By TREVOR SCHUBERTand REBECCA MEANY
Express Staff Writers
Representatives of The Ski Tour, the only winter event seeking to match the Winter X Games—and the Olympics for that matter—in size and prestige, came before city leaders this month to reveal their plans and ask for money.
Event organizers made a request Wednesday, Nov. 16, to the Sun Valley City Council and Monday, Nov. 20, to the Ketchum City Council for special community grants in the amount of $10,000.
Advertised as the "loudest show on snow," The Ski Tour combines some of the best skiers around, including local skiers Reggie and Zach Crist, with headliner bands, fireworks and other events in a four-day festival scheduled Jan. 11-14.
Skiers will compete in skiercross and halfpipe competitions for a $500,000 purse, the largest purse in skiing.
More than 30 musical acts, including The Wailers, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Blackalicious, Hinder, Donavon Frankenreiter, and more will grace street-side stages and local bars.
Ketchum's Main Street will be closed for part of the festivities, and a party tent will be set up near East Avenue and Fourth Street.
Sun Valley City Council members were in agreement that the festival would be a boost for the economy while energizing locals and visitors alike.
Lynn McCarthy, representative for The Ski Tour, estimates the events will host 15,000 to 20,000 spectators.
"We should look at this as another gift to our community," said Carol Waller, executive director of the Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau.
There was debate, however, as to exactly how the city of Sun Valley should contribute to the effort. "I think we ought to support them with $10,000," Sun Valley Mayor Jon Thorson said.
Other council members were not as ready to hand over such a substantial amount of money to a for-profit endeavor. Councilman Nils Ribi, while agreeing "this is exactly what we need in this community," went on to say, "to give cash to a for-profit corporation—I do not think is proper spending of tax-payer dollars."
Councilwoman Ann Agnew took the middle ground and suggested the city subtract its estimated incurred costs of services provided, including the costs absorbed by police and fire departments, and deduct that from the $10,000 request.
Sun Valley Co. is not providing any cash funding but is contributing to lodging for members of the tour. Lodging cost is one of the largest expenses incurred at each venue by The Ski Tour, said The Ski Tour representative Lynne McCarthy.
The Ketchum City Council also withheld money for the time being but expressed interest in the production.
"We're seeing this as a great opportunity for the community," said Mayor Randy Hall. "We want to use our resources to have it as successful as it can be."
He declined, however, to issue a check right away.
"We'll get back to you," he said.
Waller told the Ketchum council that the event would draw younger visitors.
"It will appeal to a demographic we're sorely missing," she said.
Reggie Crist, a former World Cup downhill racer and 2002 X Games skiercross champion, agreed.
"From an athlete's perspective, this is a huge opportunity," he told Ketchum officials. "This is like bringing the World Cup to your town."
Ski technician Curtis Bacca, center, has worked with the Crist brothers, Zach, left, and Reggie, right, for more than a decade. He helped them to the top of the podium at the 2005 Winter X Games.
