The Valley Sun

A huge group turned out for Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real Saturday afternoon at River Run

It’s spring break and Sun Valley is ready to party!

Sun Valley Resort set in motion the feel good vibe of spring in the mountains on Saturday afternoon, when a crowd estimated at over 1,000 people gathered at the base of River Run to enjoy the sounds of Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real. The afternoon was sunny and warm and concert goers peeled down to t-shirts and ski pants as they enjoyed a cold beer and hot music.

In true Sun Valley style, with the first chords from Lukas Nelson’s guitar, people rushed the dance floor and didn’t sit down again during the entire hour-and-a-half long concert.  The stage, set up just outside of Brass Ranch, offered a large area for dancing and standing and seating room stretched from the bridge to the base of the lifts.  Also in true Sun Valley style, the event drew everyone in town — from 20-somethings to kids in strollers, from retirees to Ketchum’s ubiquitous four-legged friends.

Everyone came out to relax and to enjoy the band’s signature sound. Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real stopped in Sun Valley during a tour that next leads to Utah, California and Hawaii. But judging by the number of fans they have in Idaho, hopefully they will return. The four-person band is known for their high-energy performances. Though Lukas is music royalty (his father is Willie Nelson), the 25-year-old lead singer and guitar player has earned his own huge fan base with original music that is less a little bit country, and more a little bit rock ‘n’ roll.

Lukas Nelson rocks River Run

Saturday’s concert was the first of four free concerts celebrating spring on the mountain. The Rock ‘n The Sun Spring Concert Series will continue on March 23 with Paranoid Social Club at River Run, on April 6, The Bernie Worrell Orchestra, also at River Run and on April 13, the day before Baldy is set to close for the season with Diego’s Umbrella  at Warm Springs. Concerts run from 4:30 – 6 p.m. This is the first time Sun Valley has ever offered a free après ski concert series of this magnitude with a large outdoor stage and full concert sound system.

The recipe for apres ski spring break style? Eat, drink, be merry

Next up, Paranoid Social Club is an American Rock band formed in 2002 in Portland, Maine. The band’s debut album Axis II produced the hit “Wasted” which was featured as the theme for Broken Lizard’s cult classic film Beerfest, as well as being the soundtrack to every college party in America, according to the band’s website. Their next album featured the single “Two Girls” which was used in HBO’s series Entourage and Cathouse and gave birth to a house remix album produced by club DJs. I’m guessing Paranoid Social Club will bring the crowd to their feet again.

No explanation needed

Expect big crowds this weekend for this party band. Find a seat or your spot on the dance floor and enjoy Spring Break Sun Valley style!

Thanks to Sun Valley Resort for making spring skiing even better.

–RES

Rock ‘n The Sun Spring Concert Series 4:30-6:00 pm

This season for the first time ever we will offer
a free concert series on the last four Saturdays of the season,
with a larger outdoor stage and full concert sound system featuring:

March 16 – Lukas Nelson, the Promise of the Real (River Run)
March 23 – Paranoid Social Club(River Run)
April 6 – The Bernie Worrell Orchestra(River Run)
April 13 – DJ Dan(Warm Springs)

Entertainment schedule subject to change.

River Run Lodge

March 1–3

3pm–6pm

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!

Early Season Race Camp – River Run

November 16 – 21

42nd Street & Lower River Run.

SVSEF team member and invited guests

Contact SVSEF at 208-726-4129 or visit svsef.org

Local rider and blogger (runjunkie.net) Hank Dart posted this picture of his Galena Grinder ride on Lockerz.com

The second annual Ride Sun Valley Mountain Bike Festival rode hard and fast into Central Idaho this weekend. Day 1, Saturday, featured the grueling Galena Grinder. One of the longest running gut-wrenchers in the country, the race has been a showcase of the area’s great mountain biking for over twenty years. A 45 mile cross-country marathon, the Galena Grinder Whit Henry Memorial was the official kick off to the festival, which runs through Sunday, July 8, culimating in the USA Cycling Mountain Bike Cross-Country National Championships.

For those who couldn’t be here to join in Saturday’s fun VisitSunValley turned around this amazing video of highlights from the day, almost as good as being there:

And here’ another great video with the skinny on Sunday’s Super Duper D: Super Duper Downhill 7.1.2012 from Visit Sun Valley on Vimeo.

The big news on Saturday, according to Shannon Boffeli at MTBracenews.com, was the presence of California-based team Sho-Air at The Grinder. “Several of the Sho-Air riders chose the marathon event as part of their national championship preparation,” he wrote in his detailed review of the day’s riding and results. “The men’s race included Sho-Air teammates Brendon Davids and Eric Bostrom as well as other national-level big hitters like Jason Siegle (SDG) and Drew Edsall (Kenda/Felt).” Team Sho-Air posted some great pictures of the day on their Facebook page and USA Cycling also posted this review of the day’s race.

