All aboard!
A "train" of ski and snowboard racers arrives this week on Bald Mountain for the annual Janss Pro Am Classic.
It's not really a train, but that's the theme. The race brings 28 teams to Sun Valley March 17-19 for three days of racing and events that benefit the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation (SVSEF).
This year's event celebrates the glamour of Sun Valley's early years with its theme "Snowball Express," the name of a Union Pacific train that ran from California to Idaho.
The theme hearkens back to Sun Valley's glory days when stars and socialites boarded Union Pacific trains to visit the famed winter sports paradise.
"(The race) is a celebration of the opening of the Sun Valley resort and a tribute to Averell Harriman," who opened Sun Valley Resort in 1936, said Kate Berman, organizer of the event.
A host of participants are on board this year. The race sold out early, prompting organizers to add six additional teams. Those on the Janss train include former World Cup and Pro Tour ski and snowboard racers who captain teams of five amateur participants for friendly racing.
"The pros are former professional skiers who are giving back to the sport. They know how important these programs are because of their own experience. They are willing to donate their time and skills for (the event) just to give back to the sport and programs like this," said Berman.
This year the list of pros includes a host of former World-Cup racers such as Sondra Van Ert, Zac Crist, Tamara McKinney and Christin Cooper. A female force, including Deb Armstrong, Resi Stiegler, Heidi Voelker and Hilary Lindh, is also due to attend.
"They are amazing people willing to do this for nothing, because they think it is important to keep these programs supported," Berman said.
The race honors Bill Janss, who purchased Sun Valley Company from Harriman in 1964, and was a strong supporter of ski racing. The race continues in the Janss tradition of assisting young Sun Valley ski racers. The event is the most important fundraiser for the SVSEF.
The fundraiser enables the program to provide winter sports programs for the youth of the valley at all ability and economic levels. The schedule:
· Thursday, March 17: Registration, goodie bag and credential pass pick-up noon to 4 p.m. at Zenergy at Thunder Spring in Ketchum. Opening celebration with hosted cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at 6 p.m. at The Olympic Bar, Michel's Christiania, Sun Valley Road, Ketchum.
· Friday, March 18: Hosted breakfast and racing bibs pickup 8:30 a.m. at the Warm Springs headquarters tent. Pre-race clinic with coaches and pros 9-10 a.m. Handicapping runs on lower Hemingway at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Hosted lunch at noon at the Warm Springs tent. Team buy-in at 5 p.m. at Carol's Dollar Mountain Lodge, Elkhorn Road, Sun Valley.
· Saturday, March 19: Hosted breakfast at 8:30 a.m. at Warm Springs tent. Qualifier dual giant slalom at 9:30 a.m. Hosted lunch noon at the Warm Springs tent. Final runs 1 p.m. Awards celebration dinner, live auction and dance at 6:30 p.m. in the Limelight Room at the Sun Valley Inn. Vintage formal attire suggested.
