Private and public infrastructure is keeping pace

In 1996, the population of Hailey was about 5,400. Today, it is about 8,000. In contrast, Ketchum’s population in that same period has dropped by 100 so that it’s now less than 2,700.

The private infrastructure of Hailey is keeping pace with the city’s growth, as evidenced by the major construction projects at the Natural Grocers building to open this fall/winter; the expansion of King’s variety store on North Main Street, also with a projected fall/winter opening; a new $900,000 headquarters for Evans Plumbing in Hailey’s light industrial area; and The Cottages of Sun Valley, an assisted living and memory care facility in north Hailey, to be completed in 2017. There are two more proposed buildings: the new Wiseguy Pizza building and D.L. Evans Bank, both on Main Street.

The estimated investment in these new construction projects is $16 million.

Natural Grocers has more than 100 stores in the western U.S. and this one will provide the Wood River Valley with another grocery option. Only USDA-certified organic produce will be sold, as the company sells no produce grown with chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and genetically modified plants.

The Cottages elder care will include 32 resodential suites, in two buildings for different kinds of care and will provide 30 new jobs for the Wood River Valley.

As well, there are the City of Hailey’s public infrastructure proposals, known as “Hailey Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper.” The proposals call for creating more parklets in the center core; striped bike lanes on River Street west to the Croy Canyon bridge; temporary neighborhood roundabouts to slow traffic; pedestrian crossing islands; and more Hailey and “way-finding” signage.

According to Community Development Director Lisa Horowitz, the first of the parklets in front of the Liberty Theatre on Main Street has already been installed at a cost of just under $11,000. All of the other “Hailey Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper” proposals are, according to Horowitz, “…in process and not prioritized” at the moment and will be presented to the Hailey City Councils for approval in the fall.

To see the city’s proposals, visit www.haileycityhall.org/planning/documents/CCHandout.pdf

By Dick Dorworth tws

Enjoying Sun Valley’s long, sun-soaked days doesn’t need to cost a fortune. Here are ten of the best free (and nearly free) experiences to enjoy this summer.

Hike Up, Hitch a Ride Down: Locals know there is a fountain of youth in Sun Valley, and it’s hidden on the daily pilgrimage up Bald Mountain. Hikers of all ages climb to the summit via the Bald Mountain Trail then hitch a free ride down on the Christmas Chairlift and Roundhouse Gondola. If you get hungry on your trek, swing by the Roundhouse for lunch. >>More: Hiking Trails in Sun Valley

Hone Your Throwing Arm: Disc golf is a mix of frisbee and golf, and can be enjoyed for free at the Ketchum Disc Golf Course and Keefer Park in Hailey. Bring your own discs, then try your best to hole out in less shots than your friends. Dogs are welcome at both courses.

See Art, Sip Wine: Fine art and wine come together at the free monthly gallery walk hosted by the Sun Valley Gallery Association. Sip a glass of chardonnay while admiring works by some of the country’s most talented artists. Grab a map so you don’t miss a single stop.

Dance the Night Away: Free music is on tap almost every night of the week in Sun Valley. Pack a picnic dinner, a bottle of wine, and a blanket for Ketchum’s Ketch’em Alive on Tuesday night and Jazz in the Park on Sunday night. Enjoy free music at the Wicked Spud in Hailey on Wednesday night, and Mahoney’s in Bellevue on Thursday night. Check out a full list of music events, including the free Summer Symphony, on our calendar.

Practice Yoga in the Mountains: Enjoy free yoga every Saturday morning on the lawn at River Run. Sunrise Flow starts at 8:45AM and Gentle Yoga, suitable for all ages and abilities, starts at 10:00AM. Be warned: it’s hard to hold a tree pose while taking in the incredible mountain views.

Catch a Lesson in Casting: The rivers and creeks around Sun Valley are a fly fisher’s dream. Learn the basics of fly casting with free lessons from Silver Creek Outfitters every Tuesday through Saturday at 5:30PM on the lawn at the Sun Valley Inn. No experience required except a sense of humor for when you catch the tree behind you. Come as you are – all equipment is provided.

Cool Off in Rivers and Parks: Don’t be fooled by Sun Valley’s annual snowfall stats, our summers pack some serious heat. Keep it cool with a dip in the Big Wood River. Favored swimming holes include the hospital bridge in Ketchum (accessible via the bike path) and the entrance to Colorado Gulch in Hailey. For family fun with young ones, check out the free splash pads at Memory Park in downtown Ketchum and Jimmy’s Garden in Hailey. >>More: Guide to Sun Valley’s Swimming Spots

Make a Furry Friend: It’s a dog’s life in Sun Valley. Between the endless miles of hiking, swimming and dog friendly events, your pooch has never had it so good. Don’t have a dog? Join the Animal Center of the Wood River Valley at Adams Gulch on Wednesdays from 9:00AM-3:30PM for Hikin’ Buddies. Bring the family and take a dog out for a romp through the canyon.

