Sun Valley Magazine | Winter 2022-2023

Photograph courtesy of David R. Stoecklein

Where Great Stories Begin

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SUN VALLEY Sun Valley Village | PARK CITY Lower Main Street | panachesunvalley.com

PHOTO KIRSTEN SHULTZ

DAMN IT FEELS GOOD TO BE A SKIER

Fly Fishing in Montana can be a rugged, sometimes-tiring adventure—that’s why Madison Double R will be a welcome respite at the end of each day.

Located on the world-renowned Madison River south of Ennis, Madison Double R offers first-quality accommodations, outstanding cuisine, expert guides, and a fly fishing lodge experience second to none. Contact us today to book your stay at the West’s premier year-round destination lodges.

two hours north of Boise, where the Rocky Mountains meet Lake Cascade, and you’ll discover Tamarack Resort – one of North America’s newest all-season ski resorts. This is a place where families come together to make memories: on the slopes, in the village, and around the fireplace. Craftsmanship and excellence are the hallmarks of every one of our modern mountain homes. And natural beauty is all around. We invite you to find your home at Tamarack Resort and begin your next adventure.

skijoring in the

BY SARAH LINVILLE

BY LORI CURRIE

BY BRENT LAWSON

PHOTO BY HILLARY MAYBERY

82 profiles

THE E-PERCH DREAMERS

Bob and Kate Rosso reflect on their iconic journey

BY JAKE MOE

BLISS AND COURAGE

BY DICK DORWORTH

REFLEX AGAIN

BY BEN BRADLEY

CLOUDS: ADOBE STOCK, SKIJORING: MARK LAROWE, ROTARUN SOAPBOX DERBY: ERIC KIEL, KATE & BOB ROSSO: RAY J. GADD

The Sun Valley Magazine website, at sunvalleymag.com, is user friendly and incorporates responsive design so that you get the same award-winning content on phones, tablets or desktop computers. On our site you will find all of our print stories, as well as a wealth of additional online content, including resource guides, videos and online features. Look for the best of Sun Valley life in our Arts , Food & Drink , Community, Health , Adventure , Home & Design , and Wedding sections.

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To explore our magazine archives, dating all the way back to 1974, visit sunvalleymag.com/ magazine. On our digital magazine page, you can enjoy back issues of Sun Valley Magazine Travel back in time to see what we were covering at the turn of the century (21st!) and beyond. Looking for an old article? Spend some time in our archives—an ongoing, living record of life in the Wood River Valley. Also check out our digital edition of TASTE of Sun Valley on the Food & Drink page!

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Preparations for this Winter issue of Sun Valley Magazine coincided with the launching of our son into his first year of college and reminders of the value of always having something to learn and the progress achieved by reaching outside our comfort zone. Nothing ever stands still and the bittersweet acknowledgement of the turning of the wheel into another phase of life was a gentle recognition of how change brings an opportunity to rethink priorities and be intentional about new aspirations and directions—or, in the words of the famous writer, and politican, Victor Hugo, “Change your leaves, keep intact your roots.”

This seems to be a theme with this issue of Sun Valley Magazine as we ponder everything from the changing landscape of the Wood River Valley, with new commercial, civic and residential projects slated from Ketchum to Bellevue (“The Changing Landscape” on page 36), to iconic businesses changing hands with intention and respect for what has come before (“Passing the Torch” on page 30). Read about the changing of the guard at Backwoods Mountain Sports, Johnny G’s Subshack, The Elephant’s Perch and many others.

This issue also explores the often unsung heroes and lesser known elements of our wintersports mountain culture. Discover the science of cloud seeding and its resurgence globally and in many Western states, including Idaho and neighboring Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and Alberta, Canada, among others (“Cloud Seeding” on page 90). Read about Alison Owen Kiesel Bradley, who helped shatter the gender barrier in Nordic skiing as a young teenager, went on to be named to the first female U.S. Nordic Team in 1968, and was instrumental in establishing the women’s divison of U.S. National Cross-Country events (“The Bliss and Courage of a National Nordic Champion” on page 84). As writer Dick Dorworth so aptly states, “Every American female Nordic skier follows in her track.”

Learn about Bob and Kate Rosso and their legacy of outdoor sports and events in the Valley—from the founding of the Boulder Mountain Tour to the Baldy Hill Climb and the Wood River Trail from Ketchum to Bellevue (“The E-Perch Dreamers” on page 82). Follow the generational story of a ski-town family, with the father-and-son legacy of Reflex Poles in the hands of Ben Verge and team (“The Resurgence of a Classic Sun Valley Brand” on page 86) and dive headlong into the rough-and-tumble sport of Skijoring as it blends two historic Western cultures of cowboy horsemanship and wintersports skills (“Skijoring” on page 74).

And, last but not least, learn more about the individual involvement and public commitment that helped establish the community’s ski hill—Rotarun, just three miles west of Hailey out Croy Canyon. Officially confirmed in 1957 with a 99-year lease on the land for $1 per year from the Arkoosh Sheep Company in Gooding, Rotarun might be small by Baldy standards (dropping only 441 feet from top to bottom) but, nevertheless, helped launch the careers of Olympian skiers from Picabo Street to Cristin Cooper and Paralympian Muffy Davis. And if you didn’t know it was there, you might just drive past, which I suppose is the point of this issue—take a look around, because the hill you just drove by might have launched an Olympian or the person in line with you for coffee just might be an X-Games star, mogul of finance and business, or Olympian in their own right.

Sammis publisher / editor-in-chief

PHOTO: FIVEB STUDIOS

Laurie

Ray J. Gadd is a born-andraised Idahoan but an equal opportunity adventurer with a hankering for documenting the journey no matter the location. Uncovering unfamiliar smiles, stories, mountaintops, and backyard businesses, in search of preserving that emotion with each frame are his favorite parts of the journey. Happiest enjoying post-ride beers, coming up for air on deep days of storm skiing, overcoming the trials and tribulations of casting to educated fish and sprinkling in the occasional type II fun. Stalk him on Instagram at @ rayjgadd.

“Fat Bike Fever,” page 60; “Profiles: Bob & Kate Rosso,” page 82; “Why We Live Here,” page 128

Sarah Linville currently enjoys a seasonal life centered on the Idaho outdoors. She proudly spends her winters on Bald Mountain with the Sun Valley Ski Patrol. The summer time will find her floating somewhere on the Salmon River. Life is tough. She received her degree in journalism from Northern Arizona University and has since then contributed to Rock and Ice Magazine and locally to BIG Life Magazine.

BRENT LAWSON

MARK LAROWE

“Skijoring,” page 74

Brent Lawson enjoys researching and crafting narratives on natural resource challenges facing the American West. Professionally, Brent lives in Boise and is a consultant focused on solving problems at the apex of natural resources and economics. Additionally, Brent has focused on farmland real estate valuation, water right evaluation, timber economics, and agribusiness consulting. In his free time, Brent enjoys playing in “God’s country” in the great state of Idaho, which includes skiing, backcountry touring, archery elk hunting, and fly fishing. Brent received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Yale University.

“Cloud Seeding,” page 90

Mark LaRowe is a western Montana-based photographer whose passion is Western lifestyle and landscapes, including portraiture, ranch life, rodeo and skijoring. Over the past 12 years, he has traveled extensively across Montana, capturing some of the most beautiful scenes that the state has to offer. Occasionally, when he needs a change of venue, he wanders into Wyoming, Utah, Idaho and Arizona. LaRowe is an official photographer for the Billings Northern Rodeo Association (NRA) and has created album covers and liner artwork for awardwinning Western singers Wylie Gustafson, Trinity Seely, Joni Harms and Tony Lundervold.

“Skijoring,” page 74

† in this issue

writers B en Bradley, Lori Currie, Dick Dorworth, Kate Hull, Brent Lawson, Sarah Linville, Jonathan Mentzer, Jake Moe, John M. Thomas, Pamela Kleibrink Thompson, Hayden Seder, Laine Whittier

CORRECTION

photographers

We would like to correct an error in the Sun Valley Magazine Fall 2022 article “Dramatic Before & After” that cited the current owners in reference to the “after” photos. The home is under new ownership and we would like to note that the photos represent the design of the owners previous to April 2021. Sun Valley Magazine has a reputation for journalistic integrity in the Sun Valley community and beyond, and we sincerely apologize that this fact was not discovered before the article was published.

M arina Chavez, Ray Gadd, Eric Kiel, Allie Mae Hillman, Dev Khalsa, Mark LaRowe, Amanda René Nagy, Hillary Maybery, Halsey Pierce, Nils Ribi, Kevin Syms, Alexandra Turshen, Laine Whittier

WINTER 2022/2023

publisher/editor in chief L aurie C. Sammis managing editor J onathan Mentzer guest art directors L illie Cooper K ristina Mitchell

de sign assistant S vetlana Mitchell s ales & marketing director M ona Warchol c opy editor Patty Healey controller Pat Bowton, Wood River Valley Bookkeeping

circulation director Nancy Whitehead

Sun Valley Magazine Online: sunvalleymag.com email: info@sunvalleymag.com

Sun Valley Magazine Awards

2018 MAGGIE AWARDS

Finalist, Best Feature Article - “Primal Necessity”

2017 MAGGIE AWARDS

Finalist, Best Feature Article - “The Long Journey Back” Finalist, Best Profile - “A Life in the Sky”

2016 MAGGIE AWARDS Finalist, Best Feature Article - “The Great Migration”

2015 MAGGIE AWARDS

Finalist, Best Annuals & One-Time Custom Publication/Consumer Finalist, Best Cover/Consumer

2014 MAGGIE AWARDS Finalist, Best Annuals & One-Time Custom Publication/Consumer

2013 MAGGIE AWARDS

Finalist, Best Semi-Annual & Three-Time/Trade & Consumer Finalist, Best Special Theme Issue/Consumer

2012 MAGGIE AWARDS Winner, Best Semi-Annual & Three-Time/Trade & Consumer

2011 MAGGIE AWARDS

Finalist, Best Semi-Annual & Three-Time/Trade & Consumer Finalist, Best Special Theme Issue/Consumer

2010 MAGGIE AWARDS

Finalist, Best Semi-Annual & Three-Time/Trade & Consumer Finalist, Best Special Theme Issue/Consumer

2010 OZZIE AWARDS

Gold Winner, publication fewer than 6 times per year

2010 EDDIE AWARDS Gold Winner, publication fewer than 6 times per year

2010

Passing the Torch

Ketchum’s Iconic Retail Spaces Live On

WORDS JOHN M. THOMAS PHOTOS ALLIE MAE HILLMAN

To the casual vacationer, Ketchum, Idaho, may not appear to change much from year to year. Yet, in the midst of a population boom and a dire scramble for new housing, its nostalgic charm maintains a sense of place. Likewise, the handful of entrepreneurs who have stepped up to take the reins of local businesses know that honoring its history is the key to success in the Wood River Valley.

Townies of a certain era may recall how Olin Glenne, a frequenter of ski runs, hiking trails, and singletrack, worked for Sturtevants of Sun Valley for 15 years before buying it in 2013. Since then, many proverbial torches have been passed, and as cornerstones like Board Bin, Lefty’s Bar and Grill and even The Toy Store have all changed hands, new owners have chosen to stay committed to the tried and true in an effort to support the Ketchum they’ve always loved.

KEEPING THE DREAM ALIVE

Expertise can promote success in retail, but a passionate owner can also drive a business’s local success. So, when John Melin purchased the climbing and cross-country mainstay Elephant’s Perch in March of 2022, he knew he’d follow in the footsteps of company founder Bob Rosso, who opened it in 1976.

Rosso was a founder of the Boulder Mountain Tour, a cross-country ski race in

PHOTO CREDITS

its 50th year, and an early competitor in the Galena Grinder annual mountain bike race. Rosso’s role in these events is well respected, so much so that the 2023 Boulder Mountain Tour will be held in his honor.

Melin hopes he, too, can honor Rosso’s legacy. In October, The Elephant’s Perch hosted a street party to benefit the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, an organization Rosso heavily supported. Melin and store manager Scott McCoubrey look forward to

planning more events and reconnecting “The Perch” with the community that has helped it become such a local icon.

“We’re just trying to turn it into a really good business,” Melin says. “Bob is a legend in the community, [he] did so much around here.” Though he concedes that it will be hard to live up to the many events Rosso organized, Melin adds, “We’re going to try and identify things we can carry forward and continue to do well.”

Scott Schnebly Best Fishing Guide

Susanne Connor Best Fishing Guide Best Fishing Shop

‘‘

I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel, ... I am lucky enough to be stepping into a really good thing that has had a loyal following in this community.”

—PADDY MCILROY

WORKING HARD, PLAYING HARDER

For Paddy McIlroy, the choice isn’t a hard one. As a managing partner of Backwoods Mountain Sports in Ketchum, founded in 1975, he embraces Backwoods’ long practice of employing staff who love to geek out on outdoor sports with their clientele. McIlroy wants to promote an environment where expertise is priority number one, and he and his team can continue to do what they love at work and at play.

McIlroy’s relationship with Backwoods began early under the employ of another outdoorsman, Andy Munter, who had owned Backwoods since 1983. By 2018, McIlroy proved he had what it takes to handle the shop’s day-to-day needs. After five years of preparation (and Munter’s blessing), the

transition was finalized in June 2022.

McIlroy is enthusiastic that a store like Backwoods can excel in Ketchum and wants to honor that in his new tenure.

“I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel,” he says. “I am lucky enough to be stepping into a really good thing that has had a loyal following in this community.” By his reckoning, if he’s done his job, Backwoods can help Ketchum’s growing population enjoy all the excitement the valley offers.

MORE THAN JUST SANDWICHES

Choosing to run a business in this town is a commitment to a particular lifestyle, and Ketchum’s bars and eateries lay claim to some hardworking young businessmen and women. Brothers Trevor and Sinjin Thomas, who own Johnny G’s Subshack, will tell you that while tough, stepping into the role of restaurateur can be personally fulfilling. As founding owners Johnny and Gretchen Gorham leave their nearly 25-year labor of love behind, the brothers feel like they’ve finally arrived. As Trevor says, “It’s like winning the lottery.”

Trevor and Sinjin have worked the restaurant and bar circuit in Ketchum for years, and their gratitude to the Gorhams, whom they consider mentors, is palpable.

“We want to carry on their legacy because we have such respect for what they’ve built in this town and [for] what they’re actually passing off to us,” says Sinjin.

What Johnny and Gretchen are passing on is an attitude wherein feeding a diverse community of contractors, laborers, and even middle schoolers are all one needs to be happy. And that generous outlook is one the Thomases feel prepared to inherit.

“The subshack is sandwiches,” Trevor says, “but it’s more than that. It’s a personable place where people come and feel comfortable and commune.”

