Winter from A to Z

by Dana DuGan

Aromatherapy
This is the art, and science, of using oils extracted from aromatic plants to enhance health and beauty. Essential oils can have subtle effects on the mind and emotions. Other than the fabulous smells that emanate from the mountains, the sage and the clear Idaho air, there are candles and oils for sale in various shops in the valley, including day spas and even bookstores. 

Aprés ski
A time-honored tradition occurs in the hours after the ski mountain has closed, when friends gather by a fire, share beverages of their choice and trade stories of the day’s exploits on the hill. Music, dining and dancing complete a perfect day in Sun Valley. 

Boarding
Boarding remains one of the more flamboyant and exciting activities to do and watch. Most runs on Bald Mountain and Dollar Mountain allow boarding. You can find tips, equipment and shooting the board-breeze at sports stores in the valley.

Candlelight
Romantic restaurants abound in the valley at which one can woo a beloved in the pleasing glow of candles. From French to Asian to traditional Western, the valley has a myriad of styles and cuisines. See the restaurant guide on page 94.

Drama
Five theater companies in the Sun Valley area have been upping the ante for each other in recent years, recruiting top talent and writers for their productions. Check out the Calendar section of this guide or the Arts and Events section of the Idaho Mountain Express newspaper for dates and times.

Dance
From ballroom to rockabilly to swing, dance offerings run the gamut of styles and are available throughout the winter season at lodges and watering holes around the resort. For the adventurous who want to learn new styles, lessons are available at a variety of schools. Or, if you prefer to watch, check the Calendar section of this guide or the Idaho Mountain Express newspaper for what’s onstage during your visit.

Energy
Use it wisely, because the altitude can catch up with you if you’re not used to it. Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t think you need it. Select the milder sports for your first day or two then, when you’re more acclimated to this mountainous region, turn up the energy. 

Foot Care
Reflexologists, good pedicures and foot insoles help your feet deal with the stress put on them by ski boots, skates and winter footwear. Custom-molded boot inserts are a dream come true for skiers, leaving your feet in great shape for all that aprés-ski sightseeing, dancing and shopping.

Galena Lodge
Located 24 miles north of Ketchum, the lodge offers excellent groomed terrain for all levels of Nordic skiing. There are also trails on which one can take their licensed dogs, snowshoeing areas and a lovely restaurant with superb cuisine and catering. It’s also available for private parties. Be sure to check our Calendar section for monthly Full Moon Dinners.

Gallery Walks
On a specific night each month, the galleries—fine arts, crafts, jewelry—open for a Ketchum/Sun Valley-wide walkabout of socializing, refreshments and entertainment. Oh, and don’t forget to view the variety of amazing artwork and exhibits while you’re out there! Check our Calendar section for dates and times.

Hockey
For sizzling hockey action throughout the winter season, head to the indoor ice rink at Sun Valley Lodge to see the hot Sun Valley Suns take to the ice. But that’s not all: The elite men’s amateur team, the Sun Valley Junior Hockey program, the women’s “A” level Sunsets, and the “B” level Fury and the Sawtooth Edge, complete a winter lineup that provides even the most avid hockey junkie with winter-long action. Home games are played at the Sun Valley indoor ice rink (622-2195).

Ice skating
Skaters can find free ice at Atkinson Park in Ketchum and Roberta McKercher Park in Hailey. Public skating and lessons are available for a fee at the Sun Valley Ice Rink next to the Sun Valley Lodge (622-2194). 

Joy
Joy is Christmas time in Sun Valley. Santa arrives on his sleigh on Christmas Eve at the Sun Valley Ice Rink, and later the spectacular torchlight parade wends its lovely way down Dollar Mountain. Festive pageants and concerts play all through December to cheer on the holiday season.

Ketchum
This is the valley’s original mining town, founded in 1880, (56 years before Sun Valley took shape as a resort). More than 2,000 mining claims were filed here in those early years. Named for an obscure miner, David Ketchum, the town today offers much more than precious metals. It has a bustling economy, an active arts community and recreational opportunities that never seem to end. Ketchum is home to more than 3,000 year-round residents.

Legends
Take a walk down the halls of the Sun Valley Lodge to view a rogue’s gallery of legends. These evocative photos were taken over the years while the various jetsetters, starlets, moguls and thespians vacationed in Sun Valley. 

Moon
Full Moon Dinners are one way to observe the gorgeous night sky and the fullness of an Idaho moon. Dining and cross-country skiing highlight the evening at Galena Lodge (726-4010), 24 miles north of Ketchum.

Museums
The Ketchum/Sun Valley Heritage and Ski Museum in the Ketchum Forest Service Park is a treasure trove of ski memorabilia, outfits, photos, equipment and stories (726-8118). Other museums in the area are the Ore Wagon Museum (no phone), the Blaine County Historical Museum in Hailey (788-1801), and the Museum of Bellevue (no phone).

