirt was young, I took a day ski trip to the only ski “slope” at the time in Ohio. My young, nimble, limber self spent the day strictly in the beginners area and came back thoroughly frozen & discouraged. The next morning when I woke up I hurt everywhere, even in places I didn’t know I had. And I thought, “Anything that makes you hurts this bad can NOT be good for you!” Thank you for sharing this, and showing how enjoyable skiing can be. Stay safe!

[@GrandAdventure]

Great tale Christine! The learning curve can be a bit steep in the beginning, but once you master the feel it eases considerably. And it's never too late! And we agree, there are significant parallels to single-track, that might be why we enjoy downhill MTB so much.

[@cheriwaller7598]

I'm so glad your pipes and tanks are ok! As I was watching this my hubby walked through the room and had to stop and watch. He LOVES skiing! You sold us on Lava Hot Springs and Pebble Creek Skiing. Now we have to go there! Thanks for a great video!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Cheri! It's a wonderful area to visit. Just one word of caution: Pebble is in a bit of a snow shadow, so you have to keep an eye on the snowpack. When it's good, though, it's fantastic.

[@UniqueAdventurez]

Lava Hot springs is a special place to us. We frequent there many summers growing up and tubing down the river. We had the pleasure of going back a couple years ago and it still doesn’t disappoint. The hot springs there are wonderful. Thanks for taking us back there !

[@GrandAdventure]

Our pleasure UA! It's truly a wonderful spot.

[@RVKevin]

I am not a skier but Marc you made that look really FUN on the hill. Glad you have no frozen tank or line damage !

[@GrandAdventure]

We're sure glad too, thank you. And it IS fun on the hill!

[@ricksplace55]

I love the snow on trees, this is on my bucket list.

[@GrandAdventure]

Make it happen, Rick!

[@cortneynoneya6995]

My late grandpa owned the ski resort when it was skyline. I'm not new to boondocking, but times are hard, and I've decided to temporarily get back into it. In the middle of winter, burr.. I've been searching videos on this platform for the past few days, this one's the closest to home! Pebble is a decent ski. I haven't been since childhood, but I use to zoom down the mountain.

[@GrandAdventure]

Pebble/Skyline is a wonderful hill! A true hidden gem. Here's wishing you the best for getting back out there.

[@SearchofSnowboarding]

That mountain looks so fun

[@GrandAdventure]

Like we said in the video, it's a real sleeper. When they've got good snow it's a fabulous mountain.

[@genebutler7949]

Awesome shots of the snow covered trees!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you very much Gene, glad that you liked them!

[@daviscrt]

Damn, you're a good skier, it's amazing that you don't hit any trees going downhill so fast like that. Thanks Don

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks Don. I've been lucky enough to ski up to 105 days per winter since age 4, so it honestly feels just as comfortable as walking.

[@TeamBuffaloOutdoors]

Love the entrance music. Sounds like the world 🌎 I know!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks TBO! We had a lot of fun putting this one together, in addition to of course the fun we had while filming. Happy that you enjoyed the finished product.

[@HomeARoam]

Cute looking town, the hot springs look so inviting especially after a day of skiing! Not sure about renting a bathing suite, though...🤨 Note to self, bring my own. Looks like amazing skiing and for a good price! Loved the music during the ski section, too. It got us pumped to the hit slopes again 😁

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks for watching! Glad that you enjoyed it. If you're in the area (and it makes a great stopover between SLC and Jackson) definitely check out Pebble Creek.

[@HomeARoam]

@@GrandAdventure Sure will! Thanks!

[@blakecouch]

Pebble Creek looks amazing. Untracked pow all day is the ticket.

[@GrandAdventure]

And a rare ticket at that, Blake. Pebble is definitely an anomaly in the current lift-served skiing world. What makes the place extra special is the extensive sidecountry available beyond the boundary rope at each end of the resort, yet still allows one to get back to the lift.

[@bhuff123]

Your KZbin video is good as always. The content and the photography were very good and thank you very much for spending all those hours video and editing to make the final KZbin show so have a good day bye-bye

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Clark, and thank you for watching!

[@waterandlandadventures4319]

You have done some awesome snow skiing this year my friend. Thanks for bringing us along. Safe Travels.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you! We have had a terrific season so far, safe travels to you and yours as well.