In just one year, Ketchum, Idaho, has seen many “torches” change hands, and time will tell which businesses are next. Still, even if the familiar faces change, they’re clearly striving to keep the flame alive.

New Launches

Local Entrepreneurs to Keep an Eye On

BY JONATHAN MENTZER

Along with some businesses that passed the torch, here are two new companies we don’t want you to miss.

Black Tie Sun Valley brings the perfect door-to-door experience to the ski rental service. Après Babe creates a new flavor of fun and chic after-ski apparel for that excellent après ski experience.

Check out these new ventures.

BLACK TIE SUN VALLEY

Black Tie Sun Valley ski rentals, located at 650 North Main Street in Ketchum, is still very new despite being in Sun Valley for two years. After joining forces with Kyle Wright of D2D Ski Rentals mid-pandemic in 2020, Black Tie Sun Valley kept the same excellent door-todoor ski rental service people grew to love so much with D2D.

Kyle Wright (former owner of D2D Skis) and Harry Oettinger have over 40 years of ski industry experience. Their crew provides you with the best equipment, customer service, and Bald Mountain knowledge.

Black Tie Ski Rentals was initially started in Steamboat, Colorado, by Joe Sternberg and Ian Prichard in their one-car garage with limited resources. Still, they knew there was a better way of ski rentals. Over 20 years later, 18 locally owned and operated Black Tie locations are servicing 46 world-class resorts.

When Kyle isn’t in the office or on a rental, he earns his turns in the Idaho backcountry. At the same time, Harry can be found on Baldy ripping up that famous corduroy. In the off-season, they both love what Idaho has to offer, whether it’s mountain biking, fly-fishing, hiking, or four-wheeling the dirt roads of the Sawtooth Mountains.

APRÈS BABE

Ever since she was a little girl, GiGi Mentzer felt destined to be a business owner. Now she has that chance with Après Babe, the newest and trendiest boutique at 310 Walnut Avenue in Ketchum.

GiGi has been in the apparel industry longer than many of her previous bosses: 27 years. She’s learned every aspect of the retail business throughout her career, so it was only natural that she pursued the American Dream.

Having grown up in Portland, Oregon, she moved to Sun Valley in 2013 and instantly fell in love with Idaho. All the hard work came to fruition in December 2021, and now the tiny boutique with a big heart is turning heads. The only thing that matters to GiGi is that customers have fun and feel loved and welcome.

Après Babe’s style ranges from comfy and chic to fun and sophisticated, specializing in the essence of après skiing. So, after a day on the slopes, let Aprés Babe provide the outfit you crave, whether it’s a trucker hat for those sunny days or something warm for those chilly nights by the fire.

From vintage furs to cashmere jogger pants, novelty ski goggles and mink beanies, there’s something for every woman to feel like cozy and elegant. Regardless, you’ll feel like a total babe. ï

The Changing Landscape of the Wood River Valley

KETCHUM

The history of Ketchum and Sun Valley is so rich and entrenched that any change or construction is usually met with question marks from locals. However, after the pandemic, Ketchum and Sun Valley boomed as if it were the 1980s and beyond. As much as locals would like to keep Ketchum as it was, this beautiful place we call home needed a facelift. With seven significant projects underway, a lot will be going on in 2023 and beyond. Those upgrades include the Main Street Mobility Project, Warm Springs Road analysis, Warm Springs Preserve, multiple capital improvement projects, Sun Valley

Road improvements, community housing projects, and downtown parking plans. Ketchum’s founder, David Ketchum, once famously said, “… Wonder what’ll happen t’ ol’ Ketchum. Prob’ly dry up an’ blow away…”. If he could see what happened to ol’ Ketchum, he’d probably be blown away.

Warm Springs Preserve

The City of Ketchum has purchased the beloved Warm Springs Preserve—65 acres of open space for the community to enjoy in perpetuity. Priorities for the Preserve include off-leash dog access, creek and habitat restoration, new water-conscious irrigation system, walking trails, informal gatherings and activities, Nordic ski and snowshoe trails, and public restrooms. Development, organized sports and reserved private or commercial events would be restricted.

Affordable Housing and Bluebird Village

The City of Ketchum developed the Housing Action Plan based on relevant housing needs data, community input, and guidance from a task force comprised of a cross-section of community members. The Action Plan is also built on the belief that solving community housing issues requires a multifaceted approach. The most notable solution is Bluebird Village. GMD Development LLC and Ketchum Community Development Corporation (KCDC) are the co-developers proposing Bluebird Village, which is at 480 East Ave N. in Ketchum. Bluebird Village will provide 49 on-site parking spaces for the proposed 56 units. Bluebird Village also plans to provide 110 bike parking spaces, six parking spaces for e-bikes with charging stations, and two car-share spaces.

Capital Improvements

The fiscal year 2023 is the second year of the updated five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). An important reminder for citizens is that the CIP does not have a significant, ongoing or dedicated revenue stream. Planned expenses for FY23 total $2,549,374, with the largest project being the Warm Springs Preserve at $1 million.

Warm Springs Road Alternative Analysis

The City and transportation engineering firm, HDR Engineering, are working on plans to improve pedestrian and vehicular mobility on Warm Springs Road between Main Street and Saddle Road. The goals of the project are to address traffic calming needs and slow vehicle speeds, improve access for all modes of travel—walking, biking and transit, enhance public realm to serve as a gateway or transition zone, and provide an intersection that will serve traffic adequately in the future.

Sun Valley Road Improvements

The City of Ketchum has partnered with the City of Sun Valley to reconstruct Sun Valley Road this summer, as the roadway has reached the end of its useful life. The project is a full rebuild, giving it a lifespan of approximately 20 years. The city explored construction dates outside of the peak summer months but due to the size and scope of the project, this was the only feasible time for the contractor to complete the work. ï

A proposed version of a roundabout option at the intersection of Warm Springs Road and Lewis Street in Ketchum.

HAILEY & BELLEVUE

Within the Blaine County Comprehensive Plan, the Hailey and Bellevue canyon subarea encompasses over 85,000 acres of land, including the cities of Hailey and Bellevue and the various canyons—Quigley Canyon to the east of Hailey, Croy Canyon and Colorado Gulch to the west, and Indian Creek to the north; and Lees Gulch, Townsend Gulch and Minnie Moore Gulch to the west of Bellevue, and Slaughterhouse and Seamans Creek (commonly called Muldoon Canyon) to the east. Approximately 60% of the land in this area is federally managed, with 49,000 acres managed by the BLM, 1,200 acres by the U.S. Forest Service and 5,500 acres by the Idaho Department of Lands, leaving only approximately 1,125 privately held parcels, including 64 patented mining claims.

Sun Valley Luxury Car Rental

A new 18,849-square-foot commercial space to be used for Sun Valley Luxury Car Rental along State Hwy 75 between 3rd Avenue S. and Airport Way (on a portion of the old Silvercreek Ford lot location). Approved June 21, 2022.

LL Green’s Hardware

A new two-story hardware store (14,946-square-foot first floor and 1,589-square-foot second floor) at the corner of Main Street and McKercher Blvd., across Main Street from Albertsons Market. Approved August 2, 2021.

Community Housing

The City of Hailey has been working on housing issues since 2010, especially related to community workforce housing. Currently, the city has approximately 476 community housing units, which equates to approximately 14% of the overall housing stock (3,400 housing units), with an additional

77 units currently under construction—12 through the Wood River Community Housing Trust, 12 through BCHA, 39 with ARCH and 14 negotiated through the City of Hailey. More are being reviewed through new proposed developments such as Flying Heart Ranch East through the Oppenheimer Group and others currently under consideration.

Sun Valley Auto Club Expansion & Redesign

A redevelopment of a 10,102-square-foot vehicle storage warehouse and showroom located at 1930 Embraer Way—a detached expansion of the current Sun Valley Auto Club building. Approved April 18, 2022.

Updated Electric Bike Rules

November 2022 saw approval on text amendments to allow for electric bicycles and alternative electric motored vehicles (e.g., electric scooters, electric skateboards, one-wheels) on city streets, pathways, and trails to encourage the usage of more environmentally friendly modes of transportation (Chapter 10.40, 12.04, 12.12).

Municipal Clean Fleet Transition

Through the Clean Energy Resolution, Hailey committed to a 100% clean-energypowered vehicle fleet and clean-energypowered maintenance equipment by 2030. This past September, the Water Division purchased two all-electric Ford Lightning trucks to be used as part of the Water Division vehicle fleet. The Wastewater Division also purchased an all-electric commuter car for on-call employees to utilize to respond to emergencies during their on-call shift. Under Development.

Flying Heart Ranch East

Area of City Impact Renegotiation with Blaine County for the property, referred to as “Flying Heart Ranch East” which is now owned by the Oppenheimer Group. The new owners have expressed interest in applying for the annexation of lands outside Hailey’s current boundaries of the ACI, into the City of Hailey, as well as the annexation of lands into the City of Bellevue. This will lead to the property being Annexed into Hailey and Bellevue, both, once the ACI has been renegotiated. The project proposal features mixed-use, including community housing units, parks and open space, and light industrial and multi-family housing. Collaborative annexation discussions are currently underway in Hailey, Bellevue and the County.

Bellevue Core – Residential Overlay District

Residential Overlay District will be re-proposed to the Commission sometime in the new year to create an Overlay District along Bellevue’s Main Street core to allow multi-family zoning. This is in the beginning stages and still requires additional resources and infrastructure improvements. Pending approval.

Strahorn Subdivision – Block 2 Strahorn Block 2 was approved for their PUD and CUP to continue development as scheduled. Encompassing 29.2 acres, 48 single-family residential lots, as part of a master plan that included 110 acres divided into 5 blocks, three parcels of which contain areas of open space, floodplain and avalanche per the city Annexation Agreement of 2009. Infrastructure will begin sometime in the spring of 2023.

Gannett Ranch

Gannett Ranch Holdings LLC has applied for the annexation of approximately 186 gross acres of incorporated land into the City of Bellevue, a process which began with the Bellevue City Council accepting the application that then went to the Bellevue P&Z for compliance with the Annexation Ordinance (as of printing Dec. 2022).ï

Karl Malone Powersports & Karl Malone Ford M&M Powersports LLC is planning new construction of two buildings with a total of 35,989 square feet for the new Karl Malone Ford Dealership and the Ford Powersports store located adjacent to Kirtley Street and HWY 75.

Celebrating Cinema at the Sun Valley Film Festival

Mountain film festivals continue growth

BY PAMELA KLEIBRINK THOMPSON

When mutual friends introduced Candice Pate to Teddy Grennan in 2012, he spoke to her about a film festival in Sun Valley.

“Having just moved from Los Angeles, I wasn’t sure I wanted a film festival here, but when I saw what they did in the first year, I loved it!” recalls Pate. “A little bit Hollywood, and a lot of Sun Valley. Working for Visit Sun Valley, I saw SVFF as a natural tourism hook. So, when [Teddy] asked, I jumped in!”

Pate is now the director of the Sun Valley Film Festival.

Co-founders Pate and Grennan are looking forward to the 12th year of the film festival, which will take place March 29 - April 2, 2023. But you can get a sneak peek at a winter screening at the Argyros Theater on December 28. Check out the festival’s website sunvalleyfilmfestival.org for how to get tickets.

Pate says it will likely be open to the public on the evening of December 27, and then a private screening for patrons on December 28 from 5 - 7:30 pm. Past presentations included Free Solo, which went on to win the Oscar for Best Documentary only weeks later.

Pate explained that the SVFF is evolving from more than just five days in the spring. “We are expanding our offerings to bring the best and

brightest in independent film to our community throughout the year. Stay tuned!” she says.

SVFF’s slate of films is being developed by Ana Souza, Director of Programming. She is also the Manager of the Programming Department at the Sundance Film Festival.

The idea of the SVFF is to showcase and foster new filmmaking talent. “We’ve had the honor of hosting some of the most well-known and iconic filmmakers in years past, and we’re just as dedicated to celebrating new talents,” states Grennan.

National Geographic Documentary Films, one of SVFF’s founding partners, provides films to the festival and is also a partner in the Wild to Inspire filmmaking contest, the brainchild of Grennan and Chris Albert.

“Each year, we’re blown away by the talent and creativity that comes out of WILD to Inspire, and we look forward to showcasing this next class of storytellers,” says Grennan.

Besides the WILD to Inspire competition, other festival highlights include engaging Coffee Talks with top industry insiders. For example, last year’s Coffee Talks featured Woody Harrelson and Amy Poehler. Also included are the Screenwriters Lab, Nat Geo WILD’s Salon, the SVFF Film Lab, multiple fabulous parties, and more.

Stay tuned for the announcement of the honorees of the Pioneer Award, National Geographic Further Award, and Rising Star Award. Former award winners include heavy hitters like Clint Eastwood, Bruce Dern, Jodie Foster, Geena Davis, Meg Ryan, Gwyneth Paltrow, the Duplass Brothers, Oliver Stone, and Bill Paxton.

When asked how to grow the film industry in Idaho, Pate replied, “That’s a tough one. Without the tax incentives that many states have, it’s hard to compete. But we try to spotlight Idaho filmmakers with our One Potato Short Film Competition, hosting the festival and year-round screenings to illuminate and inspire filmmakers and film fans. We also love to remind people that Sun Valley is Hollywood’s original ski-Shangri-La.”

The One Potato short screenplay competition has been on hiatus since Covid, but SVFF hopes to bring it back soon. “We solicit short film screenplays, and the winning script receives a cash prize and mentorship to shoot the film in Idaho. Then we screen the winning film the following year prior to the reveal of the next winning script,” explains Pate.

Other competitions in the past include the High Scribe Award and the Future Filmmakers Forum, the high school short film

WESTERN FILM FESTS

WORTH THE ENTRY FEE

Sundance Film Festival

Essentially the “O.G.”—setting the gold standard by which other film festivals are measured. January 19-29, 2023, Park City, Utah.

Aspen Shorts Fest April 10-15, 2023, Aspen, Colorado.

Bentonville Film Festival

The 9th annual festival will take place in Bentonville and the Northwest Arkansas region during June 13 – 18, 2023, with on-demand streaming through June 25. bentonvillefilm.org

Big Sky Doc Film Festival

February 17-26, 2023, Missoula, Montana. This is the largest documentary film festival in the American West, which started in 2004.

Boulder International Film Festival March 2-5, 2023, Boulder, Colorado.

Durango Independent Film Fest March 1-5, 2023, Durango, Colorado. Held since 2001.

Oregon Short Film Festival February 19, 2023, Portland, Oregon.

McMinnville Short Film Festival February 2023, McMinnville, Oregon. In its 12th year.

Sun Valley Film Festival

March 29 - April 2, 2023 PO Box 3471, Sun Valley, ID 83353. sunvalleyfilmfestival.org

competition. Pate says the SVFF is looking to expand the FFF in 2023.