Feed Your Brain: Interact with engaging speakers year-round at the Community Library’s free series of lectures and discussions. Topics range from climbing the seven summits to the Civil War. Call ahead to reserve a seat if you want a guaranteed spot in the main lecture room. For those interested in local history, hop on the free Sun Valley Story Tour every Friday. Find out where Hemingway dined with his wife for the last time, the location of Union Pacific Railway Terminal, and more.

Hit the Putting Green: Enjoy epic views of Bald Mountain while playing a round at Sun Valley’s 18 hole Sawtooth Putting Course. Scoring a par on the putting course will make you feel like a serious – though not too serious – golfer. Grab a cocktail at the Sun Valley Club to sip as you play. Cost is $8 per adult and $4 per child under 12. Putters and balls provided.

While travelers flock to the ski town during winter months, this mountain locale has just as much to offer when the weather's warm.

Sun Valley, Idaho—where the first destination ski resort in North America was established in 1936—may have its roots in winter. But visit during the warmer months and you’ll understand the cliché that resides at the heart of every mountain town: People may come for the snow, but they stay for the summers. Here are a few ways to enjoy the region, which receives some 200 sunny days each year. By Nathan Borchelt

Ascend Bald Mountain

Bald Mountain wasn’t the first mountain to be skied when the resort opened in 1936; that privilege went to Dollar Mountain on the other side of the valley. But there’s no denying Baldy’s presence when you’re in Sun Valley. At 9,150 feet, it dominates almost every horizon and is a microcosm of all the things offered in the region. Ride the gondola to the Roundhouse for panoramic patio views out toward the Pioneer and Boulder Mountains. Read More…

Visit Sun Valley Lodge

Founded in 1936, the Sun Valley Lodge stood as the centerpiece of the resort and it’s a must-visit to appreciate the storied history of this mountain town. Black-and-white photographs of generations of celebrities and winter-sport athletes—Ernest Hemingway, the Kennedys, Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, Errol Flynn, Warren Miller, Picabo Street, Arnold Schwarzenegger—adorn every wall of the 108-room accommodation, which recently underwent a full face-lift, including the introduction of a 20,000-square-foot day spa. Read More…

Explore the Region’s Living History

Sun Valley came into existence when an Austrian count selected it to be the place to establish the first European-style ski resort in North America. He was commissioned by the then head of the Union Pacific Railroad, which predicted the resort would attract celebrities and then armies of train-riding tourists—which is exactly what happened. Read More…

Day Hike Pioneer Cabin Loop

A profusion of dining, shopping, galleries, and outdoor activities make it easy to spend your entire time within the city limits of Sun Valley and neighboring Ketchum, but you’d be doing the region a disservice if you didn’t explore all that easy-access backcountry. The day hike up to Pioneer Cabin is a local favorite, with good reason. Read More…

Fly-Fish at Silver Creek Preserve

Those yearning to cast their way into tall tales about Idaho’s famed big brown and rainbow trout should plan on a 30-mile pilgrimage from Ketchum to visit the clear, spring-fed waters of Silver Creek Preserve. Read More…

Spend the Night in a Yurt

The expansive backcountry surrounding Sun Valley bowls you over with its unfettered beauty, but its easy access and profusion of options can also overwhelm. To get a taste without taking on too much, hook up with Sun Valley Trekking for one of their guided multiday treks to the Pioneer Yurt. Read More…

Mountain Bike Into Town

Destinations like Whistler, Moab, and Tahoe attract the bulk of vacationing mountain bikers—and that suits the riders of Sun Valley and nearby Ketchum just fine. But you shouldn’t miss out. Read More…

Raft the Salmon River

The more than a hundred inches of snow that falls annually makes Sun Valley one of the top ski destinations on the continent. As all that snow melts, it transforms the area’s rivers into conduits of pretty serious white water. Read More…

Embrace Sun Valley’s Culture

It’s impossible to overstate the accessibility of Sun Valley’s active pursuits, but that doesn’t mean that the area is only about adventure. It boasts more than 20 art galleries, mostly within a small cluster of buildings in Ketchum. Read More…

Swim in an Alpine Lake

Diving into the placid, cold waters of a high-alpine lake ranks as a quintessential mountain experience, and Sun Valley provides ample opportunities to make this happen. A 30-mile drive north of town delivers you to the Titus Lake trailhead, which offers a three-mile round-trip jaunt, which climbs 1,050 feet before reaching the water. Read More…

In an ongoing effort to become true year-round destinations, ski resorts have increasingly embraced golf, mountain biking, hiking, adventure sports and culinary events. But they are finding out that one of the biggest appeals to travelers is the sound of music.

