Sun Valley Blog

RIVER RUN PLAZA SETS STAGE FOR
SKI SEASON KICK-OFF CELEBRATION

You don’t need to ski to join in the celebration of Sun Valley’s 76th ski season celebration.

River Run Plaza will come alive with fun for everyone in the family from 10 am – 2 pm on Thanksgiving Day – Sun Valley’s traditional opening of the winter season.

A variety of booths will be set up featuring interesting aspects of Sun Valley’s mountain operations, including the world’s largest grooming machine, snowmaking operations and ski patrol which will feature a gondola evacuation demonstration at 11 am.

Autumnal food and specialty drinks will be available for purchase at River Run Day Lodge.

Sun Valley Resort’s Marketing Dept. also will be on hand with their  ski trade show booth complete with  its accompanying spinning wheel for prizes.

The Brass Ranch and Pete Lane’s  will be open for early Christmas shopping.

The entire event is free.

Labor Day Sales at River Run Plaza & Sun Valley Village

Visit Brass Ranch, Pete Lane’s, Signatures & Gift Stores

River Run Plaza:

• 50-75% OFF Skiwear & Sportswear

Bike Sale

• Cervelo RS Road Bikes
• Turner 5 Spot Mountain Bikes
• Kona Mountain Bikes
• Adult & Kids Pathway Bikes

Sun Valley Village:

• 50-60% OFF Skiwear & Sportswear

Sidewalk Sale – 25-75% OFF Select

• Sun Valley  Logo Apparel
• Holiday Decor
• Occasional Gifts
• Wine & Picnic

“The Monument Plant is a tall, narrow, cone-shaped plant with flowers clustered around the upper part of its stem. The plants live for many years, blooms only once and then dies. Flowering is unpredictable, but seems related to moisture,” according to Idaho Mountain Wildflowers – Earle. Some think it is on a seven year cycle.  This year, the monument plant seems to be everywhere. We are seeing it in the middle of the upper runs, such as Holiday, Exhibition and Olympic.  If you look out the window as you are riding up the Gondola, you can see this plant as you ride over Exhibition. Because of the cold temperatures in the spring, The mountain is still green and the mountain flowers are in bloom. This is a perfect time to go for a Gondola ride, lunch at the Roundhouse and a nature hike!

The USA Cycling Mountain Bike Cross-Country National Championships racing continues through Sunday. Come down to River Run to watch the races, have a beer and check out the Expo! Racing starts Saturday at 7:30 a.m. and Sunday at 8:00 a.m. 

The Bald Mountain Summer 2011 Season is underway. The Roundhouse Gondola and Christmas Lift operate daily at 9:00 am with the last roundtrip leaving at 4:00 pm, and the last trip down from the top leaving at 4:30pm. The Roundhouse Restaurant is open for lunch at 11:00am.

Trails are open, the views spectacular and the weather is gorgeous! Come on up and join us!

We heard today that the oldest cars you probably have ever seen will be stopping by at the River Run Plaza on Saturday morning for a visit. This is a stop on the Great Western Tour of the Antique Steam Car Club and they’ll have their cool old steam powered cars on display right next to the bridge there at River Run. Come on by and see them!

We’ll be 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