The Valley Sun

Cross-country ski racing at the top of the world

This Saturday, February 23, cross-country ski racers will queue up at the Sun Valley’s Nordic & Snowshoe Center, ready to take on the Diamondback Revenge, widely considered the Valley’s toughest Nordic race.

The course leads up to the White Clouds and runs along the golf cart path of that spectacular course. “It kicks off with a long 2km climb,” according to the Nordic Center’s Steve Haims “It is an interesting and beautiful race that rolls along the top of the mountains and then comes screaming down.” The race motto is “Come for the grind, enjoy the views!”

Cross-country skiing in Sun Valley is simply stunning

Steve calls it a technical course, but everyone is welcome to participate. There will be two classic or ski skate races: a 7km (one lap) race and a 12km (two lap) option. For children, Nordic Director Ivana Radlova has set a noon start for a race that will involve both a 1.5km course and a 3km option.

Come enjoy a delectable lunch or a Full Moon dinner at the beautiful Sun Valley Club -- skiing is not a prerequisite to eating!

Registration is currently open at the Nordic & Snowshoe Center located half a mile east of the Sun Valley Lodge. You may also register until 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. Entry is $15. Please call 208.622.2250 for more information.

After the race, be sure to enjoy a wonderful lunch at the Sun Valley Club. Hearty soups, a delicious salad or sandwich, and their famous chocolate chip cookies would taste great after all that work. You earned it!

If you are not a cross-country racer, per se, this would still be a great weekend to get your skinny skis on. There is a full-service rental shop at the Nordic Center, as well as an extensive menu of instruction options. Cross-country skiing is great fun, great exercise, and a great way to enjoy the area’s stunning beauty.

Also this weekend at the Sun Valley Nordic & Snowshoe Center, come out for the monthly Full-Moon Snowshoe. Ivana will lead a group on a serene and peaceful snowshoe hike by the light of the moon, beginning at 8 p.m. The activity is appropriate for most ages and abilities and costs $15. Please register at 208.622.2250. Self-guided snowshoe or ski tours are also available.

The Sun Valley Nordic & Snowshoe Center is a full service Mecca for Nordic enthusiasts

The wonderful restaurant at the club will be open for dinner that night serving selections that include Lava Lake lamb chops, prawns, short ribs, rainbow trout, and a variety of salads including the popular roasted beet salad. Yum! Reserve your spot by calling 208.622.2800 and enjoy a relaxing and completely different kind of night out.

–RES

Bright lights, fun mountain

All the action Sunday night was on Dollar Mountain, where the slopes of Quarter Dollar and the Progression Park were flood lit hours after the lifts normally close. Hundreds of visitors and locals alike flocked to the hill to take advantage of Sun Valley’s first public night skiing from 4 -9 p.m. and everyone agreed 100 percent, the night was fantastic (please, let’s do it again soon).

Crowds flocked to Dollar to ride and ski under the floodlights

Under crystal clear, star-filled skies, skiers and boarders ranging in age from approximately three to 73, did laps on the Quarter Dollar lift, accessing two groomed runs, rails and jumps. At about 7:30 p.m., the big show was on the jumps, with dozens of skiers and boarders executing tricks and catching some air, all backlit by the powerful lights. I heard one teen say it felt like being in a movie. Another young twin-tipped skier completed a 180 off a jump, with a parent in close pursuit. It was an even contest as to whose smile was the widest.

Many Progression Park enthusiasts curtailed the need for the lift by hiking back to the top of the run after completing their turn, allowing for an uninterrupted series of shots at the features. Music, provided by special moveable “boom boxes” provided a soundtrack to the night.

The night air was cold but not freezing and the snow on Dollar was soft and had been groomed to perfection earlier in the day. Conditions were great for a beginner or expert.

Inside Dollar Lodge, the party continued. Many people made a full night of it, grabbing a table and enjoying a casual dinner while they took a break from the mountain. I spied parents enjoying a beer or glass of wine while their children took a few more runs. The hot chocolate flowed and every chair in the restaurant was filled.