Pate, who has lived in Sun Valley for 14 years, shared what she likes most about the area. “I love the people!” she says. “As William James famously said, ‘Wherever you are, it’s your friends that make your world.’”

When she isn’t at SVFF, you might find Pate dining at Enoteca, as she is a huge fan of the Mason family.

“We have an informal sister-film festival relationship with Bentonville Film Festival. The people who run it have ties to Sun Valley and are dear friends!” Pate notes.

With all the excitement with this season’s festival, Pate advises Sun Valley Film Festival attendees to not wait to buy their passes. There are two of four passes sold out before the festival opened last year.

“The secret is out!” she says.

Over the years, the festival has grown, and expected attendance is in the thousands. ï

Lovevery

Playtime with Purpose

BY PAMELA KLEIBRINK THOMPSON

Toying around with an idea can lead to big things. Lovevery, a company specializing in toys and books for early child development, was founded in 2017 by Jessica Rolph and Roderick Morris.

Rolph, CEO and co-founder of Lovevery, grew up in Minnesota. After spending time in New York (including getting an MBA from Cornell), she moved to Idaho in 2007, where she grew Happy Family, a company she co-founded in 2003 with Shazi Visram. Happy Family is the first organic brand to offer a complete line of nutritious organic foods for babies, toddlers and kids. That company was sold in 2013 to Danone.

Besides feeding the body, Rolph became interested in feeding the mind, and a new company was soon born. Lovevery developed “an essential early learning program that can make a big impact on your child’s future,” says Rolph. “Our purpose is to help parents feel confident about their child’s development.”

Rolph established a 50/50 collaboration with Morris from the beginning of Lovevery. Morris, who has an MBA from Stanford, is the husband of Andrea, Rolph’s lifelong best friend. Morris had experience building companies and movements with environmental and social impact. He was masterful at making things happen and generating results.

Morris moved to Boise in 2017 from Washington, D.C., with his wife and 14-year-old twins. Morris focuses on growth, digital, international sales, and finance as co-founder and president at Lovevery. He points out that in just five years, Lovevery has expanded across the United

PHOTO CREDITS

Roderick Morris (left) and Jessica Rolph came together in 2017 to begin a journey with Lovevery.

States, Canada, the U.K., and Europe and is next launching into Asia. He is proud that this company, founded in Boise, now has 300 employees, half of whom reside in Idaho. In addition, he notes all members of the innovation team are based in Idaho, including Amanda O’Grady, vice president of product innovation. She lives in the Sun Valley area.

Rolph and Morris also both have homes in the Sun Valley area.

Another member of the team from the Sun Valley area is Stacy Whitman, managing editor of the Lovevery app. “I saw a job opening on LinkedIn and jumped at the opportunity to work for a Boise-based start-up. My background working for Parenting, New Parent, Baby & Toddler, and other magazines seemed like a perfect fit,” says Whitman. In addition, she explains, “My freshman college roommate was born and raised in Ketchum. She introduced me to my husband, and we moved here in 2003. After our arrival, I worked as senior editor of Sun Valley Magazine. We are now raising our three children in Hailey.”

Clare Hague, the creative director, grew up in Sun Valley and went to Wood River High School. “During the summer after my sophomore year of college, I got an art internship with Sun Valley Magazine. They were in the middle of working on The Sun Valley Storybook, and it was my first exposure to setting up rules and creative guidelines around color, typography, and layout. I remember sitting with boxes of old photographs from the resort, scanning and

preparing images for layout. I see that book everywhere, and I’m very grateful to have played a part in its development.”

Lovevery was on Hague’s radar because her husband plays in a local hockey league with Rolph’s husband. “When Lovevery was ready to bring creative in-house, Jess’ husband introduced me to Rod, and I joined the team shortly after,” says Hague.

Lovevery launched in November 2017 with its first product –The Play Gym, and soon expanded to include The Play Kits, an early learning program sold by subscription. Every toy in a Play Kit is created by Lovevery and is designed by experts, based on neuroscience, and inspired by Montessori. They are built to last and made with sustainably harvested wood, organic cotton, and baby-safe materials.

Rolph noted that other play gyms in the market seemed the same, usually based around a theme with stuffed animals hanging down. “They didn’t help a child with developmental milestones. We saw an opportunity to create an evolving system of play for the first year of a child’s life,” says Rolph. “The product evolves as a child grows.”

Lovevery knows nothing is more important than your baby’s physical, cognitive, visual and motor learning, from lifting their head as a newborn to hide-and-seek as a toddler. Five Montessori-inspired development zones on The Play Gym Mat reveal or conceal to prevent overstimulation, teach focus, and sound making, encourage sensory

Lovevery’s toy options come in kits for children ages 0-12 months and all the way up to 3 years old.

exploration, hiding and finding, and exploring colors. Every Play Gym also comes with a parent guide to help parents learn the age-appropriate activities to promote brain and motor skill development.

Morris notes that all Lovevery products are built “around what a child wants to learn.”

“It’s sometimes surprising to the customer that the child plays with our products longer than others,” says Rolph. “Children want to understand how the real world works. We build on that interest and create a new version of what a toy is.”

“It’s always exciting to see a new product being created and how children are reacting to it,” says Morris.

“We prototype and test all our products. We want to be sure to get it right,” adds Rolph.

Morris is proud of the Boise-based company that has experienced such financial success. He cited financial results of more than $200 million in run-rate sales revenue and plans for expansion into products for 4- and 5-year-olds and beyond.

“I love working for a company with a passion and mission to give children the best and healthiest start in life. Lovevery is also doing its part to reduce waste and combat climate change, which are personal interests of mine,” says Whitman.

Hague said it’s hard to choose one thing she likes most about Lovevery.

“We work with a lot of very passionate people who care deeply about the brand and our mission,” he says. “There is an obsession over every detail, from physical products to digital platforms, that allows us to keep learning and growing with each new initiative. Between Lovevery’s rainbow color palette and getting to work with adorable babies, there is a lot of joy in what we do every day.”

Rolph enthusiastically describes Lovevery books, which build empathy and are relatable social stories.

“The books serve the purpose to expand a child’s world,” he says. “We include different identities and representations. We give children an opportunity to see other worlds.”

The books have been translated into six different languages, and the company has shipped millions of copies. Rolph relates that a customer contacted Lovevery through Instagram and said, “We love your products. I’d love to see a book about a child with a prosthetic leg.”

As a result, Lovevery published Alora Makes a New Friend about a child with a limb difference in 2021. “It’s a sweet story,” says Rolph. “Co-creating with customers is one of the most joyful things we get to do.”ï

PLAY KITS

Toys like the slide-andseek ball run (above) are designed into stage-based play kits curated by age by Lovevery experts.

Freddie Kemp, senior public relations manager at Lovevery, notes, “The Play Kits are a stage-based subscription program with playthings for babies/toddlers and tools and information for parents.“ Play Kits are available on lovevery.com and are delivered to your door every 2-3 months for ages 0-4 years. Subscriptions start at $36/month. A Play Guide for parents comes with each Play Kit and includes expert research, child development info, at-home activity ideas, and ways to play. “We also offer The Montessori Playshelf for toy-rotation made easy, the Organic Nap Mat, and Montessori Placemat & Utensils,” adds Kemp. “Books are included in each Play Kit and we also added Book Bundles as an optional add-on for subscribers earlier this year.”

body&soul

Wellness Treatments

Ancient and Alternative Remedies for a Quicker Recovery

BY LORI CURRIE

Across the country, the wellness market is booming. In Silicon Valley, techies swoon over touchless spas, and New Yorkers download stress-tracking apps to help curb anxiety. Online companies like Goop promote “8 Crystals for Better Energy,” and popular meal delivery kits come complete with nutritional supplements, probiotics, detox tinctures and teas.

Against the backdrop of COVID-19’s evolution from a global pandemic into an endemic disease, this increasing consumer focus on wellness makes sense. Yet, according to The New York Times, the defining feeling of 2021 was “blah,” with many people turning to new therapies and treatments to fend off this growing apathy.

In our 5B bubble, we are no strangers to the quest for peak wellness. Such an active and high-performing—and, dare I

say, discerning—population demands access to the latest and greatest wellness treatments and therapies. And the Wood River Valley does not disappoint. Here, we highlight some of the work local practitioners do to keep you happy and healthy and performing at your peak.

HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY (HBOT)

Our body’s tissues need oxygen to function. The air we breathe is just 21% oxygen. hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves breathing 100% (pure) oxygen while in a hyperbaric chamber. The air pressure

inside is raised to a higher level than normal air pressure.

“Hyper” means “increased,” and “baric” refers to air pressure. Providing oxygen in a pressurized environment allows 10 to 15 times more oxygen delivered than at sea level (baseline

HYPERBARIC: COURTESY HYPERBARICS OF SUN VALLEY, CUPPING: SHUTTERSTOCK

atmospheric pressure). Because HBOT dissolves more oxygen gas molecules into smaller volumes throughout all of the body’s fluids (e.g., blood, plasma, lymphatic fluid, and cerebrospinal fluid), it floods areas where circulation is poor due to injury or inflammation. The result is “cleaning out” metabolic wastes and repairing damaged tissue at faster rates.

HBOT has also been known to strengthen the immune system response by kicking white blood cells into high gear and minimizing bacterial and fungal growth. It also promotes the formation of new collagen fibers and connective tissue. In addition, it increases the number of stem cells circulating in a patient’s body, which is crucial to injury repair.

Recently, HBOT has been gaining traction in recovering post-coronavirus or long COVID syndrome. And recent studies

out of Israel show HBOT is currently the only treatment that can increase telomere length by 19 to 30 percent. (Telomere length is considered the Holy Grail in the anti-aging industry.)

Hyperbarics of Sun Valley, located in Hailey, opened in 2012 as the only freestanding facility in Idaho using FDAapproved medical equipment. “In today’s medicine, symptom relief seems to be the focus of treatment rather than the condition,” says Phil Rainey, owner of Hyperbarics of Sun Valley. “With HBOT, we work to treat the root cause, which ultimately results in symptom relief and is more durable. Many professional athletes use hyperbaric oxygen therapy for recovery. HBOT can increase your oxygen saturation by as much as 1500% during treatment.”

Opposite Page: (top) a multi-place hyperbaric chamber, (bottom) Connor Lohrke and Phil Rainey (right) from Hyperbarics of Sun Valley, help a patient using a single-place hyperbaric chamber. This Page: Cupping therapy, while very trendy now, has been practiced for centuries by cultures ranging from the ancient Egyptians to the Greeks, Chinese and Tibetans.

CUPPING MASSAGE

The Spa at the Sun Valley Lodge has recently seen an uptick in the number of massage requests for cupping, which is specially designed cups to create suction to the skin to stimulate circulation. Lymphatic flow relieves pain, releases tense muscles, and increases relaxation and well-being.

Cupping therapy might be trendy now, but it’s not new. One of the oldest medical texts to mention cupping therapy is Eber’s papyrus (1550 B.C.) from ancient Egypt. However, cupping is a part of many ancient healing systems, including Chinese, Unani, traditional Korean, and Tibetan. The Greek physician, Hippocrates, often referred to as the “father” of medicine, composed descriptions of cupping techniques. These days, cupping therapy is usually found as a treatment offered by practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Proponents believe that suction helps facilitate the flow of “qi,” or life force, in the body.

Many believe that cupping helps balance yin and yang, or the negative and positive, within the body. Restoring balance between these two extremes is thought to help with the body’s resistance to pathogens as well as its ability to increase blood flow and reduce pain.

PEPTIDE THERAPY

Peptides are the building blocks of proteins and are composed of amino acids that work to regulate a variety of biological functions and processes. These naturally occurring peptides act as signaling molecules within the body and instruct other cells and molecules on what functions to perform. There are over 7,000 known peptides within the human body. Still, the production of peptides can vary significantly by individual. As we age, the number and quality of peptides within the body may decline.

Since peptides are naturally found throughout the body, it is no surprise that when disordered, they can create ripple effects across multiple systems, affecting other bodily functions. Peptide therapy refers to restoring the number of peptides to stimulate cellular regrowth systems within the body as a treatment option for specific conditions.

At the LAB in Ketchum, founded in 2021, peptide therapy continues to be a favorite with

wellness-conscious folks in the community because its benefits are vast. It has been found to:

• Accelerate healing processes

• Boost hormone levels

• Build muscle mass

• Decrease joint and muscle pain

• Enhance cognitive function and memory

• Help reverse symptoms of sexual dysfunction

• Improve sleep quality

• Increase levels of energy, stamina and strength

• Lower blood pressure

• Promote healthy immune function

• Reduce signs of aging

• Stimulate hair growth

• Improve IBS and leaky gut

Peptides are typically administered directly into the bloodstream through subcutaneous injections but may also be applied as topical creams, nasal sprays or oral forms. It should be noted that peptides are not hormone therapy but can be used alongside hormone therapy.

CRYOSKIN THERAPY

Originally developed in France, CryoSkin & Cryotoning is an umbrella term for the process of body sculpting and toning to smooth, lift and firm skin, as well as for the elimination of fat cells through the concentrated application of cold and heat. Think of it as a more technical version of hot-sauna-to-cold-plunge therapy or the ice bath therapy used for post-race or workout recovery by professional athletes and sports teams. CryoSkin treatment works through an initial short hot sequence that creates a dilation of the fat cells, making them more receptive to the following cold phase, which starts with a rapid drop in temperature—a thermal shock—that causes the crystallization of fat cells in a process known as “apoptosis” (or, programmed cell death, which is a process that occurs naturally in the body all the time). The final sequence uses hot temperatures, again, to reactivate the metabolism and encourage the drainage of the organic waste. The waste resulting

CryoSkin® Therapy units (right) utilitze a wand to create thermal shock—a process known as “apoptosis”—in a more technical and targeted process with benefits similar to the popular polar bear plunge.

from the dead fat cells is disposed of via the lymphatic system within two to three weeks.

“The treatment is gaining popularity because it is non-invasive, painless, uses no suction cups and is gentle to the skin,” says Toni Thomas of Cryoskin Salon of Sun Valley. “It only takes about 25-40 minutes and the results are immediate,” adds Thomas, “but still continue to improve over a couple of weeks as the body eliminates fat cells through the lymph system.”

There are three unique modalities that can be applied using this high-tech hot-cold freezing process, all with slightly different results: CryoSlimming® helps stimulate the natural process of releasing fat cells through the lymphatic system through alternating hot and cold temperatures, while CryoToning® and CryoFacial® use cold temperatures to increase blood flow and oxygen, which helps to smooth, lift and firm the skin, reducing the appearance of imperfections and stimulating the production of collagen and elastin. All use the same wand-like instrument to glide over target problem areas, with no

skin penetration or painful suction, and all also engage the lymphatic system, helping to stimulate lymphatic drainage of the body area being targeted—whether thighs, glutes, abdomen, flanks, arms, upper back, neck/ décolleté, chest or face. The lymphatic system has three main interrelated systems in the body which include removal of excess fluids from the body’s tissue, production of immune cells, and absorption of fatty acids and transportation of fat—so targeting this system helps the body use its own normal body processes for renewal and fat removal.

