When Kipp Nelson decided to create The Ski Tour, he quickly realized he was learning a whole new business.
"The great thing about not having done such great winter events in the past couple decades is that everyone is fired up to do it," Nelson said.
With the help of Sun Valley Co. and positive reinforcement from the Sun Valley Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau, this inaugural event is a much-anticipated weekend. With television coverage by ABC to be seen Saturday, Jan. 20, as well as ESPN and a variety of independent cable networks coming to town to cover the event including local television, Sun Valley will get a great deal of exposure.
"With the street party and other events, Sun Valley will appear very youthful, which will surprise many people who will see Sun Valley on television," said Nelson, who chuckled at the growing amount of cameras that could be here for the weekend.
Nelson had every intention of creating a huge buzz for the tour in order to successfully kick it off in Sun Valley, which is only the first stop in the four-stop tour. In addition, local skiing legends Zach and Reggie Crist have been on board since the tour's inception to ensure its success in Sun Valley as well.
"The athletes are part of the reason we did this because there hasn't been a circuit or a tour for them. The X Games is really the main event, and then they go off to make films and that's it," Nelson said. "The great thing for us is the USSA has recognized and sanctioned us as an event."
The skiercross competition, which is the only new event admitted to the 2010 Winter Olympics, is what has created the biggest buzz for The Ski Tour and in turn has helped to qualify the event as it gains visibility.
"Sun Valley has let us bring in pipe cutters known throughout the world and has been very supportive about making The Ski Tour pipe big," Nelson said.
But what separates The Ski Tour from past events is Nelson's belief in giving people everything.
"Our whole philosophy is, if you only create a ski competition, what do you do for the rest of the weekend? All the cultural stuff is as important as the skiing events," he said. "The music we have Friday, The Wailers, is for everyone, and then there is music for a younger demographic."
Nelson is hosting his own party as well with Tommy Lee Jones and DJ Areo, which there are ten auction tickets available to attend.
For more information about The Ski Tour and tickets, visit theskitour.com.
The Honda Ski Tour 2007 Schedule of Events
Thursday, Jan. 11
Dollar Mountain—Free event and viewing from base area
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Skiercross Training Runs
Warm Springs, Bald Mountain—Free event/lift ticket needed on the mountain
1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Halfpipe Practice
Main Street, Ketchum—Free entry
7:45 p.m. to 10 p.m. Athlete Welcoming Reception at the Roosevelt Tavern
Friday, Jan. 12
Warm Springs, Bald Mountain—Free event/lift ticket needed on the mountain
9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Halfpipe Practice
3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Free entry Après Ski Party at Apples with music by Rebecca Scott
Dollar Mountain—Free event and viewing from base area
10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Skiercross Training Runs
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Skiercross Qualifying
Main Street, Ketchum
3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Free entry Après Ski Parties with giveaways at Whiskey Jacques and the Roosevelt Tavern
BaseCamp Music Experience, Ketchum $15 (outside venue unless heavy snow is forecasted)
4:45 p.m. Doors open
4:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. DJ Logic spins
5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Bonfire and Street Performers
5:15 p.m. to 6:10 p.m. Pro Photo Shootout
6:10 p.m. to 6:25 p.m. Opening Ceremonies and Athlete Introductions
6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Wailers perform
8:15 p.m. Fireworks
Main Street, Ketchum
8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cavallino, The Sun Valley Wine Company, Michel's Christiania free entry with giveaways
Roosevelt Tavern ($15 cover)
9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Daniela Cotton performs
Whiskey Jacques ($10 cover for both)
9:30 p.m. to Midnight Reardon and Friends performs with DJ Logic
midnight to 2 a.m. DJ Logic performs
nextStage Theatre ($20 cover for both)
9 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. Kamphire Collective performs
10:45 p.m. to 12:45 a.m. Swollen Members perform
The Crocs Lounge ($10 cover)
11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Elan and DJ Zuz perform
Sawtooth Club (free)
10 p.m. to Midnight giveaways and performers
Saturday, Jan. 13
Warm Springs, Bald Mountain—Free event/lift ticket needed on the mountain
9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Halfpipe Practice
3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Free entryAprès Ski Party at Apples with music by Douglas Cameron
Dollar Mountain—Great for family and kids with free base access to events
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Industry Expo Area
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Family Fun Zone
Noon to 2 p.m. Ice Carving Demonstration
12:30 p.m. Skiercross Trials
1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Skiercross Heats and Finals
2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Skiercross Awards Ceremony
BaseCamp Music Experience Pavilion, Ketchum ($35 Indoor heated Pavilion Tent)
6 p.m. BaseCamp Pavilion Opens
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Limelight Film Festival screening
7:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Three Days Grace performs
8:45 p.m. to 9:165 p.m. DJ Aero spins
9:15 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. Hinder performs
Main Street, Ketchum
3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Free entry Après Ski Parties at The Cellar Pub and the Roosevelt Tavern
9 p.m. to 2 a.m. music, food and fun at Street Party
nextStage Theatre ($10 cover)
11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Finger Eleven performs
Whiskey Jacques ($25 cover)
11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Don Carlos performs
Roosevelt Tavern ($10)
Jillian Ann performs
The Crocs Lounge ($10)
DJ Aero spins
Around Ketchum
3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Kids Playzone at the Hemingway Elementary School ($5)
4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Gallery Walk
Sunday, Jan. 14
Warm Springs Lodge—Free
11 a.m. to Noon the Reptile Guy
4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Après Ski Party and Fashion Show
Warm Springs, Bald Mountain—Free event/lift ticket needed on the mountain
10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Industry Expo Area
10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Halfpipe Practice
12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. Halfpipe Heat 1
1:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Halfpipe Practice
2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Halfpipe Heat 2
4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Halfpipe Practice
6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Halfpipe Finals
7 p.m. Halfpipe Awards (no lift access, have ski poles and proper shoe attire for hiking up to the Halfpipe)
Around Ketchum
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Free Skating Party at the Hemingway Elementary School
ABC will broadcast The Honda Ski Tour in Sun Valley on Saturday, Jan. 20, 5 p.m. MT.
For more information, visit theskitour.com.