The night was very affordable (free for season pass holders and Blaine county pass holders), $15 for an adult ticket and $10 for a child for those with a same-day lift ticket, discount or multi-day pass. Even just buying a ticket was $20 for adults and $15 for children 11 and under, making it family-friendly night on the snow.

Many made a night of it at Carol's Dollar Mountain Lodge

Dollar’s night skiing was a part of Sun Valley’s weekend long Presidential Party. Tonight, the festivities move to the Sun Valley Outdoor Ice Rink. From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. local DJ extraordinaire Lenny Joseph will spin his magic, creating a dance party on ice called “Grooves On.” A $10 fee includes ice admission, skate rental fee and free cocoa and cider. Pizza slices are available for $1. Skating at night, outside, under the stars, beside the Sun Valley Lodge is highly recommended.

For more information on all the special events, please call 208-622-2248.

Enjoy your Presidents’ Week stay in Sun Valley and thank you to the Resort for treating us all to a night of skiing under the lights.

–RES

Everyone can benefit from a ski or snowboard lesson, no matter your ability level

There was a time when conventional wisdom held that ski or snowboard lessons were mostly for beginners or children. But today, with constantly evolving gear, not to mention constantly evolving terrain in Sun Valley (everything on Dollar, big moguls on Baldy and Adventure Trails immediately come to mind), everyone could benefit from a lesson from the pros at the Sun Valley SnowSports School. And no matter your ability level or preferences, there is an option to fit your needs.

Prefer one-on-one attention? Book a private lesson where you will have an instructor’s undivided focus. Are you motivated by being in a group? A clinic will place you with like-minded and like-ability athletes, allowing you to learn not only from your teacher, but from all the tips being given to your peers. And lessons for children are always a great idea. They love spending time with other kids and will enjoy instruction especially tailored to them. Did I mention the Adventure Trails?

Our professional instructors train all winter to make a real difference in your skiing or riding

With the busy Presidents’ Week holiday upon us, now is the time to set up lessons. Still not convinced? Here are the top ten reasons to connect with the SnowSports School according to Supervisor Nick Maricich and his team:

1. Obviously, to improve your technique. Even slight adjustments can make you a better skier or boarder, making your experience on the mountain much more satisfying.
2. SnowSports instructors are great guides to our mountains. If you have not visited Sun Valley, spending a day with an instructor is a safe, informative way to get to know the trails.
3. It’s a terrific family activity. Skiing as a family with a teacher, allows everyone to get some great tips while spending quality time together.
4. Morning lessons get an early up at 8:30 a.m. If you like fresh corduroy, then this is for you.
5. If your children take a lesson, they will most likely have the opportunity to ski all the terrain that thrills them but not you. And they will do it safely.
6. If you ski with an instructor, you get to cut lift lines, a bonus during busy holiday weeks.
7. Spouses really shouldn’t teach each other how to ski.
8. Connecting with an instructor is often the starting point of a decades-long relationship. Many returning Sun Valley guests ski or board with the same teacher for years.
9. Old bad habits can be corrected.
10. All Sun Valley SnowSports instructors take lessons themselves. Teachers consistently participate in clinics throughout the year to work on their own technique and teaching methods. They are then ready to pass the latest information and tips onto their clients.
    

    A snowboard instructor preps for the season during a clinic

And here are some additional tips from our SnowSports instructors:

• Don’t wait until the last day of your stay to book a lesson. If you take a lesson on the first day of your vacation, you can practice and institute what you’ve learned for the rest of your trip.
• Believe your teacher when they tell you your appropriate level. They know Baldy and Dollar like the proverbial back of their hands and can accurately judge what level Sun Valley skier or boarder you are. This will ensure you get the most from your lesson.

