Sun Valley to host ‘Dollar Dayz’
To celebrate the last two days of the winter season on Dollar Mountain, Sun Valley Co. will host a couple of fun and free—for both participants and spectators—special events this weekend.
On Saturday, the resort—in combination with CandyGrind, a Denver, Colo.-based snowboard clothing and accessory company—will present the Spring Rail Jam. The event will include an Impossible Rail Challenge on a 70-foot feature. Free registration for the event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at which point the jam will start.
On Easter Sunday, the resort will host its ever-popular Dollar Pond Skim to see Dollar’s 2012-1013 winter season off with style. During the fourth annual iteration of the event, costumed skiers and snowboarders will attempt to glide across an icy-cold basin of water at the bottom of the ski hill. They will be scored based on skim, splash, costume and crowd cheer. Registration opens at 9 a.m. and the event starts at 10 a.m.
Resort’s value season starts April 1
Sun Valley Co.’s late-season discounts begin Monday, April 1, on Bald Mountain only, as Dollar Mountain is scheduled to close Sunday, March 31.
Value-season full-day tickets will cost $66 for adults, $50 for seniors 65 and up, and $38 for kids ages 12 and under, about 30 percent off the resort’s peak-season prices. Half-day tickets will cost $56, $36 and $30, respectively. Full days on Baldy go from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Half days start at 12:30 p.m.
People with discount passes will be able to ski all day for $50 and in the afternoon for $36. For a “foot traffic” ride up the gondola or to the top of the mountain (via Christmas lift, following the gondola), the resort will charge $20 for adults and $10 for kids.
On March 25, the resort opened its late season for Flex Plus pass holders, allowing them to ski an unlimited number of days per week through the end of the season.
Idaho Power proposes rate decrease
Idaho Power has proposed to collect $1.3 million, or 0.3 percent less than current residential rates, for one year in its annual Fixed Cost Adjustment, filed March 15 with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission.
If the proposal is approved, the monthly bill impact for an average residential customer in Idaho using 1,050 kilowatt-hours of energy a month will be a decrease of 27 cents per month beginning June 1, the company stated in a news release.
The Fixed Cost Adjustment annually adjusts electric rates based on changes in energy use during the previous year. If because of reduced energy use during the prior year, Idaho Power under-collects the authorized level of fixed costs, it recovers the difference through a surcharge. If it collects more than the authorized level of fixed costs, it refunds the difference to customers through a credit.
According to the news release, that system removes financial disincentives for the company to promote and invest in energy efficiency activities, which over the long run helps keep costs down for customers.
RE/MAX of Sun Valley gets kudos
RE/MAX River Run Realty of Sun Valley has been named the 2012 Outstanding Brokerage of the Year-Small Market for the RE/MAX Pacific Northwest Region.
According to a news release, the award is presented annually to the brokerage that has performed at the highest level and has shown a commitment to its community.
“RE/MAX River Run Realty of Sun Valley has a fantastic team and they’re one of the most innovative brokerages in the region,” said Paul Brewster, regional vice president, RE/MAX Pacific Northwest. “They’ve shown incredible leadership, drive and determination.”
The RE/MAX office staff and agents raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, as well as volunteering for a variety of local organizations.
Idaho gas prices are among lowest
At $3.43 a gallon, Idahoans are paying a penny less for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline than they were a month ago and 23 cents less than the U.S. average $3.67, according to AAA Idaho.
Just two states have gas prices lower than Idaho: Wyoming at $3.33 and Montana at $3.36.
Neighbors to the west of Idaho, including California ($4.05) and Washington ($3.76) are currently among the 10 most expensive places to fuel up.
“It’s still too soon to say whether retail prices have peaked this spring, because there is still refinery maintenance to be completed and much of the country has yet to transition to summer-blend gasoline,” said AAA Idaho spokesman Dave Carlson.
Plentiful, less expensive oil from Canada and North Dakota is likely keeping a lid on retail prices in Idaho and in other Mountain West states.
A year ago, Idahoans were paying $3.74 a gallon for self-serve unleaded gasoline, 31 cents more than today’s average price. The U.S. average price a year ago was 3.90, which is 24 cents higher than today’s $3.67 average.
