Sun Valley Resort is navigating the pros and cons of a ski season like no other
By Eric Valentine
So many Valley businesses have felt the pain pandemic restrictions and limited—or delayed—government relief can bring. And it’s no different for Sun Valley Resort, the mega-business, if you will, that drives the economic engine here. From ski accident deaths, avalanches, and limits on lodge events to the grand opening of hundreds of acres of new terrain and brand new ski lifts, Sun Valley Resort is experiencing definite highs and lows in this, its second COVID-impacted season.
What follows is a rundown of the ski season as we approach mid-February.
Pandemic Problems
The ski season began with Idaho in Stage 3 of its reopening plan, which meant that gatherings of 50 people or more were, for the most part, prohibited. That put a damper on a number of events that would normally happen at the resort. To offset the impact, Sun Valley Resort put together a number of packages to lure both locals and non-resident guests. The Winter Extend and Stay, which gives a fifth night for free after a four-night stay and the Winter Staycation which offered locals a 30% discount on lodging are some examples.
“We are pleased to allow our Season Pass Holders, and Epic Pass Holders, the ability to ski on both Dollar and Bald Mountain without having to make a reservation,” resort spokesperson Sarah Mansfield said. “The mountain team has done a great job maintaining conditions on Bald Mountain, and we have much of our groom-able terrain and ski area boundary acreage open, which allows for plenty of distancing while skiing. We are monitoring the number of daily lift tickets available for both Bald and Dollar Mountain, in order to maintain that commitment to our valued Pass Holders, and so far we have been able to have tickets available for every day of the season.”
The resort also committed to what it called its PPP—Pass Protection Program. If someone’s season is cut short due to personal injury, pregnancy, military service, a stay-at-home order or other mandated resort non-weather closures, they’d be eligible for refunds from 20% to 80% based on how many days they’ve skied. The resort also made it possible for pass holders eligible for a renewal discount to donate their discount amount to benefit The Hunger Coalition. Sun Valley Resort matches those donations up to $10,000.
Terrific Terrain
The biggest new draw is the so-called Sunrise Terrain, a 380-acre expanse on Bald Mountain’s southern flank that is the resort’s first expansion in the last 20 years.
The project added 25 high-efficiency snowmaking guns and opened up what has been described as some of Baldy’s best and most challenging terrain, including a wide-open bowl and extensive tree skiing. Completed last fall, the new high-speed, detachable Broadway lift has replaced the resort’s oldest chairlift. The new lift rises 1,582 vertical feet in just over a mile.
“It was with great excitement that after 51 inches of snowfall we were able to open the brand new Sunrise Terrain,” Mansfield said. “We have seen a tremendous amount of interest in the new terrain.”
The resort did not provide any specific amount of skiers who accessed the new ski area during its opening days.
Avalanche Awareness
With large snowfall comes high avalanche risk, and by the end of January the resort had to shut down all uphill traffic on Bald Mountain. Avalanche risk in the Valley remained high as of press deadline Tuesday.
“Ongoing wind-loading and layers of weak snow continue to create dangerous avalanche conditions. Triggering an avalanche remains likely on steep slopes, particularly those exposed to the effects of the wind. Avalanches can be triggered remotely—from below, above, and to the sides of steeper terrain,” the Sawtooth Avalanche Center said.
Mansfield added, “The mountain team takes safety very seriously and encourages guests to Know the Zone—a new initiative that identifies five distinct mountain zones within the resort and discusses each zone’s safety protocols and required etiquette, ensuring each and every guest is prepared for a fantastic skiing or riding experience.”
Unfortunate Accidents
Also by late January, Bald Mountain tallied its second accidental death this season when Hailey resident Gregory Plowman, 67, died of asphyxiation after apparently falling headfirst into deep, loose snow—called a snow immersion.
Plowman’s accident was preceded in December by the accidental death of James Brown, 53, of Deer Park, Ill., who died from injuries suffered when he crashed into a tree.
“For the privacy of our guests, we do not publicly comment on these incidents,” Mansfield said.