Today, I rode the chair with Gail from the Seattle area, who had serendipitously just finished the first ski lesson of her adult life. An accomplished skier who is comfortable on all of Baldy’s terrain, Gail could not believe what a difference a few hours with an instructor had made to her technique. “Three other ladies from the Seattle area and I took a bump lesson,” she explained. “The teacher helped me see the run in a whole new way. I chose lines I never would have and had the confidence to go for it. It was a fabulous experience.” Even better, Gail flew in yesterday on Alaska Airlines. With her plane ticket receipt, she took advantage of the free two-hour lesson offered to Alaska passengers by the Sun Valley Company. “We are here a lot,” Gail said. “I can’t believe I never before followed up on the ski lesson, but I surely will from now on.”

The SnowSports team boasts great depth and breadth and supervisors are excellent at matchmaking instructors and clients. In order to do this most effectively, they suggest booking a lesson at least 24 hours ahead. Lessons go out of River Run, Warm Springs and Dollar.

The cadre of SnowSports instructors are not only consummate pros, they are also incredibly friendly and helpful. They want you to improve. They want you to have a breakthrough day. They love Sun Valley and want you to love it, too.

–RES

Instructors are excellent at both teaching kids and managing the fun -- here children make the most of a brief wait at the top of a Nastar course

Come on in, it's comedy night at the Duchin Room!

It is widely held that laughter is medicine for the soul. If this is the case, dozens and dozens of people in Sun Valley Saturday night got a strong dose of life affirming laughter at the Duchin Room Comedy Series. An overflow crowd packed the historic lounge at the Sun Valley Lodge, laughing out loud, clapping and cheering for the stand-up comedy of Dwight Slade.

Slade, a comedian of international repute and a frequent visitor to the Sun Valley area, went right at local culture. Nothing was off-limits, from the strictly enforced 25 mph speed limit through Bellevue on the way to Sun Valley that drives him nuts, to the locals need to one-up each another when it comes to athletic pursuits. He delivered a hilariously funny account of a “typical” morning at a local coffee shop. To paraphrase, Slade explained, even if you closed down the bars on Main Street the night before, all you need to do the following day to redeem yourself is pull on some Spandex, wipe a little “sweat” onto your forehead and loudly explain the epic 50k loop you just completed. Whether or not you actually did it is totally beside the point.

Funny man Dwight Slade had the large crowd roaring

The headliner earned a five-star review from Scotland’s Minister of Culture at the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He has performed in Afghanistan for US troops and at many comedy festivals. His credits also include a Tonight Show feature and a Hi-Def Comedy Special.  But what really resonated with the audience of well over a hundred Saturday night, were his ties to the Valley.

Stefan Davis, another very funny man, warmed up the crowd before Slade took the stage, gathering a standing room only crowd. His conversational and self-effacing style won everyone over immediately.

The comedy series will continue for the next two weekends and runs from approximately 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. There is no cover charge. If past weeks are any indication, be sure to arrive early to secure your seat, order a specialty cocktail and even some food. Then sit back and prepare to laugh the night away.

Have a cocktail and relax. The comedy is really good

Next up is Patrick Keane, who boasts multiple appearances on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and appearances on Comedy Central. He will light up the Duchin Room on February 15 and 16 along with Leif Skyving.  On February 22 and 23, don’t miss the antics of Claude Stuart who has appeared on the Tonight Show and Last Comic Standing. Opening for Claude is Gary Cannon.

Come on out. It’s free. It’s really, really funny. And it feels good to laugh.

–RES

Everything is going perfectly. You have arrived in Sun Valley and are looking forward to a holiday week of amazing skiing or snowboarding. You checked into the Resort, unpacked your ski clothes and plan to be at the mountain bright and early to take advantage of bluebird skies, bright sunshine and terrific conditions. Now, all you need is some gear.

Step one: fill out the necessary online forms at Pete Lane's

To help ensure you get onto the mountain as quickly as possible, here is a primer for renting equipment at the base of River Run. If you follow these basic steps, perfect turns and pristine slopes will be yours in record time.

Rentals and demos on the River Run side of Baldy are available at Pete Lane’s on the plaza. Pete Lane’s is in the same building as the Brass Ranch, toward the back (very convenient if shopping for beautiful ski clothes is also on the agenda).

