Sun Valley Blog

Okay, believe it or not, we’re just about down to 100 days until Baldy opens for the 75th winter season… And Apples Bar and Grill at the base of  the Warm Springs ski lifts is presenting the 7th annual Pig Roast and Reggae celebration of the 100 day pre-anniversary. It all happens at the Apple’s restaurant there with a frisbee golf course set up through the Greyhawk parking lot and around the lift bases, finishing up on the street where the Ethan Tucker Band will be supplying the music for the evening. Dinner served Apples-style, and plenty of beer will be flowing. Should be a great time for all. Pack the dogs and kennel the kids, and come on out to join the fun!

Noon- Frisbee Golf
Music starts at 4pm and dinner served at 5pm.
Sun Valley Season Pass raffle- $5 per tickets or 5 for $20

See you there

The guy said, “If you build it, they will come.” Well, The Holdings built it, and last night they came. There were an estimated 6,000 people Sunday night at the Sun Valley Pavilion and on the lawn on a beautiful, clear and warm August evening.

Garth Brooks showed up and with some help from his beautiful wife  Trisha Yearwood, put on a wonderful exhibition of his roots in the music business and his growth to the leading country performer in the world. Who knew that he was such an entertaining story teller?  Mixed in with the great music we have all grown up with, and the touching stories of his dear father, he wowed the crowd for over an hour before bringing out the entire Sun Valley Symphony Orchestra for support. (As back-up? Imagine that!)

It sounded like everybody  had a good time, from the $10,000 per seat folks dancing in the aisles to “I’ve got Friends in Low Places” to all the real country lovers who lined up on the lawn before dawn, and waited all day for a spot in the sun.  By the way, the 360 square foot TV screen made perfect viewing for everybody on the lawn, even those who were left ouside the fence without tickets.

And Garth said it made him think of the “Field of Dreams”

Wish you were there

Who knew that the hilarious Steve Martin, famous for movies like “The Jerk, and “Cheaper by the Dozen” and “Father of the Bride” was also a Banjo virtuoso. I’m told he can really tear it up on a stage, with great classic folk stuff and plenty of rockin’ country to get you up on your feet. Martin has toured all over the country with his Bluegrass band, and promises to give us a show to remember on the stage at the river Run Plaza next Tuesday evening, August 3.

Come on out, bring the kids, and enjoy another perfect sunset on the grounds along the Wood River. Sun Valley will have snacks and a bar set up over by Pete Lanes again in case  the kids get hungry or you would like a cold drink.  

The Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile will open at 7pm. Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, will perform at about 8:30. That’s a little late, so be sure to have sweatshirts for the kids and a jacket to stay warm out there. Tickets will be $45 for adults, with a discount for SV Center for the Arts members. It should be a great show, and we’ll all be there, too. Tickets available only through the Sun Valley Center for the Arts.

See you there

The Sun Valley “Buy In July” Season Pass sale continues through August 2. Come get your 2010-2011 Sun Valley Season Ski Passes at the best prices now! The full pass is just $1499, and the Sun Plus with all sorts of cool benefits is only $1599.  Season passes are on sale at the River Run Lodge, the Sun Valley Recreation Center or online. Prices go up August 3.

 
This just in….Jessica’s Coffee cart at the River Run Plaza now offers the coldest beers and refreshing wines along with all her delicious coffee drinks and snacks daily while the Roundhouse Gondola is running. So come on down and enjoy the scenery, sit in the shade, or work on your tan and enjoy a cool one while you are there.

See you there

Yep, we think it’s here…Summer, that is…The weather man says to expect temps in the 90’s today and for the weekend.  That makes this the perfect time to get on up to the fresh air at the Roundhouse for lunch or a glass of wine. They’re open daily from 11 to 3:30 for the BBQ on the deck. And the Gondola will run from 9:00 until the last ride down at 4:30.

We’ve learned that it’s the coolest place in town for those hot afternoons here in the valley.

Come on up and see us

Starting tomorrow (Friday), the Roundhouse Gondola will be opening at 9:00 am instead of 10:00 for the duration of the season.  The Mountain guys had gotten some feedback from early hikers and others about the loss of that early morning ride.  Now they  have worked out a way to get the Gondola running for passengers at 9 and the Christmas lift just as soon as they can. This should be close to 9:00, perhaps a few minutes after, but they will run it as soon as they can get it open.