America’s top ski resorts, which tend to be full of luxury hotels, great restaurants, shopping and outdoor activities, also offer an incredible lineup of music, from classical to jazz, bluegrass, rock, and contemporary. Many of these destinations are also “off season” bargains in summer.

Sun Valley, ID: America’s very first destination ski resort also has one of the most well-established musical events, the Sun Valley Symphony, celebrating 31 seasons as the largest privately funded, free-admission symphony in America. A summer tradition (June-August), the symphony attracts locals and visitors alike who picnic on the lawn with Champagne and extravagant hampers. There are also 1,600-seats inside the beautiful purpose built pavilion. This season’s highlight is Stravinsky’s “The Firebird,” reimagined in a grand production using immense and elaborate puppets to bring the ballet to life (August 1).

SEE FULL ARTICLE HERE

See Full Article Here

Check out these hikes in Utah, Colorado, California, and Idaho

BY MICHAEL SCHRANTZ APR 20, 2016, Curbed Ski Magazine

It's waterfall season in the mountains, and that also means that soon the wildflowers will be popping up throughout ski country. Altitude is the biggest determining factor for when the wildflowers peak, but whether you're in Utah or Idaho, they are worth the effort. We've rounded up five of the best wildflower hikes in ski country to get you moving.

Albion Basin: Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah (above)

This 1.6-mile loop starting from the Albion Basin campground is a popular wildflower hike in the Wasatch. From the campground, hikers make their way through meadows full of blue Wasatch Penstemon and white Nuttall’s linanthus. Plan to make this hike in mid-July for the full effect or wait until August to get a glimpse of the meadows in bloom.

Alpine Loop: Ouray, Colorado (above)

Part of the Alpine Loop scenic byway, this part of the San Juans is host to spectacular wildflower scenes. The byway's 63 miles of unimproved roads require a high-clearance, four-wheel drive vehicle, but once on the trail, there are multiple places to stop and hike out into the wildflowers.

Mammoth Mountain Trail: Mammoth Lakes, California (above)

Climbing up the Mammoth Mountain Trail offers wildflower views from the state's highest ski area. While the mountain is also open to mountain bikers, the trail to the summit also welcomes hikers who abide by their trail markers. Once at the top, hikers can go back the way they came or take the gondola down.

Pioneer Cabin: Sun Valley, Idaho (above)

There are a couple ways to get to Pioneer Cabin, but each goes through prime wildflower country. In the spring, expect 40 to 50 different types of blooms on the way to the cabin, which can be used as a base camp on a first-come, first-serve basis. Or, tents can be pitched in the blooming meadows. 

Santa Fe Basin: Santa Fe, New Mexico (above)

The Santa Fe Basin is prime wildflower viewing for those infatuated with wild orchids. The forests around the ski area are home to the Calypso orchid, spotted coralroot orchid and rattlesnake orchid. July is prime viewing time for these wildflowers, and riding the ski areas chairlifts can get hikers onto even higher ground.

As prices have soared in areas such as Aspen, Miami and the Hamptons, some buyers are seeking out alternatives that offer luxury for a (relatively) affordable sum.

Instead of Aspen… Try Sun Valley

With its world-class skiing and mountainous natural beauty, Idaho’s Sun Valley has long attracted celebrities like Bruce Willis, and plays host to the annual Allen & Co. conference that draws media and tech moguls. But partly due to its remote location in the narrow Wood River Valley, hours from a major airport, the area remains far less developed—and less expensive—than other luxury Western ski enclaves like Aspen, Colo., or Jackson Hole, Wyo.

“You can really get a good value up there if you know what you’re doing,” said Claudia Graham, a Los Angeles-based biomedical company executive who recently paid $1.8 million for a three-bedroom log cabin on over an acre in Ketchum, where most of Sun Valley’s restaurants and nightlife are located. Last winter, Minneapolis resident Ranee Jacobus and her husband Randy, together with Mr. Jacobus’s business partner, bought an 85-acre property in nearby Hailey for $3.85 million. The property contains a roughly 7,300-square-foot log frame house and a guesthouse, both with mountain views.

Prices in the Sun Valley area (which generally refers to Sun Valley resort and surrounding towns) are a half to a third of those in Aspen, according to real-estate agent Sue Engelmann of Sun Valley Sotheby’s International Realty. The catch: getting there. Flights to Hailey’s tiny airport face challenges landing in bad weather, diverting travelers to Boise or Twin Falls, where they are bused two or three hours to Sun Valley. And there are no non-stop flights to Hailey from major hubs like New York City, Boston or Chicago, although the airport has recently added non-stop flights from San Francisco and Denver.

