Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Holiday traditions rich in Sun Valley

Festivities include torchlight parade, Christmas concert and more


By TREVON MILLIARD
Express Staff Writer

Top: Fireworks light up Dollar Mountain at Sun Valley Resort’s Christmas Eve celebration. Above: Skiers carrying torches carve a serpentine trail down Dollar Mountain in Sun Valley Resort’s annual Christmas Eve parade. Express file photos

Sun Valley Resort is sticking to its classic holiday traditions for its milestone 75th season this winter.

Christmas festivities

One of the most noteworthy rituals is the Christmas Eve celebration starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 24, at the Sun Valley Lodge terrace and outdoor ice rink. The resort will provide free hot chocolate, cider and cookies, with carolers performing for the crowd. A free local performance of the "Nutcracker on Ice" will begin at about 5:30 p.m., followed by a serpentine torchlight parade by members of the Sun Valley Snowsports School down Dollar Mountain at about 6 p.m.

To cap off the night, a fireworks display will illuminate the sky over Ketchum and Sun Valley. After that, Santa will guide his sleigh to the rink to hand out candy canes to children. The celebration will conclude with those attending being invited to skate at the rink for free.

Sun Valley Village retail shops will be open late for last-minute shoppers.

The Sun Valley Club will provide a gourmet dinner buffet on Christmas Eve from 6-9 p.m. The price is $42.50 for adults and $23.50 for those 12 and younger. The club is one mile east of Sun Valley Lodge on Sun Valley Road. Call 622-2800 for reservations.

For those wanting to start celebrating Christmas a little early, the Sun Valley Opera House will put on its third annual Christmas Concert on Dec. 23. A quartet of singers will headline the concert, singing classical Christmas songs accompanied by an ensemble of musicians on string instruments and piano. Special appearances will include Sun Valley favorites Paul Tillotson and Joe Fos. A local children's choir will round out the Christmas concert. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the concert starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $38 and can be purchased at the Sun Valley Recreation Center: 622-2135.

Youth activities

Parents wanting to keep their children entertained throughout the holiday season can bring them to the Sun Valley Inn Continental Room for adult-supervised activities from 6-10 p.m. on Dec. 26-30. Children must be in the range of 6-14 years old. The cost is $25 per person, and reservations aren't needed. The same service will be provided on New Year's Eve but from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., and the cost is $75 per person. Reservations for that night are recommended and can be made at the Sun Valley Recreation Center: 622-2135.

The Sun Valley Playschool will also be open for evening hours from Dec. 21-31 for those with children through age 5.

Ringing in the new year

Sun Valley Resort will celebrate the new year in the Limelight Ballroom from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The Freddy Pink Band will provide the dance music. Hors d'oeuvres will be available, as will a cash bar and champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $75 per adult at the Sun Valley Recreation Center: 622-2135. No children. Tickets are $35 for those who dine at Trail Creek Cabin, The Ram or the Lodge Dining Room that night.

Trevon Milliard: tmilliard@mtexpress.com




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