Joy to the end of winter and the onset of spring. One of the pleasures of spring skiing is finally seeing people, unbundled after months in protective gear. In Sun Valley, the final weekend of the winter will also be marked by the 48 Straight Jeep King of the Mountain World Pro Championships, and all its attendant mountain hoopla.
This event is hardly a one-trick pony, however. 48 Straight has a plethora of other events to fill the days, as do the individuals, towns and many businesses that are rolling out the red carpets, and holding sales. There are giveaways, raffles, music, theater and art, along with all the wild ski and snowboard action.
Theatre
Presented by Company of Fools, "Danny and the Deep Blue Sea" by John Patrick Shanley will be staged at 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 14, at Whiskey Jacques on Main Street in Ketchum. Doors open at 4 p.m. Admission will be $10 with ticket proceeds donated to Company of Fools. This presentation is for mature audiences 21 years and older.
Music (other than tent and club events)
At Dollar Mountain Lodge there will be an après-ski party with music spun by DJ McClain, from 2:45-4:30 p.m. Friday, March 14, and Saturday, March 15.
Après ski at Apple's Bar & Grill, in Warm Springs, 4 p.m. Sunday with Ellis Unit, and the Damphools.
The Street Party will begin on Ketchum's Main Street at 9 p.m. featuring DJ-spun tunes.
Green stuff
The three nights of Green Your Scene lectures finished last night but there's more green stuff to come. Eco Alley will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dollar Mountain, Friday and Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday when Eco Alley will be set up at Warm Springs. Space will be provided for Wood River Valley organizations to talk to spectators about their work to reduce carbon emissions. Participants will include FirmGreen Inc., a participating sponsor, Paul Mitchell, Spider and Monster. There will also be 48 Straight green merchandising, giveaways, a huge Crocs lounge and a two-story Jeep tag shop. The alley will be located at the side of the race course.
Fashion
To pique interest in new skiwear, the 48 Straight Fashion Show will be held at Warm Springs Tent on Sunday, March 16, at 4 p.m. The free event is a popular end-of-the-weekend party. Doors open at 3:30 p.m.
"We are highlighting the best of ski fashion," said Snow magazine Founder and Publisher Barbara Sanders. "We'll show top designers (who are) doing skiwear, such as Jet Set, Authier, addidas by Stella McCartney, Vist, Rossignol JCC and Pucci RTO, Bogner and a few other lines. We're working closely with Burnsie's Boca, Paula's Dress Shop and The Brass Ranch in Sun Valley."
DJ Josh MC will keep the music blasting while 12 "imported" models from Denver and Los Angeles take to the catwalk.
"The fashion shows have been getting better and better," Sanders said. "Sun Valley will be the best so far. The shows have been packed with a high-energy crowd. The Snow Angels and the models are great at getting the crowd going and the ski and après ski wear is the hottest you will see this season."
Art
The Ketchum-Sun Valley Art Gallery Walk will be held tonight, March 14, from 6-9 p.m. at participating galleries. A couple of dozen galleries will serve wine and hors d'oeuvres while displaying quality art.
Renowned contemporary artist Pat Steir will be at the Ochi Gallery, 119 Lewis St. in Ketchum, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 15, to present her "Tyne Panorama" series exhibition and sign her latest book, "Pat Steir and Art."
The Ketchum Antiques Fair will also continue this weekend at the nexStage Theatre on Main Street.
Miscellaneous
Look for the Dog-Pull event at Warm Springs Lodge on Sunday, March 16, at about 3 p.m. during the après-ski party. Cases of energy drink Monster (a 48 Straight sponsor) are put in a red wagon and attached to the dogs which race from one side of a course to another.
Businesses in the Courtyard, at 360 East Ave. N. in Ketchum, teamed up with 48 Straight and the Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau to present "48 Straight Courtyard Happy Hour" on Friday, March 14, and Saturday, March 15, from 4-6 p.m.
There will be live music, free food and drink provided by the businesses, as well as raffle drawings for seven 48 Straight concert passes each day at 5:30 p.m.
To enter the raffle, fill out a "What's Your Carbon Footprint" entry form at any of the Courtyard businesses: Your House, ArtQuest West, Hughes Jewel Gallery, SoundWave, Osaka Sushi, Zantman Art Gallery and Eric Eberhard Studio.
48 Straight events schedule
Friday:
Dollar Mountain
Snowboard cross training 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
SBX finals, 1-2:45 p.m.
Awards at Carol's Dollar Lodge 3 p.m.
Ketchum
Whiskey Jacques', "Danny and the Deep Blue Sea," 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Basecamp Music Experience tent, 7 p.m. Street party until 1:30 a.m.
Saturday: Ketchum and Sun Valley.
Dollar Mountain.
Jeep ski cross training, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Ski cross finals, 1-2:45 p.m.
Awards at Carol's Dollar Mountain Lodge, 3 p.m.
Jeep Terrain Park Challenge, 2:45 p.m., Dollar base.
Warm Springs Skier halfpipe training noon-4 p.m.
Ketchum
Basecamp Music Experience, tent 7 p.m. street party until 1:30 a.m.
Sunday: Warm Springs
Paul Mitchell skier halfpipe qualifications and competition 12:40-2:30 p.m. Baldy's halfpipe, lower Warm Springs. "Monster Hit" training 2:15 p.m. followed by finals 3-4 p.m.
Après-ski party and fashion show 3-4:30 p.m.
Jeep tag Shop Photo by David N. Seelig
