As you walk through the new forever home of Topnotch on Sun Valley Road in Ketchum, it becomes apparent that the style, harmony, beauty and love were definitely brought to the new space.
The present building which is just across the parking lot from the old location has large windows in every direction which offer bright, natural light.
I walked in to find bookends to give as a gift for a special friend. While perusing the whole store – which is now conveniently all on one level – I found myself enthralled with the furniture settings. The rooms are so spacious, you can step back and really get a good look at a potential room design. Plus the design center is open and inviting with an extensive selection of fabrics. The community will love this
By Judy Stoltzfusnew welcome space and the services the design team offers.
In one area, next to a drop-dead gorgeous bedroom set, I sat in the recliner of my dreams. A soft leather recliner with a small footprint and a super smooth glide.
The pillows which are abundant in all the rooms, are their own art form. Both gorgeous and incredibly lush, plush and functional.
The antler lamps are a testament to the fine talent of the artist who designed and built them.
There was so much to see and I enjoyed the shopping experience immensely, so it was very hard to leave.
But even harder will be actually giving up the sitting bear bookends – which I did find – for my friend, because between you and me, I’d like to keep them for myself. F
Photos: Halsey Pierce
A. Broschofsky Gallery *
B. Frederic Boloix Fine Art *
C. Friesen Gallery *
D. Gail Severn Gallery *
E. Gilman Contemporary *
F. Harvey Arts Project USA
G. Jennifer Bellinger Fine Art
H. Kneeland Gallery *
I. MESH Gallery
J. Mountain Images Gallery
K. Ochi Fine Art Gallery
L. Stone Art Gallery
M Sun Valley Museum of Art *
N. Trails West Gallery
O. Wood River Fine
*
* Member Sun Valley Gallery Association. www.svgalleries.org • info@.svgalleries.org
HOME & GARDEN
EVENINGS 5:00 - 7:30 PM
Friday, December 30, 2022
Friday, February 17, 2023
Friday, March 10, 2023
Friday, July 7, 2023
Friday, August 4, 2023
Friday, September 1, 2023
Friday, December 29, 2023
PUBLISHER / OWNER
Randy Schaeffer
ART DIRECTOR
Judy Stoltzfus
PRODUCED BY
Judy’s Design House
WRITERS
Bryant Dunn
Arianne Heyser
Julie Johnson
Hayden Seder
Dana Sterling
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ray Gadd
Adriana Klas
Nils Ribi
Sara Olson
Joan Sheets
Dear Readers,
We’d like to thank Joan Sheets for sending us her photo of Bald Mountain and the Sun Valley draft horses.
It captures the essence of winter in our beautiful valley with the iconic horses in a perfect pose and a Bald Mountain back drop on a sunny morning in Sun Valley.
If you have a favorite Wood River Valley photo to share, please contact me at randy.source.mag@gmail.com so we can show it off in glossy print.
See you on the road, Randy Schaeffer, Publisher/Owner
Kirsten Shultz
SALES
Randy Schaeffer 208.720.1352
SUN VALLEY SOURCE MAGAZINE, LLC
P.O. Box 6473, Ketchum, ID 83340
Ph: 208.720.1352 | Email: randy.source.mag@gmail.com sunvalleysourcemagazine.com
Distribution
Randy Schaeffer | 208.720.1352
Printed by Publication Printers, Denver, Colorado
Sun Valley SOURCE is published by Randy Schaeffer, Sun Valley Source Magazine, LLC. Every effort has been made to verify editorial content for accuracy. However, the publisher cannot be responsible for any inaccuracy or omissions. Opinions expressed are those of the individual writer and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Sun Valley Source, LLC. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. © 2023 Sun Valley Source. All rights reserved.
Sun Valley Source Magazine, LLC sets high standards to ensure forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable manner. This issue of Sun Valley SOURCE was printed on paper from well-managed forests which meets EPA guidelines that recommend use of recovered fibers for coated papers. All inks used contain a blend of soy base. Our printer meets or exceeds all federal Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) standards, and is a certified member of both the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). When you are done with this piece, please pass it on to a friend, or recycle it. We can all have a better world if we choose it together.
MOON SHINE BOUTIQUE AND THE CONTEMPORARY COTTAGE
JAM Designs earrings
Local artist, Julie JAM’s earrings, are stylish, affordable, and can be spotted on locals and tourists alike.
MOON SHINE BOUTIQUE
210 Sun Valley Rd, Ketchum | 208-726-6293
THE CONTEMPORARY COTTAGE
618 S. Main St, Hailey | 208-788-3258
Beringia Tsurugi Jacket
A masterwork of uncluttered presentation, yet unconditional performance. An Apex-Award winning product preferred by ski guides from Grand Hirafu to Alyeska to Montana. www.sturtevants-sv.com
Ketchum: 340 N. Main Street 208.726.4501
Hailey: Corner of Main & Carbonate 208.788.7847
Bring the best of modern and classic design to your room with the Grandier Power Recliner, combining traditional button tufted tailoring with a sleek low profile back. The adjustable headrest and the power recline feature offer unlimited positioning for unsurpassed comfort. Each piece is meticulously hand-crafted using the most exquisite leathers in the world. Three different leathers available.
www.topnotchonline.com
620 Sun Valley Road
208.726.7797
Don’t let the ice and snow get the best of you. The Bulle Flip Grip Boot, will help keep you on your feet.
Shoes for every man, woman, child and season!
www.ozziesshoes.com
4th & Leadville, Ketchum
208-726-3604
Necklaces – that can also be worn as bracelets –and earrings made from refurbished piano wire, are the perfect unique gift for the music lover in your life.
