BY MIKE MCKENNA
For more than a decade, the Campion Ice House in Hailey was a dream shared by a hearty group of hopeful locals. In the late fall of 2015, that dream finally came true.
Campion Ice House is now in its ninth season. Quite a few things have changed for the better since the rink first opened—although you can hardly tell when you enter the local ”barn,” since it still looks new thanks to the hardworking staff and appreciative patrons
“The coolest thing has been to see so many people enjoy the facility over the years,” said Sarah Benson. “Whether they’re here to play hockey or public skate or they’re curling or just come to see a SUNS game, it’s really neat to see so many people enjoy it.”
Sarah is the executive director of Hailey Ice, the nonprofit that helped make the dream of the rink a reality and now manages the facility. Sarah has guided the rink as it has grown from being open just six months annually to now offering ice 10 months a year.
Last year, 48,000 people of all ages skated, curled or rooted on participants at Campion Ice House. Heck, there are 30 curling teams and nearly two-dozen adult league teams now!
The rink has not only been a blessing for local recreation and social options, it’s also been a boon for the local economy. Most winter weekends in Hailey now see hotel rooms and local restaurants and shops filled up with hockey fans.
Hailey Ice also manages Ron’s Rink, the outdoor ice rink (or ODR, as the kids call it). It offers free outdoor skating at the rodeo grounds—weather permitting.
The best part about Campion Ice House is that it’s not weather dependent. No matter what Mother Nature is doing outside, the ice is always in good shape inside.
To help you make the most out of it all, here is a rundown of what’s happening at Campion Ice House for the rest of the winter.
Learn to Skate will be running Thursday afternoons through February 8. It’s a great introduction for kids ages 4-12. Adult Skating and Hockey clinics will take place on Thursdays starting on January 18.
Public Skating and Stick and Puck options happen throughout most weeks. See the full schedule at HaileyIce.org.
The Sun Valley Youth Hockey SUNS will host tournaments all winter. The Pee Wees (12U) will be home January 19–21. The Bantams (U14) will be home January 26–28. The Girls 19U &14U will be home February 2–4. The Girls 12U will host February 9–11. The Mites (8U) will be home March 8–10. The High School State Tournament will be March 1–3.
The big SUNS are home almost every weekend this season. They host the New England Predators January 12–13, the East Coast Guttersnipes January 19–20, the Bozeman Stingers January 26–27, Skidmore (New York) February 9–10, the New York St. Nicks February 16–17, the Wilmington Wheels February 23–24, the Reno Ice Raiders March 1–2, the Vermont Switchbacks March 8–9 and the Boston Moon for the Eclipse Cup March 15–16.
Find out about all these events and more at HaileyIce.org.