MICROCURRENT THERAPY

Your entire body is electrical. Every second, a small cluster of cells in the heart produces an electrical pulse that keeps the organ beating. With each beat, the heart pumps blood that travels throughout the body, keeping you alive. Cells use charged atoms and molecules to generate electrical signals that power vital processes in the body, including digestion, circulation, movement and brain function.

Injuries and illness can disrupt these electrical frequencies, making it harder for your body to heal. But you can return these

frequencies back to normal and support your body’s natural electrical circuitry with the help of something called microcurrent therapy.

Microcurrent therapy sends low-level electrical currents into your skin nearly identical to the body’s own natural electrical frequencies. Running a current over your body adds more electrons to your system, helping you make energy more quickly and stimulating tissue and cellular repair. Microcurrent therapy treats many things, including injuries and chronic conditions. But, in addition to its role in treating injuries and pain, microcurrent has also shown powerful improvements in sleep, energy, ability to focus, mood, collagen production and even food cravings with patients.

Terry Potts at NMT Potts in Hailey has been in healthcare for 30 years and calls microcurrent one of his favorite tools for increasing circulation and decreasing inflammation in his patients. “Microcurrent is great for maintaining gut health because it can kill gut parasites, but it’s also great for things like long-haul coronavirus sufferers because we can access the vagus nerve where the virus has lodged itself and help eradicate the virus there, getting them out of that fight-or-flight mode.”

Another application for microcurrent that’s popular is its use in addressing mental health issues like PTSD, ADHD and generalized anxiety.

Wellness necessitates good self-stewardship and seeking help from available treatments when an imbalance arises. Wellness is important because it shapes nearly every aspect of everyday life. It not only allows you to engage in the activities you love, but when viewed holistically, it also encourages mental and spiritual well-being.

Although the primary focus is often optimal health, true wellness—and the steps we take to achieve it—is a personalized approach to living every day in a way that allows you to realize your full and glorious potential. ï

UNIQU E TO SUN VALLEY

ARMSTRONG-ROOT OPTICIANS

Armstrong-Root Opticians has been a staple for eyewear enthusiasts in the Valley for over two decades, having started business in Bel Air and Brentwood, California, near the center of the entertainment industry. By focusing on customer service, personal style, and high fashion, Armstrong-Root quickly garnered a reputation as the best place to find quality eyewear and personalized eye care.

“Since Armstrong-Root opened, the idea has been to combine fashion, state-of-the-art eye health exams, and quality with the highest level of customer service,” says Laurrine McGowan, owner. “We want to provide our clients with a unique blend of sophistication and luxury.”

This includes, of course, the best science in eye health. The medical staff at ArmstrongRoot include two optometrists and three board certified opticians. All of whom can treat patients using some of the most sophisticated clinical diagnosis equipment available. Formerly, patients would have had to travel out of state to receive a comprehensive examination with this degree of care.

Once you have your prescription, it’s time to find the perfect frame. At Armstrong-Root, you have your choice of the latest, in vogue independent eyewear collections – including an exclusive Hoorsenbuhs shop-in-shop. The boutique specializes in custom digital lens designs and sunglass customization found nowhere else in the valley.

With its unmatched diagnostic capabilities and stylishly chic selection of designer frames, Armstrong-Root embodies the best of both worlds— vision care and fashion-forward eyewear.

“We really care about our customers, and we are committed to providing comprehensive eye care for every person who walks in the door. When people leave here wearing one of our frames, we want them looking and feeling amazing,” emphasizes McGowan.

Whether you are looking for insert lenses for your ski goggles, designer frames, advanced vision testing, or even a simple smile as you have your glasses adjusted, Armstrong-Root will be there to help. And you can be sure they’ll do so in style.

Discover your next pair of luxury eyewear at Armstrong-Root.

649 E. Sun Valley Road, Ketchum 208.726.4250 | armstrongroot.com

Photos by Taber Szuluk

favorite finds...

Elevate your look. Knitted mink beanies with fox fur pom-pom in 10 fabulous color options. Fox fur handbag with mink handle and removable leather crossbody strap. E xclusive to Après Babe. More color options in store

Cozy and chic apparel for on and off the

mountain.

Ski lodge fashion. Rock this cashmere headband, handstitched cashmere “aprés ski” sweater, or celebrity leggings—to wear to yoga class, as a ski base layer or out and about with friends (Dolly Parton, David Bowie and Willie Nelson options)

Perfect for your ski chalet or guest room as a pop of fun ... displayed anywhere you après

Toasty twosome. Bandana print puffer made with real down adds fun and comfort. Pair with cozy leather and shearling lined boots—feels like you’re walking on clouds

For your favorite after-ski buddy. Aprés Ski Instructor Trucker Hats ... a fashionable shelter from the sun and a staple to your Sun Valley experience

Fun and sophisticated looks for on and off the mountain.

APRÈS BABE

310 Walnut Avenue, Ketchum — 208.913.0490

Smiley-face trucker hats made by Après Babe. A smile looks good on you.

Novelty Heart Shaped Ski Goggles. Wear to your next après ski party, last day on Baldy or for a photo opp with friends

ALL PHOTOS: AMANDA RENÉ NAGY

favorite finds...

ALL PHOTOS: AMANDA RENÉ NAGY

Bold colors. A Bogner jacket, pant and midlayer, topped with Mischa Lampert hat with fur pompom—on trend and stylish for slopeside style, warmth and performance

Gifts

All the ski essentails. Enforcer 94 skis by Nordica. Poles by Reflex (locally-owned). Stylish and technical glasses by Moncler.

The finest in European and American sportswear!

BRASS RANCH

Sun Valley Mall, Sun Valley — 208.622.2021 River Run Plaza, Ketchum — 208.622.6146

favorite finds...

Cardigan elegance. Hand-knit cashmere cardigan with fringe (available in multiple color combinations)

PANACHE

Timeless

Everyday

One-of-a-Kind. Enamel, rose-cut diamond, citrine, topaz, and kyanite beaded earrings to dress up or down

Handwoven cashmere. A stunning floral pattern reverses to elegant geometric swirls in cream and gray

Classics with flair— memorable and treasurable.

Classic Idaho style. Olive wool felt hat with brindle cowhide band

Overnight bag. Legacy American bison leather weekender duffel bag

ALL PHOTOS: AMANDA RENÉ NAGY

Mexican Silver Lariat serpent necklace featuring the texture of snakeskin, with matching heads.

Jalisco tequila silver cup set and a wooden serving tray inspired by the triangular shape of the agava leaves separating from the pineapple

BARRY PETERSON

511 Sun Valley Road, Ketchum — 208.726.5202

Epicutis. Gentle, science-based skincare that treats skin health, not age. Oil cleanser and enzyme exfoliating powder treat adn soothe the skin

Zo Skin Health. The Illuminating AOX Serum is a concentrated antioxidant serum to protect and brighten with a subtly luminous, soft-focus finish

For the serious gifters.

THE ELEPHANT’S PERCH

280 N. East Avenue, Ketchum — 208.726.3497

Softest jackets. Equipped with high loft sherpa ready to keep you warm and cozy while you aprés

PURE MEDICAL SPA

400 S. Main Street, Hailey — 208.471.4515

Vuori Decompression Jacket. Offers 300gm of insulation in a low-profile design that can be layered or stand alone

Warm, thin layers from Vuori wick moisture and allow you to stay stylish and retain heat during winter activities

Atlas Snowshoes and Black Diamond adjustable backcountry poles allow you to get out and explore our local trails with ease

Hoka’s Anacapa Mid all-weather shoe is equipped with Gore-Tex and ready to accompany you on your adventures year round

One-of-a kind warmth. Astis long cuff mittens are fur lined and hand beaded with leather fringe

favorite finds...

Trucker hat cool. Feel like a local in a Sturtevant’s of Sun Valley lid

STURTEVANT’S

340 N Main Street, Ketchum — 208.726.4501 215 Picabo Street, Ketchum — 208.726.7547 1 Carbonate Street, Hailey — 208.788.7847

Navy and gold. Rossignol’s Depart Women’s Jacket with fur trim and cuff stripes pairs beautifully with an Eisbar pom pom beanie

Horse. This stunning Breyer Morgan stallion is a highly collectible holiday classic

Slopestyle casual. Elevenate has you covered with the men’s cham shirt and skier beanie

Roller Coaster. These speciality roller are a trending gift this Christmas season ... plus, they are LEGO compatible

KIDS -

TOY

5 Mall Lane, Sun Valley — 208.622.5966

Washington Ave., Ketchum — 208.726.5966

Nightball. The ultimate illuminated ball that lights up every throw!

Scooter. Banwood is a great introduction to quality bikes and scooters!

ALL PHOTOS: AMANDA RENÉ NAGY

Poles. Skin up and ski down with the amazingly light Black Crows Duos Freebird Poles, with extended handles and pivoting basket

Indyeva Abaya Mix Jacket. From River Run mornings, to Apres afternoons, stay warm in style

Winter essentials. Match the sunrise, and cut the cold mountaintop wind in the Swix Nordland Light Down Jacket, snag a stylish hat and enjoy the soft warmth of the Le Bent Elyse Pro Seiries Sock

DPS Pagoda Tour 112RP Skis and Technica Zero G Peak boots. The ultimate backcountry powder machine— DPS ski float and the Technica uphill ease of a hiking shoe, with downhill ski power to rival any boot on the market

Outdoor ease. Hit the Harriman Trail with fashion in the oh-socomfy Krimson Klover Switchback Jacket

Tubbs Flex Vert Snowshoes. Easy to put on and take off, light and floaty on your feet

Arva Reactor Tour 25 Ultralight Pack. The avalanche safety advantages of airbag packs are real. A carbon canister helps with weight

Salewa Alp Mate Mid WP Boot. Stay warm, dry and supported

Run by outdoor enthusiasts for outdoor enthusiasts!

BACKWOODS MOUNTAIN SPORTS

711 N Main Street, Ketchum — 208.726.5282

The best way to enjoy the mountains is with the best gear.

etoutthere

FAT Bike Fever

Trails, technologies and local shops help grow this snow sport

BY HAYDEN SEDER

Maybe you’ve seen them in the summer or winter: bikes with huge, nay, fat, tires streaming down the bike path or cruising winter trails, floating effortlessly over the snow.

Maybe you think these people are crazy to ride a bike like that, especially when it’s freezing out and there are so many other activities—ahem, skiing—to do in the winter. But in an area that so prizes its summer mountain biking, why wouldn’t bike enthusiasts hop on a bike made for winter riding to continue the sport year-round?

Fat bikes are much like regular bikes, except their frames are built to hold a bigger tire, making it easier to glide over the snow. Think of it as pulling out your wide powder skis or board to help you float over the snow much more effortlessly.

The modern version of the fat bike was initially developed and started to evolve for the desert in the 1980s. However, the same tire fatness that makes it easier to bike on sand applies to snow.

Since then, fat bikes have come a long way—even in the last decade. And this is because fat bike technology has

SUN VALLEY BIKER: RAY J. GADD

Riding the designated groomed trails at Sun Valley Nordic & Snowshoe Center

improved massively, resulting in lighter bike frames and even wider tires to make it easier to ride in the snow. And while there aren’t any major bike companies making e-fat bikes, there’s a good chance it’s not too far off, considering the new lightweight systems coming out.

WHERE TO RENT/BUY

Several bike shops in town sell and rent fat bikes, a small contingent but a vital one in the lifeblood of the local fat bike community.

Where you plan to ride may influence whether you rent from Ketchum or Hailey shops.

For Ketchum, people can go to The Elephant’s Perch ($45/day, $35/half day, $255/week) or Sturtevants. Sturtevants also has a Hailey location on Main Street ($59.99/day, including helmets at both sites).

Also in Hailey is Trailhead Bicycles, which rents fat bikes for $50/day.

These shops also sell fat bikes, in case you want to truly commit to the sport. However, riding and maintenance of a fat bike are slightly different, so ask knowledgeable shopkeepers for their advice.

“There’s a lot that comes with fat biking, but once you’ve got it, it’s a blast and another way to go out in the winter and enjoy this

beautiful place that we live in,” says Andy Solomon, co-owner of Trailhead Bicycles.

WHERE TO RIDE

Within the Wood River Valley, there are currently four places to ride: Sun Valley Nordic and Snowshoe Center, the SNRA headquarters, Quigley Nordic in Hailey and the Wood River Trail, aka “the bike path,” which runs 32 kilometers from one end of the Valley to the other.

The Sun Valley Nordic and Snowshoe Center, located at the Sun Valley Club, has five fat bike trails, which provide 16km of terrain in town. Bikers will need a Sun Valley Nordic pass, which can be purchased as a full-season, half-day, full-day, two-day, or three-day pass. There is also a fat bike trail fee ranging from $0-$15, depending on age.

The Nordic Center also plays host each year to the Snowball Special Fat Bike Race in February. Started in 2016 by local bike pro and fat bike enthusiast Rebecca Rusch, the race takes place at the Sun Valley Nordic trail system. The race is unique because Sun Valley’s trail systems are usually closed to fat bikes. So instead, riders go along the Diamondback, White Cloud, Dog Loop, Boundary and Proctor trails. The race starts and ends at the Nordic Center and usually draws about 100 participants each year.

To get out of town a bit, drive north on Highway 75 to the SNRA headquarters, where a network of Nordic ski trails winds its way up to Galena Lodge. Unfortunately, the only trail groomed for fat bikes is the 7km Durance Loop, which requires a Blaine County Recreation District (BCRD) pass.

In Hailey, the Quigley Nordic Trail features a 5km Dog & Fat Tire Loop. The loop is perfect for beginners to enjoy a flat and comfortable ride on groomed terrain. A BCRD Quigley Nordic pass is required.

If you’re game to truly get out of town, head up to Stanley, which has its own fat bike scene. Bikes can be rented from Balance Bike Works for $50/day, and with tons of accessible trails right from town, the world is your oyster.

The Fat Bike Fondo was added to the annual Stanley Winterfest in 2016. This 30km or 40km fat bike race winds through the varied terrain of the surrounding Sawtooth Mountains, starting and ending at the Stanley High Country Inn.

Where we warmly welcome guests with friendly service and comfortable spaces.

Bike frame bags are helpful for stashing food or extra layers while riding in winter conditions.

