Conditions Report
Report from February 15-16th, 2024
As long as I have been participating in snowsports, I’ve wanted to visit Sun Valley, Idaho. Mostly due to the incredibly rich ski history that has made this mountain what it is today. From North America’s first aerial ski lift to the Union Pacific railroad history that put this place on the map. The history here runs deep, but that is reserved for another article. This article will inform you about the “Warm Springs Enhancement Project” and my overall impression as a first-timer in the area. The aforementioned project was why I was lucky enough to spend time in Sun Valley, Idaho.
I hit the road toward Sun Valley Resort on Valentine’s Day with clear skies. Paralleling the “Book Cliff” mountains (the longest continuous escarpment in the world) towards the Wasatch Front. Over Soldier Summit (7,477 feet) and on to Salt Lake City, Utah, for an obligatory stop at In N’ Out Burger. Back on the road and into Idaho I went. The roads were great until I got within an hour of my final destination, where the sun was setting, and the flakes started flying. Perfect timing! I limped it along on quickly deteriorating roads until I finally arrived. As the snow was stacking up, I hastily checked into my splendid lodging at Sun Valley Inn.
I sprung out of bed to look out the window and see what Mother Nature had delivered. I was delighted to see five gorgeous inches of Idaho fluff at the base village elevation! Time to go. I grabbed a free bus, which was also surprisingly easy to figure out. The resort reported 7 inches of snow overnight at snow stake elevation. I stopped briefly to grab tickets and jumped in a minimal first-chair line to get on the “Roundhouse Express” Gondola. I headed towards the top, where some deliciously soft turns awaited. Making a few laps up high, I executed my plan from the night before to seek out north-facing terrain. I soon realized that all aspects, even south-facing terrain, were skiing wonderfully due to the 39 inches storm cycle that had rolled through a week before our arrival.
After making some tracks down steep alpine bowls, I sought some glade skiing. The snow was even deeper in the trees due to some wind associated with the previous night’s fast-moving storm that left a marvelous cloud inversion. When I arrived in the “Seattle Ridge” area, I was blown away by the amazing quality of the glade skiing. I later found out that this was not by accident, as the “Warm Springs Enhancement Project” had created some of the most wide open, unencumbered conifer skiing I may have ever experienced!
The “Warm Springs Enhancement Project” is a multi-faceted, ambitious project spanning multiple seasons. Two new lift replacements started spinning this winter, signifying an incredible effort involving many dedicated folks. However, the lifts are only one part of this project. For example, bringing forth large acreages of sweet glade skiing, a new advanced run (Lower Flying Squirrel), and special attention to improving the overall health of the forest while mitigating fire risk with this project. Expansion of patio space to enjoy the sunshine or refresh at Warm Springs’ spectacular base lodge. Furthermore, increasing accessibility to all parts of the mountain while riding the new lift infrastructure is an exciting achievement of this lofty goal. The list goes on. Please visit the Warm Springs Enhancement Project for detailed statistical information and videos on this monumental project.
I was quite impressed at the sophistication of the new Challenger lift. In tandem with the new Flying Squirrel chair, skier mobility in and out of Warm Springs is at an all-time high. There are now three exit points to this area, two of which will lead you to the main base area where most skiers start their day. Beginner skiers now have access to mid-mountain, previously having to ski 3,000+ feet on an iconic run (College) that used to see high traffic in busier times. The third exit services a popular race venue from the midway unloading on the new Challenger lift. This is especially helpful in containing racer traffic while allowing spectators access to the area without interference.
Installing a tall lift in just one summer is a great feat. Replacing two lifts in one summer is a monumental feat that is quite difficult to pull off. Even more impressive, the gargantuan Challenger lift was, and still is, the tallest vertical rise of any chairlift in North America! State-of-the-art technology on this lift is second to none. New technology allows this lift to run at blistering speeds with upgraded capacities. New-age outer guide rails nearly eliminate sound from sheave train assemblies, and a reduced noise bull wheel design makes for the quietest lift ride available on the market.
This project has been a true team effort, spanning multiple agencies. In the last couple of decades, Idaho forests have been hit with a multitude of challenges. These obstacles include drought, disease, and pest infestation. Prompting the Sun Valley Company, as well as the National Forest Foundation, to team up with the USFS (United States Forest Service), BLM (Bureau of Land Management), and private land owners to address this broad spectrum issue. These entities combined form what is known as the “Bald Mountain Stewardship Project“. Please follow the link for detailed information on the extent of the elaborate efforts of many.
In my opinion, Sun Valley is a very well-rounded experience. Bald Mountain offers quite challenging terrain options, including some of the steepest green circle runs I have ever carved an edge on. On the other hand, nearby Dollar Mountain offers an optimal, secluded setting for beginners to sharpen their skills in preparation for Bald Mountain’s terrain. I had the pleasure of eating lunch at the “Roundhouse Restaurant“, which is America’s original on-mountain dining experience. Serving up top-notch meals, at 7,700 feet in elevation since 1939, with some of the most outstanding views I may have ever seen from a dining room.
Throughout my visit, I was welcomed by very friendly folks. From mountain ambassadors to ticketing staff, from servers to lift operators. My time here was greatly amplified by the high stoke levels these employees bring to work daily. Another highlight was the lack of crowds or lift lines, even though we visited during a holiday weekend that gets quite busy at most destination ski resorts. Sun Valley Resort provides an exceptionally high level of guest experience that is unrivaled, in my opinion. We will return to this Idaho gem as soon as possible!