At Pete Lane’s, locate one of the computer terminals against the back wall and go ahead and fill out the requested information.

The friendly and well-trained staff is here to help

Next, walk a few steps across the room to where Demo skis are displayed. There, friendly staff members will help you decide what kind of package you require, discuss different equipment options, current snow conditions and your ability level in order to get you on exactly the right set-up. Pete Lane’s offers a wide range of equipment, perfect for a true beginner or expert shredder; appropriate for a day on Sun Valley’s fabled groomed runs or a dip into the powder. At this counter, you may also buy lift tickets.

The always-critical boot fitting comes next. Again, the experts at Pete Lane’s will make sure you get a boot that is sized correctly and that is comfortable, because, as we all know, there is nothing sure to sour a day on the mountain more quickly than aching feet.

Step 3: Making sure the boot fits

Last stop is the back room where your skis or snowboard await. Boots on your feet, skis and poles or snowboard in hand, the lift and gondola beckon, right outside the door.

And don’t forget, if you rent equipment from Pete Lane’s or if you are a Resort guest, there is complimentary ski storage at the base of River Run. Drop your equipment off before heading in to the River Run Lodge from an après ski beer and entertainment. It will be waiting for you the next morning.

Almost there. Grab your skis or your board and you're out the door!

Equipment rental is also available at Dollar Mountain and at the base of Warm Springs. The process is the same: computer first, forms next, boots, skis or snowboards and off you go. Don’t hesitate to ask a staff member if you have any questions – they are all knowledgeable and helpful.

Have a fantastic Presidents’ Day holiday or ski week and be sure to let us know how you liked the gear!

–RES

This amazing view awaits!

The Yellow Jackets strive to make your day on Baldy the best one ever

If your ski day on Baldy begins on the River Run side of the hill, chances are, the first person you will meet will be a member of Sun Valley’s Guest Services – better known as the Yellow Jackets. This corps of 45 is on site, every day, all over the mountain, with the goal of providing 100 percent guest satisfaction. From the moment you park, to the time you are finished with après ski, they are there to help make your experience in Sun Valley the very best it can be.

“We are basically the goodwill ambassadors for the Resort,” explained Guest Services Supervisor Linda Bowling. “We are all people people. There is nothing we enjoy more than welcoming our guests to the mountain and helping to make sure the day is as great as it should be.” To that end, Yellow Jackets take care of everything from keeping the traffic moving at pick-up and drop-off, to providing wagons to help carry gear from the River Run parking lot to the lifts, to answering any questions about conditions and weather, recommending runs, and much more.

Guest Services wants you to love Baldy as much as they do

On the mountain, guest services can be found in every day lodge and on many trails. They are available to help in any way. “If we see a guest consulting a trail map, we approach them and ask if they need assistance or a suggestion,” Linda said. “Let’s say someone is at the top of Flying Squirrel and wants to head over to Seattle Ridge. Instead of explaining the route to them, we will often ski them over. It’s a great opportunity to show off the mountain, get to know a guest and reach out in a meaningful way.”

“It’s a pretty intuitive job,” agreed Yellow Jacket Alec Barfield. “We are the eyes and ears on the hill. We really enjoy being the first and last people our guests see. We are available to help in any way we can. We even help Ski Patrol when we are needed to assist at accidents or call in possible problems. We’re everywhere!”

Linda said that’s exactly the point. “We are the frontline at the mountain. It’s our goal that a guest feels like he or she has made a connection in Sun Valley. We not only help on Baldy, though. Based on what our guests tell us, we might recommend cross-country at the Sun Valley Nordic Center, visiting Galena Lodge, a Gallery Walk. We let people know about our great restaurants, cultural events, family activities, just about everything.”

Guided ski tours are also part of what is offered by Guest Services. Each day at 11 a.m. the incomparable Allan Patzer, Director of Skiing, leads tours on Baldy that both acquaint guests with the hill and provide a great historical perspective on Sun Valley. Allan is encyclopedic in his knowledge and colorful in his delivery. Interested parties are invited to meet at the Mountain Room View at River Run Lodge daily to enjoy this two-hour adventure that is appropriate for those of intermediate ability and up.