Open 11-5 Daily
400 E. Sun Valley Road
(Above the Cellar Pub) 208.913.0016
Handmade Jeweled Bolos
Spencer, Idaho Opal Bolo with Handmade Silver Accents and Genuine Braided Leather; Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Bolo with Handmade Silver Accents and Genuine Braided Leather; Mexican Fire Agate Bolo with Handmade Silver Accents and Genuine Braided Leather. www.barrypeterson.com
Acrylic Bike Sculptures - Colorful and fun for some added pizzazz! Custom colors available.
Salsa Mukluk. Discover a new sport this winter on a carbon fat bike. Perfect for those cold days between snow cycles. This carbon fat bike has a float of 26 x 4.6 tires, Shimano XT 12-speed drivetrain, and multiple mount points for adventuring. www.thetrailheadbicycles.com
111 N. 1st Avenue, Hailey 208.788.0883
Retail Nook
In addition to the deli case, Rasberrys has a variety of jams, spices, vinegars, granola, drink mixers, wine and locally made goods. Visit us downstairs from 11-5, Monday - Friday www.rasberrys.net
411 5th Street East, Lower Level, Ketchum 208.726.0606
Cow Head
Handmade and original. All vintage and antique fabric from the 1800’s -1900’s. One-of-a-kind. www.thefarmersdaughtersunvalley.com
331 Leadville Avenue N, Ketchum 208.726.6433
With the distinctive bee on the handle, this 24-piece set of Jean Neron Laguiole cutlery with pale horn handles is the epitome of French style. Made in France, this is an elegant addition to any table. www.maisonetcadeaux.com
351 N. Leadville Ave, Ketchum 208.622.3101
We offer exceptional services from the most qualified staff. With over 650 years of combined ski industry experience, Sturtevants is truly the place for personalized boot fitting and ski tuning, the best rental gear, and world-class merchandise.
Rossignol Arc’teryx Blizzard Stio Völkl Elevenate Atomic Norrøna Black Crows Salomon
The North Face Mammut Flylow Fischer Smith Dynafit POC Pomoca Sweet Leki Hestra
Lange Skea Tecnica Icebreaker Full Tilt Amundsen Look Obermeyer Marker Swix
Swany Barryvox Contour Scott Black Diamond Boot Doctor Intuition Sidas DFP
Avariety of files were used to shape and sharpen edges and wide belt sanders were used to level and smooth bases. An old iron was used to melt wax into the base and a large torque wrench was used to test binding release values. For some even older-school tuners, it goes much further back but, you get the idea.
Regardless of the different eras of ski tuning methods or a tuners approach, the concept and purpose for tuning has not changed. A ski is only as fun and responsive as the
tune it has and the condition it is in. Ski tuning is both an art and a science. It requires a trained eye and familiarity of both the ski and the skier.
Today’s modern skis require a high level of postproduction finishing and maintenance to get the full performance out of the equipment, not to mention, when deterioration or damage from use sets in. As the sport and equipment evolve each year, so has the service shop’s ability to take the equipment’s performance, and the skiers experience, to higher levels through a more sophisticated approach with highly advanced machinery.
For the evolved shop and technician, gone are the long sessions of pulling file, sanding bases, and using an old iron to wax again and again, or a torque wrench for binding testing. Nowadays, edges are shaped and polished with a computer controlled high speed ceramic disk and bases are leveled and structured with a digitally controlled multi axis stone grinder. Wax is introduced into the ski using hot wax and infrared technology and yes, binding
Not too long ago, ski technicians were armed with a plethora of both manual tools and basic machinery to perform their jobs.
testing is done on a laser referenced, computer controlled binding tester.
For your skis, all this techno babble (and a good technician) translates into more precise, sharper, and longer lasting edge angles. Faster, more durable bases which in turn deliver better maneuverability and glide with less skier effort. Who wouldn’t want that? For your boot-bindings system, it translates into more consistent and accurate release values, which can reduce the likelihood of those dreaded injuries. If you prefer to dig into the details, your local technician should be glad to bore you with language that you might not want to know or care about.
Make no mistake, the ultimate ski service machine tool does the heavy lifting but there is still some hand-finishing involved post machine work that requires experience and a steady hand to further customize the product to the skier.
To consistently produce a quality product, it demands years of quality tuning experience and a trained eye, but it also requires the ability and commitment to be proficient
in programing, processing, calibrating, and maintaining this sophisticated machinery. Not to mention a substantial financial commitment! This approach is a far cry from days of old, but one must thrive in this environment of precision in order to produce the highest-level product.
One should expect to find this level of commitment and service at the best shops, including where I hang my hat at Sturtevants in Sun Valley. We take the time to understand and recommend a service, on an individual basis, because we embrace the range of unique ways we ski and the resulting preferences in our equipment. Therefore, we process skis individually, rather than the cookie cutter method. Expert or beginner, aggressive or cautious, groomed runs or the backcountry, old school or new school, we customize the tune for the need because the best skier is the one with the biggest smile on their face! F
Dana Sterling Technical Ski Service Advisor, Sturtevants of Sun Valley
SUN VALLEY’S FINEST HUNTING ADVENTURES!
For Christmastime revelers across the world, December 25th serves as the annual day to exchange gifts, fill stockings and celebrate Christian traditions with friends and family. However, on the central Pacific island of Kiritimati, Christmas is a year round event.
Commonly known as Christmas Island, named by Captain James Cook upon his “discovery” of the island on Christmas Eve in 1777, this central Pacific coral atoll is one of 33 tropical islands that make up the Republic of Kiribati and is located approximately 1300 miles due south of Hawaii just north of the equator. In the local Gilbertese language, ti is pronounced as s thus resulting in the pronunciation of Kiritimati equating to Christmas and Kiribati to keer-ih-bos.
