No one should be excited about Sun Valley moving from 11th to seventh in the rankings of U.S. ski resorts. Remember "back in the day" when Ketchum-Sun Valley was fun? This great area had vibrancy, excitement, happenings and attitude, and was consistently ranked among the top ski resorts in the country. What happened?
Earl Holding has certainly done his part to create a world-class facility. Few places (including Deer Valley, where I've previously owned property and skied for years) has the commitment and class that Mr. Holding has provided, and continues to provide.
For all that he has done, and to be ranked only seventh, is a sad commentary on what the rest of the community has not done.
City officials are supposed to provide strong leadership, direction and enthusiasm. Government leaders, law enforcement and public administrators need to get on the side of the solutions and not create the problems.
It's laughable that at a recent meeting some actually believe that the city needs to expand its economic base by getting high-tech and manufacturing companies to come here. Anyone with a lick of business sense knows this will never happen.
As an Idaho native, raised in Twin Falls and skiing Baldy since 1955, I can tell you that Ketchum-Sun Valley is a resort town. Always has been and always will be. Therefore, all those who have something to gain, i.e., shops, bars, restaurants, services, property owners, etc., need to spend more time and effort making sure it the best resort experience in the United States. Earl Holding can't do it all.
It's not about the airport. It's not about the economy. If visitors have great fun in Ketchum-Sun Valley, they will find a way to get here and be back, with their friends. If they don't, they won't, and neither will their friends. Pretty simple.
Better get started before Sun Valley is No. 20.
Keith Larson
Hailey