NEW FEATURES + OPTIONS

SOURCE: TRAILHEAD BICYCLES,

Wider metal wheels/spoke system, with rim cutouts or carbon wheels, to help make wheels lighter

Easy gear options, just like modern mountain bikes

THE FUTURE

The town of Victor, Idaho, located in the Teton Valley near Jackson, Wyoming, and a roughly 3.5-hour drive from Ketchum, is a fat biking hub in the winter and something for Ketchum to aspire to. Trailhead Bicycles owners Andy Solomon and Kyle Wies have been selling fat bikes since 2014 in shops in the Tetons that served the Victor and Jackson populations.

They witnessed an explosion of fat bike trails by working with local groups and advocating for the increase of trails in that area. Since opening their shop in Hailey in April of 2022, they see parties interested in bringing that same kind of expansion here. Mostly, the lack of grooming on the trails typically used in summer prevents the Wood River Valley from increased fat bike access.

“The big thing is getting that singletrack trail grooming where it’s fun for bikers to go for a ride, which is different than where it’s fun for Nordic skiers to go,” says Wies.

Optional dropper seat post, helpful for starts and stops in deep snow or sand

Wider stance width (to allow for fat tire clearance) and clip pedals or nylon flat pedals with pins for traction (usually nylon pedals, and not metal, due to freezing in winter conditions)

Recruiting people who know how to groom a trail, so it rides well and gets the infrastructure in, is key, and Wies says it’s likely a five- to 10-year process.

“But once you get the infrastructure in, it gets used a lot,” adds Wies. “There are a lot of people who want it; we’ve had customers here who take trips to Victor, ride, come back, and ask how we can do this here.”

Unfortunately, there is little demand for increasing trail access thus far. Morgan Buckert, director of development and communications for the Blaine County Recreation District (BCRD), says there are currently no plans to increase fat bike trails; according to her, their community surveys suggest there are very few fat bike users on winter trails.

Another advocacy organization for local trails is the Wood River Trails Coalition (WRTC). But similarly, the organization plans to focus on summer trails, primarily due to a lack of demand for fat bike trails in the winter.

“That’s outside of our current scope of work and focus,” says Sara Gress, executive

Option for suspension front forks for riding rough or icy surfaces

director of the WRTC. “We have more than enough work in the business of singletrack dirt trails in the summer, so I don’t want us to get spread too thin by expanding into winter stuff. Right now, we are focused on building our current programming and building the groundwork to do more. Maybe someday we will have the staff and capacity to do winter activities, but not at the moment. I would rather do one thing really, really well than be mediocre at too many things.”

Solomon and Wies maintain that it’s about advocating for fat bikes, getting the community involved, and creating a demand. They’re working on this by introducing fat bikes to a greater population locally. According to Solomon, fat biking is the perfect activity to complement your other winter sports. “It’s just a whole other toy to have fun outside with, especially when the snow’s really bad for downhill skiing; that’s when fat biking’s good. Fat biking’s really bad when you have a lot of good snow, and you’d rather go skiing anyway.” ï

HAILEY

“Pogies” hand warmer system for winter riding keep hands warm in colder conditions and allows for wind coverage with thinner gloves—which keep fingers light and nimble, but still warm, for shifting and braking

Optional frame bag for stowing hats, gloves, extra layers or food

3.7mm (or wider) tires required to prevent sinking when riding groomed snow trails or sand

Winter weather cycling boots help keep the toes warm

Snowshoeing is similar to fat biking in that it can’t take place necessarily on all the same trails as Nordic skiing does. But on the plus side, with snowshoes, you can take off onto whatever trail, ridge, or path you find!

RENTALS

Snowshoes are available for rent from The Elephant’s Perch, Backwoods Mountain Sports, Sun Valley Resort and Galena Lodge.

SUN VALLEY NORDIC & SNOWSHOE CENTER

Snowshoes are available for rent and trail passes are available in season for half-day, full-day, two-day and three-day varieties.

GALENA LODGE

Galena Lodge offers an extensive trail system of 35km of designated snowshoe trails maintained throughout the winter by the BCRD. The Lodge also offers snowshoe rentals and guided snowshoe tours.

SNRA HEADQUARTERS

A snowshoe-designated loop, North Fork Loop, is 4km long and a great little outing on a crisp, clear day.

BILLY’S BRIDGE SNOWSHOE LOOP

Located 16 miles north of Ketchum, this 8km loop is maintained throughout the season by the BCRD.

WOOD RIVER TRAIL

The bike path is open to all, including snowshoers, who can access the entire 32km of this winter-groomed trail.

Sun Valley Magazine is celebrating our 50th Anniversary in 2023!! We have been delivering national award-winning publications for over five decades and we are the only magazine exclusively covering the Sun Valley lifestyle with both local and national distribution. Since 1973, Sun Valley Magazine has remained the trusted resource for passionate residents and curious newcomers— we are an influencer in the Sun Valley market! Take our survey online to win prizes:

A Better Baldy Warm Springs Gets Enhanced

BY JENNA VAIGAS

An investment for the future of our beloved Bald Mountain, the Warm Springs enhancement will prioritize quality, efficiency and sustainability on and around the mountain. Slated for completion in December 2023, these upgrades will bring new vitality to the lift network, significantly improving skier circulation. This will allow skier traffic to flow over a wider area of skiable terrain.

WHISKED AWAY

The improvements will include replacing the old Challenger lift with a new high-speed lift

(with a mid-station unloading option) and 35% faster lift rides—so you’ll find yourself whisked to the top of your favorite runs in no time.

The Challenger replacement will also feature a convenient mid-lift unload, replacing the old Greyhawk lift and streamlining access to the Greyhawk terrain and popular race venues.

MORE ROOM TO APRÈS

Realignment of the Challenger lift will benefit the base area, too. The newly available space will provide enhanced

amenities and an expanded patio at the Warm Springs lodge by relocating the bottom terminal.

REINTRODUCING FLYING SQUIRREL

A new chairlift and an extended ski trail will introduce a revitalized Flying Squirrel. Having lost the former lift to fire in 2014, Sun Valley is excited to renew this area and bring back lift access to the Frenchman’s terrain network from the Warm Springs base.

MAKING BETTER CONNECTIONS

Combined, these new lifts will not only improve skier circulation, but they will also offer simplified ways to access other regions of the mountain. So, explore more of Bald Mountain with the ability to quickly return to your Warm Springs home base.

“Warm Springs represents the heart of the Sun Valley experience,” says Pete Sonntag, vice president and general manager of Sun Valley Resort. “To honor this legendary terrain, we are embracing a new generation of lift technology, which will serve to enhance the overall guest experience. From quicker lift rides and new runs to expanded base area amenities, this project will allow us to showcase more of what our Sun Valley community already loves about Warm Springs.” ï

PROJECT TIMELINE

April 10, 2023

Anticipated start date for proposed projects.

Mid-December 2023

Targeted open date for both lifts and new ski terrain.

Challenger, mid-station unload

BMT Celebrates 50 Years

Boulder Mountain Tour to honor Bob Rosso on its anniversary

The 50th annual Zions Bank Boulder Mountain Tour will take place in Ketchum, Idaho, on its traditional day, the first Saturday in February, falling in 2023 on February 4.

The premier Nordic race in the Western United States, the Tour is staged on the historic Harriman Trail located in the pristine Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Race distances are 34 kilometers for the Full Boulder, and 15 kilometers for the Charley Course Half Boulder.

The field features World Cup-caliber racers to cross-country enthusiasts who embrace the “Tour” aspect of the event. All ages are welcome. Racers are separated by waves, including Elite Men, Elite Women, seeded by previous race times in the BMT or comparable marathon-distance races. There

are seven waves in the Full Boulder. This year, the in-person race field will be capped at 800 skiers for the Full Boulder, and 200 skiers for the Half Boulder.

In 2023, the Boulder is proud to honor Bob Rosso, one of the original founders and organizers of the event (see the Profile Feature on page 80 of this issue of Sun Valley Magazine). Bob has been with the BMT since its inception and also stands as a stalwart and valued member of our community at-large.

This year’s race bag for all entrants features lots of extra goodies in honor of the 50th anniversary, including an official 2023 BMT SWIX race hat, 50th anniversary souvenir racing bib, race bag, sponsored goods, a raffle ticket, race shuttles, post-race and on-course food and beverages, awards party, plus the

opportunity to win stellar raffle prizes—skis, poles, boots, and backpacks from top brands.

Don’t miss the post-race BMT Block Party and Awards Bash, held at Ketchum Town Square with a 5 p.m. start time. Food and beverage trucks, awards, music, and a good time will be on tap for all racers and guests, with award recognition in a range of categories, including fastest, oldest and youngest racers, on-course champions, wave winners, as well as the Jon Engen Perpetual Awards for most significant time improvement (male/female) from one year to the next in the Full Boulder. Raffle prizes include skis, boots, poles, clothing, bags, and training aids from the many generous sponsors and supporters—but you must be present to win, so make sure you are there for the festivities! ï

Boulder Mountain Tour, back in 2004. Below: Bob Rosso, one of the original founders and organizers of the event, was also a top racer.

Entry fees are $125 for adults and $70 for juniors (18-under) for the Full Boulder and $95 for adults and $65 for juniors for the Half Boulder. For the virtual event, participants will ski a 30k or 15k course of their choice in a convenient location. The “Virtually Amazing BMT” cost is $65 for adults and $45 for juniors. Register for both at skireg.com/zions-bank-bouldermountain-tour.

2022-23WINTEREVENTS

Winter is a cherished time in the Wood River Valley. It’s why we all live here. From world-class alpine and Nordic skiing to snowshoeing to the wondrous and magical time of the holidays, there truly is nothing quite like winter in the Wood River Valley. However, in addition to the wintry outdoor activities, this place we call home also features a wide array of art, music, culture and great food. There are countless cultural events to attend, everything from exceptional music to stand-up comedy to the Sun Valley Music Festival – Winter Season. Here is an abbreviated calendar of events for the winter and beyond.

Dec. 2022 – March 2023

Suns Hockey

The Sun Valley Suns host games at the Campion Ice House in Hailey. Each weekend features a series of two games, with teams from Bozeman, McCall, Arizona, and Vermont, that are always exciting. Come watch the marquee matchup between the Suns and Bobby Farrelly’s East Coast Gutter Snipes from Jan. 20-21. sunvalleysunshockey.com

Dec. 10, 2022 – Jan. 3, 2023

Sun Valley Resort’s Winter Wonderland

Festivities abound this holiday season with a variety of activities for the whole family around the Sun Valley Village. Throughout the season, there will be the Tree Lighting Ceremony, Open Air Holiday Market, performances by the Sun Valley Carolers, Santa sightings, ice carving demonstrations, gingerbread houses and the Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade and fireworks. sunvalley.com

Dec. 17, 2022

Curtis Stigers

An intimate evening of songs and stories by the critically acclaimed, Emmy-nominated singer, songwriter, saxophonist, and guitarist Curtis Stigers and his band. His string of hit singles, millions of albums sold, and a 28-year recording career aside, his commitment to artistic growth and bringing new tunes to the Great American Songbook has become unparalleled in modern music. Stigers has redefined the constitution of contemporary jazz singing. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. theargyros.org

Dec. 16, 2022

Alan Pasqua Trio

Alan Pasqua is an American rock and jazz pianist, a Steinway Piano Artist, Grammy nominee and professor of jazz studies at USC Thornton School of Music. He has been a member of the bands of Bob Dylan and Santana, played and recorded with jazz artists including Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette, Paul Motian, Dave Holland, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Joe Henderson, Stanley Clarke, Gary Burton and worked with composers John Williams, Quincy Jones, Dave Grusin, Jerry Goldsmith and Henry Mancini. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. theargyros.org

Dec. 21, 2022 – Feb. 20, 2023

Dark Sky Dinners

Enjoy the Sawtooth Botanical Garden in winter on the darkest nights of the year! Dark Sky Dinner events feature a “farm to greenhouse” catered meal with wine for 40 people in our heated greenhouse, a “snow bar” and warming fire pits outside the greenhouse, and night sky viewing telescopes outside on the darker, north side of the Visitor Center. sbgarden.org

Dec. 8-11, 2022

Sun Valley Super Tour

The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation hosts the Sun Valley Super Tour & Intermountain Opener. This event is an FIS and USSS sanctioned Nordic event and takes place at Lake Creek Nordic Center north of Ketchum. The Lake Creek venue parking lot does not have the capacity to meet the needs of all athletes, volunteers, and spectators. Only team vehicles in possession of an issued parking pass will be afforded parking access to the Lake Creek parking lot on race days. svsef.org

Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade and fireworks, part of Sun Valley Resort’s Winter Wonderland

Curtis Stigers

C URTIS STIGERS: MARINA CHAVEZ

Dec. 20-24, 2022

A Christmas Carol

Laughing Stock Theatre Co. presents a holiday tradition. Celebrate the season with the Charles Dickens classic tale of Christmas spirit. The production uses music, humor, songs and a little spooky suspense to bring the most legendary of holiday tales to life. The cast includes both professional and local actors along with lots of children. Shows begin at 7 p.m. for Dec. 20-23 shows, and 1 p.m. on Dec. 24. theargyros.org

Dec. 29-30, 2022

G. Love & Special Sauce with Jeff Crosby & The Refugees

Garrett “G.Love” Dutton, Jimmy “Jazz” Prescott, and Jeffrey “The Houseman” Clemens are celebrating their 25th year as touring and recording artists. With over 15 records released to date, this pioneering band has influenced artists such as Jack White, The Avett Brothers, Jack Johnson, and Slightly Stoopid with their signature blend of Delta Blues, Hip Hop, Funk, Rock & Roll and Jazz. theargyros.org

Dec. 31, 2022

Eddie Ifft

Comedian Eddie Ifft returns to The Argyros for two New Year’s Eve performances. Ifft has been called one of the most underrated comics in America by the Onion and has proudly told jokes to sold-out crowds in over 15 countries. Shows are at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. theargyros.org

Dec. 2022 – March 2023

Full Moon Dinners

The talents of the staff at Galena Lodge shine at their monthly Full Moon Dinners. Relax and enjoy an incredible three-course dinner at the historic lodge. Sit back by the fire while they prepare a gourmet feast. Don’t forget to bring your snowshoes or skis (or you can rent them at the lodge) and head out for a moonlight adventure on the trails around the lodge. Reservations required. galenalodge.com

Jan. 21, 2023

Ulysses Owens Jr.’s Generation Y

Drummer, educator, creative entrepreneur, author, performer and producer, Grammywinning jazz trailblazer Ulysses Owens Jr. goes the limit in the jazz world and beyond. A drummer who The New York Times has said “take[s] a back seat to no one.” Generation Y is a quintet comprised of the most dynamic young jazz musicians on the scene. theargyros.org