This remote, palm tree-covered white sand island is known as one of the most spectacular recreational fisheries on the planet, offering world-class saltwater flats
fishing as well as deep sea fishing opportunities beyond its surrounding reef. Giant trevally, bluefin trevally, golden trevally, milkfish, triggerfish, a variety of reef fish and the ubiquitous bonefish swim the 150 square miles of ankle to waist deep water encapsulated in the island’s inner lagoon. In fact, by some estimates, the bonefish population of Christmas Island outnumbers the human population of 7,400 by roughly 100 to 1.
Kiritimati’s primary export is copra, a product of the numerous coconut palm trees that blanket the island, but in recent history, angling tourism has become central to the atoll’s economy. Anglers, most commonly fly fishermen, travel to the island on a weekly Fiji Airways flight that originates in Honolulu. Once on-island, visitors are transported to their lodgings which are mostly spartan rooms that offer basic amenities as a base for long days wading the inner lagoon in search of the various piscatorial target species.
Recently, thanks to an exclusive joint venture between the Kiribati government and an American partnership headquartered in the Northern Rocky Mountains, Christmas Island Lodge (formerly the Captain Cook Hotel) is being renovated, remodeled and upgraded to serve as Kiritimati’s premier lodge offering catering specifically to adventurous anglers from across the globe. In addition to the comprehensive renovations of the 12 private oceanside bungalows complete with thatched roofs, air conditioning and en suite heated showers, the lodge is now connected to the new solar electrical grid which was installed by the Kiribati government in advance of the pandemic.
Among many advantages offered by Christmas Island Lodge over the few existing lodging options on the island is the private boat launch on the inner lagoon which has been established during the country’s pandemic closure. This launchsite, adjacent to the lodge’s private swimming lagoon, allows Christmas Island Lodge guests to be the first in and the last out of the back of the inner lagoon where the most desirable fishing opportunities exist. This launchsite is only permitted to Christmas Island Lodge guests and eliminates the lengthy drive and boat trip from the other lodgings located in Tabwakea, London and Poland on the west side of the atoll.
The lodge’s location on the outskirts of Banana, a small village on the north central reach of Kiritimati, is most proximal to the airport and the highly coveted fishing destinations of the Korean Wreck and Huff Dam. This allows for minimal vehicle travel and a maximum of fishing hours each day. Additionally, with the advent of the Starlink global internet system, lodge guests will have unequaled internet connectivity while enjoying the sunset and fresh lobster and sushi appetizers each evening after long days on the flats.
Regarding the best time of year to visit Kiritimati, due to its location near the equator, weather varies little with temperatures only fluctuating by approximately 1 degree over the calendar year and settling comfortably in the mid-80s during the day and the mid-70s at night.
As global tourism is steadily returning to prepandemic norms, international travelers are increasingly returning to exotic destinations like Christmas Island. And though, for most of the world, Christmas is celebrated just one day per year, adventurous anglers can celebrate Christmas everyday in the Republic of Kiribati which might very well end up being the holiday of a lifetime. F
For more information on Christmas Island Lodge, visit christmasislandlodge.com or call 1-844-CILODGE (245-6343).
One of the crown jewels of the Gem State is the Zions Bank Boulder Mountain Tour, which wends its way through the pristine Sawtooth National Recreation Area north of Ketchum. Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, the BMT is one of the longest-running and most respected cross-country ski races in North America.
Leading off the Sun Valley Nordic Festival is the NordicTown USA Sprints, followed by the Boulder Mountain Tour Expo featuring industry insiders, sponsors, goods and bib bag pickup. 1,000 skiers will toe the line for the in-person Boulder Mountain Tour and celebrate their accomplishment at an awards party that evening at Ketchum Town Square.
On Saturday, February 4, the Full Boulder begins outside of historic Galena Lodge in spectacular Senate Meadows. The gently rolling terrain of the 34-kilometer course is friendly to skiers of all ages and abilities. For families wanting to enjoy the course with small children or those new to the sport, the 15-kilometer Charley Course Half Boulder is an excellent option. Beginning at Baker Creek, the Half starts and finishes on the Full Boulder course. Supported by veteran race organizers and experienced volunteers, the BMT is an experience that will be enjoyed by one and all and long remembered.
Virtual BMT race participants can ski 15 or 30 kilometers on a course of their choice.
For details and additional information, please visit bouldermountaintour.com or email us at bouldermountaintour@gmail.com.
Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/bouldermountaintour Photos by Nils Ribi
Idaho has more than 7,200 miles of snowmobile trails – the most offered by any state in the Lower 48. The Boulder Creek Area, from Boulder Lake to the North Fork of the Big Wood River, holds miles and miles of groomed trails. In addition, the land surrounding the East Fork of the Big Wood River is open all season.
Map page 94
Contact Smiley Creek 877.774.3547, Sawtooth National Recreation Area 800.260.5970 or Blaine County Recreation District, 208.788.2117.
Looking for ways to diversify your Sun Valley days? Take in the fresh mountain air at a slightly different speed, and enjoy a day of cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. The Sun Valley Nordic Center, nestled among some of the best cross-country ski terrain in North America, can outfit you with everything you’ll need for skate and classic skiing, even if you hadn’t initially planned to set out on a less-vertical outing. And, with over 40 km of trails of unmatched quality, there is room for folks of varying skill levels to enjoy taking on the trails. For those completely new to cross-country skiing, the Nordic Center offers a variety of fun and informative clinics, as well as easy access to rentable gear. With consistent conditions carefully maintained, this trail system will provide an opportunity to enjoy winter in a totally different way; gliding or walking along rolling hills while taking in the majesty of the mountains.
