We can’t help but smile thinking back to the 2015-2016 season here in Sun Valley, Idaho. Ask around town what the 2015-2016 winter was like and you’ll undoubtedly hear something along the lines of, “it was the best season in 10 years.” The snow fell fast and early leaving us with stacks of powder days met by never-ending smiles. Sprinkled in-between the storms were iconically beautiful sunny days that seemed to never end. Fat biking, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and a plethora of other activities kept us equally entertained. On-top of it all, we had an exceptional set of events that included the Nordic Festival, Sun Valley Film Festival, U.S. Alpine Championships, and more. All-in-all, the 2015-2016 winter was one for the books and one that we will not soon forget. We’ve compiled a quick winter recap for your scrolling pleasure. Take a spin through some of our favorite moments that made-up this epic season. Starting things off with a bit of snowmaking on Dollar. Photo: Ray J. Gadd Fat flakes falling at the Sun Valley Lodge The transition from fall to winter. Photo: Ray J. Gadd First chair of the 2015-2016 ski/snowboard season. Photo: Maggie Sfingi Holiday goodness. …
Destination Sun Valley: A Mountain Collective Experience
With the recent addition of Sun Valley to the Mountain Collective pass, skiers and snowboarders across North America have been pulling the trigger and venturing out to explore a place they've heard whispers of. Mat Rick, currently living in New York City, was one such snowboarder. He knew the Sun Valley name but lacked the full story. We invited Mat to provide a little show and tell on his recent Mountain Collective experience with an adventure out to Sun Valley, Idaho.
El Niño Winter Stoke
El Niño or as Chris Farley referred to in simpler terms as, “The Niño”, brought about a mixed bag of early season predictions from meteorologists far and wide. Skiers and boarders throughout the west became overnight skeptics serving up their own myriad of prophesied forecasts as to whether it would be a lack luster winter or flashback to being like the “good old days”
A Winter of #SeekSunValley in 80 Instagram Photos From Our Fans
Sometime around December 1, we started asking our fans and followers what it was that they sought. Adrenaline, adventure, camaraderie, serenity, pristine beauty, family: the things that make a life worth living, knowing that the one place where you can find all of this is here in Sun Valley. We had over 2,000 photos posted with the #SeekSunValley hashtag and as the season wrapped up this past weekend we thought we would put a little highlight gallery together as a small retrospective on a fantastic season. Thank you to all of you for your photos and enthusiasm this winter. We will keep going with more #SeekSunValley this summer so don’t stop sharing the love!
8 Things You Don’t Want to Miss in Sun Valley This Spring
Spring in a mountain ski town frequently goes unsung and frequently nearly unnoticed. It’s not uncommon for skiers to forget that the best skiing is right up to even after the mountain closes, as dreams of sunny beaches or rolling vineyards in lands far off frequently enchant those who wish spring would just do her thing and get on with it. But spring is awesome and a time when renewed energy for stretching the legs and the mind in new directions spawns a whole new level of creativity. So check out these fun, educational, artistic, or even downright goofy things you don’t want to miss out on in Sun Valley this spring! 1. The End of the Season Party It’s a bit sad when the season ends, but Sun Valley rally’s like no one else to close out a great year of spending days one end with good friends. Just don’t leave the top of the mountain too soon…(photo: Mark Oliver) The season ender is always one of the highlights/low points of being a skier/snowboarder. You’re sad because it’s over but somehow that makes you even more fired up to get after it and celebrate it properly. And Sun …
Cornucopia of Awesomeness- March Madness in Sun Valley
March in Sun Valley is the best. The short, cold days of winter slowly fade away as the sun climbs higher in the sky. The daily routine slows down dramatically with the timing of snow conditions. So take it from me, first off, there is no rush. Start the day out right and drop by your local coffee house in town for an expertly made cappuccino before hitting the slopes. After that caffeine hits your veins, the day will start to blossom. It’s the time of year when the snow begins to soften around midday and you take comfort in knowing that it’s possible after a day of riding to slide your feet into the luxurious embrace of flip flops while having an après-ski beer on the outdoor patio at Lefty’s, Apples, or Warm Springs Lodge, sharing in the camaraderie of good friends. At times it’s a challenge to just live in the moment. So I advise relishing every second of every day.
20 Things You Didn’t Know About Sun Valley
A smattering of things you might not have know about Sun Valley, Idaho.
12 Characters You’ll Meet on the Slopes of Sun Valley
This group represents the majority of people you’ll meet in Sun Valley. They come from all walks of life, each with their own story of how they ended up here and what they do in order to stay. They’re the chefs, bartenders and waitresses, lift operators, ski and yoga instructors, and everyone else who works to live here and preferably keeps their days free so they can ski or ride as much of their waking lives as possible. You’ll recognize them by their wide smiles, goggle tans, and that sparkle in their eyes. They’re living the dream; their life is your vacation.
Hot Laps in the Cold Smoke
Earning turns the old fashioned way, one slogging skin track at a time, is how the original skiers to Sun Valley carved their way across the landscape, but today there exists a magic carpet ride to blower pow paradise, Sun Valley Heliskiing. Occasionally lottery tickets turn up winners, and as luck would have it mine finally came in. I am going to do the best I can to not sound smug, but when you get it this good, it’s hard not to brag.
A Rodeo on Snow – Baldy Banked Slalom
As snowboarders we live for events like the Baldy Banked Slalom that remind each and every one of us where the soul of snowboarding lives and where it always has. This event is an ode to the roots of snowboarding, reaffirmation of its disregard for the mainstream, but most of all one of the best days of the entire season getting together and shredding an awesome, wild course with our best friends.
