Backstage at the Christmas Eve Ice Show, party scene girls are ready for their spotlight

It’s hard to remember the exact year, but two or three holidays ago, while I helped backstage at the highly anticipated Christmas Eve Ice Show, it started to snow. The grand production was well underway and dozens of talented skaters spun and leaped around Sun Valley’s famous outdoor ice rink (the largest year-round outdoor rink in the world). Spotlights captured the falling snowflakes as they began to land on the skater’s lashes and vintage costumes, on the hats and scarves of the full-to-capacity audience. Quickly, the pace of the storm increased, and thick, heavy flakes, that looked like they might have been created in Hollywood (cue the snow), began to fall in earnest. The skaters were veiled in the snowy mist, their jeweled dresses sparkled in the lights, skate blades cut through the accumulating powder. It had been a light early snow season that year and this gift on Christmas Eve was on everyone’s wish list.

Members of the Sun Valley Figure Skating Club practice until it's perfect

The Nutcracker on Ice is a tradition that always has an element of magic, whether it comes in the form of snowfall, the appearance of an Olympian among the local skaters, a shooting star streaming across a crisp Idaho holiday sky. It is a tradition that my family has embraced now for six years. As the mother of two figure skaters (and their little brother who always got the role of a mouse because I needed them all in the same place), I have enjoyed the pleasure of a behind-the-scenes perspective on this show – a favorite of guests and locals alike.  When the girls were little, I volunteered backstage, as the “quick-change” helper. This meant I was supposed to assist the skaters out of one costume and into another for the next scene. Allow me to tell you, though, there is nothing “quick” about changing little girls who are in ice skates out of their party scene dresses and into a candy cane costume, but these nights were filled with camaraderie, high excitement and a great deal of fun.

Local skaters practicing with their props

Two years ago, I moved out of my role of backstage mom and watched the production in full for the first time. Seated shoulder-to-shoulder with the entire Wood River Valley and guests from all over the country and the world, I happily sipped cocoa, waved to friends and was amazed by the skaters I see every day performing the charming choreography professionally and flawlessly. They practice a lot and it shows. When the Sun Valley Carolers arrived by sleigh, setting the performance in motion, the large crowd collectively inhaled before bursting into appreciative applause.

From this vantage point in the bleachers (which are unreserved and first-come, first-served for this show), I was again able to enjoy the traditional torchlight parade featuring ski school instructors, torches held aloft, navigating the face of Dollar Mountain. As far back as 1987, my family drove up a nearby hill and watched this stunning parade of fire before we went home to open gifts. Oh, and did I mention the fireworks that follow? Spectacular! As much as I liked being in the skate house, taking in the entire experience from the vantage point of the audience was magical, indeed.

The children's cast for this Monday's performance

The Christmas Eve Ice Show is something that all members of the Sun Valley Figure Skating Club and local skating community look forward to each year as much as the audience does. As the children grow, so do their parts and responsibilities. My little girls of six years ago are now the big girls, helping the little ones navigate their first ice show. The show’s choreographer, Gia Guddat said she loves to watch the skaters grow from party scene girls, to Candyland sweets, to snow angels. And everyone involved enjoys performing for the huge audience, giving this gift to the community.

At 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve, the place to be in Sun Valley is on the Lodge Terrace enjoying cocoa and a snack, then onto the bleachers (bring a blanket to sit on and bundle up) to enjoy the sights and sounds of a Sun Valley Christmas on Ice. The show is sure to become a tradition for your family, too.

–RES

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas!

My daughter's smile says it all at the end of last year's show. It is a wonderful night

They can't wait to skate

Finding a little support at the rail

The Sun Valley Lodge boasts one of the most beautiful, unusual and iconic backyards in the nation. The year-round outdoor ice rink is the largest in the world and sets the stage for Sun Valley’s famous Saturday night ice shows, the crowd-pleasing Christmas Eve Nutcracker on Ice and competitions for skaters from all over the nation. As the old adage goes, everyone who is anyone in figure skating has performed in Sun Valley.  Every Olympic medalist in recent history, world champions and the sport’s rising stars all love skating in Sun Valley’s intimate venue under the stars.