Sun Valley Resort is proud to be steeped in a rich history, which includes a storied tradition of alpine racing. Deepening this legacy, Sun Valley Resort has entered into a two year partnership with U.S. Ski & Snowboard, accepting hosting duties of the upcoming U.S. Alpine National Championships. This spring, our community will warmly welcome some of the nation’s top athletes as they take on the technical challenges of our much-loved terrain. Events will kick-off on April 2, 2023, and will feature both men’s and women’s slalom, giant slalom, and super-G events. Our Sun Valley community has been gathering to take on new challenges and make memories on these slopes for generations, and we look forward to seeing everyone come together to cheer on this incredible feat of top-level competition.
Come see the mountains through the eyes of a local expert. Sun Valley Resort’s skilled SnowSports instructors not only offer individually tailored lessons, they will also roll out the red carpet, guiding you through the very best ways to hit the slopes. These Private Lessons are an unmatched opportunity to share knowledge and enrich your relationship to both of our beloved mountains. Whether you’re looking to perfect your turns or gearing up for your very first time on the terrain, SnowSports instructors are here to build your confidence, allowing you to make the most of your Sun Valley experience.
Prefer to learn with friends? Get the whole gang together. Private Lessons accommodate groups of up to 5. Even the smallest members of your crew can set out on the mountain—our Alpine Au Pair program for children ages 3-5 will engage your little ones in a fun and safe environment while you hit the slopes for some quality YOU time.
Embrace winter’s romance with one of Sun Valley Resort’s most popular activities: a classic horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snowy hills. Take a daytime sleigh ride and enjoy the scenic views from Bald to Proctor Mountain.
Dress warmly and snuggle up with your favorite people for a 30 minute classic horsedrawn sleigh ride through the snow. Grab a hot cocoa at the Sun Valley Inn before the ride and enjoy the fresh mountain air and the jingling sound of bells as the horses take you for an old fashioned tour.
Make your special event even more memorable. Book a private sleigh or wagon for weddings, engagements, anniversaries or any special occasion. F
Visit sunvalley.com for more details.
By Hayden Seder
As one of the top ski resorts in the nation, Sun Valley Resort and Bald Mountain see a lot of traffic, making it more important than ever to make sure that equipment is up to date, the mountain is maintained in a way that makes the skier experience better, and that changes are made as better solutions become available. As part of a long-term investment plan for enhancing the guest experience on Baldy, Sun Valley Resort will begin a project to install two new ski lifts on the Warm Springs side in 2023.
“This is an exciting project for Sun Valley Resort as we make a significant investment in the mountain and commitment to our guests and the community,” said Pete Sonntag, Sun Valley Company’s Vice President, and General Manager. “Our guiding principle in this multiyear endeavor is to improve the experience for our guests on the mountain and we think focusing on the vitality of the Warm Springs area is a great place to start.”
Jenna Vagias, Brand & Communications Manager at Sun Valley Resort, calls this phase one of a multi-phase, multi-year plan that will ultimately include replacing seven lifts on Baldy. This phase will begin once the mountain closes in spring 2023 and focus on replacing the two lifts that currently serve the Warm Springs base: Challenger, which terminates at the top of the mountain and Greyhawk, which terminates mid-mountain at the top of runs typically used in ski races like Cozy, Hemingway, Greyhawk, Race Arena, and Brick’s Island. Not only will replacing the lifts (both reaching the end of their lifecycles) bring in new infrastructure, the new placement of terminals will make for better traffic flow on the mountain. “The proposed projects in the first phase will benefit the recreational experience on Bald Mountain by improving skier circulation, increasing the accessible skiable terrain, and improving both lift and snow quality,” said Sonntag.
The Challenger lift, a four-seater built in 1988 and retrofitted in 1996, will be replaced with a high-speed, six-pack Doppelmayr lift that will get riders to the top of the mountain in just eight minutes, shaving five minutes off the current thirteen-minute ride, as assessed by techs at Doppelmayr—no mean feat for a lift that spans 3,150 feet. The new top-to-bottom lift will be installed in the location of the current Greyhawk lift, with an optional unloading
point midway where the current Greyhawk lift currently terminates. The lift will slow down at this point to allow some people to disembark while others stay on to ride to the top of the mountain and disembark at the same terminal as the current Challenger lift. “We’re taking two lifts and making it into one to serve the same areas with more efficiency and capacity,” said Vagias.
An entirely new lift, a high-speed quad referred to currently as “Lift 1A,” will be built on the mountain side of the river rather than on the Lodge-side the current Challenger terminal is built on. The old terminal will be cleared to make way for extended patio seating for the Lodge. Lift 1A will serve a similar area as the old Flying Squirrel lift, which burned down in 2014 and was removed from the mountain. Lift 1A will start at the bottom of Warm Springs and terminate at the top of Flying Squirrel and Picabo’s Street. The current route of cat track I-80 will be rerouted to avoid a traffic jam at the lift. “From Warm Springs, you’ll be able to either go to the top or take this lift and still get to all four main areas on the mountain—River Run, Frenchman’s, Seattle Ridge, or Warm Springs—without going to the top,” said Vagias. Lift 1A will provide a redundancy piece in the event that one lift is closed down by high winds or another emergency; it will also help to spread people out on the mountain.
Part of installing Lift 1A will be the creation of a Lower Flying Squirrel run; currently, the bottom of Flying Squirrel stops abruptly and requires a hard turn to a cat track to get back to Warm Springs. The creation of a lower portion of the run means that skiers and snowboarders will be able to go right through onto Warm Springs. This intersects with a project done this summer through the Bald Mountain Stewardship Project which gladed trees in Little Scorpion, taking an area that was previously all out of bounds and adding 54 acres of new, inbound skiing.
