Photo courtesy of Marrit Wolfrom

By BlogSunValley staff

Sun Valley and its surrounds have long been known for world-class hiking. To help get hikers of any age on the right path, we’ll spend the warm weather months highlighting local and regional trails of all kinds.

Here, we offer up some great hikes for little feet.

Three Easy Hikes (for kids up to 5)

Sunnyside Trail/ Adams Gulch

Close proximity to Ketchum and numerous trail options make the Adams Gulch trail system a local fave. Wee walkers will love chasing grasshoppers down the gently rolling Sunnyside Trail, which winds through sage fields and aspen groves. (2 miles; modest vertical gain). Getting there: From Ketchum, drive north on Highway 75 for 1.6 miles. Turn left onto Adams Gulch Road and continue 0.9 miles to the trailhead. (Open to hikers, bikers and  horses.)

Waterfall Trail to Fall Creek Falls

A short, easy stroll along a gravel path takes you to a wooden platform overlooking a spectacular 25-foot waterfall. Bring binoculars to look for mountain goats, frequently spotted on mountains to the north. (1.2 miles; 280 ft. vertical gain). Getting there: From Ketchum, head east on Sun Valley/Trail Creek Road for 22.5 miles. Turn right at the Wildhorse/Copper Basin turnoff. Go 2.2 miles and turn left at the T-junction for Wildhorse Canyon. Go 3.4 miles to the Left Fork Junction. Turn left and continue 0.4 miles to the trailhead. (Open to hikers, bikers, horses and motocross.)

Prairie Creek 

This relatively flat out-and-back weaves through shady forest and sprawling meadows. After 1.6 miles, you’ll hit a small gravel beach that’s a fun destination (and perfect turn-around spot) for fledgling hikers. Warning: Toddlers may need to be carried part way and over stream crossings. (3.2 miles; modest vertical gain). Getting there: From Ketchum, drive north on Highway 75 for 18.6 miles. Turn left on Prairie Creek Road and continue 2.6 miles to the trailhead. (Open to hikers, bikers, horses and motocross.)

[For more information on these and a dozen other family friendly hikes please check out SVM 360o magazine’s “Take A Hike”section.]

By Laurie Sammis

Mother’s Day is nearly 100 years old. Declared an official national holiday by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914, Mothers Day began in the United States after Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia began a campaign to set aside a day just for mothers. Her mother had died and Anna wanted all mothers to be remembered with a day of quiet reflection and family. But mother’s have been celebrated since the time of the ancient greeks, who used to honor Rhea, “Queen of heaven” and “mother of the gods” in the springtime with flowers, sweet honey cakes and fine drinks at dawn.

Perfect. It sounds like the beginning of the Mother’s Day tradition of breakfast in bed.

But if you really want to indulge mom this Mother’s Day, book the special Mother’s Day Package at Sun Valley Resort and give her a weekend to remember. This exceptional weekend package includes Saturday night’s lodging in the Sun Valley Lodge or Inn, Sunday Brunch for two and a one-hour massage. The Sunday Brunch is not to be missed and offers a lavish display of breakfast specialties including omelet and crepe stations, seafood, an array of gourmet salads and a symphony of desserts.

And don’t forget the pre- or post-massage soak in the Sun Valley Lodge heated outdoor pool—with poolside cocktail service and the expansive blue Idaho skies, it is a unique extravagance (and a local tradition)!

Looking for some other things for mom to do while she is enjoying her weekend indulgence in Sun Valley? Here are a few ideas to help make her day.

1) Let her be Sonja Henie for a Day

The beautiful Sun Valley Outdoor Ice Rink is an original Sun Valley Story and the location for the 1941 academy award nominated musical “Sun Valley Serenade” staring Sonja Henie, John Payne, Milton Berle, Glenn Miller and Lynn Bari. Let mom don white figure skates and twirl and dip around the outdoor rink to the sounds of the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Follow it up with a cocktail on the Lodge terrace or in the historic Duchin Lounge. Or bring the whole family and let mom skate with the kids for her own personalized version of Disney on Ice.

2) Enjoy a Historical Tour and Picnic at Trail Creek

The Ketchum / Sun Valley Heritage and Ski Musuem features information and historical tours of the area, along with amazing exhibits with photos and memorabilia on everything from the early days of skiing in America to author Ernest Hemingway’s years in Idaho. Visit their Hemingway in Sun Valley [http://ksvhs.com/?page_id=403] page for more information on where to go to touch a little of the history related to the celebrated author and visit a few local institutions at the same time—the Sun Valley Lodge, Trail Creek Cabin, the Casino Club, the Ketchum Korral, etc. Visit the Hemingway Memorial and picnic alongside Trail Creek (grab provisions from the Sun Valley Deli).

