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South Bay Accent - Oct/Nov 2014

A sleigh ride to Trail Creek Cabin. October/November 2014 73 If you have a bucket list of places to ski, you must include OPPOSITE PAGE: WENDY WALL. THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: COURTESY OF SUNVALLEY,COM; WENDY WALL; TORY TAGLIO this resort. Its history goes back to 1936, when Sun Valley Lodge became America’s first destination ski resort. In the early years, movie stars such as Clark Gable, Bing Crosby and Gary Cooper came regularly. Lucille Ball brought her family. In later years, Picabo Street trained here, and fellow Olympians Peggy Fleming and Dorothy Hamill were guests. In 1977, the late R. Earl Holding and his wife Carol acquired ownership of the property and developed it extensively. Today, the resort offers accommodations at the magnificent Sun Valley Lodge and Sun Valley Inn, plus a charming village with shops and eateries, a spa, indoor and outdoor ice rinks, a golf course and a Nordic and Snowshoe Center featuring 25 miles of groomed tracks and 14 kilometers of snowshoe trails. Gung-ho skiers and snowboarders gravitate to Bald Mountain because of its steepness. Nearly 65 percent of the mountain is rated “more difficult” or “most difficult.” The longest run is 3 miles while the steepest run, Inhibition, has a 35-degree slope. The capacity of its 19 lifts and one gondola is 29,717 riders per hour, but the average per day is only 3,000. That means during the busiest weekends, wait time in line is no more than 10 minutes. When the lifts shut down, three award-winning day lodges pick up the action and become lively party venues. Baldy, as the mountain is affectionately called, is accessed through the historic town of Ketchum, a commercial and retail hub with shops, restaurants, art galleries and hotels. One look at the size and slopes of Bald Mountain is enough to make beginner and lower-intermediate skiers head to Dollar Mountain, a more gentle option with six lifts, 14 runs and a vertical rise of 976 feet. Within walking distance from the Sun Valley resort, this site also features Carol’s Dollar Mountain Lodge, with a new restaurant and children’s center. Recently, 76 new rails were added, along with a new 22-foot super pipe. This winter, skiers and snowboarders will also experience a lengthened Family Cross Course in competition. C OOL DIGS A major ninemonth renovation project is under way at Sun Valley Lodge and is expected to be finished in June 2015. The guest rooms, lobby and restaurant at the famous lodge are being refurbished, and a 20,000-squarefoot spa and salon is in the works. For visitors this season, there are rental condominiums, homes and the historic 105-room Sun Valley Inn. The inn features newly remodeled guest rooms, large and small suites and four three-bedroom apartments to accommodate groups and families. Among amenities is an exercise room, where visitors can stretch tight muscles next to an outdoor glass-enclosed swimming pool. Another lodging option is the Knob Hill Inn in Ketchum. This hotel has beautiful European furnishings, luxurious linens and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Breakfasts are complimentary. Guests may also enjoy an in-room massage, a dip in the heated pool or a soak in the hot tub. Free shuttles go to town in the evenings and during the day to Baldy. EXTREME EATS Want to chow down where the locals go? Head to the Pioneer Saloon in downtown Ketchum. Not only do skiers from all over the U.S. patronize the historic restaurant, but so do plenty of friendly residents. Bask in Old West décor and dig into signature steaks, prime rib and Idaho potatoes. For top-rated French cuisine, try Michel’s Christiania in Ketchum. And if you’re in the mood for romance, take a 30-minute nighttime sleigh ride to the charming Trail Creek Cabin restaurant in Sun Valley. On your way back, you may be fortunate to see foxes trailing the sleigh, hoping for a treat. OFF THE SLOPES Main Street in Ketchum becomes a lively apres ski party scene once the sun goes down. You can dance to Western music, ride a mechanical bull or listen to live music. During the day, vacationers also like to go tubing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and ice skating. The annual production of “Christmas Eve Nutcracker on Ice,” the Torchlight Parade, Tree Lighting and the Holiday Window Stroll are all scheduled to be held at the Sun Valley resort this holiday season. A number of festivals take place in the area throughout the year, with the well-known Sun Valley Nordic Festival planned Jan. 30-Feb. 7, 2015. This nine-day event is marked by special activities, races and clinics, culminating in the exciting Boulder Mountain Tour. Another big draw for adults is the Sun Valley Film Festival in March, presenting indie films, discussions, panels and parties. FIND THE WAY Sun Valley is served by Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN), about 20 minutes away from Ketchum and the resort. From Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), you can reach the resort with a connecting flight from Salt Lake City or Seattle. SJC also has direct flights to Boise (BOI), and from there, you can rent a car for a threehour ride to Sun Valley. In addition, from mid-December to the end of March, United Airlines offers daily nonstop service from San Francisco Airport (SFO) to SUN. The Sun Valley resort provides a complimentary shuttle to guests. Taxis and rental cars are also available. Sun Valley Inn Knob Hill Inn


South Bay Accent - Oct/Nov 2014
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