Poised for greatness

Last week, this huge slab of ice was also the platform to launch a lifelong love of skating for about 35 children participating in the first “Skate With Us” class of the year. This program, sponsored by the Sun Valley Figure Skating Club, invites youngsters to learn skating basics in a supportive group setting, taught by some of Sun Valley’s outstanding coaches.

Giggles, chatter and smiles prevailed as the mostly four to seven-year-olds wiggled while parents and caregivers wrestled with fidgety feet, lacing them into skate boots.  When asked if they were excited, the answer was a resounding “yes!” and “skating is fun!” Josie Sarchett was one of the first on the ice, gliding confidently out to the middle, a seasoned pro in her second year of “Skate With Us.”  Sporting the signature Sun Valley fall uniform of summer shorts with a puffy coat, a misplaced toe pick landed her on the ice. “Maybe I should have worn pants,” she laughed.

Skating is an integral part of most local kids’ childhoods. Many join the Figure Skating Club to learn to glide, spin and jump their way through either a competitive track or just for enjoyment. Countless others pick up a hockey stick and puck and play on the Resort’s indoor rink as a part of Sun Valley Youth Hockey. Skating birthday parties and get-togethers are wildly popular. And, why not?  Where else can you skate, every day of the year, with the picturesque Lodge on one side, and views of Dollar and Baldy on the other?

The smiles on the little “Skate With Us” participants shone as bright as the Sun Valley sun as they extended gloved hands to a coach, anxious to get going. Who knows? Among this group may be a future national champion, a show skater or someone who simply will enjoy skating for decades to come.

As the mother of two competitive figure skaters and one aspiring hockey player, the Sun Valley ice rinks are my home-away-from-home.  During the winter months, it is a certainty that we will be skating, collectively, at least four to five days a week. If you are looking for me, the rink is a good place to start! It has been wonderful to see the confidence, dedication and character my own kids have built through their time on the ice. Nothing like a few hard falls to inspire you to get up and get it right. I highly recommend a spin or two around the rink to any guest, local, or aspiring skater.  The Sun Valley experience is not complete without it.

– RES

Here's how it's done!

Josie during a warm-up lap

Having spent the best part of the summer running around enjoying and sharing the sights and sounds of my Sun Valley summer, I decided it was about time I discovered some of your experiences of our fabulous mountain town. So, I spent an entertaining afternoon with two of my favorite buddies, Twitter and Instagram, and dug up a treasure trove of stories and images people have shared with the online world about their time in Sun Valley.

Thanks to the magic of Storify, I’ve collected a handful of these for you here, and if you have more to share please tweet me @jp2e.

A Social Sun Valley Vacation

Mrs. Sun rummaged through the world of social media to bring you some snapshots of real #SunValley vacations.

(Story not displaying properly? Click here.)

Happy trails!

Mrs. Sun

Newlywed Johnny Weir performs in Sun Valley on Ice this Saturday

After shocking the figure-skating world in August of 2010 by retiring from the sport, the truly fabulous Johnny Weir (now happily married to Victor Voronov) is setting his sights firmly on a medal in Sochi, the home of the 2014 Winter Olympics. I caught up with the three-time U.S. National Champion and 2008 World Championship bronze medalist in advance of his appearance in Sun Valley on Ice tomorrow, to chat skating, Olympics and his love for Sun Valley.

This is your first year skating after a two year retirement. How is it going?
Johnny Weir: I announced my comeback to competitive figure skating in January, since then it’s been a very slippery slope to get back in shape, to learn a lot of the skills maybe I bypassed by not competing the last two years. It’s been a full-time job. But I’m really looking forward to coming to Sun Valley. It gives me an opportunity to do a show as opposed to all the training I’ve been doing to get ready for the judges. I’m looking forward to being able to just skate and be glittery—which is what I’m best at!—rather than focusing on the nuts and bolts. It will be nice to let my hair down.

