Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Sun Valley opens Seattle Ridge

By TREVOR SCHUBERT
Express Staff Writer

A skier carves into the soft, groomed snow on the Ridge trail on Bald Mountain Sunday afternoon. Skiers are reporting excellent conditions on Baldy, despite imperfect weather conditions during the early season. Photo by Willy Cook

Sun Valley Co. opened Bald Mountain's Seattle Ridge Tuesday, Dec. 19, moving one step closer to opening the entire ski mountain.

The Seattle Ridge Lodge is open as well, providing skiers sustenance and spectacular views from its 8,800-foot perch.

In addition, Roundhouse, the first day-lodge built on Baldy in 1939, will open Thursday, Dec. 21, said Sun Valley Co. spokesman Jack Sibbach.

Although Roundhouse is located halfway up the mountain on the River Run side, non-skiers are welcome to purchase foot-traffic lift passes and head up for lunch and cocktails.

Local skiers reported excellent conditions last weekend, with sun, a full sky of unabated blue and soft snow.

Shady spots on the mountain did hide some icy patches, however.

Seattle Ridge features a blend of gentle beginner to intermediate slopes complemented by Baldy's renowned bowls, where advanced skiers can find more challenging terrain. The Seattle Ridge and Mayday lifts will service the newly accessible terrain.

The opening of the Seattle Ridge and Mayday lifts brings the total number of lifts open on Baldy to 10, just five short of full capacity. And with 29 inches of cover on top, a 19-inch base at the bottom and a forecast predicting frigid conditions conducive for snowmaking, optimism for additional runs opening in the near future is well-founded.

The lifts open on the River Run side include River Run, Exhibition, Christmas, Lookout Express, Sunnyside and Kinderspielplatz. On the Warm Springs side, Greyhawk and Challenger are whisking eager skiers up the mountain.

Dollar Mountain is also open for the season with Quarter Dollar, Half Dollar, Dollar and the Accelerator Moving Carpet lifts running.



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