3) Bike to Lunch at the Sun Valley Club

The views are spectacular and the wrap-around terraces overlooking the 18-hole Sawtooth Putting Course (a great place for kids and new golfers to practice) and the Trail Creek Golf Course are perfect for sipping Bloody Marys outside when the weather is nice. And it is a short bike ride (or walk) from the lodge—with the Ernest Hemingway Memorial is just a short pedal along Trail Creek Road.

4) Indulge Her with some Retail Therapy

Don’t miss the village shopping—with 15 unique shops for every need, from specialty hand-dipped chocolates to jewelry, unique toys, gift items and designer fashions at the Brass Ranch (for the largest collection of European and American ski and sportswear, including Arc‘teryx, Bogner, Canada Goose, Eider, JetSet, Kjus, Moncler, Ralph Lauren, Rossignol, Toni Sailer and more) or Panache (with big designer names like Nanette Lapore, Brunello Cucinelli, Chan Luu, Elizabeth & James and Diane Von Furstenberg, who makes a personal appearance for their annual fashion show fundraiser every summer).

Looking for the latest cool finds, local shopping deals and steals, check out Sun Valley Magazine’s weekly SWAG blog to make sure you don’t miss a thing.

5) Pamper Her with a Spa Day

Book a bevy of services through the Sun Valley Spa and give mom a day of indulgence. Start with a hike in the morning (there are several within easy walking distance of the lodge) and then give her a head-to-toe makeover with a manicure / pedicure, followed by a facial and a 90-minute Sun Stone “Hot Stone Therapy” massage or herbal body wrap. Heaven!

So spoil mom this year in all the ways she deserves and enjoy everything Sun Valley has to offer.

By Mike McKenna

Trail Creek, Hole #18

When you get right down to it, it’s actually easier to make it as a professional golfer than it is as a professional golf course architect.

Don Knott is one of those lucky few people with the talent and tenacity to make the cut as a professional golf course architect. But he hasn’t simply made the cut.

Don has become one of the most highly respected golf course architects of all time. If there were a Master’s Tournament for golf course designers, Don–-who designed Sun Valley’s White Clouds course and redesigned Trail Creek—would get a lifetime exemption.

Don Knott designs his golf courses to fit within the natural landscape

“Golf is still golf”

Don didn’t always have a love affair with golf. A collegiate All-American swimmer at UC Berkeley, the Northern California native didn’t pick up the game until graduate school.

He started playing Berkeley’s course simply because he loved the outdoors and had a passion for landscape design. Don quickly got hooked on the game and could often be seen riding his motorcycle to the local college course, carrying his clubs on his back.

Knott landed an internship with the legendary Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects (RTJ2)  in Palo Alto, California. He quickly made his mark in the company and was hired on, eventually becoming RTJ2’s Lead Project Architect and Senior Vice President of Design, spending the next 26 years helping the firm to construct golf courses all over the world.

“The game is pretty traditional. It’s been 18 holes for a long time,” Don explains. “Golf is still golf. People still hit the ball the same way as they always have. The key to all great courses isn’t how much money they cost to build, it’s that they fit into the natural landscape. A good golf course design makes it look like you haven’t moved any dirt to make it, at least that’s the goal.”

“There has to be magic”

Spanish Bay at Pebble Beach,  The National Golf Club of Australia, The Prince Course in Hawaii, and Jug Mountain Ranch in McCall are some of Don’s most celebrated designs.

“It’s hard to build a bad course on a great location,” Don explains. “But there has to be magic to the location if it’s going to be a truly special course. There’s a reason Pebble Beach is so famous.

“Of course, you have to have nice views. But there should also be a wee bit of mystery and intrigue,” Don explains. “The origins of the game are not based on scoring. The origins of golf are that it’s an obstacle course through nature. You hit the ball and then you go see what your fate is.”

“Idaho is just spectacular”

“I still love the game and play when I can,” says Don, who left RTJ2 in 1999 to found the Knott & Linn Golf Design Group with fellow golf course designer, Gary Linn.

The breathtaking view from the White Clouds course, Hole #4

Based in Mountain View, California, they are busy building courses across the globe, but one of Don’s favorite places to swing the sticks is still Idaho.

