Dear Sun Valley Co. and the Holdings:
I am a parent of a ski racer, writing in support of the Hailey Ski Team. Thank you for the privilege of being allowed to train on Baldy these 15 years. Please renew our lease and let us continue to train there. Our survival depends on it. Our demise would be a sad loss, both for ourselves and for the community.
Hailey Ski Team is a unique model that deserves to continue as an alternative to the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation's (SVSEF) program. It is not the same program, nor is it fair or accurate to say one is better than the other. We differ, and that allows local families a choice in how to introduce their children to skiing and ski racing. HST is small, which is an asset. The team is a family. We have few paid employees, who work multiple jobs. Volunteers fill in as fundraisers, race administrators, ski tuners, drivers, cooks and supervisors on trips. We cost less. We have a lower ratio of athletes to coaches. Our coaches consciously foster team spirit in this very individual sport. You see the fruits of these efforts at the races, where we have success that is out of proportion with our training hours and budget.
Please do not be influenced by the trend of consolidation that is touching our valley. Consumers need options. Even in a small economy like ours, we can and should make room for multiple organizations to serve similar purposes in varying ways. Diversification is what gives a place like ours its color and vibrancy, and attracts people to come here.
I struggle to understand the reasons put forth in the newspaper for denying us continued access. The number of racers training on Baldy will remain the same, whether they are under one organization or two. We can overcome any scheduling issues by working closely with the SVSEF, as we have in the past several years.
I hope you will decide this in our favor. We will prove that it was the right decision.
Helen Morgus
Hailey
