The Valley Sun

Photograph by Tal Roberts Photography

Pat Lee hitting the rails on Dollar Mountain

We’re giving away two 3 Day Lift Tickets for the upcoming 2011-2012 Winter Season. Like us on Facebook between now and September 1st  for you chance to enter and win! If you’re already a fan just click on the sweepstakes tab and enter away! Good luck!

I was thinking about Warren Miller today. Ever since I was a kid, each year at his shows he would say, "…you’ll just be one year older when you do." Today, about 40 years later, I finally did take his advice and went skiing with the great folks at Sun Valley Heli-Guides. Why did I wait so long? What a great day!

The day began early with a great breakfast at the Sun Valley Lobby Lounge that could hardly be called ‘Continental. Eggs, fresh pasties, a selection of meats and fresh fruit were laid out in culinary splendor.

The guides for the day were Bozo Cardoza and Pat Deal – each long-time locals. The groups were pretty small with only four people per guide. I definitely felt like I was getting the personal attention that I was hoping for. Even after sucking some big air after a couple of head-over-heel tumbles, Pat was vary patient and encouraging for an old guy who had put off his dream for way too long.  We skied the high peaks of the Boulder Range, topping out at 10,600 feet and dropping in for over 3,000 blissful and uninterrupted vertical. Knife-ridged summits fell away on both sides of the landing zones. Big lines and steeps. I had to ask myself the question, "Am I really going to ski that?" Oh yeah, and it was great! Skiing knee-deep, untracked snow one week after the last big dump was a real treat.

Afterwards, I told my wife, Jana, that it was one of the top five days of my life. She asked, "What were the other four?" Quickly, I explained that the birth of our two children, the day we got married and the day I met her. Luckily, that satisfied her curiosity or I might’ve spent the night on the couch.

I went back to re-living the day’s adventures both above and within the mountains surrounding Sun Valley.  In short, Sun Valley Heli-Guides – a division of Epic Quest – know how to take care of people and put on a good show. After 35 years skiing here and relishing Warren Miller’s commentary, I finally put everything aside to take advantage of the experience of a lifetime. And so should all of us or, simply put, we’ll just be one year older when we do.

Quarter Dollar Lift will be running again on Dollar Mountain Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Terrain Park Manager Brian Callahan and his crew are installing five new rails, three jumps and three rollers in the Poverty Flats Terrain Park for all the jibbers. Should be a great time for everybody!  Come on out and see us!

The guns are running around the clock at Dollar.

Yup… the snowguns are running again at Dollar Mountain, and its looking like we’ll be ready for Thanksgiving.  The Snowmakers have been working around the clock here, and now we’re starting to see some real progress. Can’t wait!

The front side of Bald Mountain is now open.  Seattle Ridge and the Bowls will open as soon as avalanche control work is concluded in these areas.  Dollar Mountain is open as well.  Don’t forget to be safe, ride with a buddy and HAVE  FUN!!!

Kaitlyn Farrington, SVSEF athlete and Sun Valley local, competed over the weekend at the Wendy’s Invitational Superpipe Final in front of over 14,000 people. Farrington finished second overall in Snowbasin, though she seemed to be the crowd’s favorite as boos were heard when were lower-than-expected scores were announced. Although, Farrington was stoked on her second place finish and continues to have a killer season. Read the entire article here: http://www.allisports.com/news/elena-hight-takes-snowbasin-superpipe.

Farout, Lefty’s and Mayday Bowls all opened Friday under brilliant blue skies and a few inches of new snow. Just what we’ve all been waiting for.

See you there!

SUN VALLEY TO CELEBRATE NSAA "NATIONAL SAFETY WEEK"
Week-long On-Mountain Event January 16-22, 2010

What is Smartstyle? Do you know "Your Responsibility Code?"
What is the most important "Get Smart" tip for Freestyle Terrain Park riders?
Skiers and riders will all be challenged by these questions and rewarded with answers and free prizes January 16-22, 2010 when Sun Valley celebrates the National Ski Area’s Association "National Safety Week."
A heads-up, fun approach will be taken to heighten the awareness of slope safety in Sun Valley – on Baldy, at the new Super Pipe, in Dollar Mountain’s new Terrain Park and throughout both mountains.
And, the Smartstyle message will go off-mountain and into the classroom when the Sun Valley Ski Patrol, avalanche dogs and Terrain Park personnel meet students at Hemingway and Hailey Elementary schools. Third, fourth and fifth graders at Hemingway will be visited Tuesday, January 19 and the same grades at Hailey Elementary School will host the Sun Valley Mountain Dept. staff Wednesday, January 20, 2010.
Because Sun Valley Resort takes the safety and well being of its guests very seriously, skiers and riders on Dollar and Baldy will be invited to participate in a variety of safety oriented activities throughout "National Safety Week."
This will include:
1. Free Mountain Ski Tours with a special emphasis on safety (meets 10:30 am, top of Baldy every day except Tuesday and Thursday).
2. Mountain Trivial Pursuit (check lift towers for questions at the bottom and answers up top).
3. Free prizes for correctly answered questions on safety.
4. The Hot Packet: Jan. 16 through Jan. 22 take a tour through Dollar Mt. Terrain Park with local pros, terrain park staff and special guest. Sign up at Dollar from 10 am to 11 am for the 11-12 tour or sign up at noon to 1 pm for the 1 to 2 pm tour. Then talk about what you’ve learned with complimentary hot chocolate.
5. In celebration of "National Safety Week" Pete Lane’s Sports will offer 20 percent off helmets at all locations.
For more information please call 208-622-6136 or visit www.sunvalley.com
*Answer to Get Smart Tip:
ALWAYS stay clear of all landings.

YOUR SKIER RESPONSIBILITY CODE
1. Always stay in control.
2. People ahead of you have the right of way.
3. Stop in a safe place for you and others.
4. Whenever starting downhill or merging, look uphill and yield.
5. Use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
6. Observe signs and warnings, and keep off closed trails.
7. Know how to use the lifts safely.

Night Skier and Hiker Safety