An expedited timeline for the project has sights set on completion prior to Christmas of 2023. F
By Heather Foster
The vision for a local ski hill in Hailey, Idaho was born through ski pioneers up and down the Wood River Valley. People like Jim Hurst, Bob Jackson, Bill Mallory, and Jim Savaria, to name a few. It was 1948 when Swiss Olympic skier, Janett Ann Winn, started teaching Hailey Elementary students how to ski at a little hill west of Hailey outfitted with a tractor-and-pulley rope tow. Ten years later, Hailey’s Rotary Club lent itself to the hill’s name—Rotarun, and by the midsixties, the Arkoosh family had established Rotarun as a 501c3 and presented Blaine County with the gift of a 99-year lease on Rotarun’s 148 acres of land at just $1 per year. A J-Bar lift and the first lights for night skiing came to fruition, soon followed by the original warming hut built with donated lumber by local carpenters.
In the decades to follow, Rotarun fared much like a little engine that could, and relied on the dedication, creativity, and hard work of volunteers to manage operations and keep the vision of their predecessors on track. Looking towards Rotarun’s 75th anniversary in the 2023/24 season, local businesses, families, and individuals continue to invest their time, treasure, and talent to carry forth and expand upon Rotarun’s special place and purpose in the community.
Since the beginning when local residents constructed the first rope tow from used farm equipment, Rotarun has felt the generosity and ingenuity of those who understand and appreciate what the little mountain with a big heart gives back to those who spend time in this place. These friends of Rotarun have come to the table with supplies, labor, skilled workmanship, equipment, and above all, kindness, and a drive to make things happen. In the late nineties it was Red Bloedel who initiated a fundraiser that led to the very Doppelmyr Poma Lift that was relocated from a little ski hill in Austria and repurposed to carry skiers and riders to the top of Rotarun today. The ongoing generosity of countless families, foundations, businesses, volunteer board members, and friends, has in recent years allowed for the installation of a snowmaking system to extend Rotarun’s snowsports season, along with infrastructure to continuously improve overall mountain operations and the skier and rider experience at the ski hill. Rotarun wears the fingerprints of so many in our community, all of whom have poured their giving spirit into the little hill’s ultimate purpose to give back.
Rotarun lives and breathes by its values, set forth to inspire a way of life and a way of creating opportunity for the youth and families of the Wood River Valley.
• RESPECT and celebrate our heritage
• Make decisions through INCLUSION
• Embrace and welcome COMMUNITY
• Grow JOY through fun and learning
It is a unique and important opportunity to be a small mountain in the larger wintersport ecosystem, and Rotarun maintains a keen focus on keeping it small on purpose. Delivering exceptional and affordable learn-to-ski-and-ride programming is the heartbeat of Rotarun and celebrating mountain town culture while engaging the entirety of the community drives the mountain’s spirit. Rotarun is the place to gather with friends for a free public ski evening on Wednesdays, set up a tailgate and warm the kiddos’ hands over hot chocolate, and celebrate New Year’s Eve as a part of the torchlight ski-down parade. It’s the place where “Friday Night Lights” means bundling up to take some turns and roasting s’mores fireside by the lodge with the family.
On any given Monday or Tuesday afternoon during the first two months of the year, you’ll witness the magic of Rotarun. This is when the Rota-Rippers take to the snow and learn to find their snow legs. Most of the 5 to 11-yearold kids arrive via the Big Blue Bus, where they’ve come directly from elementary schools across the south valley in Hailey and Bellevue. Some come from as far away as Shoshone, 43 miles away. Like the kids who got their start at Rotarun 74 years ago, the Rota-Rippers today are offered professional instruction by volunteer coaches—and now through a community supported, tuition-free program dedicated to bringing this gift to kids in our community who otherwise wouldn’t have this opportunity. New in 2023, the program is expanding to include the middle school Rota-Ravens—one more opportunity for the valley’s children to experience the wonder of wintersport. One hundred percent of program costs are covered by Rotarun Ski Club, Inc., the John R. Kalik Memorial Endowment Fund, the Kids Mountain Fund, and Rotarun’s incredible community partners and donors.
Rotarun is open to the public for free skiing under the lights on Wednesday nights from 6-9 p.m. Public skiing is also open Friday nights from 5-9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Holiday hours differ and are posted online. Lift tickets are free for children 5 and under, $10 for those ages 6-17, and $15 for those 18 and older. Youth aged 6-17 may apply online at rotarun.org for a free season pass through Freddy’s Pass Program. Season passes start at $85 through $250 for a family pass. F
For current hours and event calendar, visit www.rotarun.org
“It’s about bringing us all closer together through the sport that we love and the mountains we play in.”
— Scott McGrew, Executive Director, Rotarun Ski Area
T h i s S n a k e R i v e r c a n y o n r i m p r o p e r t y i s t h e l a s t a n d b e s t p a r c e l o f l a n d o w n e d b y a T w i n F a l l s p i o n e e r f a m i l y f o r o v e r 1 0 0 y e a r s .
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R o b e r t S t r u t h e r s
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Water. The hottest topic in the valley. With the help of an exceptional team, The Valley Club has made some big changes to the golf course over the past five years, having spent millions of dollars in modifications and state-ofthe-art technology, all to be better stewards of the land. Their main goal is to provide world-class playing conditions while reducing The Valley Club’s water footprint.
One of the major changes that took place during their renovation, completed in 2020, was a reduction of areas that require water. The club accomplished this by planting drought tolerant native grasses, increasing their amount by 17% throughout the course. These new native areas provide habitat to the valley’s animals, and club staff have noticed a rise in wildlife activity. Native grass areas along lakes, creeks, and drainage ditches function as a biological filter. These plants slow runoff and leach out any unwanted materials before it reaches any important bodies of water. This is a huge benefit towards protecting pristine rivers, lakes, and aquatic life that rely on them to live.