[@skiimountaineer]

Looked like some fantastic skiing! And decent lift ticket prices!

[@GrandAdventure]

It definitely is. So rare these days in the lift-served skiing world.

[@brookeshaffer4377]

Great video.Really like the music you choose .Thanks Marc👍

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank YOU Brooke!

[@CowboyBikerAdventures]

Hey Marc, beautiful photography and scenery. Great job. Don

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Don!

[@DrJohn493]

Gorgeous winter scenery!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you John! It's a beautiful area.

[@CampTravelExplore]

I see so many good things about Idaho, I really need to make my way out there! Very cool episode, loved the night shots, adds neat perspective! Glad you got some skiing in!! Great Job as always!!!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you CTE! Idaho has dramatically varying topography, from the lava soils of the Snake River Plain potato country, to the beautiful forested lakes of northern Idaho, to the jagged peaks of the Sawtooth Mountains. Throw in the lava flows, the arid desert of southwestern Idaho and the incredibly friendly population, and it's a state very worthy of anyone's visit.

[@garymann5998]

Had about 10 inches of snow here in Southern Indiana 2 weeks ago, very cold too, the trees look like they come up very fast when your skiing ⛷😳, never skied before looks like alot of fun, but looking forward to warmer weather and today it's 61 and sunny 🌞, travel safe, thanks for the video

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Gary, and thanks for watching! As much as I love skiing, I think we're getting ready for the spring travel season too. Starting to get itchy feet.

[@georgecarpenter4126]

Another great video, Marc...keep on keeping on !

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you George!

[@michellekoonce3191]

Your whole video is like watching a short movie 🍿 🎥 Which is why I love them. Have never been skiing ⛷ but would love to one day. Looks like loads of white fluffy fun. You make it look easy. Thanks for the info and will have to visit one day. I’m planning on traveling with my profession in two years. I already live full time in my RV TT. So I’m mobile. By the end of next year I will be ready. You give me insight to my future adventures. Thanks and many More happy trails to you and family !! Michelle in Tallahassee Fl

[@GrandAdventure]

We're thrilled that you enjoyed it Michelle! Here's wishing you success taking your career on the road. It's a wonderful thing to look out on a new office view every week.

[@jesserevilla992]

Impressed with your Skiing man .. 🌅🏁. Oh and get some heat pads for your tanks, heated hose or a heat line lol

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you! We have a heated hose, but we weren't allowed to use it as the campground was prohibiting water hookups. Adding tank pads after the fact would be a royal PITA, I'm not sure it would work be worth the trouble and expense.

[@darisanshanger1616]

Such a fun episode! With all that cold, I would assume that there would be plenty of room in the RV parks. I’m glad you didn’t bust any pipes! My wife laughed at the idea of rving in the cold :-)

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks as always Darisan! At any given time there were two, perhaps three other rigs with us at the KOA. That's it. The gate into their "Kamp K9" dog park was buried in a foot of snow and frozen solidly to the ground, so that's how Zoe and I ended up playing ball in the vacant campsites in the video. Lots and lots of elbow room.

[@darisanshanger1616]

@@GrandAdventure That sure is a way to beat the crowds! Sure beats the view from the cubical! It will all come soon for me though. Will be worth it

[@wadenorton6752]

Awesome episode. One of our favs.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Wade! We sincerely appreciate that. We are always hesitant to release a video that contains skiing because it always tanks, but your comment makes us feel a lot better about our decision.

[@johnglascock5079]

Great Video Marc! I have never snow skied so thanks for giving me the experience. Keep it up!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you John! Happy that you enjoyed it, and thanks for watching. That's one reason we used so much FPV GoPro footage in the ski segment, to give folks the sensation themselves.

[@JarheadAndGingersJourney]

Absolutely beautiful! I’ll pass on the bathing suit rental 🤢. 😂

[@GrandAdventure]

😄 judging by other comments you are hardly alone.

[@ivettecaraballo4826]

Wow! Amazing video! Loved it! Wish I could ski! Never learned and at my age now too chicken 🙁 Looks like so much fun! Enjoy and stay warm and thanks for another awesome video 👍 Keep ‘em coming! 😁

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Ivette! So happy that you enjoyed it. Give it a try sometime, it's a whole lot of fun.

