There is plenty to do on and off the snow
By Sabina Dana Plasse
Despite the snow conditions, Presidents’ Day weekend in Sun Valley is shaping up to be a great holiday weekend to enjoy our mountain town through arts, culture and, of course, skiing and recreating. There is something for everyone to partake in, whether for the whole family, a single getaway long weekend or just plain kid and adult fun.
Sun Valley Resort
At the Sun Valley Resort, President’s Day Weekend Events will take place Friday, Feb. 16, through Monday, Feb. 19, which will include Après Music at River Run Lodge, from 2 to 5 p.m. featuring Kevin Ware Taylor and Swift Eras Tour Skate Night at the Outdoor Ice Rink at the Resort, from 5 to 8 p.m.
On Saturday, Feb. 17, it’s a live DJ at River Run Base from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by Après Music at River Run Lodge from 2 to 5 p.m. featuring Ketchum’s own Pisten Bullys and night skiing at Dollar Mountain from 6 to 9 p.m., which is a family-friendly event welcoming younger kids, families, parents and friends to ski Quarter Dollar.
While your little ones hit the slopes, gather at the base area for an evening filled with socializing and enjoy fantastic food and beverage options inside Carol’s Dollar Mountain Lodge. The Resort will also feature Comedy Night at the Sun Valley Opera House with Kevin Bozeman at 7 p.m.
For Sunday, Feb. 18, enjoy something new on the Seattle Ridge Lodge Patio Après with a live DJ from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Après Music at River Run Lodge from 2 to 5 p.m. featuring Adam Williams Band. Night Skiing at Dollar Mountain continues for another evening from 6 to 9 p.m., where you can hang out at the unique Revelshine-sponsored Wine Lounge. This cozy area will feature wine tastings and purchases, comfy lounge area furniture, outdoor firepits and s’mores. It will be a fun and lively atmosphere with a live DJ, promising an evening filled with music and entertainment.
Wrapping up a great long weekend will be Après Music at River Run, from 2 to 5 p.m., featuring the Valley’s very own Kim Stocking Band on Monday, Feb. 19. For Saturday and Sunday, Night Skiing at Dollar Mountain is $55 for adults and $45 for kids. Season Passes are not valid for this event. In addition, check movie listings at the Sun Valley Opera House for new releases.
Sun Valley Gallery Association
Adding to the cultural activities for President’s Day Weekend, the Sun Valley Gallery Association will host a Gallery Walk from 5 to 7:30 p.m., on Friday, February 16, which is free to the public, where locals and visitors alike take in thought-provoking exhibitions of newly installed art, enjoy wine, mingle with friends and often meet the artists. Visit svgalleries.org to learn more about participating galleries with new exhibits and emerging and established artists.
Wood River Extreme Skijoring
In Bellevue, Presidents’ Day weekend includes the annual Wood River Extreme Skijoring Races, February 17-18. Presented by the Wood Extreme Skijoring Association, the Wood River Extreme Skijoring Races features cowboys with their fast horses racing with brave skiers and snowboarders. It promises a weekend of fast-action fun that the whole family will enjoy. Skijoring is a winter sport in which a person on skis is pulled by a horse, a dog or a motor vehicle. It is derived from the Norwegian word skikjøring, meaning “ski driving,” In the Wood River Valley, horses are used.
Races will occur at 81 Browning Lane in Bellevue on Saturday, Feb. 17, and Sunday, Feb. 18, starting at 12 p.m. each day. There is an admission fee of $10 per spectator, with children 12 and under free, and a portion of the fees will be donated to the Wood River High School Rodeo Team. Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, but dogs are not allowed. This family-friendly weekend event will also feature concessions at the races, a raffle to support a local area non-profit and evening events that include a team auction on Saturday night, 6:30 p.m. at Mahoney’s Bar & Grill in Bellevue awards party on Sunday night, 5:30 p.m. at 7 Fuego restaurant in Gannett. Learn more at
woodriveresja.com.
Stanley’s Winterfest
Up north in the Sawtooth Valley in Stanley, Idaho, if wacky and weird in the wilds of winter sounds appealing, then Stanley’s annual Winterfest is another President’s Day weekend event to enjoy, which will not disappoint. Live music, street dances, drag races, outhouse races, and more make for an unforgettable weekend in Stanley. In addition, there are après ski events at Whiskey’s on Main, Sun Valley Suns Ice Hockey games at the Campion Ice House in Hailey, and many more happenings to enjoy the Wood River and Sawtooths Valley in the heart of winter, whether a few inches or several feet of snow. For more community events, visit visitsunvalley.com/calendar/.