They have also cut their water use by approximately 20% per night by installing a new irrigation system. The new system allows them to water with greater precision and to measure their water use more accurately. They have included a new central computer and weather station to
calculate how much water the grass has used and how much it still needs—the grass receives the exact amount of water to survive, no more and no less. Installing over 30% additional, and more sophisticated, sprinkler heads has enabled them to make pinpoint adjustments to over two thousand heads. For example, they can run one sprinkler head for six minutes and the one right next to it for four minutes. These improvements in uniform coverage have made a tremendous difference and they now need to water only every other night.
When making watering decisions, the maintenance staff does more than a visual inspection to determine if the grass needs to be watered. To make sound irrigation choices, they measure soil moisture levels daily with advanced technology, like portable moisture meters. These meters allow them to measure moisture with a push of a button, putting the information they need right at their fingertips. The data gathered with moisture meters is used to make real-time watering decisions to help conserve water.
The most common water conservation practice is one you may have never heard of—the use of soil wetting agents. Wetting agents are like soapy products that reduce the surface tension of the water. Surface tension in water causes it to bead up rather than absorb into the soil surrounding the roots. By reducing this tension, water is more uniformly distributed to the grass roots. Research suggests wetting agents may improve water retention in the soil during dry conditions and water infiltration during wet conditions. Multiple case studies reveal that using wetting agents can result in a 20% or more water savings.
Water is the most valued resource in this valley and conserving it will always be a mission of The Valley Club. They look forward to continuing to learn about new methods and technology that will help them prioritize the environment, while also providing an extraordinary golf course for years to come. F
When you’re building a beautiful world-class mountain community, you need windows that are worthy. That’s why so many local builders trust Pella Windows & Doors of Ketchum. And why Pella® windows are rated #1 by homeowners for highest quality.* Take advantage of an offer crafted just for you at PellaKetchum.com
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The gorgeous mountain setting combined with top rate services provided by wedding planners, florists, photographers, caterers and venues will give you and your guests the very best experience to treasure for a lifetime.
Pete and Abby met in 2019 on a boat! Both had been living in New York City for nine years, often working in the same office building or living just blocks from each other, but somehow never crossed paths. At the insistence of mutual friends, the two ended up spending a day in June on the water near Pete’s hometown of Darien. Two vessels tied up together for an afternoon of swimming and socializing. Pete hopped aboard the boat Abby was on and introduced himself. They hit it off immediately, finally crossing paths.
Abby and Pete took their first trip together to Abby’s hometown of Sun Valley over New Years. Both love to ski and adore the mountains. Luckily Pete fell in love with Sun Valley on that first trip.
The pair got engaged in April of 2021 in New York, and given that Sun Valley had become such a special place to both of them, it was a natural choice. After landing on a winter wedding date of February 12, 2022, they selected Roundhouse as the venue, which they felt was the epitome of Sun Valley.
Abby worked for Tara Bella Flowers throughout high school (still her favorite job to date!) so they turned to Tara immediately, as well as their wedding planner Amanda Seaward, to bring their Sun Valley theme to life. Abby and Pete wanted everything to feel classic and FUN. The Roundhouse is such a unique venue, so they made sure that guests got to enjoy the gondola ride, the incredible mountain views and the history. They drummed up the cozy ambiance with dark linens, tall white and green floral arrangements and lots of votives. The sunset as guests arrived to the Roundhouse was truly spectacular, everyone warmed up with fondue and huckleberry cocktails and after dinner, guests transitioned downstairs to Avril’s where colored uplighting was used for a festive, nightclub feel. The DJ + saxophone combination, as well as a surprise performance by friend and singer Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line, made for quite a party, all set against the backdrop of the mountains. Abby and Pete spent the day laughing together and will continue to do so from the waters of Connecticut to the peaks of Sun Valley and beyond. F
ABBY & PETE
Wedding Planner: Amanda Seaward Photographer: Kirsten Shultz Photography
ussell and I met in San Francisco, but I grew up in Sun Valley, and we’ve spent a lot of time here over the past few years, so we knew we wanted to bring all of our friends and family to our favorite place.
We got engaged backcountry skiing over Galena summit, so while we had initially envisioned a summer outdoor wedding in my parents’ backyard, we quickly realized a winter wedding was much more fitting.
Heather Minor helped us plan the perfect weekend. Given my family history in Sun Valley, it was important to incorporate personalized touches. We kicked the weekend off with a rehearsal dinner at Trail Creek Cabin, where my parents got married. We met everyone at the Sun Valley Lodge and then took the horse-drawn sleighs to the cabin.
On Friday, we had our guests meet us on top of Baldy for a ski day – a true highlight. My mother-in-law had found a
vintage white ski suit almost a year before, so I got to ski in that and a veil, while Russell skied in a tuxedo. That night, everyone rode the gondola up to The Roundhouse, where we hosted a welcome party with margaritas and fondue.
We felt strongly against doing a first look, so we spent Saturday apart with our bridesmaids and groomsmen before seeing each other for the first time walking down the aisle at St. Thomas Church. The celebration continued with drinks, dinner, and lots of dancing at River Run Lodge, where we drove in my parents’ vintage car overflowing with “Just Married” decorations.