Nordic skiing
Traditionally referred to as cross-country skiing, Nordic skiing also encompasses skate skiing and telemark skiing. The North Valley Trail system offers some of the best trails for all kinds and levels of Nordic skiers. With many nationally ranked and Olympic level athletes training in our area, there are many classes, skiing groups and events. During the season, look for the Boulder Mountain Ski Tour, Full Moon Dinners at Galena Lodge and the Gourmet Ski Tour. See the North Valley Trails article on page 52.

Olympic Games
Only five hours south by car, or an hour by air, Salt Lake City is the home of the 2002 Winter Olympics. Sun Valley’s sister resort, Snowbasin, will host the Olympic downhill and Super G events. Information on events, tickets and lodging is found through the Visitor Information Services Coalition of Utah. It has an inventory of hotel, motel and condominium accommodations. Go to www.saltlakeinfo.com or call VIS (888-222-5562).

Photography
The Wood River Valley offers a spectacular setting for photographers to ply their trade. With the snow-capped Boulder, Pioneer and Smoky Mountains and the lovely Big Wood River meandering down the valley, there is no shortage of subjects. Local shops can accommodate all of your film, video and professional photography needs. You might also want to head to the many local galleries featuring photography by the masters. See the gallery listings.

Quality
Yes, this is a valley with quality homes, clothes, food, activities, views, natural resources and good will. It’s also a place where the term quality of life is a carefully honed way of life. The Wood River Valley may not be a big place or particularly easy to get to but once here, what we lack in quantity we make up in quality. 

Rest and relaxation
Vacations don’t have to be all about strenuous physical activities. There are plenty of accommodating places to relax such as the Community Library, which has comfortable reading areas and a fireplace. Also, the Sun Valley Lodge lobby is warm and sunny. The many cafes and coffee shops offer relaxing places to kill time, chat with friends, play games and do crossword puzzles. There are also salons and spas that offer restful day packages to take the stress away.

Sleighs
Sleigh rides are a fabulous, old-fashioned way to see parts of the valley, whether its riding out to Trail Creek Cabin for dinner (622-2135), a ride on the snow-covered Warm Springs Golf Course (726-3322), or catching a ride out to a yurt for dinner (788-7665).

Snowshoeing
This is a wonderfully low-impact, accessible family sport. Wherever there’s snow, a person can shoe. All the outdoor stores carry different sizes and types of snowshoes. Guides offer tours suitable for all ages and abilities and will supply equipment, lunch, transportation and the company of an expert guide. Check listings for names and numbers.

Telemarking
It’s kind of like lunging down while cross-county skiing down the slopes. Also known as “tele,” it looks intense and is simply the best exercise you can get on a pair of skinny boards. The annual Sun Valley Telemark Series concludes in April with the outrageous Hawaiian Nationals Dual Slalom and Tandem Challenge. A hoot.

Tunes
Whether your cup of tea is the many great bands that play here at area venues throughout the season, pianist Joe Fos at the Duchin Room or classical music presented by visiting musicians and sponsored by the Sun Valley Center for the Arts, there is something for everyone. Check our Calendar section or the Arts and Events section of the Idaho Mountain Express newspaper for dates and times.

Undercover
Don’t forget to layer your winter clothing. Use silk or one of the amazing synthetic fabrics next to your skin for proper wicking of that sweat you’re going to work up trying to do all the activities in Sun Valley. Cotton socks and T-shirts are definitely out for winter sports. Save them for lounging around the fire afterward.

Vintage
This is the vintage ski destination spot in America, and, rather than showing her years, Sun Valley gleams with all the pride of a grand dowager. The Community Library holds our links to the past in its Regional History Department, where books, photographs and tape recordings tell the stories of Sun Valley. Other, albeit slightly newer, bits of vintage Sun Valley can be found at the Gold Mine thrift store, which supports the library’s efforts to serve the community.

Wet
It’s not all snow here. We have water of the liquid sort available to enjoy as well at a variety of indoor swimming pools. Check your lodging facilities and local athletic and fitness centers. 

Experience
Sun Valley offers experienced ski, skate and backcountry instructors and guides to lead you through the maze of sports and activities this resort has to offer. Check listings or stop by local sports stores.

Exercise
It’s a religion here. Get with it. Get on it. And get moving. But make sure to keep hydrated.

Yurts
A circular tent in the Mongolian style, yurts are ideal to camp in overnight while in the backcountry. A toasty fire inside keeps you warm and snug. A sleigh will take you out to a dinner in a yurt with A Winter’s Feast (788-7665), or you can cross-country ski out there yourself. Several backcountry yurts in the area are available for rent, so check listings for proprietors. Be sure to book early to get one of the yurts available through Galena Lodge (726-4010) or Sun Valley Trekking (208) 788-1966.

Zilch
A term that has no meaning in Sun Valley, except as the opposite of what there is to do, see or hear. •