What was it that prompted that decision to return to figure skating?
JW: It’s kind of being building. I saw this point in my life where I knew that I could do everything required of me to be a competitive figure skater again and I could also see 40 years down the road where I would regret not trying. I have so many fans who have been encouraging me to continue competing, and instead of really focusing on doing this for myself—as I’ve already achieved so many of my goals—I’m returning to support my fans, to show them that you can still achieve something great, no matter how old you are or how many people counted you out. I want to help inspire people and give people a moment of escape. I want to take people on my journey with me when I skate. That’s definitely something that pushed me to come back. Even if I get out there and try and fail, if I can inspire someone to try, it will have been worth it.

This is your eighth appearance in the Sun Valley ice shows. What do you like about Sun Valley? What keeps you coming back?
JW: I live just outside New York City and I’m constantly over-stimulated by lights and city action and craziness, so it’s really nice to get away and be in Idaho. It’s like a mini vacation. It’s wonderful to go to Sun Valley and work and perform for the guests at the lodge. But really it’s just nice for me to be peaceful and quiet and sleep well in the mountain air, keep my windows open in the hotel. It’s always a lovely experience.

What do you like to do while you’re in Sun Valley?
JW: I’m an avid lover of fur and wildlife so I like gently walking around and seeing what kind of creatures I can spot. One year I did a photo shoot out in the hills and then down by that little red barn, and I saw a wolf there. I really like trying to animal spot, and I love the swans outside the lodge. I don’t really own hiking boots or hunting boots, so usually I’m trying to trek around in a pair of Christian Louboutin loafers, which never ends up well!
I’ve also made a few friends there over the years. Suzy Hart at Déjà Vu, my absolute favorite shop, and every year Ditta Von Teese’s parents will come and support me at the show. I have the most fun at Sun Valley that’s why I come back.

It’s well known that shopping is one of your favorite things to do. Are there any shops or places in Sun Valley that you’re excited to come back to?
JW: Well, Deja Vu is my must-stop shop. Then there’s Davis, which carries a lot of the big New York designers, it’s a very fashionable, way too expensive store, and it’s always cool to see these clothes I’m so accustomed to seeing in the city in this sleek modern space in the middle of Idaho. There’s also that fantastic restaurant downtown with the cute little garden—Vintage—I like to have my pre-show meal there. Even though we stay at the lodge we like to go down into town and bring a little color.

Well, we can always use a little bit of color here.
JW: Yes! And that’s something I like to bring to the summer ice shows, my own color. I’m a very unapologetic person when it comes to my personality; I embrace every flaw that makes me up. I like coming to small towns, it never hurts a town to have a little crazy flavor.

Speaking of that flavor, can you give us a sneak peek into your performance this Saturday?
JW: I’ll be performing a show number to a beautiful rendition of Chopin as my first performance. It’s a very classical piece and I’ll show off what figure skating means to me; the artistic elegance, the beautiful side of figure skating.
And then, people have got very accustomed to seeing me skate to Lady Gaga and that pop element, so this year I’ll be skating to Fighter by Christina Aguilera. It’s a song that’s very indicative of what I’m going through in my life right now and everything I’m willing to give up and do for this season to make it a success. As for color at the show, I’m wearing a wrestling singlet.

What is that success you’re looking for this season?
JW: I’m absolutely looking forward to returning to international competition. The grand prix series this fall—6 countries in 6 weeks and every skater performs in two of them—I’ll be performing in Moscow and Paris. The skaters with the most points at the end compete in the final, which will be in the new Olympic arena in Sochi, Russia. Then next January is the U.S. Nationals, which I’ve won three times. If I do well there I can be selected for the American team for the World Championships, from there each country receives its allotted number of spots for the 2014 Winter Olympics. I’m definitely starting on the road to Sochi.

You are a two-time Olympian, watching the Olympics today and planning for your return in Sochi must bring up a lot of emotions.
JW: After the winter Olympics finished in Vancouver in 2010, I was so proud of myself and so proud of my career. I finished on the absolute two best performances of my life. It was that one moment of glory where everyone’s clapping for you and you feel that the World is really behind you. I really thought I would win a medal at that Olympics [he placed sixth]. So it was really a bittersweet experience.
To be honest for a few months after, it was more bitter. I didn’t want anything to do with figure skating. I didn’t compete or watch anything on TV. And those few months turned into a couple years. But I’ve really enjoyed it, being able to live the life of a famous person rather than of a figure skater. I’ve written a book, recorded a song [his memoir Welcome to My World, and single Dirty Love were both released in 2011], and have a TV show [Be Good Johnny Weir, returning next month]. It’s been fun, trying new things and also being able to try something and fail at something. But the time came when I realized I wanted to go back. I’m 28 now, I’m getting old!