Our first dance was to Fleetwood Mac’s “Say You Love Me”, which kicked off hours of dancing and even a limbo competition with our amazing band, New Soul Brigade. The weekend wrapped up with breakfast at my parents’ house, which was the perfect way to say goodbye before rushing to the airport for three weeks in Kenya on our honeymoon. It was the most magical winter Sun Valley weekend. F
Wedding Planner: Heather Minor Photographer: Adriana Klas Floral Design: Tara Bella Flowers AUSTIN
FROM 5-STAR TO SLEEPING BAGS WE HAVE IT ALL INCLUDING LUXURY HOMES AND
Ace of Diamonds, 774-7000, www.highcountryinn.biz
Box 3385, West Coral, Id, 400 W. 600 N., 764-2506, Fax: 764-2927 (14 units have kitchens) STANLEY
Box 35, 336-9772, 800-222-1269 Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch
HC 64, Box 9934, Hwy. 75, 9 mi. S. of Stanley, 774-3544, Fax: 774-3477, www.rocky.com
High Country Motel
S. Main St., 208-928-7727, Cell: 208-721-0067
N. Main St., 208-725-8282 FAIRFIELD
Box 540, 764-2247, Fax: 764-2244, www.prairieinn.com
578-0600, 877-542-0600, Fax: 578-0700
Ln. 788-7950
4th Ave. S., 788-2477, Fax: 788-3195 Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
N. Main St., 788-8500
726-3344, 800-521-5379, Fax: 726-3347
180 S. Main St., 726-4114, 800-805-1001, Fax: 726-2417
726-5336, 800-333-7912
www.hayhurstBnB.com
WiFi
67, Box 300, 774-3566, 800-972-4627, Fax: 774-3518 (16 cabins) WiFi access
350, 774-3661, 800-843-5475, Fax: 774-3761
Valley Creek Lodge & RV Park
Box 402, Hwy. 21/75 Jct., 774-3606, off Hyw. 75 (phones, WiFi access, color TV)
Red Fish Lake Lodge (Summer only)
Box 9, 774-3536, Fax: 774-3546
Redwood Cabins (closed mid-October to mid-May)
Box 55, Hwy. 75, 774-3531
Riverside Motel & Sawtooth Rentals (closed December to January) 14 $75-145
Box 192, Hwy. 75, 774-3409, 877-774-3409, Fax: 774-3490
Stanley High Country Inn (closed October 30, reopens January 2014 ) 15 $105 l
Box 350, 774-7000, Fax: 774-7005, www.highcountryinn.biz
Stanley Town Square
Box 347, 208-918-1578, www.stanleytownsquare.com
Triangle C Cabins
7 $120-320
10 $65-95
Box 69, #1 Benner St. & Hwy. 21, 774-2266, 800-303-6258, Cell: 309-0269 Fax: 774-2266
SUN VALLEY Sun Valley Resort
480 $149-2,000
Box 10, 1 Sun Valley Rd., 622-4111, 800-786-8259, res. 622-5151, Fax: 622-3700
St. S. #101, Ketchum, 726-5601, 888-987-3658
N. Main, Ketchum, 622-3400, 877-978-2978
700, 601 Leadville, 726-8584
191, 141 Northwood Way, 726-1256, 800-726-7076
Sun Valley Road, 727-1616, 866-847-4200
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67, Box 725, 838-2313, 888-838-2313
While we know the power of love is the ultimate healer, the power of nutrition is not far behind, and here is the reason why.
We need to have our brains nourished so that we can make good decisions about our lives. While it is hard to make good decisions while experiencing depression, stress, and grief, we have to ask ourselves, “How can I be the best version of me?”
Starting a new diet is usually easy… You enjoy the foods, and realize they aren’t half bad. Quality foods taste amazing. You are full of motivation, you exercise, and each day you feel a little better, lighter in body and spirit.
Then, one day, something happens. Maybe you get bad news or become stressed. And you feel yourself start to crack. To make yourself feel better, you reach for that cupcake, bowl of ice cream, or go on a bender (you choose your poison). And it makes you feel a little bit better, at least temporarily.
The next day, things aren’t quite as bad, but when the kids start kicking and screaming, or life essentially just “happens…” you crack again. And this time it didn’t take as much to crack. “It’s just one time, one little treat won’t hurt,” you tell yourself. But you end up telling yourself that every single day. We’re human, it’s okay to enjoy these pleasures on occasion. But if you find them consuming your diet – and you’d rather they did not – this article is for you.
There is emotional eating. Emotional drinking. Emotional self medicating.
Emotional blowouts between friends and family. And when we feel at the end of our rope, our vices (usually sugar related) feel like the only friend that can comfort us and escape from the pain temporarily.
I know a little bit about “drowning one’s pain” in unhealthy escapism. Whether it is a Snickers bar, or the best French wine. Sugar consumption is especially nasty, as the insulin spikes prevent weight loss and put your health at risk for diabetes, heart disease, cancer, autoimmune disease, and depression.
All of us go through pain, loss, stress, and grief. How we react to our emotions is the difference between self destruction and self elevation.
Maybe a little nutritional education can help us make better decisions about what we put in our mouths.
Go back to a time when you felt your healthiest best – make that the goal. Let’s recreate that reality together with whole food choices from our local farmers, gardeners, and ranchers.
Our modern foods are designed to be addictive. Consuming “highly palatable” processed foods, or foods that are high in carbohydrates, fat, salt sugar, or artificial sweeteners, trigger the pleasure
centers of the brain and release “feel good” chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin. It keeps you coming back for more. Unfortunately, food addiction is not about weight as much as it is about “using” a substance for distraction, for numbing feelings, for comfort, and for a mood change. It involves the same biological, psychological, and social factors as an alcohol or drug addiction.
If we are eating nutritionally dense foods (foods in their natural state), we do not need to eat as much as we do when consuming less nutritionally dense foods, because our brains will be nourished, telling the Ghrelin hormone responsible for our hunger to stop eating.
When you walk into the grocery store and see the shelves stocked high with all those brightly colored packages – like Christmas every day – consider what is inside the box. These boxes are filled with four main ingredients. In no particular order – corn, wheat, rice and soy – all of which have been heavily processed with sugars (or worse, sugar substitutes) and chemicals. None of it would you actually want to put into your mouth, if a healthy brain and body is what you are after. A sugar substitute will signal the same insulin hormone as sugar, and considering more than half the United States is pre-diabetic or diabetic, these substitutes only further our collective digression.