[@charliemattson9720]

Great power shots. You’re pretty good.

[@GrandAdventure]

Hey, thanks Charlie! I try.

[@marianfrances4959]

Hot springs are best in winter! I miss them greatly this year. 😉👍🇨🇦🌲🔥 great snow!!

[@GrandAdventure]

We love them any time of year, Marian. Our favorites are little hidden springs out in the middle of the forest.

[@MurrayPeeps]

Bummed I missed this live. The tree skiing looks incredible!

[@GrandAdventure]

When the snow is good there, Murray, the skiing is crazy good.

[@TeamBuffaloOutdoors]

Agreed

[@gkayser100]

Another well done video. Thanks

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you as always, Gary, and thanks for watching!

[@jeandecker4073]

Beautiful..

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Jean! We appreciate you watching.

[@mnever8964]

I’m in Alta and I’m jealous of the snow

[@GrandAdventure]

We're Alta passholders, and we'll be back riding Collins on Saturday. But it was nice to get away from the LCC crowds last weekend.

[@laughingram7287]

I’m glad that you showed the hot springs again. I couldn’t remember where the summer episode was and I was looking for it for planning our trip. (I think we are biting off more than we can chew) Your first ski session was above my ability - too many trees and too steep. Was that a “black diamond” run? Just the fries and the cinnamon roll would be worth it!! Glad you folks made it through the frozen adventure. Makes me think I should pack a portable shovel. Thanks for sharing Marc. 👍🏼👍🏽 Ram

[@GrandAdventure]

Lava Hot Springs is definitely worth a few days if you can squeeze it in, Ram. It's easy, though, to try to take on too much in one trip. We have learned that lesson the hard way early on. Much of the terrain that you saw was actually side country just outside the resort boundaries. However, the resort itself is a surprisingly consistent pitch from top to bottom. One good thing about traveling with ski gear in winter is we always have the avalanche shovels ready to roll for any kind of utility needs.

[@gorrdd]

Beautiful country and skiing, Marc. I enjoyed going skiing with you... vicariously. It was fun wading through the bushes and trees. Gord

[@GrandAdventure]

Glad that we could bring you there, Gord.

[@elizabethroblyer5615]

Wonderful video!!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Elizabeth!

[@elizabethroblyer5615]

@@GrandAdventure ❤️

[@aleciaekstrom9648]

Love love Peebles Creek owned a business in Lava for awhile. My kids learned to Ski on that mountain. Very few people know about it.

[@GrandAdventure]

We love the place too. Can you tell? 😄

[@aleciaekstrom9648]

Yes I can tell. We spend a lot of time in Lava we own property there on thunder mountain. But it is only accessable in the summer.

[@GrandAdventure]

@@aleciaekstrom9648 that sounds wonderful, but wouldn't a snow machine get you there year-round?

[@RamblinRoadies]

Thanks Mark.

[@GrandAdventure]

Glad you watched this one!

[@RamblinRoadies]

@@GrandAdventure I guess I watched it nine months ago too. So much for retention. 😁

[@GrandAdventure]

@@RamblinRoadies 🤣

[@SevenBears1]

Taking friends to Sequoia national park. Rained all the way there. Friends said let's turn back but I knew better. Cloud level 5500 feet giant Sequoias 6500 feet. Great sunshine weekend.

[@GrandAdventure]

Sweet! Link please to photos if you've got one.

[@SevenBears1]

@@GrandAdventure I'm too old to link !! Never did any social media,my space,spacebook,instajam or anything else. No laptop or home computer. No cable or satellite for 12 years now.

[@gina50gina]

I can see just how much you love to ski! It must be exhilarating to be moving through the trees at that speed. For me, I've be satisfied to be sitting still way up there in the mountain. It really is a beautiful area. Will you make any changes to your rig to avoid the freezing up situation?

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Suzane! I honestly don't think we will make any changes. In those kind of temps it'll be rare for us to not be on city water, and adding tank heating pads after the fact is a royal PITA when the tanks are behind a heated underbelly and encased in spray foam insulation, as ours are.

[@gina50gina]

@@GrandAdventure That makes sense to me. 😊 I'm looking for the weather to warm up here, today's high was -7c 😬 Thanks for the reply!

[@GrandAdventure]

@@gina50gina that's nippy. In the low 60s here today in SLC.

