Sun Valley kicked off its 71st ski season Thanksgiving weekend, and skiers and boarders hit the slopes in droves.
Sun Valley Resort reported numbers only slightly lower than last season. In light of snowfall totals well below last season's mark, the number of skiers who navigated their way down the limited terrain between Thursday, Nov. 23, and Sunday, Nov. 26, were a strong indicator that Sun Valley has become a traditional Thanksgiving destination for families and avid skiers alike, Sun Valley Co. spokesman Jack Sibbach said.
"We've been working hard over the last nine years to build a family tradition of coming to Sun Valley for Thanksgiving, and I feel we've been fairly successful," Sibbach said.
Sun Valley Co. recorded 2,146 skiers on its opening day, Thanksgiving, only a couple hundred fewer than last year. Friday saw 1,900 skiers, followed by 2,158 on Saturday and 1,587 on Sunday. The total for the four-day opening weekend was just over 7,700, about 1,000 less than last year's total.
As snow continues to fall and temperatures remain low, the world-class snowmaking capabilities on Bald and Dollar mountains will continue to assist Mother Nature with cover.
"The last storm was wonderful and brought 10 inches of fresh snow," Sibbach said. But with only 6 percent water content, the snow is difficult to groom. "We will continue to make snow," as the resort works to open the entire mountain, Sibbach said.
The resort reports that Bald Mountain now has a 25-inch snow base at the top and mid levels and 17 inches at the bottom.
Sun Valley Co. will reopen Dollar this weekend and on Sunday will reassess if it is able to keep it open for the remainder of the season. Otherwise, it will close the mountain during weekdays to provide snowmaking crews and machines additional time to create cover, Sibbach said.
As far as business goes, "We had a good four days," Sibbach said. "We sold close to 300 Thanksgiving packages." The $285 package included four nights lodging, three days of skiing, topped off with a "lavish turkey dinner," reported Sun Valley Co.'s Web site.
"Our Thanksgiving grows every year," Sibbach said. "We had lots of kids at the bowling alley and families at our movie theatre, and we served over 1,100 turkey dinners to both locals and vacationers."
The fresh snow was a big help to surrounding ski resorts as well.
Brundage Mountain, located near McCall, reports it will start daily operations Thursday, Nov. 30. Tamarack Resort in western Idaho reported receiving more than 20 inches of snow in the last storm. It plans to reopen on Friday, Dec. 1. Soldier Mountain Ski Resort, located near Fairfield, will open Dec. 14, and Bogus Basin Mountain Resort, located outside Boise, will open Wednesday, Nov. 29.
Sun Valley plans to open additional lifts as more snow accumulates. For the latest snow and weather reports for Baldy and Dollar, visit www.sunvalley.com.
The ascent of the first chairlift from the base of Warm Springs officially begins the 71st season of Sun Valley skiing. The four dedicated locals on the chair camped at the base to ensure their place at the front of the line. They are, from left to right, Jeremy Lato, 17, Ross Parsons, 17, Kaitlyn Farrington, 16, and Cassidy O?Connor, 16, who said of his night in the snow, ?I just chilled?literally and figuratively.? Photo by Willy Cook
