Great American West - Parks and Starry Skies from Northern Idaho to the Grand Teton

Sandpoint overlooks the shores of vast Lake Pend Oreille, framed by the mountains of northern Idaho. A picturesque resort town, it offers the Schweitzer ski resort in winter and beaches, sailing and kayaking in summer. The lively centre, with galleries and restaurants, and the views of lakes and forests make it a year-round destination. Sandpoint is the ideal destination for those seeking alpine lakes, outdoor sport and the pristine nature of northern Idaho.

Lewiston sits at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers in western Idaho, the most inland river port on the Pacific coast. The town is the gateway to spectacular Hells Canyon, the deepest gorge in North America, carved by the Snake River on the Oregon border. Jetboat excursions and rafting set off from its waters.

McCall overlooks the shores of Payette Lake, a refined mountain resort in the wooded heart of central Idaho. A ski resort in winter and a lakeside destination in summer, it offers beaches, water sports, hiking and hot springs nearby. The famous Winter Carnival, with its ice sculptures, enlivens the town in the cold season. McCall is the ideal destination for those seeking alpine lakes, outdoor sport and the relaxed atmosphere of Idaho's mountains.

Boise, capital of Idaho, spreads along its namesake river at the foot of the Boise Foothills, where the desert plain meets the first heights of the Rocky Mountains. A city of surprising vibrancy, it owes its name to the cottonwoods that struck the early French explorers (les bois, "the woods") and today combines a dynamic downtown, a growing culinary scene and exceptional access to nature. Boise still strongly preserves its Basque cultural heritage from its early settlers.The Boise River Greenbelt, a long green path along the river, crosses the city linking parks and neighborhoods, while the picturesque Basque Block tells the heritage of the largest Basque community in the United States, with restaurants and its own museum. All around lie trails for hiking and mountain biking, rivers for rafting and ski resorts within easy reach. A city with an enviable quality of life, perfect for lovers of outdoor sport and the authenticity of the American West.

Stanley gathers at the foot of the spectacular Sawtooth Mountains, in the mountainous heart of Idaho, a tiny village surrounded by grand nature. The jagged peaks, crystal-clear alpine lakes and the Salmon River make it a paradise for hikers, rafters and fly-fishers. Natural hot springs dot the surroundings. Stanley is the ideal destination for those seeking wild mountains, outdoor adventure and the purest wilderness of Idaho.

Ketchum lies at the foot of the Smoky Mountains in mountainous central Idaho, just minutes from the famous Sun Valley resort. The town keeps the feel of a frontier settlement turned refined alpine retreat: compact streets lined with art galleries, bistros and boutiques, and a packed calendar of outdoor pursuits. In winter it is a skiing kingdom on the slopes of Bald Mountain; in summer it becomes a base for hiking, mountain biking and fly-fishing along the Big Wood River. Ernest Hemingway lived here for years and rests in the small local cemetery. Ketchum is an ideal destination for those seeking nature, sport and elegant calm among Idaho's peaks.

Twin Falls rises in southern Idaho, dramatically perched on the edge of the deep Snake River Canyon, spanned by the imposing Perrine Bridge from which base jumpers often leap. Not far away, the spectacular Shoshone Falls, nicknamed the 'Niagara of the West', plunge from a height greater than the famous Canadian falls. The area offers kayaking, hiking and scenic routes along the canyon. A crossroads between Boise and Yellowstone, set amid volcanic landscapes and fertile farmland, Twin Falls is a surprising nature stop in Idaho.

Victor stretches across a valley in eastern Idaho, at the foot of the western slope of the Tetons, a short distance from famous Jackson Hole. Quiet and authentic, it is a base prized by those seeking skiing, mountain biking and hiking away from the crowds, with direct access to the wide spaces of the Grand Teton. The charm of a small mountain village completes its atmosphere. Victor is the ideal destination for those seeking majestic mountains, outdoor sport and the quiet of Idaho's valleys.

The picturesque Teton mountains stand out dramatically in the flat prairie, amidst lakes, waterfalls, and forests inhabited by elks and bisons. The highest peak is the Grand Teton, which exceeds 4,000 meters. The main road runs along the eastern shore of the idyllic Jackson Lake with full view of Mount Moran and the Cathedral Group, the park's iconic peaks. In Colter Bay Village, the Indian Arts Gallery is beautiful, and there are several not-too-long trails to walk. Must-see spots include Willow Flats Overlook, another beautiful view of the Teton mountains, Cathedral Group Turnout, and Menors Ferry Historic District to see a house, a general store, and an 1800s icehouse, and the Chapel of the Transfiguration, perhaps the church with the most picturesque backdrop in the USA.

Jackson Hole is a broad Wyoming valley framed by the jagged peaks of Grand Teton National Park, the southern gateway to Yellowstone and a kingdom of outdoor activities. The lively town of Jackson welcomes visitors with its famous arches made of elk antlers, art galleries, saloons and western boutiques. Don't miss a visit to the National Elk Refuge, a winter sanctuary for around 8,000 elk, and the adjacent National Museum of Wildlife Art. Along the Snake River, rafting and canoe trips run through grand landscapes, while the National Elk Refuge shelters thousands of elk in winter, viewable from horse-drawn sleighs. To the north lies Yellowstone, the world's first national park, with its steaming geysers, iridescent hot springs and extraordinary wildlife of bison, bears and wolves. An ideal destination for those seeking wild nature, hiking and skiing.