[@CinderberryLee]

Oh man..... We were your neighbors across the road. We were in the BLACKROCK RV in spot #69. Our water froze up that same night. Did you any video of our rv? We also live in Utah....Lehi. I'm happy to find your channel!!!!!!

[@GrandAdventure]

Hey Cindy! Thrilled that you found us, thank you. The only Black Rock campground I know of in Idaho, however, is in Boise NF far from Lava Hot Springs. Fill me in on the one you're referring to.

[@CinderberryLee]

We were in the Blackrock camper IN THE KOA just across the road from you. It was our son's birthday and we were at the pool as well. We see our grandson in youe video.

[@GrandAdventure]

@@CinderberryLee oh! 🤣 Now I understand, no we didn't get any footage of your rig.

[@bertkelly7650]

I take it those were the expert trails? Good job! You really know how to rip a slope! : - )

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks Bert! I've been very fortunate that skiing has been my entire life for pretty much my entire life. My folks started me as a toddler and I've been passionate about it ever since.

[@Khatoon170]

How are you doing master Marc ihope you are fine honestly igot amazed because since Christmas 2019 when I began to subscribe to British American KZbin channels learned so many things iam still learning not your channel but American park and Colorado martini history. Of USA is great beauty of nature civilization only reading is very stunning how about traveling there it’s impossible even before global pandemic for us thank god internet KZbin channels making us as tourists around world or university students as always iam gathering main information about places you visited here it’s lava hot springs is city in bannock county Idaho part of Pocatello Idaho Idaho metropolitan area located in mountains valley of port Neuf river on old route of Oregon trail and California trail city has became popular resort location noted for numerous hot springs amenable to bating turbulent inner tube run through part of town

[@GrandAdventure]

It's so fun to see our videos through your eyes, Khatoon! The Internet can be a wonderful thing when used as a tool to educate. We are very happy to bring you along on our travels through video.

[@moretoliving2236]

Pumps are finicky on a good day. I cant even imagine dealing with a frozen one.

[@GrandAdventure]

I used the wrong terminology in the video. It wasn't the pump itself that was frozen, it was the water surrounding the intake in the tank. So the pump wasn't able to draw water.

[@kennethmoore5629]

Looks like Texas a couple of weeks ago!

[@GrandAdventure]

🤣 Yep, the photos I saw out of TX were pretty amazing, and it was far colder there than it was here.

[@RamblinRoadies]

I love their attitude towards masks. 👍

[@GrandAdventure]

In Idaho it appears to be up to the local business. Around Lava Hot Springs, very few folks were wearing them including store employees. In the hot pools they are actually forbidden.

[@danmcwhertor5922]

I’ve never been snow skiing. Thanks for taking us along on your runs. Will the fries and cinnamon rolls be available in the summer?

[@GrandAdventure]

We love bringing you along, Dan, thanks so much for watching! Glad that you enjoyed it. I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think they have any operations in the summer.

[@gorrdd]

Next up! heated pads for your tanks...🔥 Gord

[@GrandAdventure]

No kidding. If they weren't such a PITA to install after the fact, I'd have them already.

[@gorrdd]

@@GrandAdventure Marc, I'm looking at a Jaco 27RB travel trailer. It has a fully enclosed, insulated, and heated underbelly... good for down to sub zero temps. But you must turn on the gas furnace. But still good for boondocking. Wanted to get a Class C motorhome... but they are all sold out around here... so back to the travel trailer conundrum. Will beef up the Dexter axle suspension. Looking at a Ford F150 Powerboost with 7.2kw onboard power generation for boondocking. Gord

[@GrandAdventure]

@@gorrdd our rig has a fully enclosed and heated underbelly as well. It did keep our water lines from freezing, however, it wasn't enough to prevent that tank freeze. We hardly use our propane furnace at all, so we keep a small ceramic space heater running in the basement when we are on hookups.