“Guest Services is such a fun job,” Linda said. “We get to welcome people to our little corner of paradise and share everything we love about Sun Valley and the Wood River Valley. It’s nice to go to work every day.”

–RES

Local legend Allan Patzer leads daily tours of the mountain

Gail Dwyer's smile says it all -- we are glad you are here

What may we help you with?

On Sunday, the Sun Valley Nordic Festival wrapped up with a great Demo Day at the Resort's beautiful cross-country trails

The Sun Valley Nordic Festival drew to a festive close Sunday following a hugely successful week of races, demos, parties, concerts and events. The 38^th annual Boulder Mountain Tour drew more than 900 people to a beautiful course north of Ketchum on Saturday where the competition was fierce for the serious racers and pretty mellow for recreational skiers. For everyone, the 32-kilometer course ran fast under a bright blue Idaho sky.

The Laesch family (minus 7-year-old Conrad who opted for a ski lesson on Dollar) at the Boulder Mountain Tour

The Laesch family of Seattle returned to Sun Valley this weekend for the fifth time, drawn by the terrific Nordic skiing and friendly atmosphere. “This year, the girls (ages 10 and 12) and I did the Half Boulder and [my husband] Brad once again did the full Boulder,” explained mom, Lexie. “It was a spectacular day and we all got a lot out of the race. It’s a great experience — from the people from all over the country you meet on the shuttle bus to the race, to the cheers you get crossing the finish line.” Brad, a competitive racer, concurred. “It’s the one race of the year I try not to miss. The people are terrific and the skiing is as nice as it gets. We always look forward to it.”

But for many racers, the Laesch family included, Sunday, was a relative day of rest after the big race, an opportunity to recover, to compare notes and to simply celebrate another beautiful day in NordicTown USA. Approximately 400 avid cross-country enthusiasts spent much of their ‘recovery’ day skiing the perfectly groomed trails at the Sun Valley Nordic & Snowshoe Center. There, beside the Sun Valley Club, local retailers set up shop for a very well attended Demo Day. I overheard one merchant relay that before 8 a.m., he had 20 people lined up waiting to try the latest and greatest gear.

The gear was out in all its colorful glory – the best in boots, skis and poles were all available to try throughout the day — all the was required was a $10 trail pass. Many skiers took advantage of the opportunity to demo next year’s models and to talk with the experts about technique, conditions and ways to improve. Others just brought the family and enjoyed a spectacular day of browsing equipment and taking a few laps around the 40-kilometers of trails Sun Valley offers.

Gear, glorious gear

All the best equipment was available to try at Demo Day

Although license plates in the parking lot showed guests were visiting from Missouri, Michigan, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, everyone at Demo Day seemed to know each other. Congratulations on finish times rang out among the crowd and everyone shared their tales from the week’s events.

A very unscientific poll outside the Sun Valley Club echoed those of the Laesch family. Everyone gathered agreed that the Boulder Mountain Tour is one of the must-attend races of the year. A combination of the conditions, the crowd and the truly jaw-dropping scenery make it a day marked in permanent ink on the calendar. Equal praise was given to Ketchum and Sun Valley for the vast array of events surrounding and preceding the BMT. High on everyone’s list of the week’s highlights were the very affordable skiing valley-wide, the Marley in the Mountains concert Saturday night and friendly atmosphere.

Congratulations to NordicTown USA for putting on a wonderful week and welcoming so many guests to our towns and our trails. Congratulations to all the athletes who participated in the races and events.  We hope you all come back next year and bring your friends. It’s one of our favorite weeks of the year, too.

–RES

The last day of the Sun Valley Nordic Festival was full of fun and relaxation, mountain style

This is what an after school activity looks like in Sun Valley

Even when you live in a ski town, daily chores, routines and schedules can make you forget that you do. That is, until you drive past Dollar Mountain on an average winter Wednesday and snap out of ordinariness of daily life, reminded in no uncertain terms that Sun Valley was built on snow.

