The Valley Sun

 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

The mountain guys call it the “Flow Zone”, but it could also be described as a cross between a pump park and a cross country bike trail. It lays in the aspen trees just upstream from the bridge at River Run covering about 2 acres of nice shady turf with trails snaking around and through the trees. Look for the two blue Sun Valley Flags on your right just before you go over the bridge, and follow the track there. You’ll find single track and some double track with bumps, banked turns, pump bumps, and three and four-way intersections with triangle berms in the middle. A great place to polish up your turns and bump skills. I rode there for about 30 minutes the other day, and went and soaked my feet in the river right there by the log. Try this spot, you’ll love it, and then coffee at Jessica’s coffee stand on the Plaza, and you’re ready for Baldy… Now there’s some cross country. More on that later.  See you

It is 8:30 in the morning on the last day of the season. The sun is shining, coffee is brewing, it is a balmy 36 degrees on top of our beloved Bald Mountain, the wind is still, and we can’t wait to get up there! Grab your skis, your board, your Big Feet, your Snow Blades, your mono-ski, or something with a lot of wax on the bottom and head out to the mountain today.

It is the last day of what has been a great season and we couldn’t imagine a better day to end it on. And when your legs can’t take anymore, head to any of the apres-parties at River Run Plaza (with the Kim Stocking Band), Warm Springs Lodge (with the 812 Band) or at Apple’s on the Warm Springs Side.  And don’t forget that any Sun Valley Resort Pass is a season pass today! So if you already used up your 20/20 or if you have a discount pass, today you ski for free!

Thanks to everyone for an amazing 2009/2010! It has been a season of great changes, great skiing, and a great community! Thanks to Tim Silva, Peter Stearns, the Sun Valley Ski Patrol, Guest Services, the Mountain Department, the Snowmakers, the Lift Operators, the Race Department, the Sun Valley Ski and Ride School, everyone in all the mountain lodges, everyone who enjoyed the snow on Baldy and every guy or girl in town that tuned our skis/boards. See you next year!

It is Thursday and the last weekend of the ski season is upon, so get your skis on, strap onto your snowboard and head up on the mountain. The conditions are perfectly springlike, with plenty of corn to shred, plenty of groomers to cruise, and plenty of the mountain still left to be enjoyed. After today there are three more days of the 2009/2010 season and spend them with us, on the mountain we all love.

Take advantage of Sun Valley Resort’s new “Christmas in April” Deal on Sunday when a passholder of any kind can ski for free, come join the revelry on River Run Plaza with the Kim Stocking Band, or enjoy the tunes of the 812 Band at Warm Springs Lodge throughout the weekend. Another great season on Baldy is coming to a close, so get out there and enjoy it while you can!!

Spring-Break skiing just got even better!
Full-time college students can now ski for three days at Sun Valley Resort for only $99. The Triple-Play Ski Pass is valid from March 1, 2010 through the end of the ski season. That’s right, three days skiing for only $33 per day! What’s more is that the three days do not have to be used consecutively and the pass is renewable. Triple-Play ski passes may be purchased now at the River Run ticket office with valid college I.D. For more information call (208) 622-6136.

It’s almost here. Snow is falling. Lifts are moving. Skis around town are coming out of garages and getting a fresh tune. The snow guns are running full force. The 2009/2010 ski season is literally, just around the corner. And with the completion of the new gondola, Sun Valley decided it was time to celebrate.

Today was the Sun Valley Winter Expo and Gondola ‘Ganza at the base of River Run, and it was the perfect way to open the season. A traditional ribbon cutting ceremony kicked off the day and included speeches by mountain manager, Peter Stearns, the president of lift company Doppelmayr, the mayors of both Sun Valley and Ketchum, and Sun Valley owner, Carol Holding. The excitement was palpable, as thousands of people drank beer and free hot cocoa in the mile-long line to get a free ride on the new gondola, River Run Express #2.

Read more…

In case you missed it, we have the video for you – check out video footage from Roundhouse Express gondola grand opening at River Run on November 21st!

Summer Lift Rides to the top of Bald Mountain for Hiking and Sight Seeing

-  $15 for adults, $7 for kids 3 to12

-  9:00am to 3:00pm daily

-  FREE rides down

Summer Food Service at River Run

-  Lookout Snack Bar 9:30am-3pm

-  Lookout Grill 11am-2:30pm

-  Lookout building closes at 3:45pm

Summer Lift Rides to the top of Bald Mountain for Mountain bike Trail access

-  $20 multiple trip ticket, $15 one trip

-  9:00am to 3:00pm daily

-  BBQ open at the top

Pete Lane’s River Run Bike Shop

-  Downhill bike rentals available – includes FREE lift ticket

-  Helmets and body armor included

-  Bike path bikes for kids and adults for rent

-  Bike accessories for sale

-  Drinks and snacks available

-  Skis and snowboards for sale

-  Open 9 to 5 daily

Brass Ranch River Run

-  Fashion Ski wear at great prices!

-  Tent Sale every day!

-  Drinks and snacks available

-  Coming soon – Chocolate Foundry goodies and treats inside the Brass Ranch!

-  Open 9 to 5 daily

Other Recreation

-  FREE Beginner/Intermediate Bike Skills Trails at the base of the mountain

-  Adjacent to the Blaine County bike path System

-  Come use the River Run Plaza for picnics, reading, sunning

-  Fishing on the Big Wood River

-  Come view the construction of Sun valley’s new Goldola – opening this winter season!

SUN VALLEY PLUS PASSES SOLD HERE

-  2009/10 Season ski pass prices have been rolled back 10 years!  Buy your pass now for the same price as in 1999.

-  Other 2009/10 ski passes also available at River Run.