“Jug Mountain Ranch in McCall is one of my favorite spots, and the 360º view you get at the courses in Sun Valley makes it a really special place,” says Knott, who travels to the Wood River Valley each Summer to play in the Danny Thompson Memorial.

“The whole mountain scene in Idaho is just spectacular,” Don declares, professing the type of admiration for the Gem State that golfers all over the world have for his work.

There may be more than 28 million golfers in America alone, but there’s only one Don Knott, and players all over the country—and especially in Idaho—are certainly happy he made the cut as a golf course architect.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

How about complimentary yoga classes every hour from 7am – 7pm on the Ketchum Town Square, led by a variety of the valley’s top local yoga teachers and maybe a surprise guest instructor or two! Music, healthy food & drink, special prizes and more will round out this inspiring day. This is a new FUNraising event so donations will be gratefully accepted to support the SV Wellness Institute.
Presented in partnership with lululemon athletica.

Ever wonder what to do with that old snowboard? How about making it into a bench?

Turning a used snowboard into a bench is surprisingly easy and cheap to do and it’s a lot better for the environment than dumping it in the garbage.

To help get you motivated, here are the Top 10 reasons to turn and old snowboard into a bench:

10) It gives you a great excuse to use power tools.

9) It’s a great way to honor something you loved and shared many great memories with.

8) It’s gives you good place to sit, indoors or out.

7) It’s a fun and practical way to recycle.

6) It’s pretty cheap to do, wooden benches cost less than $25 to make.

A wide variety of snowboard bench kits are available from places like the Snow Source.

5) It doesn’t take very long to make one.

4) It’s a more productive way to spend an afternoon than drinking beer and watching ski movie re-runs.

3) It gives you a great reason to enjoy a beer after you’re done—and new place to sit down to enjoy it.

2) Even most “Two Plankers” (aka skiers) think they’re cool!

1) It gives you the perfect excuse to buy a new ride for next season!

To find out the basic directions for building a bench out of wood or links to some different examples of snowboard bench designs, please check out , “Building A Snowboard Bench.”

Photo courtesy of Nils Ribi.

A new local marvels at his first end of the season party at Sun Valley

By Alec Barfield

I notice the costumes first. (Man, people in this town love to dress up.) Some are better than others, but everyone tries … it is the last day on Baldy after all.  At one end of the spectrum are the Halloween get ups. A batch of the good ones: a human parrot and a mystery bird, Pooh Bear and Eyeore, a woman attached to an inflatable horse and some businessmen. Then there are the one-pieces, those throwback neon wonders that we all should own—if not strictly to use on the ski season’s last hurrah. Finally, a quirky mess of accessories paints the rest of the crowd. Put on a wig and sunglasses and you’ve got a party. Put on some denim jorts (jean shorts), which just skied past me, and you’ve got an even bigger party. Today, all functionality is unquestionably displaced by the best on-mountain party of the year.

Skiing is still the priority, but not necessarily the ability to do it well. In terms of attire, the louder the better. In terms of skiing, don’t crash too hard.

The SunFest party (Sun Valley’s official tagging of Sunday’s ultimately unaccountable nonsense) is the skier’s warble of skiing and drinking, which every so often gets put on repeat. Today that winning combination won’t stop until the lifts shut down. To be clear, drinking and skiing has its risks. But that’s another conversation and for this day, it seems to be another day’s worry. It’s the last day of the year, the weather is sunny and warm, the snow is nice enough to handle tiny ski blades and decades-old snowboards; no one seems to be thinking twice about the beer. Or the mimosas.

Baldy’s last day witnesses the entire cross section of pass-holders. Regardless of whether you lumber up the mountain less than five days a year or crunch out more than 100, the season’s final opportunity is always a ski.

This was a town-wide celebration. One that was fatefully sunny, just warm enough to ski in almost anything. There were beers and birds, and some bad skiing. It happens once a year and it’s viscerally awesome. It is a day to celebrate the season. And celebrate we did. As my grandpa would say, “You done good, Sun Valley!”

[To check out more of Nils Ribi’s great photos from the final day or to read the full story please click here.]

By Mike McKenna

Now that the slopes have closed for the season it’s time to turn our attention towards the links. This season Sun Valley will be offering 45 holes of world class golfing at three course: the longtime favorite of Trail Creek, the breathtaking track at the White Clouds and now entering it’s second season under Sun Valley’s management, the Trent Jones designed course at Elkhorn.

