Litigation over water rights has delayed installation of artificial snowmaking guns at Rotarun Ski Area west of Hailey this year. However, favorable resolution of the issue earlier this month leaves the area operator confident that guns will be blowing snow at Rotarun next season.
"All that nonsense is finally over," said Jeff Smith, president of the Rotarun Ski Club, which operates the area. "Now we're good to go—we just ran out of season."
Smith said the club has received a favorable water-rights decision from the Idaho Department of Water Resources on an appeal filed by property owners in the Sage Creek Subdivision, which surrounds the base of the ski hill 2.5 miles west of Hailey.
While the water-right appeal snuffed the snowmaking plan for this season, Smith said things are looking good for next year.
"Because they forced a delay, we were unable to put water on the hill this year," he said. "But we're going to start installing snow-making equipment as soon as the snow's gone."
The water right allows the operator to dig a well and pump water into a storage pond. From there it will be pumped onto the hill and through the guns for snow.
Original plans called for 12 snow guns. However, a redesign required by the Department of Water Resources' recent decision, plus funding uncertainties, could mean that fewer are in operation next year.
The Rotarun Ski Club, with the assistance of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, raised about $500,000 through various foundation and private donations and fundraising efforts for improvements at the ski area. Smith said projected costs have now gone up and additional funds may need to be raised.
Though installation of snow guns has been delayed, other improvements have been made since last year.
A new fully landscaped parking lot has been built, and the ski hill has been recontoured and planted with new vegetation. Also, a new ski lodge is about 75 percent complete. The building, the former Ketchum headquarters of Sun Valley Helicopter Ski Guides, was moved to Rotarun this summer and has now been secured on a foundation.
Remodeling of the building's interior will be completed at a later time, as will installation of a ski lift acquired from Dollar Mountain Ski Area in Sun Valley.
Once there's enough snow, Rotarun will be operational this year. The ski area encompasses about 22 acres of ski terrain on Blaine County property in Croy Canyon. Access up the hill is provided by a poma lift.
The area will be open on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for ski club youngsters. Day skiing will be open for the public on Saturdays and Sundays and public night skiing will be featured Wednesday and Friday.
A youngster cruises down Rotarun in "Jaws" at last February’s annual Snow Box Derby at the ski area west of Hailey.
Courtesy photo by Jim Keating