Sun Valley’s market hasn’t yet recovered from the real-estate downturn; two devastating wildfires in recent years also kept prices in check. In Ketchum, the 2015 median for a luxury home was $1.5 million, a 25% decline from 2005, according to Realtor.com. In contrast, the median sales price of a luxury home in Aspen rose 29% to $4.38 million in 2015, compared to a decade earlier. SEE FULL ARTICLE HERE

When the snow melts, the trails open up.

If you’re a skier or snowboarder, you may have heard of the world class slopes in Idaho’s Sun Valley, but for the other three seasons of the year, this area flies relatively under the radar. That’s good news for anybody who likes open trails and peace and quiet in the great outdoors. There are endless spots to explore and the drive from town to any of these locations is just as beautiful as the destinations themselves. So start making your plans to explore Idaho today and put Sun Valley at the top of the list!

1. Hike to Devil’s Bedstead West

Want to catch incredible panoramic views? Ready for a challenge? This hike is a local favorite that is typically free of the crowds you might find on more popular hikes in the area. Every step will be worth it when you reach the top. Learn more.

2. Hike to Johnstone Pass

If a summit hike isn’t really your speed, you’ll enjoy this hike through wildflowers in Johnstone Pass. You’ll need a vehicle with four wheel drive to get there…you know what that means? Yet again, less people on the trail. Learn more.

3. Camp at the Coyote Yurts

Need an epic basecamp for all your adventures? The Coyote Yurts are the perfect destination for hiking, mountain biking, and chillin’ around the campfire with your favorite people. Learn more.

4. Hike to Hyndman Peak

If you didn’t catch enough 360 degree views of Idaho’s amazing mountains on the hike to Devil’s Bedstead West, here’s another opportunity. You’ll have a great view of Idaho’s tallest peak, Mount Borah and if you’re feeling really ambitious, you can make the ~2.5 hr drive from Sun Valley and knock that off your bucket list too. Learn more.

5. Hike to Kane Lake

Just 20 minutes from town, this mellow hike takes you through open meadows to a gorgeous alpine lake surrounded by rocky peaks. Get up there early and spend the day exploring, you won’t regret it.Learn more.

River Run side scheduled to close April 10

Sunday, April 17, will be the last day of skiing and riding on the Warm Springs side of Bald Mountain, Sun Valley Resort announced Monday. Dollar Mountain’s last day of the season will be Sunday, April 3, and the River Run side of Bald Mountain will close Sunday, April 10.

Plenty of activities are planned to celebrate the 2015-16 winter season. Getting the weekend rolling March 31 to April 2 will be the 19th annual Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation JANSS Pro-Am Classic with a gala dinner, hospitality tent at Warm Springs, cocktail reception, live music and costumed ski racing.

Dollar Mountain will host the Dollar Dayz and Pond Skim on Sunday, April 3. This spring tradition celebrates antics, costumes and daring skiers and riders trying to make it across the “cold bowl.” Participants can register for free the day of the event starting at 9 a.m., with the competition starting at 11:30 a.m. There will be a barbecue and specials on the deck of Carol’s Dollar Mountain Lodge.

PARK CITY, Utah – Leading eastern resort Sugarloaf, Maine and historic Sun Valley, Idaho will host the 2016-2018 U.S. Alpine Championships on alternating years beginning next winter with Sugarloaf. The announcement continues the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association’s long-term plan to move the annual celebration of American ski racing to top resorts around the United States.

“Moving the U.S. Alpine Championships around the United States is vital to directly engaging with strong ski racing communities that are instrumental in growing and maintaining a strong developmental pipeline. It allows us to showcase the excitement of high level alpine skiing to new generations of young athletes and fans,” said U.S. Ski Team Alpine Director Patrick Riml.

The dynamic Narrow Gauge run last hosted the U.S. Championships at Sugarloaf in 2008. Sun Valley last hosted the event in 1951.

“Both Sugarloaf and Sun Valley have a strong tradition in building and showcasing events that celebrate the excitement and culture of ski racing,” noted USSA VP of Events Calum Clark. “The Narrow Gauge race hill is [renowned in the East] for testing and training the best in the world like Bode Miller. Sun Valley has helped produce its share of legends like Picabo Street, who found her love for speed on Warm Springs and Greyhawk.”

Each of the resorts boasts a rooted history and heritage of ski racing in America and continues that tradition through their strong USSA club programs of Carrabassett Valley Academy at Sugarloaf and the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation. The 2015 U.S. Championships will mark the events first trip to the Eastern United States since Lake Placid, N.Y. and the 1980 Olympic mountain of Whiteface hosted the event in 2010.

2016-2018 U.S. Alpine Championships

2016 – Sun Valley

2017 – Sugarloaf

2018 – Sun Valley