Feb. 4, 2023

Boulder Mountain Tour

The 50th annual Zions Bank Boulder Mountain Tour will honor Bob Rosso, one of the original founders of the BMT. The premier cross-country race in the Western United States, the Tour is staged on the historic Harriman Trail located in the pristine Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Race distances are 34 kilometers, the Full Boulder, and 15 kilometers, the Charley Course Half Boulder. bouldermountaintour.com

Feb. 10, 2023

Lewis Black - Off the Rails

Known as the King of Rant, Lewis Black uses his trademark style of comedic yelling and animated finger-pointing to skewer anything and anyone that gets under his skin. His comedic brilliance lies in his ability to make people laugh at the absurdities of life, with topics that include current events, social media, politics and anything else that exposes the hypocrisy and madness he sees in the world. theargyros.org

Feb. 17-18, 2023

Stanley Winterfest & Fat Bike Fondo

Stanley will again play host to the Stanley Winterfest, one of the best wintertime festivals in the country. Among the 11 events going on over the weekend, check out the 2023 Fat Bike Fondo, an independently hosted event not sponsored by the Stanley Winterfest. For registration information, go to imathlete. com. For more information about the Stanley Winterfest, go to stanleywinterfest.com

March 4-5, 2023

International Guitar Night

Taking the stage for its 23rd year of touring will be Jocelyn Gould, a Canadian jazz guitarist and vocalist, and recipient of the 2021 Juno for Jazz Album of the Year. She will be joined by Flamenco master Jesus Guerrero from Spain; contemporary classical guitarist Stephanie Jones from Australia; and Django Reinhardtstyle-inspired guitarist Olli Soikkeli from Finland. theargyros.org

March 5, 2023

Kindercup

Started by the original founders back in 1957, this fun ski and snowboard event is for nonsanctioned racers ages 3 to 12. It is held at Sun Valley’s Dollar Mountain in the spring, usually in March. The event attracts up to 250 skiers who all earn commemorative pins. The Olympic gold medal winner Picabo Street was a Kindercup champion! Other famous Sun Valley area skiers to have been past Kindercup champions include: Langely McNeal, Graham Watanabe, Wyatt Caldwell and more! papooseclub.org

March 15-17, 2023

Sun Valley Music Festival Winter Season

A profoundly intimate musical experience in the hush of winter—presented March 15-17, 2023, at the Argyros Performing Arts Center in Ketchum. Programs will be curated by music director Alasdair Neale and feature Festival Orchestra Musicians. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Winter Season details will be released later this year. svmusicfestival.org

March 26, 2023

San Jose Taiko

San Jose Taiko was founded in 1973 as only the third such group to form outside of Japan. They are recognized as pioneers in contemporary Taiko and have been instrumental to the growth of the art form, helping to nurture an ecosystem that now supports more than 500 groups spread throughout North America. SJT teaches, performs, and expands the Taiko art form. theargyros.org

March 29 – April 2, 2023

Sun Valley Film Festival

The festival offers avant-garde independent films, mixed-media shorts, premieres and discussions with filmmakers and screenwriters. sunvalleyfilmfestival.org

March 30 – April 1, 2023

Janss Cup Pro-Am Classic

Join the fun as amateur and pro skiers compete in a fun-filled race series peppered with social events. Costumes and fast skiing are paramount. svsef.org

April 2, 2023

Ride Stride Glide

Dust off your mountain bike, find your running shoes, and grab your skis! This fun, relay-style race is held on the Nordic trails on closing day at Galena Lodge. There is a full course, youth course and kids course. Participate as a team or go solo. Costumes strongly encouraged. Entry includes a hearty mug of soup and homemade sourdough bread and all proceeds go to support the Galena Youth Adventure Camp Scholarship Fund. galenalodge.com

Ski Free Days

Skiing and snowshoeing is free on all BCRD trails on the following days: December 10 January 8 February 25 M arch 22 More information available at bcrd.org

Lewis Black

San Jose Taiko

S KI FREE DAYS: DEV KHALSA / COURTESY BCRD

PHOTO CREDIT

SKI JORING

Blending Two Cultures—Cowboy Horsemanship and Wintersports—in the Wood River Valley

WORDS SARAH LINVILLE P HOTOS MARK LAROWE

it’s wintertime in Scandinavia, a long time ago. There are no cars. No buses. No roads. But you’ve got to get somewhere. So, you harness your favorite reindeer, strap on your best pair of wooden skis, and give Dasher a “giddy up!” or the Scandinavian equivalent. Then, hanging on tight to the rope tied to the mighty quadruped, you both set off across the snowy landscape under the glow of the Northern Lights.

That’s skijoring. Or, rather, that is how it started.

Like many recreational activities and sports that we enjoy, skijoring was once just a simple form of transportation. By the 20th century, it was treated as a sport

PHOTO CREDIT

in Europe and Russia, making its debut at the Nordic Games held in Stockholm in 1901. The earliest known record of Americans participating in skijoring as a pastime was in Lake Placid, New York, in 1915.

Traditional skijoring, roughly translated into “ski driving,” is a single skier pulled quickly by a reindeer, dog, snowmobile or horse through a snow-packed racecourse. American cowboys and ranchers took the sport and added Western elements. They made it rowdy. Western-equestrian skijoring typically consists of a team of three: a horse, rider and skier. The horse and rider pull a skier through a course as fast as possible.

Today there are no two courses that are built the same. They can be straight, round, horseshoe, dogleg, or figure-eight-shaped. To add to the excitement, courses can include but are not limited to: slalom ski gates, rollers, jumps and rings that skiers and/or riders must grab or catch on a baton. Penalty time is added for missed jumps and missing or dropping rings.

When Josh Glick tells his friends about competing in skijoring, they’re often confused or shocked. “You do what now?” they ask. “You get dragged behind a horse for fun?”

Glick had been watching skijoring for years, and then one winter he and his wife Nancy decided to try it out. “We started training on our own property, with our snowmobiles and horses, and that winter we were hooked,” said Josh. They now serve on the Wood River Extreme Skijoring Association (WRESJA) board of directors.

An annual skijoring competition has been held in the Wood River Valley since the early 2000s and has garnered increasing popularity and interest from locals and beyond. Skijoring is taking its place on the circuit of sanctioned competitions for beginners and serious competitors alike.

“Races start around January 1—the Wood River competition is held President’s Day Weekend each year—and go until March with three or four races a weekend going on,” explains Michelle Bobbitt, secretary and treasurer for WRESJA.

The most popular and attended races are scattered throughout the Mountain West, from

Josh Glick serves on the Wood River Extreme Skijoring Association board of directors, which is one reason the sport has grown locally.

Skijoring is an exciting spectator sport, watching teams of three—horse, rider and skier or boarder—as they race as fast as possible through the course.

No two courses are ever the same and may be straight or curved—and can include slalom gates, rollers, jumps and rings that skiers and/or riders must grab or catch, with penalty time added for missed elements or drops.

Colorado and Wyoming to Montana, Idaho and Utah. However, more races are popping up in the Midwest and East Coast yearly.

The Wood River race has from 50 to 100 teams competing each year. It’s common for people to come solo and get paired up depending on the division they’re competing in. However, more serious competitors will travel as a team. Every skijoring event has three primary divisions: Novice (beginner), Sport (amateur) and Open or Pro classes. The Wood River event also holds races for women,

snowboarders, couples, and youth. Theoretically, a skier could compete multiple times per day in different divisions but never behind the same horse. And a horse may only compete in two daily races for safety concerns. In fact, it is mandatory that there not be too much snow on a course. Four to six inches is standard, so horses do not injure themselves while running.

A skijoring competition usually takes place over a weekend where teams get to compete twice. Race times for teams over the two days get combined for an overall score.

“A race can be very close,” Glick says. “You can lose a race by missing a single ring. I have lost a race by a hundredth of a second.”

Placing on the podium or winning in an Open, Sport or Novice Division earns points and cash, which can add significantly. The points accumulate throughout the season, allowing competitors to move up divisions and compete in events like the National Finals in Red Lodge, Montana.

Most people are joining just for fun.

“In the wintertime, ranchers and cowboys are idle. That’s how it started in the West,” Glick explains. “With skijoring, you travel during the wintertime and enjoy adrenaline, competition and the comradery of this community.”

Becoming involved in the Wood River skijoring community is simple and encouraged. Give the WRESJA a call, and they can give you the information to find a horse and rider to start practicing with. The sooner the better, as there is a lot to learn, such as being towed in different snow conditions and rope management.

“Skiers are probably going 20 to 35 miles per hour,” describes Glick. “But speed isn’t everything. It’s a team sport. The rider must be aware of the conditions of the snow and the skill of the skier.”

Katelyn Berman started competing in the Wood River event three years ago with her “stocky” Halflinger named Cricket. To get Cricket in shape for skijoring, Berman will begin her training two months before a race. Some exercises include Cricket trotting in the snow and dragging a large tire around with an old climbing rope.

When asked if she thinks Cricket likes competing, Berman says, “Oh yeah, she gets so fired up at the course.”

It’s easy to see why skijoring is gaining in popularity. Fast-paced and exciting, it’s easy and fun to watch. The adrenaline, the comradery, and the obvious enjoyment from all three team members are palpable in the air. They are the quintessential American Mountain West archetypes whose values and pursuits of freedom and fun define why many of us try to live in snow-capped open spaces. They are the horse, the rider, and the skier. ï

Even though the sport originated in Europe, making its debut at the 1901 Stockholm Nordic Games, skijoring has become a new American treasure.

KATE + BOB ROSSO

The Elephant’s Perch dreamers reflect on their iconic journey

BY JAKE MOE

Bob and Kate Rosso have invested a quarter of a mil lion hours over the last 46 years working to make The Elephant’s Perch the iconic destination in the Wood River Valley it is known for today.

And during that time, they hired over 500 local folks to help run the store. The result? The “E-Perch” developed a culture of being expert purveyors of all things related to “peoplepowered gear.” The classic building on Sun Valley Road is a land mark that draws hundreds of people per day through its doors.

Bob hailed from Southern California, where he grew up as a consummate athlete in competi tive swimming, water polo, surfing, rock climb ing and skiing the local mountains.

In fact, he spent time working in the local ski shop to satisfy his habits. He joined the Air Force Reserves because he thought it would be fun to be a paratrooper. Kate grew up in Seattle, skiing at local ski areas such as Snoqualmie Pass, Stevens Pass and Crystal Mountain.

In the early ’70s, Bob got a gig as a climbing guide in the Sawtooths, and that is where he fell in love with the Elephant’s Perch rockclimbing routes. During that time, he met and became friends with Rob Kiesel, a local cross-country expert and ambassador. One day, Kiesel asked Bob to help form and coach a start-up Nordic team.

to take on the role of vice president of The North Face. Gorton graciously invited Rosso to the Bay Area with a U-Haul trailer and was granted to select anything from The North Face warehouse to open the store. Arriving back in Ketchum in the spring of 1976, Bob Rosso had a store filled with quality gear. That first summer proved successful thanks to Bob’s enthusiasm and the gear knowledge of locals Tina Cole and Gary Stitzinger.

For the first winter of 1976/77 operation, The E-Perch was stocked to the rafters with cross-country gear, all in preparation for a gang buster operation.

However, it didn’t snow … at all!

If it were not for an SBA (Small Business Administration) loan, The Elephant’s Perch might never have made it past that first winter. All that inventory went into storage and came out on the floor the following winter.

Bob Rosso and Kate post-race in 1974. Rosso was the overall champion that year, and also won Kate’s heart.

Having never Nordic skied, Bob was initially hesitant, but Kiesel convinced him he would be perfect for the role. So Bob started first as a premier athlete and second as the recipient of years of coaching tutelage from the various sports in which Bob competed. That was the beginning of what turned out to be a lifetime of being a Nordic skier and, eventually, a Nordic businessman.

In addition to his gig as a rock-climbing guide and his new role as a Nordic coach, Bob started working retail at Snug Mountaineering.

One day, local K2 rep and mentor Jim Bombard and Bob were having some drinks at the El Torito. At one point during that time, Bombard turned to Rosso and said something that Rosso will never forget. “You should open your own Nordic store!” The year was 1976.

Within a few months, Bob found a location for his dream retail operation, a 75-year-old house that had been recently vacated. He then selected a name. It was no common name, but one that reflected his love of guiding up the iconic Elephant’s Perch.

To open his store, Bob was given a gift by a recently relocated Ketchumite named Bob Gorton. Gorton had moved from Ketchum

With the store established, Bob and Kate realized they couldn’t rely on traditional advertising to grow the business. Instead, they had to reach out to the community and get folks involved. So, they formed the event management side of the company. Legendary Wood River Valley events and amenities can be directly attributable to Bob and Kate and The E-Perch, such as the Baldy Hill Climb, the Boulder Mountain Tour, the Tri-Elephanthon Triathlon, the Wood River Trail from Ketchum to Hailey, The Nor dic Festival and many others.

One incredible occurrence happened inside the store. Bob recalled how Teresa Heinz Kerry, widow of Senator John Heinz and current wife of Senator John Kerry, was shoe shopping. When she asked how business was, Bob remarked that his committee needed help getting the U.S. Forest Service to recognize the old road to Highway 75 as a recreational designation. Upon hearing this news, Ms. Heinz placed a call to her good friend, Vice President Al Gore, and within a few weeks, the Wood River Valley claimed one of the area’s most valuable recreational assets for perpetuity: The Harriman Trail.

As the keys to The Elephant’s Perch have been given over to locals John Melin and Marty Albertson, the legacy of one of the Wood River Valley’s most dynamic locations is secured for the future.

Bob and Kate are considering their future involvement in the community, yet it is certain that you will see them more often on the hiking trails and Nordic tracks in the Valley. And they might spend some time wrangling horses on their son Steven’s ranch in Wyoming.

Thanks, Kate and Bob, for all your hard work in the Valley. ï

PHOTO RAY GADD, INSET PHOTO COURTESY BOB ROSSO

Bob and Kate Rosso, with Honey Girl, in front of their store, a historic Ketchum landmark

PHOTO CREDIT

‘‘ Legacy is a word that is the furthest from your mind when you are working 70 hours a week!”

—BOB ROSSO

—ALISON BRADLEY

Alison Owen Kiesel Bradley made an impact locally through her work with the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation’s Nordic team.

PHOTOS: COURTESY ALISON BRADLEY

‘‘

I always knew I was meant to go to the Olympics. It took years to know which sport and for all the doors to open.”

ALISON OWEN KIESEL BRADLEY

The bliss and courage of a national Nordic champion

BY DICK DORWORTH

When Alison Owen was 8 years old, in 1961, she jumped rope on the patio of her family home in Wenatchee, Washington. Her 9-year-old brother was watching. She has a vivid memory of that day: “I am very good at jumping rope. I can do double jumps super-fast, flawless arms crossed over, and jump with the rope going backward. On that day, I’m trying for a new personal record of jumping without a miss. My brother makes fun of me and asks why I’m trying so hard. My response: ‘I’m going to the Olympics someday, and I’m getting ready.’