Team Sho-Air turned up from California to sweep the Grinder and posted this picture on Facebook

Grinder winner Pua Mata (of Team Sho-Air) broadcast her thoughts on twitter:
@moniquepua Just finished the Galena Grinder and was able to take the win! It was definitely a grinder…but such gorgeous country and great race! 

While Sun Valley locals haven’t been the quickest to jump on the social media bandwagon, there are some forward-thinking ladies and gentleman who are broadcasting the fun to the twitter-sphere and facebook-verse and the Festival picked up a fair amount of activity this weekend. Sun Valley’s unofficial social media maven and current Master’s XC mountain biking world champion, Rebecca Rusch (@TheQueenOfPain), kept her followers up with the details on The Grinder and Sunday’s Super Duper D on Baldy:

“Galena Grinder XC by rebarusch at Garmin Connect – Details:http://bit.ly/MmeLJ1  Our local XC race in Idaho. Hard and fun.”
“EPIC weekend planned with Galena Grinder and Super Duper D. Full suspension, Reverb and fat tires. FATE has the weekend off”
“Sun Valley Super Duper D by rebarusch at Garmin Connect – Details: http://bit.ly/MmeANV  Tall socks, Reverb seat post and baggies! So FUN”
“Smooth is fast! That’s my mantra for today’s super duper D in sun valley.”

We also got a glimpse of the Queen on her way up the mountain:

Pro mountain bike racer Yuri Hauswald tweeted "Hanging w/ @thequeenofpain on the Christmas Lift, on our way to ‪#sunvalley‬ Super Duper D." pic.twitter.com/9SZIDNyq

Facebook was busy after the day’s energies were expended, with competitors such as Matt McCourtney, Drew Edsall and Michael Shaw taking the site to dish on their day. See their posts and other tweets on this Storify I whipped up.

The Festival is well underway and there’s a slew of events and activities to keep competitors and spectators busy this week. The Sun Family will be diving in too. This evening we’ll check out the Idaho Pump Track State Championships at the Ketchum Bike Park. Mr. Sun might try his brand-spanking-second-hand mountain bike out at some Local Stoker Rides (starting tomorrow), and we’ll all head up for the Fat Tire Criterium Tuesday evening. I’m pondering signing Little Sun up for the Kids Race on July 6 (that is if I can teach him how to ride a bike with pedals by then). But the Sun Valley Shakedown on July 7 sounds like more my single-speed (and keeps me on two feet rather than two wheels).

For a complete rundown on everything happening visit Ride Sun Valley.

Happy trails!

Mrs. Sun

July 5th – 8th •  9 - 4 daily

CONSUMER EXPO

More information here.

Baldy Super Duper Downhill

Putting the “Super” in Downhill riders race from the top of Bald Mountain to the bottom at River Run. Over 5,000 vertical feet of descending and another 1,000 of climbing. Flowing, fast singletrack, death claw knuckles, glory, and cold hard cash prizes await.

Click here to register

Pink Martini at River Run presented by Sun Valley Center For The Arts

Monday, August 13

7pm

Series tickets available to purchase for members April 13th @ 10am
Individual tickets available to purchase for members April 20th @ 10am
All tickets available to purchase by nonmembers April 27th @ 10am
Click here for series pricing chart

GA member $35 / GA nonmember $45 EE member $75 / EE nonmember $85
EE = Early Entry Admission to venue at 6pm
GA = General Admission to venue at 6:15pm

“At one moment, you feel like you’re in the middle of a samba parade in Rio de Janeiro, and the next moment, you’re in a French music hall of the 1930s or a palazzo in Napoli. It’s a bit like an urban musical travelogue.” Comprised of twelve musicians, and drawing inspiration from music from all over the world – crossing genres of classical, jazz and old-fashioned pop – Pink Martini is like a rollicking around-the-world adventure.

http://pinkmartini.com

Johnny Clegg & Ladysmith Black Mambazo at River Run

Monday, August 6

7pm

Series tickets available to purchase for members April 13th @ 10am
Individual tickets available to purchase for members April 20th @ 10am
All tickets available to purchase by nonmembers April 27th @ 10am
Click here for series pricing chart

GA Member $30 / GA nonmember $40 EE member $75 / EE nonmember $85
EE = Early Entry Admission to venue at 6pm
GA = General Admission to venue at 6:15pm

United in their South African Zulu heritage, this summer event marks a first time ever collaboration in North America of South African superstar Johnny Clegg with his 7 piece band and township vocalists, Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Ladysmith is best known for their work on Paul Simon’s “Graceland” (released 25 years ago this year) and over the last three decades, Clegg – a singer, songwriter, dancer and anthropologist – has sold over five million albums worldwide.

http://www.johnnyclegg.com 
http://www.mambazo.com/