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© 2001 Express Publishing Inc. All Rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Express Publishing Inc. is strictly prohibited. |
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The
Roundhouse:
A
Baldy Classic
by Tina Cole
The Roundhouse on Sun Valley’s Bald Mountain elicits great nostalgia from past and present skiers.
Its rich, colorful history continues to be written.
Built in 1939 with funds leftover from the construction of the first chair lifts on Bald Mountain, the Roundhouse served as a warming hut, restaurant and center of attention on Averell Harriman’s newly opened, world-class ski mountain.
Its octagonal structure was built around an impressive, four-sided central stone fireplace, and 54 windows were shipped in from the Midwest to take advantage of the spectacular surrounding views.
Averell Harriman, whose Union Pacific Railroad money was used to build Sun Valley Resort, named the Roundhouse after the similarly shaped switching stations used in the railroad industry.
In its early years, the Roundhouse was the place to meet and be seen by celebrities and skiers alike. Ski races were held frequently on the Roundhouse hill in full view of the spectators lined up on the surrounding decks.
Renovations on the original structure were made in 1946 and 1976, and the deck was fully enclosed in 1950. The Roundhouse remains much the same today as it did in 1976, with the exception of an upgrade and heating system installed in the downstairs restrooms.
In the winter of 2000, Sun Valley Co., the current operator of the resort that spans the cities of Sun Valley and Ketchum, reopened the Roundhouse after a three-year closure.
The company has restored the restaurant’s original rustic European atmosphere with a distinctly alpine flair, and intends to maintain the Roundhouse as a functional part of Baldy’s on-hill services, according to Jack Sibbach, director of marketing and public relations.
Inside the Roundhouse, the ambiance and views are everything. It is the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big, day lodges and enjoy a taste of the legendary Sun Valley style.
The Roundhouse offers a light but filling cuisine that can be taken informally self-serve style or more formally with seating arrangements, linens, silverware and an accompanying accordion player wandering about.
After a respite in the restaurant, the ski down Roundhouse hill offers wonderful turns, especially on powder and corn snow days. During peak seasons, reservations are recommended at
622-2371. •
