The Valley Sun

Home sweet home

“Over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house we go. The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh through the white and drifting snow, oh!” Or so goes the old ditty sung by generations of school children as they prepared for Thanksgiving break. At least that’s what we sang back in the proverbial day, images of family, feasts and a sense of belonging percolating with each verse.

In this season of giving thanks, for me, over the river and through the woods took the form of a 10-hour road trip to my brother’s house, through some fiercely beautiful terrain and a lot of scrubland. I was surely thankful to arrive. I was thankful for the hugs from my nieces and nephews. I was thankful for my brother and my sister-in-law and their hospitality. I was really thankful for a washing machine and some Lysol wipes.

I was also thankful, after driving by dozens of ski areas, that I ski in Sun Valley. Very thankful. Just like many of America’s suburbs are indistinguishable, strip mall by strip mall, many ski areas also look like some mountain version of Levittown. A gondola or two and lots of lifts sprawl over runs that look like they never really reach their full potential. Short steep-ish slopes are intersected by roads and funneled into other runs. Many ski areas are only minutes from the highway and stretch one after the other after the other. Buildings eight stories high huddle with their bland edifices and cookie cutter balconies and pools. Luxury homes line the edges of runs, condos dot the hills. Base areas are built up and lifts are accessed by concrete walkways.

Sun Valley is an original. In my travels, I have yet to see any resort that looks anything like it. From our opulent day lodges to our mountains whose slopes are untouched by driveways and homes, Sun Valley looks like I think a ski resort should: a touch European, elegant, unique, family-owned. I love skiing to the base of River Run or Warm Springs, or over to Roundhouse, and gathering in a central location with my friends. Our mountain was not conceived in a corporate office and you can tell. I know I am biased. I decided to make Sun Valley my home and raise my children here – of course I am captivated by our style of charm. I learned to ski in Sun Valley back in 1983 and have yet to find another ski area that equally appeals. Getting a glance at other ski resorts during our epic road trip made me even more grateful for what we have.

Sometimes you have to leave, to travel over the river and through the woods, to really appreciate from whence you came. I am grateful for my hometown, my ski resort and the season that lies ahead. From my people to yours, Happy Thanksgiving.

–RES

Step one: fill out the form

At our house, “pass day” is an annual rite of passage. We make the pilgrimage to the River Run Lodge, ready to embrace the change of season that securing our ski passes signifies. In the 15 minutes or so it takes to process all of us (paperwork, photos, handover of finished pass on its Sun Valley lanyard), we officially put summer behind us and stare longingly through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows at what will soon become a busy pastiche of skiers and boarders at the base of the mountain.

River Run Lodge is open for business

Getting our passes means it’s time for other annual rituals, too. We clean out the garage, put the bikes in the corner and put ski equipment front and center.  Ski edges and bases are checked; helmets are fished out of storage; clothing, mittens and socks checked to see who has outgrown (or lost) what.

As the weather finally shakes off any vestiges of Indian Summer and commits to cold, snow-making nights and fat clouds ready to drop some winter magic, there is much to look forward to.  Thanksgiving is right around the bend and Sun Valley is a lovely place to spend it.  The Resort is offering great room rates, a lavish buffet and both Bald Mountain and Dollar will open on Thanksgiving Day. I enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner at the Lodge Dining Room two years ago. It was the most elegant and delicious I have experienced in a long time. And the best part?  No clean up! Early season prices and packages continue through December 20 so get those ski passes ready.

Step two: take a photo in front of the mountain map

The mountain will open for a pre-season race camp even earlier than Thanksgiving. Kicking off the Resort’s 77^th ski season, young alpine and freestyle skiers from all over the west will convene on the hill from November 17-21, taking advantage of Baldy’s perfect pitch and great training conditions.

Preparations for a new Winter Wonderland at Sun Valley Village are well underway – a festival of sights, sounds and tastes that will combine to create a memorable, magical holiday. Think of the most iconic, beautiful holiday story you can, imagine it coming to life, and you get the idea. Come and stay and remember what the season is really about.

And don’t forget your ski pass.  Whether it is for one day or a full season, when it is scanned for the first time this winter, I bet you will be as excited as I will. When I was a part-time Sun Valley resident for 20 years, I kept my ski tags on my coat for months after my trip ended – a proud badge of honor and a daily reminder of the amazing ski vacation that was.

Step three: get your pass

My children’s ski passes from years past have become a nostalgic display of sorts – five years of memories hanging on hooks in my home. They were all so young during that first season in 2007-2008. That was a good year.  They have all been good ones, actually, as the children grew in size, confidence and ability and I carved out (no pun intended) time almost every day to take advantage of at least a few runs on our mammoth backyard playground.

—RES

Smiles all around

More smiles all around

This Thanksgiving, November 24, bring your family to Sun Valley for dinner and leave the dishes to us!  Please be sure to call for reservations early.  (208) 622-2800.

The many dining options include:

• The Lodge Dining Room
• The Ram Restaurant
• Sun Valley Inn Limelight Ballroom Buffet

This Thanksgiving, November 25, bring your family to Sun Valley for dinner and leave the dishes to us! Please be sure to call for reservations early. (208) 622-2800
There many dining options including:
The Lodge Dining Room
You can’t get more gourmet than the LDR. Hours: 2-8pm. Call now for reservations 622-2800.

The Ram Restaurant
Offering a seasonal menu and traditional Thanksgiving entrees. Larry Harshbarger plays your favorites on the Baby-Grand. 622-2800

Trail Creek Cabin
Offering a seasonal menu and traditional Thanksgiving entrees from 5-10pm. 622-2800

Gretchen’s Restaurant
Our regular menu will be served all day with Thanksgiving entrees from 11am-10pm. 622-2800

Sun Valley Inn Limelight Ballroom Thanksgiving Buffet featuring traditional and not so traditional gourmet holiday entrees. The Leana Leach Trio will perform. Hours from 4-8pm. Please call the Sun Valley Recreation Center to reserve your tickets. Adults: $39.50 ; Kids under age 12 $22.50

Thanksgiving Weekend Dinner, Ski and Hotel Packages:
A wonderful family tradition – Thanksgiving in Sun Valley! This Thanksgiving Opening will kick-off Sun Valley’s 75th Winter Season.
Special rates commemorating the event will include lodging in the Sun Valley Lodge or Inn, a three-out-of-four day lift ticket and a lavish Thanksgiving Buffet in the Inn Limelight Ballroom. These packages start as low as $282 per person double occupancy.
The “Kids Stay and Ski Free” program also is honored at this time and allows one child (per adult) to stay and ski for free when lodging with the parent.
Please call 800-786-8259 to take part in Sun Valley’s 75th Thanksgiving and Opening celebration.
Hotel package rates do not include tax.