[@gorrdd]

@@GrandAdventure Gotcha... I guess you need to use your propane furnace when it goes way down below freezing. The electric space heater just isn't enough. So, refitting your tanks with electric heater pads is still your goal. I don't like using my furnace propane tanks either. They drain down too quickly. Then you have nothing to cook with. Gord

[@GrandAdventure]

@@gorrdd actually the space heater did just fine, the RV Whisper system confirmed that it was 55-60 all night in the basement. Possibly cranking up the thermostat on that space heater could've eliminated the freeze, but in my mind more likely is that it's just too close to the outside air in its position without tank pads. I doubt that we'll go with tank pads, actually. It would require removing the underbelly panel and the insulation to get to the tank, which is way more trouble than it's worth IMO. We would've had no problem on a water hookup with our heated hose, so we'll just make sure that we're not dry camping the next time temps start dropping towards the single digits.

[@GoneWanderingWild]

The skiing looked great! So glad you didn't have a bigger problem with your water. Are using a Gopro for the skiing videos?

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks GWW! Yeah, we were pleased that it was just a frozen tank. The FPV skiing footage was shot with an old GoPro Hero 5 Black. The third-person shots on the mountain were filmed with a DJI Osmo Pocket. Most of the rest was filmed with our Sony Alpha A6500 mirrorless.

[@GoneWanderingWild]

@@GrandAdventure It turned out great!

[@GrandAdventure]

@@GoneWanderingWild thank you, that means a lot to us to hear that.

[@conniewaite1996]

Nice slopes!thought you had a 4season camper?

[@GrandAdventure]

We do, Connie. However we don't have tank heat pads. Our tank is in an insulated and enclosed underbelly, but it got cold enough to freeze the water in the tank. Had we been on city water we would've been fine.

[@bobmoto3528]

I want to know the rates for winter stays and how long were was your stay? Also the best places to eat in town? Thanks

[@GrandAdventure]

Bob, I don't recall the rates at this point, but the campground can certainly fill you in on that. For breakfast we love the hearty plates at the Chuckwagon, and for dinner in Lava it's hard to top the Portneuf Grill.

[@patrickhagans238]

How do you keep your black and gray tank from freezing

[@GrandAdventure]

They are in an enclosed and insulated underbelly. I'm still surprised that our fresh tank froze, but we didn't have any freezing issues with our waste tanks.

[@davidsullivan7676]

You ski weirdly, Mark.

[@GrandAdventure]

The only skiing I'm doing in this video is first-person POV. Every other shot of someone skiing is someone else.

[@dougsimpsonmusic]

Bathing suits for rent? Eeeew! Great video though aha

[@GrandAdventure]

🤭 Yep, Patricia couldn't locate hers and had to rent one. They're thoroughly washed in an industrial-style laundering facility on site.

[@rexcarlson3464]

Looks like your praying 😉

[@GrandAdventure]

That wouldn't be far off.

[@rexcarlson3464]

Wow nice face shots Just watched liked all Look out warren miller P.s . Took my trailer to state trailer Today repacked bearing s .

[@GrandAdventure]

Glad you enjoyed it Rex, you need to get up there sometime. Congratulations on getting your trailer ready, spring is upon us.

[@Khatoon170]

Lava hot springs is located about 2 hours north of Salt Lake City utah and 3hours south of yellow stone park stop in and experience best Idaho hot springs relax in world famous natural hot springs geothermal hot springs from 102 to 112 outdoor to Olympic pool diving platforms water slides and indoor pool are open all summer 25 yard indoor pool provides year round shaded fun for all ages with diving board aqua climb wall hot pool and port neuf kiddie cove party koa campground is expensive because it’s privately owned and operated attractions there 3 miles Olympic swimming complex baker ranch rides yellowstone national park lava hot springs folk festival singer songwriters northwest admission is free list of prizes port neuf River there rental shops pebble creek ski resort day trips in city of soda springs just 25 minutes away fishing there are regulations from store or sunny side sin Clair fire ice winter festival annually in weekend every year in February lava zip line adventures 2 hours tours there too several parks sunken gardens baker ranch snowshoeing cross country skiing thank you for your great efforts to show us such magnificent landscapes encourage us to read and learn you are as guide tourist for all people around world not USA citizens only stay safe blessed good luck to you your dearest ones

[@GrandAdventure]

As always, your research is 100% correct Khatoon. It's great to hear from you!

[@solitudeinthewild82]

Nice video, I really enjoyed watching it! The camping and nature is amazing, and your appearance as well! And by the way, welcome to my channel about survival and bushcraft - Rare Russian! Regards, Yuriy!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks Yuriy! We'll give your channel a look.