Trail Creek will be fully open this weekend (April 28^th), with Elkhorn opening to walking only on the front night on Monday (April 30^th) and White Clouds expected to start teeing off around May 4^th.

To get you fired up for another great season of swinging the stick in Sun Valley, here’s my write up on the White Clouds’ signature hole from Idaho Golf Magazine.

The spectacualr 8th hole at the White Clouds.

White Clouds Golf Course

Signature Hole: #8

Yardage: 523

Par: 4

Offering some of the most stunning views found on any course on the planet, the White Clouds Golf Course in Sun Valley is known for its striking topography. The ridge-lined course overlooks the picturesque Wood River Valley, the White Cloud Mountains and the Ernest Hemingway Memorial.

Opened in 2008, the long, links-style course was designed by Don Knott and is considered challenging by any standard, with several long Par 5s and undulating fairways that yield few, if any, flat stances.

The signature hole at White Clouds is the 8th. Standing on the tee-box nearly 300 feet above the fairway below, take note of the wind before teeing off. It’s important to hit a solid drive on this long, downhill par 4. Anything hit too far left makes it a near impossible up-and-down.

Advice: Jeff Peterson is White Clouds’ Director of Golf: “The ball will stay in the air forever, but will need to favor the right side of the fairway due to a severely sloped fairway and bunkers on the left. The long second shot plays downhill and should also favor the right side of this large undulating green.  Misses need to be short and right.”

For more information, check out www.sunvalley.com/golf/whiteclouds/ or call 208.622.2251.   

 [To read about other Signature Holes in the Gem State, check out the entire article.]

Skiers and riders salute another epic season at Sun Valley.

By Mike McKenna

Closing weekend for Sun Valley was a huge success. From the two day lodges to the top of Baldy, another terrific ski season in the heart of Idaho culminated with live music, plenty of folks in funny costumes and dayglo ski gear and lots of fun-filled festivities.

The first-ever end of the season party at River Run was a big hit. DJ McClain spinning tunes and a bouncy house for the kids highlighted the celebration. Warm Springs was rocking to a live band and the final lifts of the year closed down amid fireworks shot off from Lookout at the peak of the mountain.

Now it’s time to tune up the mountain bikes, dust off of the hiking shoes, shine up the golf clubs and start counting the days until the next glorious ski season at Sun Valley kicks off next fall.

Funny costumes and ski outfits were the dress code for the weekend.

Time to trade in the skis for the clubs, the bike and the hiking shoes.

Bob L. salutes the close of another season.

Vacations in Sun Valley are fun for the whole family.

By Nicky Elsbree

In recognition of one’s dedication to Sun Valley Company, they offer “R & R” packages to employees who have reached certain milestones in their careers. At the end of my 5^th season of teaching skiing, I was awarded a three-night stay, all food and activities included, at a Sinclair Company (Sun Valley’s parent company) run resort.

The vision of scooting down to Utah and experiencing Snow Basin’s light and fluffy powder seemed attainable. The reality of our energy levels, however, caused my husband and me to reconsider. In other words, we were tired and the thought of loading up and traveling five hours south with two young kids didn’t sound as glamorous or easy as it once did.

So, instead of letting the certificate collect dust for a couple more years, we took action. With one of their nicest resorts right next door, Spring Break Sun Valley-style here we come!

The view from the Sun Valley Lodge.

At 5 o’clock on Sunday afternoon we loaded Clayton (7) and Hadley (3) into the car with DVD player and drinks available (their bags stashed secretly) for our long road trip. “Hot Springs?  Camping?  Boise? C’mon! Where are we going?”

As we took a left onto Saddle Road and crossed Highway 75, they were really befuddled. Without saying much, we pulled into Sun Valley’s parking lot and walked to the big doors of the Lodge where we were treated like royalty,  as everyone is.

It was not until I presented a key to Clayton and told Hadley to hit the elevator button to the third floor that they started to engage in the possibility of…drum roll please…being able to spend the night at a hotel here in their hometown.

Yes, room #325, staring out at Baldy and over the hot pool, beckoned us. The kids were delighted as they chose their beds and took a few spins around the room, trying on bright white robes and too big spa slippers and even discovered a tiny box wrapped in gold ribbon hiding some fancy chocolates. For a moment, I think they forgot where they were… the transformation from locals to visitors was complete.

At Bald Mountain Pizza the atmosphere was relaxed, but we still reminded our kids of their manners. Our waiter Jonathan was cool and engaging without, you know, over doing it.