Has watching the London Olympics spurred you on at all?
JW: Watching London has been really eye-opening for me. A lot of the feelings I had in Vancouver have come flooding back. Every night I watch some new record being broken, another American winning a medal, I see the stories of the Olympians from around the world and it re-enamors me with the Olympics. It’s given me the passion to want to compete in Sochi.

Make sure you catch this dazzling delight on ice Saturday night, it could be your last chance to see him in person before he wins an Olympic medal…

Happy trails!

Mrs. Sun

Buy tickets for Sun Valley on Ice here, at the Sun Valley Recreation Office 208.622.2135 or toll free 888.622.2108, or at the gate prior to the show. 

Mrs. Sun on ice. These vintage posters, scattered around the resort, make the perfect photo opp.

By now, regular readers of this blog will be familiar with my occasional adverb abuse. But honestly there’s a lot of truly, spectacularly amazing things to do in Sun Valley. Despite, or probably because of this, us locals occasionally fall victim to viewing the extraordinary as simply ordinary. Olympic ice-skaters? Hollywood movie stars? Pulitzer-Prize winning authors? Yep, they were all here last year too, and the year before that. Sometimes we take for granted that we live in many people’s dream vacation spot.

Such was the case for me with the Sun Valley ice shows. While I bundle the kids up for the (free) Christmas ice show every year, jostling for a good viewing spot alongside the literal hordes of people descending on the resort Christmas Eve, I had never made it to a performance of Sun Valley on Ice.

After happening across a blog post from a visitor that said “The Sun Valley Ice Show is an extraordinary thing to do. You should go. And I’ll just leave it at that,” I suddenly felt very silly for not having made the effort to attend something in my back yard that people travel across the country to see. So last night the Sun family opted to celebrate Independence Day at the first show of the season.

Well, it was an absolutely, truly, spectacularly amazing experience. The whole family had a wonderful time (helped immensely by actually having somewhere to sit). Little Sun gasped when Darlin Baker took to the ice as the first soloist, whispering in awe “Mummy, she looks beautiful.” Baby Sun could barely contain her delight, clapping and bouncing on daddy’s lap as Craig Heath performed his comedic routine. When Craig screamed in shock as a “shark” skated between his legs, she perfectly mimicked his cry, earning her a loud laugh from our bleacher (a reaction she then proceeded to try and elicit again and again until she eventually fell asleep).

Little Sun quickly followed his sister into slumber land, allowing Mr. Sun and I to fully appreciate the awesome athleticism on display. Headliner Ryan Bradley thrilled with his back flips (despite a few stumbles), but it was Nathan Chen who stole the show from the 2011 U.S. Champion. The eighth-grader is the 2012 Junior Men’s Champion and is the most exciting thing on ice right now. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything spin that fast – let alone a 13 year-old-boy on ice-skates. If you missed it, fear not, Chen returns to Sun Valley on August 18, where he’ll try not to upstage 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist Evan Lysacek.

Here’s a snippet I shot of Bradley’s brilliant back flip:

We almost woke the kids when the newest member of the ice show ensemble, Canadian Jason Graetz, started literally rolling around the rink during his solo (get a sneak peak of Graetz in action here). The hilarious stylings of the bendiest man on ice were only rivalled by the breathtaking skills of Jozef “Jumpin’ Joe” Sabovcik.

I’m a sucker for pairs though, and two-time World Professional Champions Elena Leonova and Andrei Khvalko were my personal favorites. The grace, beauty and incredible skill of their synchronized movements – and the terror-inducing sight of Elena’s blond hair millimeters from the surface of the ice as her husband swirled her around and around – had me leaping to my feet with enthusiasm.

From the patriotic displays by both skaters and pyrotechnics to the presence of resort owners Mr. and Mrs. Holding themselves, it was a signature Sun Valley evening. Mr. Sun hit the nail on the head as we drove home, saying “I’m so glad we finally got to cross that off our Sun Valley bucket list.”