To nourish our organs, glands, and brain that functions our executive thinking, we need three things: Fats, proteins and carbohydrates.
Of course we need to hydrate and rest, but let’s focus on nutrition.
Omega fats are important for brain, joint, and blood viscosity, each cell in the body also needs cholesterol for cell wall strength. We get fat soluble vitamins such as vitamin A from organic egg yolks, butter, liver, grass-fed animals and cold water fish.
Proteins are the building blocks for nearly everything in the body. Humans, like animals, need proteins daily. Choose organic sources of proteins, be they plant or animal. Mixing the two sources is best for the human body as they both offer different mineral and vitamin content.
Carbohydrates should come from vegetables, fruits, or whole grains. Choose organic, or know your gardener, and what sprays they use and how often they use them. It makes a difference in the nutritional value. The cleaner the
product, the more goodness you get from it. The chemicals used on fruits, vegetables, and grains disrupt our hormones and gut lining. These chemicals are harmful to children’s digestive function, potentially leaving them with a future of health struggles.
Learn to cook with whole food. Sometimes it takes huge commitment and faith to retrain your taste buds to enjoy foods in their whole states. For instance, when we do the NourishMe Cleanses, people are amazed at the complex and explosive taste of the lowly organic apple. While it may take a couple of days/weeks (depending on your circumstances) for the power of nutrition to reboot your system…it is so worth it.
Get involved with your local resources and get educated about what is the right balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates for you.
Eat locally grown root vegetables this season such as; beets, carrots,
garlic, onions, potatoes, parsnips, turnips.
Include local squashes in your diet as well, such as Butternut, Crookneck, Cucurbita, Delicata, Honeynut, and Pumpkin.
Also incredibly nutrient dense for one’s consumption are locally grown beans and legumes, such as Black beans, Red beans, White beans, Green lentils, Yellow lentils, and Fava beans. Local grains plus amaranth, millet and flax. The list is endless.
It is easier than you think to get involved with your local resources. NourishMe has a Farmer’s Market twelve months a year, every Tuesday bringing you so many wonderful choices. Besides our dine-in options, NourishMe also makes grab-and-go foods from all the products listed above.
A healthy meal is waiting for you, easy peasy. F
real food. wholesome goodness. always.
Photos: Jane McCann
If you haven’t been to the Pioneer Saloon, you haven’t been to Ketchum!
Hearty steaks & prime rib
Fresh seafood
Meaty ribs
Hard Liquor
Wine & beer
Hours: Bar opens at 4 pm
Dining Room opens at 5 pm
We are open every day. We do not accept reservations.
Phone: (208) 726-3139
Email: pioneerketchum@gmail.com
A Pioneer gift card makes a wonderful present. Gift cards can be purchased on our website, over the phone, or in person at the restaurant.
www.pioneersaloon.com
320 N. Main St, Ketchum Idaho
SUN VALLEY (SUN) NONSTOP FLIGHTS – 6 CITIES!
Chicago (ORD),
(DEN),
YEAR-ROUND: Delta SLC, United DEN, Alaska SEA
WINTER/SUMMER: United ORD, LAX, SFO
Alaska Airlines . . . . . . . . . . .
www.alaskaair.com
Nonstop fl ights: Seattle (SEA) – year-round
Delta Airlines
www.delta.com
Nonstop fl ights: Salt Lake City (SLC) – year-round
United Airlines
www.united.com
Nonstop fl ights: Denver (DEN) – year-round
Chicago (ORD) – winter/summer
Los Angeles (LAX) – winter/summer/fall
San Francisco (SFO) – winter/summer/fall
Located 150 miles southwest of Sun Valley and served by seven major airlines.
Located 60 miles south of Sun Valley and served by Delta Airlines
ORD, DEN, LAX, SEA, SFO, SLC
Expanded! SEA: 1-2 daily nonstop flights Dec 15-April 17, 2x week in spring/fall
SLC: 2-3 daily nonstop flights year-round
Expanded! DEN: 1-2 daily nonstop flights year-round
Expanded! ORD: 1 daily nonstop flight Dec 15-March 25 (2x week in Jan)
LAX: 1 daily nonstop flight Dec 15-March 25
SFO: 1 daily nonstop flight Dec 15-March 25
The Wood River Trails Bike Path starts in Bellevue and ends just north of Ketchum. This smooth, paved path has scenery all the way and is open to foot traffic, bikes, dogs and skates. In the winter season it is groomed for cross-country skiing. Sorry, no motorized vehicles. Take this trail and leave the car behind!
Please check our Website or Facebook page for snow conditions and the most recent updates: soldiermountain.com facebook.com/soldiermountain
Enjoy the magic of Stanley, Idaho
Groomed Snowmobile Trail
Ungroomed Snowmobile Access to Open Area
Private Land - Closed
Wild Life - Closed
Cross-Countr y Ski Area - Closed
Open Area
Cross-Countr y Ski Trail
No Snowmobiling in the Sawtooth
Snowmobilers, please stay on marked trail in red area
For a detailed trail map, please go to Woodside Motorsports
Woodside Motorsports 4040 Glenbrook Drive
Woodside Industrial Park Hailey, Idaho 208-788-4005
www.woodsidemotorsports.net
Inhale.
Exhale. Slow it down. Loosen up. Pour a cup. Meet a local. Make a friend.
Pay it forward. Take a hike.
Take a nap.
Leave it behind.
Sleep in. Stay out. Buy a round. Respect the land. Lend a hand. Be kind. Go well. Stay Sunny.