When he drifted back to the kitchen, we discussed the idea of “being from somewhere else,” in effort to make ourselves more, well, touristy. Clayton promptly decided he wanted to be from San Jose. I guess the fact that he’s a hockey fanatic and a huge Sharks fan came into play. So as we gobbled up pizza, we had fun trying on our new identity and then weaved our way back to the Lodge.

The birthday boy gets hugs from Clayton and Hadley.

Clayton even got nervy enough to tell another elevating family when asked, that we were from San Jose. The mom, who mentioned they were from Idaho Falls exclaimed, “Wow, we’ve never met anyone from there before and isn’t that exciting?” Clayton’s everlasting grin grew even bigger.

The next day the rain came crushing and I actually felt bad for the “real” visitors.  Skiing in the rain can be good, but this was a soaker and back-up plans, which included raincoats, came into play. For us it was breakfast at Gretchen’s followed by feeding the ducks and out to the hot pool.  The temperature dropped just enough for the rain to transition to large wispy whiteness floating down. My daughter, Hadley, thought the flakes looked like the swan feathers she had found outside by the pond. They did and it was magical.

It felt like camp when we received a message in our room about an impromptu matinee showing “The Big Miracle,” with Drew Barrymore.  As all good movies do, it provided an escape out of our own little world into someone else’s.

Ah let’s see, what next, a little bowling. We saw local friends and a plethora of visiting families as kids wore their cool kicks and hurled bedazzling balls down the lanes.  Parents tried to remember how to score as a few “oh yeahs” and “oh shucks” echoed throughout.

It's easy to keep the kids happy when you're hanging out in Sun Valley.

Dinner in the Lobby Inn and ambling about the Sun Valley grounds brought us up to 9 o’clock.  After reading the kids “Little Clyde, Horsing Around in Sun Valley,” falling asleep to an NHL game on TV was an easy end to an enjoyable day.

The next morning was filled with a series of “Happy Birthdays” shrieked to my husband, Mark. Good thing we were on the end room as to not disturb many people with our off-tone singing. We marched to the Konditeri for a casual breakfast and out to the hot pool for a finale soak prior to checking out.

Two nights and a couple days of crossing over into Sun Valley’s fancy laid-backness gave us a refreshing perspective on the town next door. No, we didn’t ski and it was too wet to skate, but we did what young kids inherently like to do. Sleep in a hotel bed, ride the elevator and get tired out at the pool. It was fun to play the “we are from San Jose” game and easy to understand why people travel great distances to experience this special resort. With the pop of our tourist bubble, we hopped back in the car for our 12 minute drive home out Warm Springs Road.

And then the birthday boy grabbed his skis and headed for Baldy, the reigning king of Sun Valley, while the kids and I unpacked from our stay-cation.

Dressing up is half the fun at the Janss Pro Am.

By Laurie Sammis

I arrive at the bottom of the mountain last weekend in a hot pink one piece, ski boots and leather chaps … only to find that I am a tad underdressed. It is the 15th Annual Janss Pro-Am Classic on Baldy and the costumes and props are over the top.

The first person I see is Langely McNeal  dressed as a Twister™ board game and moving in a sea of red, yellow, green and blue dots. Langely is standing next to her teammate, who is decked out in striped thigh-highs beneath a colorful minidress (bare-legged on a ski hill, as far as I can tell) and a blue wig with a lollipop hat, in what I can only imagine as the Candyland™ game.

Their team theme is “Vintage Games”—to match the “Vintage” theme for this years 2012 Stifel Nicolaus Weisel Janss Pro-Am. Langely is joined by the rest of her teammates, which include Monopoly™, Barrel of Monkeys™, Mr. Potatohead™ and Operation™. Brilliant. They end up sweeping the costume contest award at the end of the weekend, followed in close second by the 10th Mountain Division, and the Gender Benders, with Honeymooners and Tinseltown as Honorable Mentions (be sure to check out the photo galleries below).

The Janss Pro-Am is probably one of the most spirited and lively annual fundraisers in the Valley. It features three nights of hosted parties and revelry sandwiched between two days of dual Giant Slalom racing on lower Warm Springs—in costume and with an announcer to heckle you (if you take yourself too seriously)—all to benefit the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation (SVSEF) and its training programs for youth skiers, boarders and Nordic athletes.

(Click here to read the full recap or to check out more photos from this year’s Janss Pro Am.)