“I always knew I was meant to go to the Olympics. It took years to know which sport and for all the doors to open. Lift-served skiing beginning at age five contributed to my sense of moving on snow. My dad saw an article in the local newspaper about a new cross-country ski program, and we were all eager to try it. With five kids, alpine ski racing was not in the family budget. I took on the challenge of cross-country skiing with a dedi cation that amazes me even today. From the first time on crosscountry skis, I have been in love with this sport.

In 1969, Alison competed in Scandinavia and said the experience “opened my eyes to what was possible with more training.”

She raced in the FIS World Championships in Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia). Then, in 1972, as she had told her brother 11 years earlier, Alison raced in the Olympics in Sapporo, Japan, as a member of the first U.S. Olympic Women’s Nordic Team. After the 1974 FIS World Champion ships, she dropped out of international skiing while attending the University of Alaska and competed at the college level.

In 1978 she came out of retirement and returned to the U.S. Ski Team, the same year that the assistant coach was Rob Kiesel, who was in the process of revolutionizing the art and craft of waxing Nordic skis.

Alison won eight U.S. National titles.

Kiesel’s belief in and support of Alison, as well as his waxing magic, allowed Alison to achieve her potential. That same year she had several top-10 places in competitions that are now called World Cup races, includ ing a win at the first FIS World Cup race in Telemark, Wisconsin, though it was later proclaimed only a ‘test’ World Cup race. However, she placed second, seventh and eighth at the Holmenkollen, the Norwegian National Championships.

“Herb Thomas (now a longtime Ketchum local) was the first coach of our small group of young racers. He had raced ‘four-way’ at Middlebury College and was a member of the U.S. Army Biathlon Unit in Alaska. In 1966, I qualified for the U.S. Junior National Cham pionships in Winter Park, Colorado, the only female on a team of eight boys. No female had ever before been in a U.S. Cross-Country National Championships. I was allowed to race provided an ambu lance was parked race-side in case my delicate female soul needed it. I finished last. Ouch!!! But I didn’t need the ambulance.”

Because of her, since 1967, there has been a women’s division at U.S. National Cross-Country Events, joining Scandinavia and Europe. Every American female Nordic skier follows Alison Owen’s track, including Jessie Diggins, Kikkan Randall, and Beckie Scott.

In 1968 she was named to the first female U.S. Nordic team, which existed because she had broken the gender barrier as a 13-year-old. Still, the male-dominated powers of the U.S. Ski Team decided the girls were not ‘ready’ for the Olympics. But Alison says, “We wished the men’s team well, and I kept to my training.”

Before retiring at the end of the 1978 season, Alison had garnered eight U.S. National titles.

Keisel, an enormous influence on American Nordic skiing, including founding the Boulder Mountain Tour in Ketchum, eventu ally married Alison. They had two children, both fine Nordic skiers, and the family settled in Ketchum.

Alison enjoyed the next 10 years raising her children, helping former head coach Rick Kapala coach Nordic skiing for the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, and getting ready for the next phase of life. She and Keisel divorced but remained good friends. She moved to Boise, bought farms near Boise and McCall, and married Phil Bradley, a business consultant specializing in start-up compa nies. They also own a home in Bozeman, Montana, where Alison’s daughter, a mother of three, now coaches Nordic skiing.

With the same focus she once brought to Nordic skiing, Alison now spends much of her time focused on the soil, water and plants of her farms. She says, “The natural world is amazing, beautiful, incredible, and fun to take the time to see it!” ï

REFLEX AGAIN

The resurgence of a classic Sun Valley brand

BY BEN BRADLEY

As the fall season in the Wood River Valley wanes, the telltale signs of the impending long, cold Rocky Mountain winter begin to appear. It starts with the early dustings of the surrounding peaks, stark white in the frigid morning air, creating a sublime clash of color with the flaming foliage of the valley floor. Continuing its descent, winter takes hold in the hilltops freezing trickling tributar ies of the Big Wood River before finally enveloping the entire valley in its firm, icy grip.

For many, these signals stir the stoke of the coming ski season, prompting hours spent pouring over precipitation prognostications and dreaming of lines yet un-skied. Yet, while skiing may be the winter sport of choice for many, for others, it is something much more profound than that. It is a transcendent experience vital to their very being. For them, powder lines are religious experiences, expressions of freedom and pure soul-quenching glory.

As the birthplace of America’s first ski resort, Sun Valley offers an extraordinary place for these diehard skiers to call home, one steeped in the very history of skiing. Over the decades, this community of core skiers has created and continually reinforced Sun Valley’s reputation as a ski town of unrivaled authenticity and home to the most devout disciples of the deep.

The town that lives and breathes skiing has given birth to some of skiing’s most well-known brands over the years. Scott USA and Smith Optics, two industry giants and Sun Valley mainstays, developed their groundbreaking inventions here: the aluminum ski pole and the double-lens ski goggle, respectively.

Testing their products on Baldy’s terrain gave their brands instant street cred among discerning skiers and synonymized Sun Valley with pioneering innovation. Another local start-up, Reflex, continued this tradition as founder Gus Verge aimed to elevate the oft-over looked ski pole to its highest form.

Having spent years heading up Scott USA’s pole divi sion, Gus helped grow and scale operations. He even spent time living in Utah to build a new production

facility. However, throughout his days honing Scott USA’s produc tion methods, a persistent thought kept nagging: “we should do this for ourselves, but better.”

And in 1979, with the help of close friends and fellow industry veterans Roger Roche, Lou Krieger and Dick Marshall, Gus took the leap, and Reflex ski poles were born.

From the outset, the mission was simple: make the best ski poles the world had ever seen. Better materials. Better durability. Better performance. Despite skeptics’ claims that the skiing masses would never want to spend money on premium poles, Reflex grew by leaps and bounds throughout the 1980s to become a household name.

In 1986, Gus was tapped to take the reins of Smith Optics by founder Bob Smith, and shortly after that, Reflex was sold to Easton Sports. Reflex maintained a presence in the ski world well into the 1990s, but without the heart and soul of its founders behind it, it lost steam and eventually ceased being produced and sold.

As Reflex eventually disappeared, so did Scott USA and Smith Optics, as both closed their Ketchumbased headquarters. The result cast aside their once intrinsic tie to the skiing heritage of Sun Valley in favor of corporate efficiency. The palpable void left by their departure triggered some existential rumination on the part of members of the local ski community.

Did those brands take a bit of Sun Valley’s ski town culture with them on their way out?

Enter Ben Verge, son of Gus and a local legend in his own right.

As one would correctly assume, he was practically born with skis on his baby feet, no doubt dialed to the maximum DIN setting. He spent his earliest years cinched securely in Gus’s backpack, riding along as his father carved his way down Baldy. For people like Ben and Gus, skiing has always been more than simply a means to idle away a winter day. Skiing provided the foundation for their relationship and a fundamental part of their existence, sustained by this town, its mountain and its extraordi nary ski community.

Like many in the tight-knit local ski community, Ben felt that something needed to be done to bring the

REFLEX

TEAM: RAY J. GADD

In addition to Ben Verge (center with son Gus), the brain trust propelling the new Reflex vision includes longtime locals (seated, from left) Tim Carter, Verge, Clint Lightner, Jack Weekes, (standing from left) Sean O’Conner, Joe Marx, Joel Bernbaum, and Charlie Dunn (not pictured). A veritable all-star lineup.

vibrance of ski industry businesses back to the valley. As the son of Gus Verge, he was in a unique position to make some things happen.

A good friend and beloved local artist, Jack Weekes was the first to suggest that Ben bring Reflex out of retirement. Giving new life to the brand his father started so many years before would provide a chance to fill the emptiness left after Scott and Smith shuttered.

Over the next several ski seasons, Ben, Jack and a consortium of other close friends and confidants explored the idea of an all-new Reflex. They spent countless hours together on the hallowed grounds of the Greyhawk upper parking lot. With cold beers in gloved hands, they mulled the possibilities until it became clear that the Reflex revival needed to happen.

Taking it upon themselves to get things started, Ben’s friends surprised him with the completed legal filings for Reflex, LLC, offi cially setting the project in motion. In addition to Ben Verge and Jack Weekes, the brain trust propelling the new Reflex vision includes longtime locals Clint Lightner, Joe Marx, Joel Bernbaum, Sean O’Conner, Tim Carter and Charlie Dunn. A veritable all-star lineup.

While eight business partners might sound at first pass like too many cooks in the kitchen, it works well for Reflex and is part of the

real magic. Each team member brings a unique field of expertise to the table and helps manage an aspect of the business. From design ing the new poles and managing their production in Austria to handling operations and fulfillment, every member of the Reflex team contributes to the mission, which remains the same: Make the best ski poles the world has ever seen.

From left: Ben Verge, Charlie Dunn, Jack Weekes, Joel Bernbaum, Clint Lightner, Tim Carter, Joe Marx, and Sean O’Conner.

This time around, though, there is another mission as well. “We’re just excited to see where this all goes,” says Ben. “But in the back of all of our minds, something we’d all like to do is expand to the point where we’re employing people and building a big local presence.”

As for repairing any damage done by the exodus of beloved brands and places of work, Ben notes, “It can continue to become more dif

ficult to hold on to the original nature of Sun Valley, but we are dedi cated to bringing back the stoke and pride to our local ski community.”

However inevitable change may be, with locals like the Reflex crew sharing their love and reverence for the skiing heritage of Sun Valley, the depth and authenticity of this ski town’s character will never be questioned. ï

‘‘

We’re just excited to see where this all goes, but in the back of all of our minds, something we’d all like to do is expand to the point where we’re employing people and building a big local presence”

—BEN VERGE

CLOUD SEEDING

BY BRENT LAWSON

WILL SCIENCE BE THE ANSWER TO OUR SNOW PRAYERS?

Are you hungry for more powder days off the top of Baldy?

Are you tired of watching Jackson Hole’s winter reports dumping snow? Are you fed up with the lack of late-season irrigation water to get your last cutting of alfalfa?

Or is the Big Wood River running at a trickle by late August? Or, do you appreciate that your power bill has remained one of the cheapest in the United States as seemingly all other raw materials have inflated over the past year?

Whichever you may be, many Idahoans do not realize planes and generators are scattering the entire state, emitting natural chemicals into the air. The reason? You guessed it, to create more snow.

These aren’t the tall yellow snow guns on the left side of ski runs that young kids use as jumps. No, this is a highly scientific program of collaborative professionals who are chemically amending the natural atmospheric systems to increase snowpack. And it’s happening in your backyard.

WHAT IS CLOUD SEEDING?

Cloud seeding is a process that introduces additional ice nuclei—or silver iodide (Agl)—into the air at purposeful locations, temperatures, and times of the year. The addi tion of the silver iodide allows the atmospheric water held as moisture to begin the ice formation process at higher temperatures.

As a quick reminder for those who fell asleep in high school environmental science class, clouds contain large quantities of water in a liquid state. For the water to freeze, it must reach a low enough temperature (often minus 32 degrees F) to crystallize. The snowflake forma tion process must include the nuclei—or core— for the liquid water to form around.

With the cloud-seeding process, the chemi cal compound provides the nuclei on which water can condense, forming water droplets and/or ice crystals.

In other words, the addition of inorganic chemicals increases the temperature at which precipitation can occur.

“Otherwise, most winter storms are ineffi cient, with water vapor transitioning downwind and not producing snowfall on the ground,” said Idaho Power’s senior atmospheric scientist Derek Blestrud in a 2022 interview with the Argus Observer.

Basically, cloud seeding is the process of teach ing clouds to form snow.

WHAT’S NEW?

This process is not unique to Idaho. Data from the World Meteorological Organi zation (2000) listed 74 projects across 23 countries worldwide. In 2001, the National Ocea n ic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) documented 66 projects in the Western United States alone. A wide range of stakeholders is currently interested in cloud-seeding programs

across the U.S. These include municipal, county and state governments; irrigation, water resource and water conservation districts; airports; ski resorts; and private industry. There are currently active programs across several states, including Idaho, North Dakota, California, Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and Alberta, Canada.

One of the largest, most robust programs is here in Idaho—funded by Idaho Power.

According to its website, Idaho Power’s goal is to supply added water for Idaho Power’s hydro power projects, which provide reliable, inexpen sive and clean energy. Increased snowpack ben efits irrigation, winter sports, clean river usage and Idaho Department of Fish & Game.

The Idaho Power cloud seeding program has a rich, colorful history. At the request of stake holders, the quest initially began to investigate the effectiveness of cloud seeding in 1993. After a four-year literature review and climatology study, Idaho Power contracted its first opera tional program during the 1996-1997 winter.

The program was suspended for a short period and only to be reinstated in February of 2003. The program focused on snow accumulation in

An aircraft flies into the clouds carrying flares filled with silver iodide to be released into clouds in order to create more snow.

the south and middle forks of the Payette River watershed. In 2008, Idaho Power expanded its efforts by enhancing a program operated by a group of counties and other stakeholders in the upper Snake River system above Milner Dam.

As a result, the program now includes a robust system of multiple techniques across multiple state regions.

Idaho Power operates remote-controlled, ground-based generators and aircraft to target the Payette, Boise and Wood River basins, and the upper Snake River systems. In the central moun tains (Payette, Boise and Wood River basins), the Idaho Power program runs 32 remote groundbased generators and two airplanes. Idaho Power also operates the upper Snake River basin program in conjunction with the High Country Resource Conservation and Development program that includes 25 remote ground-based, 25 manual ground-based generators and one airplane. Both methods mentioned above release silver iodide into passing storms, which allows the water particles to freeze in contact with the silver iodide particles. And that allows more precipitation to fall to the ground as snow.

DOES IT WORK?

Now, before you turn the page and think this is all hocus pocus, the program’s results have been incredible. Analyses con ducted by Idaho Power since 2003 indicate the annual snowpack in the Payette River Basin has increased by an average of approximately 12%. In addition, Idaho Power has developed a targetcontrol analysis methodology, which evaluates the average benefits in basins with cloud-seed ing operations compared to basins without the programs enacted.

According to its website, Idaho Power estimates the cloud-seeding programs provide approxi mately 600,000 acre-feet of additional water in the Payette, Boise and Wood River basins and 400,000 acre-feet of extra water in the upper Snake River basin. The combined one million acre-feet can generate approximately 844,500 megawatt-hours if used for hydroelectric produc tion—enough to power roughly 74,000 homes.

Cloud Seeding Operations

ARE THERE NEGATIVE RAMIFICATIONS?