At 3 p.m. during a non-holiday week here in Sun Valley, Dollar Mountain is a hub of activity.  Almost very chair on Quarter Dollar is full. Snowboarders perform eye-popping tricks in our unbelievable terrain park. Skiers drop into the new 22’ super pipe like they are stepping off a curb. The parking lot is full.

Cooper, a great Little Spud, fresh off some epic runs

This is one of the many amazing pleasures and privileges of living in Sun Valley. Snow sports are not a special activity. They are not relegated to the few weeks a year called vacation or designated for weekend warriors. Skiing and snowboarding and cross-country are woven into the day, every day. People take a few runs before work. Students take to the hills for an hour or two after school.  Snow sports are truly a lifestyle.

On this particular Wednesday, a few distinct groups comprise the bulk of users on Dollar. Sporting race suits and skiing in picture-perfect form and at astonishing speed, are a large group of young athletes from the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation. These U-14 competitors train gates on a giant slalom course on Dollar Face, perfecting their technique before gleefully taking on the terrain park jumps at the bottom of the run as they ski back to the lift.

At the other end of the spectrum are dozens of Little Spuds, practicing their first laps on Quarter Dollar and beyond. Little Spuds is a program offered by the Sun Valley Snowsports School that introduces children three to five years old to skiing. Sessions run when pre-school classes conclude on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The only requirement of this program is that the tots want to learn. From the broad smiles at pickup at the base of Quarter Dollar, it is evident enthusiasm and a new found love of skiing are in generous supply.

Higher Ground athletes train weekly at Dollar

Also on Dollar on any given Wednesday, are Special Olympics athletes training with Ketchum’s Higher Ground program. Every week from 2 – 4 p.m., local alpine athletes hone their skills and practice their race techniques on Quarter Dollar. This weekend is a huge one for area Special Olympians and the Higher Ground organization, as they are hosting a Regional alpine and Nordic competition for the first time ever. Opening ceremonies will take place for more than 70 Nordic athletes at 10:30 a.m. at the Sun Valley Nordic & Snowshoe Center and at 11 a.m. for 40 additional athletes at Dollar Mountain. The public is invited and encouraged to attend the festivities.

Driving by Dollar on a midwinter’s midweek day, reminds us all to get out there and enjoy the amazing playground in our backyard.

Whether you are visiting Sun Valley for a week, spend a few months a year here, or call the Wood River Valley home, it never hurts to be reminded that the wonders and pleasures of the snow are yours for the taking.

–RES

Just another average winter Wednesday in paradise

Mike Wolter of the Wood River YMCA introduced his good friend, head VAMP and honoree, Muffy Ritz

On Wednesday night, NordicTown USA and Ketchum’s alpine community gathered en masse at Ketchum’s nexStage Theatre to admit six local superstar athletes into the Sun Valley Hall of Fame. The event was sponsored by the Ketchum/Sun Valley Heritage & Ski Museum and drew hundreds of supporters to celebrate the induction of the Class of 2012: Nordic skiers, coaches and leaders Rick Kapala, Muffy Ritz and Bob Rosso; local ski race hero Picabo Street and both the legendary Bob Smith and Jack Reddish, in memoriam.

The afternoon kicked off at 4 p.m. with treats and beverages and the opportunity to mix, mingle and personally congratulate the four honorees present. The theater was dimmed and dramatic, with spotlights focused on easels displaying the photos and biographies of the inductees. Friends, old and new, gathered to celebrate the mountain lifestyle.

Honoree Rick Kapala, cross-country coach extraordinaire, joked about being on a plaque

Former ski racer, Heritage and Ski Museum board member and one of Ketchum’s sweethearts, Heather Flood Daves, introduced the honorees. “In creating the Sun Valley Ski Hall of Fame we thank and acknowledge those individuals who have created an incredible legacy of skiing from which we all benefit,” Daves eloquently said in her introduction. “The Ski Hall of Fame acknowledges people who have touched our community with their examples of athletic prowess, creativity, tenacity and willingness to lead by example. We have the privilege tonight of honoring six people who have impacted our community, the skiing industry and the sports of alpine and Nordic skiing.”