We know there will be some happy hikers who had built their days around an early trip up the Bald Mountain Trail before going off to work for the day, and liked to get up and out before the heat of the day.

See you there

James Taylor and local favorite Carole King will be continuing their extremely successful national tour tonight with a stop at our River Run Plaza.  Alas, all sold out.  Instantly, in fact, the day they went on sale some months ago. We only wish we had more seats. (Working on it, by the way) And that is why, in case you noticed, the Gondola closed early today. They are setting up the stage for the show all day today.

But all will be back to normal Tuesday morning for all the hikers and bikers and flyers that have been up every day.  And the Weather Service is  forecasting hot, hot, hot weather for the rest of the week so plan to take your lunch break at the Roundhouse, or ride up just for the fresh air, or try an afternoon glass of wine on the deck up there.  I promise you, it is worth the trip.

We’re hearing rumors that they might go back to starting the lifts at 9am instead of 10…Anybody have an opinion on that?  We know there were a few early hikers that got their schedules messed up by the 10:00 opening.  A nice gesture, if they do it.  We’ll see…

Look for our earlier blog with the description of the Bald Mountain Trail. You’ll find it a tough hike up, but a beautiful walk, and a very civilized trip down on the Gondola (free).

See you there

A Celebration of Mountain Life

a benefit for the family of Tim Michael and in recognition and gratitude to all Wood River Valley First Responders at River Run will take place on Wednesday, July 21.

Dave Mason, Kole Moulton and the Lonely Road and the Disciples of Rock to perform at River Run Wednesday, July 21 from 5-9pm.
Tickets are $20, Kids age 12 and under are $5.

From noon to 4pm there will be emergency rescue equipment demonstrations.

Concert tickets are available at Atkinsons Markets in Ketchum and Hailey. $20 for adults, and $5 for kids 12 & under.

Can you believe it?  Here, in  our little town, the ever popular Dave Mason with the disciples of Rock…That River Run concert venue is proving itself to be a great one for performers and enthusiasts both!  What a great spot though, cooler when the sun gets lower, and beautiful with the mountain at your back and the river just in front as you sit on the grass enjoying the show.  And the acoustics are amazing there, it seems the mountainside captures the music and bounces it right back at you. It will be a memorable evening for everybody.

This one is a benefit, organized by the tireless Julie Gallagher and members of the Sun Valley Ski Patrol for the family of Tim Michael who left us this winter while skiing on Baldy. And it is part of a whole afternoon of activities there at the River Run Plaza.   There will be displays and demonstrations by the Wood River Valley First Responders and the Ski Patrol.   The gondola will be running, and there will be lunch served at the Roundhouse during the day. You’ll see games and fun stuff for everybody, kids included.

There will be BBQ, a no-host bar, a silent auction and a raffle for 2 season ski passes on Baldy. The whole Ski Patrol will be out, enjoying the event, and offering the latest version of the Ski Patrol t-shirts and hats for sale. It all goes to a good cause. And a good time for everybody.

Bring the kids and bring your own picnics if you prefer, but be sure to come help out, you won’t regret it.

See you there

 It seems that July has finally arrived, and now it’s getting pretty hot out there around town. It could be in the 80’s today, possibly even the 90’s by the weekend. The coolest place in the valley  will have to be the Roundhouse up on Baldy. Great place for lunch at the BBQ on the deck, or a nice sitdown meal inside around the fireplace.  They are telling us that the restaurant is considerably less crowded than it was last weekend, so it might be a great time to get up there and give it a look.  And you can ride right on up to the summit at the old Lookout building, stroll around take some pics, and if you are lucky, it is always fun to watch the parasailers take off from the top.  

Ask the mountain guys about the walking trails available, and bike rentals there at Pete Lane’s.  Kaleb is almost always  there and will be happy to supply maps, directions, schedules, even water and snacks if needed.

Look at our previous blog about the Bald Mountain Trail, it describes the hike up, but you could always use it for the walk down just as easily. Think about bringing a light jacket or sweater as well so you don’t get surprised…

See you there