Happy Trails!

Mrs. Sun

Sun Valley On Ice continues every Saturday night throughout the summer, beginning at dusk (current and 2x US Gold Medalist Jeremy Abbott headlines this Saturday.) Tickets range from $39 to $99 (bleachers to buffet). Call 622.2135 or visit seats.sunvalley.com. Child care is available during the ice show by reservation, 622.2288.

Fire and Ice combine in Sun Valley for a rollicking good Fourth.

As I mentioned a few posts back, the one thing I hate about summer in Sun Valley is that there is simply not enough time to enjoy everything there is to do. The next eight days in the valley will prove me right as the Sun family embarks on a marathon of fun that will barely scratch the surface of what’s on offer. Having experienced it all a few times over, I thought I’d share my plan for getting the family through a week of exhaustive Fourth of July fun.

Saturday, June 30
We’ll kick the week off with a gentle morning in the Wood River YMCA pool, then head out for a family hike, the combination of which will ensure Little Sun and Baby Sun are happily tuckered out for the babysitter. This will allow Mr. Sun and I to enjoy a patriotic evening of pops and arias at the Sun Valley Summer Spectacular, featuring International Diva Alyson Cambridge (I wish I could be an International Diva – how does one get that job title?).

Sunday, July 1
In anticipation of the astounding defeat of Roger Federer by Andy Murray in the Wimbledon final next Sunday (a Brit can dream can’t she?), we’ll take our own future Wimbledon champ along to the Sun Valley Lyle Pearson Tennis Tournament to  pick up a few tips. We’ll then finish off the weekend with some locally-brewed beer and Idaho potatoes at Trail Creek Cabin’s Sawtooth Brewery Beer Dinner.

Monday, July 2
Born in the Wild West, Mr. Sun will insist on attending Family Night at the Days of the Old West Rodeo in Hailey. Not that I don’t enjoy rodeos, but having grown up in a city curiously bereft of the need to wrangle cattle I do find it all a little baffling (especially when they lasso those cute little calves). But as long as I can keep telling Little Sun he’s too young for mutton bustin’ all will be well (although I’m sure the fearless Baby Sun will sneak off on the first passing sheep). I’ll just have to console myself with gawping at the gorgeous Rodeo Queens.

Tuesday, July 3
The place to see and be seen (at least until the Symphony rolls in to town) on Tuesday nights is Ketch’em Alive. This low-key, free, weekly concert at Ketchum’s Forest Service Park is perfect for the whole family. Just one of the many reasons I simply love summer.

Wednesday, July 4
The big day itself. Being American-born and British-raised, Independence Day has always sat a little uncomfortably with my dual nationalities, but who doesn’t love a parade? And that’s where I’ll be come noon, jealously guarding a prime slice of Hailey Main Street real estate, ready to wave vigorously as Mr. Sun rolls by in a big red fire truck with Baby Sun and Little Sun dangling out the windows.  Then, after strapping the kids down for a nap to get them ready for the long night ahead, we’ll mosey on up to Sun Valley to watch 2011 US Gold Medalist Ryan Bradley spin in the first Sun Valley On Ice of the season, followed by the obligatory spectacular fireworks exploding over the Lodge.

Thursday, July 5
I will tolerate Mr. Sun’s efforts to turn my son into something other than a great British/American Wimbledon Champion by exposing him to the skills of the Mountain Bike Cross-Country National Championship riders. The culmination of the week-long biking bonanza Ride Sun Valley, the championship races begin today on Baldy. We’ll watch as the best American cross-country, short track cross-country and Super D riders race for the chance to represent their country at the London Olympics (race start times).

Friday, July 6
Today, it will be Little Sun’s turn to show off his prowess on two wheels as he gets a chance to cover the same trails the pros do in the Ride Sun Valley Kid’s Mountain Bike Race. As you’ve no doubt gleaned by now I’m a bit of a nervous mother, and if it all gets too much for me I will head in to town for some wine and art at the superlative Sun Valley Gallery Association Gallery Walk.