Cheering, hooting and hollering followed as the honorees were introduced and invited to share their thoughts. Everyone expressed a deep love for Sun Valley, gratitude to the community that has supported them and shared a few anecdotes. It was a family affair, and the family was hundreds strong. The most visible and voluble group in the room were members of Muffy Ritz’s VAMPS’ nation. This dedicated, loyal and diverse group of women cross-country skiers have formed a strong community within a community, shaped by the vision and leadership of Ritz.

Other local legends including Chuck Ferries, Dick Dorworth and Lane Monroe – huge names in Sun Valley skiing – participated in the ceremony an introduced and honored the alpine inductees. Picabo Street was surrounded by family, enjoying this wonderful homecoming. During her stay in Ketchum, she plans to give back to her home team, the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation by skiing with their U-12 skiers and meeting with the U-16 racers. These young athletes will certainly never forget meeting one of their heroes.

Inductee Bob Rosso arrives for the festivities

The community at large thanks all of this year’s inductees who have contributed so much. As we celebrate the Sun Valley Nordic Festival and Sun Valley’s distinction as NordicTown USA and enjoy a truly fabulous alpine season, the timing of this event was another opportunity to be grateful for where we live and for our neighbors.

–RES

The Ketchum/Sun Valley Ski & Heritage Museum is a wonderful community asset

Meet Roger Lloyd, one of Sun Valley's most charming ambassadors

With the busy Presidents’ week holiday right around the corner, Sun Valley Resort is expecting many guests from all over the country and world, arriving to enjoy this season’s amazing skiing and boarding, world renown cross-country, restaurants, shopping and nightlife. The first impression many visitors will get of this magical area is from Roger Lloyd of the Resort’s Guest Services. By the time guests have traveled the 20 minutes from the airport to the Sun Valley Lodge, a true insiders’ look at what makes this area so special will be theirs.

“I love that short drive to Sun Valley,” Roger smiled his signature wide smile. “It’s my opportunity to introduce everyone to Idaho, to Sun Valley. I chat with our guests about everything from recreational opportunities to the Lewis and Clark expedition.” He laughed, “I am full of interesting facts.”

There is almost no one who has come by his interesting facts more honestly than Roger. As a 35-year veteran with the Sun Valley Company, and a 42-year resident of the Wood River Valley, his jobs have included everything from helping to build Baldy and Dollar’s high speed quad chairlifts to lift maintenance to guest services. With brothers Jimmy and Mike (who is director of Sun Valley’s Ski Patrol), the Lloyd brothers boast 100 years with the company.

When Roger Lloyd picks you up at the airport, getting here is half the fun

Even once the airport shuttle pulls into the Lodge porte-cochère and guests embark on what is sure to be a memorable vacation, Roger is always around to help answer questions, make recommendations and simply check in on how things are going. “I love it when people approach me in the Lodge lobby or around the resort and have questions,” he said. “Whenever possible, I also like to walk our guests to their rooms after they check in, so we can keep the conversation going and I can ensure that everything is to their liking.”

The great snow this year is making Roger’s job easy, according to him. “There are so many exciting things going on in Sun Valley right now. From the snow sports, to all the new menu choices at our Resort restaurants and the mountain day lodges, to the culture, shopping and entertainment, I am having no trouble at all recommending activities that I know will be well received.  Ketchum and Hailey are hopping, too.  It’s a great season here.”

When you arrive in Sun Valley, make sure to keep an eye out for Roger. He is one of the area’s greatest ambassadors.

“Whether it’s one of the movers and shakers in town for the Allen & Company conference each summer, a family that is bringing the third generation to Sun Valley, or a first-time visitor, we value each and every guest that comes through our doors and are thrilled to share our history, traditions and community with them,” Roger said.

And his favorite part of his job? “When a guest asks me to recommend a local realtor,” he laughed. “Then I know they will be coming back. And coming back. And coming back.”

–RES