Saturday, July 7
Time to ditch the highbrow (and the kids) for some good old fashioned partying at The Sun Valley Shakedown. There’s quite the line-up, but I’m particularly looking forward to the signature New Orleans-stylings of the Dirty 
Dozen
 Brass
 Band.

Sunday, July 8
Based on the fact that we have four times as many bikes in our house as people, the chances are high that the whole family will be back at Baldy today to see the culmination of the Mountain Bike Cross-Country National Championships. From the safety of the River Run Lodge we’ll be cheering on the insanely brave boys and girls careering down Baldy. As thrilling as that sight will be, it’s the one later this evening that I am most excited for. The week from will end in paradise as I watch angels dance on earth when the San Francisco Ballet‘s dancers, including the exceptional Maria Kochetkova, grace the stage of the Sun Valley Pavilion for one night only.

Then, if we actually manage to pull off a miracle and cram all this into one week, we’ll likely hibernate until winter rolls in (in about 2 weeks). But please do share, what will be missing out on? Where will you be this week?

Sun Valley On Ice – A New Spin!

Join the excitement of our world famous Sun Valley Summer Ice Shows every Saturday night at dusk July 4, 2012 through Labor Day weekend. This summer, our ice shows will feature a showcase cast of Olympic and world-class figure skating athletes! Enjoy the gourmet dinner buffet on the outdoor Lodge Terrace before the show or view all the action from the bleacher seating up close to the ice. All shows start at dusk. 2012 Summer Ice Show tickets  on sale at the Sun Valley Recreation Center (208) 622-2135 or online at: seats.sunvalley.com

2012 Summer Ice Show Headliners

July 4              Ryan Bradley

2011 United States Gold Medalist

United States Silver Medalist

&

                          Nathan Chen

2012 United States Junior Men’s Gold Medalist

July 7              Jeremy Abbott

3 X United States Gold Medalist (2009, 2010 & 2012)

July 14             Alex & Maia Shibutani

2011 World Bronze Medalists

2 X United States Silver Medalists

July 21             Evan Lysacek

2010 Olympic Gold Medalist

World Champion

2 X United States Gold Medalist

&

                             Ashley Wagner

2012   United States Gold Medalist

2 X United States Bronze Medalist

July 28            Alissa Czisny

2012 United States Silver Medalist

2 X United States Gold Medalist

Aug 4              TBD

Aug 11             TBD

Aug 18             TBD

Aug 25             Evan Lysacek

2010 Olympic Gold Medalist

World Champion

2 X United States Gold Medalist

Sept 1              Meryl Davis & Charlie White

2012 World Silver Medalists

2011 World Gold Medalists

2010 Olympic Silver Medalists

4 X United States Gold Medalists (2009 – 2012)

* Cast of skaters is subject to change due to injury or other unforeseen circumstances

Join us for holiday fun at Sun Valley Resort on December 24.  Festivities will begin at 5pm at the Sun Valley Lodge Terrace and Outdoor Ice Rink.  Nutcracker On Ice followed by Torchlight Parade and Fireworks.  Be sure to bundle up to stay warm for all the outdoor events!

Sun Valley’s Silver & Gold Ice Show!

5pm, Sun Valley Outdoor Ice Rink

Featuring Silver and Gold medalists Evan Lysacek, Sasha Cohen, Nathan Chen, Kim Navarro & Brent Bommentre, and Irina Grigorian. Ice show is followed by fireworks.

Tickets available at the Sun Valley Recreation Center at 208.622.2135

Meet & Greet Autograph party after the show!

Sasha Cohen
Olympic Silver Medalist
2x World Silver Medalist
2x United States Silver Medalist

Join the excitement of our world famous Sun Valley Summer Ice Shows every Saturday night at dusk July 2, 2011 through Labor Day weekend. This summer, our ice shows will showcase Olympic and world-class figure skating athletes!

Enjoy the gourmet dinner buffet on the outdoor Lodge Terrace before the show or view all the action from the bleacher seating up close to the ice. All shows start at dusk.

2011 Summer Ice Show tickets on sale at the Sun Valley Recreation Center (208) 622-2135 or online at:
seats.sunvalley.com