Of course, one may wonder, this all sounds great, but how does emitting chemicals into the air affect the environment? Idaho Power has performed extensive global research. According to a 2014 published scientific report titled “Idaho Power Company’s Cloud Seeding Program” from Shaun Parkinson (Ph.D., P.E.), the results show no environmentally harmful effects arising from cloud seeding with silver iodide aerosols, nor would they be expected to occur. Based on this work, the Weather Modifica tion Association (WMA) finds that silver iodide is environmentally safe as it is currently being dispensed during cloud-seeding programs.

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality also has researched the effects on water quality in the basins. The findings report “it is unlikely that cloud seeding will cause a detect able increase in silver concentrations in target areas or pose a chronic effect to sensitive aquatic organisms.” In addition, the amount of silver iodide emitted into the air is at such low volumes that an air quality permit is not needed based on screening thresholds.

IS IDAHO GOING ALL IN?

S

o, what does the future hold? It appears the Idaho State Legislature has already made up its mind. In 2021, House Bill 266 was signed into law, stimulating further activity and promot ing more cloud-seeding opportunities across the state. The Legislature describes the program as a “unique and innovative opportunity to augment and sustain the water resources of the state.”

There are many other vested stakeholders besides Idaho Power and powder-loving enthu siasts. For example, Paul Arrington, the execu tive director and general counsel for the Idaho Water Users Association (IWUA), has a keen inter est in the cloud-seeding programs to augment the water supply for Idaho’s greatest economic industry—agriculture.

Clockwise from top: Idaho Power’s Garden Mountain cloud seeding and meteorological site in the Payette River Basin; contract pilot for Weather Modification Inc., an Idaho Power contractor, prepares to install cloud seeding flares under the wings of an aircraft at the Boise Airport; and close-up of the cloud seeding flares attached to the bottom of an aircraft.

The IWUA represents groundwater districts and canal companies throughout the state that are heavily reliant on winter storms, increased precipitation, and greater winter snowpacks to extend the late summer irrigation season.

Arrington stated in an interview with the Idaho State Journal in 2021, “We were skepti cal at first, but most if not all of us have come around to understanding and appreciating that cloud seeding is a valuable tool to help sustain and shore up water supplies—like an arrow in your quiver, so to speak.”

Whether you agree or disagree with the environmental ramifications, or the ethical pontifications of humans trying to play God, or are unconvinced of the scientific evidence on the effectiveness, we can all agree on one thing—we need more water.

For now, the State of Idaho sees the program as one part of the solution. ï

Want More Info?

If you would like to conduct your own research on cloud seeding programs, please visit the links below for more information:

North American Weather Modification Council — nawmc.org

Weather Modification Association — weathermodification.org

Idaho Power — idahopower.com/snow

HistoryofRotarun

WORDS LORI CURRIE PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROTARUN

frequent visitors to the Wood River Valley would be forgiven for thinking the area boasts just two ski hills: the mighty Baldy and diminutive Dollar. But for those in the know, a third ski hill located three miles west of Hailey holds a special place in the hearts of many locals: Rotarun.

With its eight named runs and a vertical drop of 441 feet, Rotarun has been respon sible for nurturing young talents like Olympic champions Picabo Street and Cristin Cooper and Paralympic medalist Muffy Davis. This humble little mountain has been a testament to community involvement since it sprang into existence in the winter of 1940-41, when three locals—Jim Hurst, Bob Jackson and Bill Mallory—ventured out of Croy Canyon, climbed Rotarun and declared that it would make a nice little ski hill.

Those ski pioneers used a donated tractor from Wayne Clark and a pulley system to operate a rope tow in those early days. Another local, Jimmy Savaria, gave ski lessons for $1 per week; he was later joined in his efforts by Ann Janet Winn, who competed in the 1948 Winter Olympics.

In 1957, Hailey dentist Dr. Art Richards, along with the Hailey Rotary Club, replaced the old rope tow with a newer one and named the hill after the Rotary Club. Also that year, George Arkoosh and the Arkoosh Sheep Company in Gooding gave Rotarun a 99-year lease on the land for $1 a year. That donation is celebrated yearly during the annual Rotarun Arkoosh Cup ski race.

In 1964, Ralph Cisco, a U.S. Forest Service ranger, was on the first board of directors at Rotarun. Sun Valley Resort sent a few ski instruc tors down to Rotarun to teach volunteers how to teach skiing. Cisco taught skiing at Rotarun and was head of the ski school there for eight years, with 10 instructors working under him, all volunteers. Accord ing to Cisco, they had as many as 200 people on the mountain on a good weekend. That year, Rotarun got its first J-bar lift that went to the top of the mountain, in addition to lights that made night skiing possible. The following year, the first warming hut was built using donated lumber. (FUN FACT: Rotarun is one of only two areas in all Idaho that offer night skiing. Boise’s Bogus Basin is the other.)

For several years after that, the snow disappeared. No improve ments were made at Rotarun, the equipment started getting old, and the hill was in serious danger of shutting down. So, in 1993, the property was deeded to Blaine County, with the original lease and mineral rights owned by Rotarun. In 1995, retired aerospace engineer Red Bloedel moved to Hailey and became involved in the Rotarun Ski Area, an interest he embraced because his grandson, Forrest Fleming, learned to ski there. Bloedel worked with the board of directors of Rotarun to raise funds for much-needed improve ments. Between 1996 and 2000, they raised a quarter million dollars. In 2001, the original J-bar was replaced with a Dopplemayr Poma lift from a small hill in an Austrian town. The 20-year-old lift was sent in crates to the U.S. East Coast. It was then picked up and trucked

Rota-Rippers

Rota-Rippers is a communitysupported, tuition-free, learnto-ski and snowboard program dedicated to enriching the lives of historically marginalized youth in our community. The program is designed to teach the skills that build confidence, courage, and a lifelong pursuit of winter recreation. Rota-Rippers is for children ages five to 11, K-5th grade (must be five

years old by January 1, 2023). Each session is limited to 50 participants. Athletes may participate in either session 1 or session 2, not both. The athlete-to-coach ratio is 6:1. 100% of program costs are covered by Rotarun Ski Club, Inc., the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation’s (SVSEF) Athlete Endowment Fund, the Kids Mountain Fund, and our incredible community partners and donors.

to Denver, where it was refurbished. Volunteers from Hailey drove trucks down to Denver to pick up the lift. Another group of volun teers spent the next several hours pumping concrete up the hill to cast the lift’s supports. With additional funds raised by Bloedel and the company, the lights and the aging rope tow were updated. And

Smowsports School

• S eason: January 9 - March 31

• D ays: Saturday and Sunday

• T imes: 12:15PM - 1:45PM and 2:15PM - 3:45PM

A dult Lessons: $65/session (Age: 13 years and up)

• C hild Lessons: $40/session (Age: 5-12)

• G roup Child Lessons: $40/student (Age: 5-8) (Age: 9-12) 5-person max

• G roup Adult Lessons: $65/student (Age: 13 and up) 4-person max

they were able to purchase a second snowcat and refurbish the origi nal at the cost of about $15,000.

The inaugural “Snowbox” Derby was co-sponsored in 2001 by the Blaine County Recreation District. Participants (five years of age and older) designed and raced their own cardboard racing vehicles using only cardboard, paint, tape and glue. Those early entries included dragons, pirate ships, racing cars, Pegasus the flying horse and UFOs.

In 2005, more than 40 years after Rotarun got its first real ski lift, the mountain was formally dedicated as Art Richards Mountain. The first run was named Logan’s Run after Bob and Betty Logan, whom Richards recruited early on to help run lifts, drive snowcats and watch children learning to ski.

In 2016, the Rotarun Ski Club initiated a campaign to raise $150,000 to fund the construction of a pipe from the diversion point. The fund ing was also used for more excavation and lining of a storage pond that provides water for wildfire suppression in the summer. The same year, with financial help from the local organization 100 Men Who Care, the ski club developed a dual-track tubing park on the northwest aspect of Art Richards Mountain. A cable tow was installed the following summer.

In 2021, Rotarun installed two snow guns and leased three more at the beginning of the year to make enough snow to prepare the hill for a pre-Thanksgiving race camp. In addition to the snowmaking, Rotarun obtained a Prinoth groomer that could pack the snow down early in the winter so it wouldn’t melt. The ski area also upgraded its lights for Friday night skiing.

To date, more than 700 youth on Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation teams, including the Nordic teams, have trained at Rotarun at some point during the winter. In addition, many youngsters participated in the Rotarun Rip-athon at the start of the season, skiing laps around a Nordic trail and running slalom gates to raise money for the SVSEF. And the generosity of local community members such as Freddy Johnson, who has offered to under write the cost of a Rotarun Futures Season Pass for any youth aged six to 17.

The 2021-2022 season was the most successful in Rotarun history, due in no small part to the many community volunteers—past and present—who uphold the mountain’s mission of inclusivity and accessibility to ensure that the joy of skiing can be felt by all those who find their way to the slopes of this mighty little mountain that continues to persevere. ï

ROTA-RIPPERS AND RACER: COURTESY SVSEF, RLB SOAP BOX DERBY: ERIC KIEL PHOTOGRAPHY, RAILS SKIER: COURTESY SVSEF;

COURTESY SVSEF

inthe arts

Going with the Flow of the Flame

BY LORI WILLIAMS

Passion gets messy. Especially if it’s been smoldering, collecting energy through the years, and eventually igniting a soul. That is the ardor behind the flame of encaustic artist Jodie Stejer, who, five years ago, began fervently pursuing the medium. She fully realizes “that it’s been the greatest discovery of my true self so far.”

PHOTO CREDITS

Ardent for the ancient and emotional art of encaustic

For an artist who loves simplicity, organization, and a clean studio, the torch (with a mind of its own) has compelled her to be messier, edgier, and more abstract; learning to go with the flow and passion of the flame.

“I’ve always loved fire—a bonfire, a fireplace in the home,” says Stejer. “It’s

probably the number one reason I was really drawn to encaustic painting, that and its organic nature of beeswax and resin.”

Encaustic’s Greek origin, Enkaustikos, is the ancient process of fusing with heat, meaning “burn-in.” Creativity has “burned in” Stejer much of her life. Her

grandfathers were woodworkers and jewelrymakers, and a grandmother sewed. Her mother painted with oil, and her father worked with wood and glass. Even though she was creative as a teenager, Stejer’s focus was sports, playing volleyball and attending Whitworth University in Spokane.

After college, she continued her education with an emphasis on interior design, then spent 20 years as a designer in Spokane. During that time, she met her husband, and they raised two kids. “Creativity has been a part of me for as long as I can remember, playing a significant role in defining who I am,” she explains. “It has been my way of expressing myself.”

After her kids left for college, she made the conscious decision to pursue the encaustic medium. She took a fiveday private class five years ago and has never looked back. “It’s been a wild, fun ride,” says Stejer. “I’ve met so many great people. Eighty percent of my work is commission, so I’ve gotten to work intimately with clients, many of whom have become friends.”

Stejer and her husband John moved to Sun Valley a year and a half ago from Sandpoint, Idaho, where they had lived for 30 years and where she’d had a downtown studio since 2017. They

stejer

Stejer soaks in the essence of the community and forays into nature to harness color inspiration and a creative approach to each piece.

wanted a change. They looked for an outdoor community and ski town with a lot to offer. They discovered they could abandon their hobbies in any direction right out of town. She opened her studio in the Walnut Avenue Mall in July 2021.

The encaustic process begins on a beautiful birch panel. Stejer applies a base of four coats of molten clear beeswax and damar resin, followed by four layers of white-colored wax to create a “fondant” look. Then, color pigment is added to a wax mixture, and the painted layers are applied, each fused separately with the torch for a proper bond.

Then it’s the “burning in.” The torch becomes the brush, bleeding colors, and layers together, messy-like. With different techniques, the hot breath can shift the wax into a textured landscape of shape, swirl, and pattern. Stejer will experiment with fusing different items into the wax layers—rocks, twigs, shellac, or alcohol inks. With a clay loop tool, she will randomly scrape back layers of wax, exposing previous colors laid, building complexity and depth in the piece. Her abstracts evoke impressions of ocean depths, the rhythm of gray, rainy days, or oily bubbles with sunset reflections.

Stejer soaks in the essence of the community and forays into nature to harness color inspiration and a creative approach to each piece. “If I’m painting for myself, I allow a piece to just direct itself through my emotions and see what comes out,” says Stejer. “Ultimately, every piece I have created is undergirded by a story yet interpreted differently by each observer. That is why art is so powerful. It speaks to the depths of the soul, connects, and inspires us, communicates for us.”

When the emotion and story are spent, Stejer shaves the edges of the birch box where the wax has dripped off the sides, revealing as she does what can be

GOOD TO KNOW

Stejer has been:

† featured in What Women Create magazine (2020) and on the cover of Muscadine Magazine (2021)

† awarded Washington State’s Woodward Canyon Winery’s 2018 Artist Series Label Cabernet

† featured on one of Sandpoint’s Matchwood Brewing beer labels

25 to 40 layers laid down. Then, after six to 12 months of curing, the encaustic surface will have developed a “bloom,” or hazy residue, which Stejer then buffs to a permanent shine. The beeswax is impervious to moisture and will not yellow, fade or mold.

Encaustic painted bison and steer skulls adorn her studio walls, the fused and cured dripped layers on the bone a riotous collage of color. Enlarged photographs have been mounted on

birch panels, too, embellished with encaustic for a 3D effect of texture and color. Says Stejer, “Primarily, I am an abstract artist. I like different palettes and styles. I can’t keep up with my mind as it overflows with new ideas to try. With each painting, I find myself even more fascinated by this medium and a desire to keep learning and pursuing this passion. It’s what makes me feel alive, open, and living the best version of myself. That’s my greatest inspiration.” ï

Encaustic painted bison and steer skulls adorn Stejer’s studio walls, the fused and cured dripped layers on the bone a riotous collage of color.

JODIE STEJER: HALSEY PIERCE

Symphony Splendor

The music festival brings back its magic this winter

For community members who live in Sun Valley year-round and those who flock for recreation in the winter, the Sun Valley Music Festival aims to provide an uncommonly rich concert experience.

The Winter Season will feature familiar and unfamiliar musical pieces in a refreshingly new environment. This ambitious endeavor exploits a wide range of acoustic possibilities, encouraging concertgoers to interact and engage with musicians in fresh and unique ways. By upending the traditional structure of an orchestral performance, the concerts aim

to reinvent what it means to enjoy music together.

“Our goal is to create an event unlike any other that our concertgoers have attended—a shared experience that breaks down the walls between musicians and audience and redefines the ways in which classical music can enhance our lives,” says Alasdair Neale, the festival’s music director for the past 28 years. “It won’t feel familiar in every way… but it will be very Sun Valley.”

This year’s Winter Symphony Festival runs from March 15-17, 2023, with performances at the Argyros Performing Arts Center. Programs will be curated by Neale and will feature Festival Orchestra Musicians. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Reservations will open in early 2023 on the festival’s website. Unfortunately, each performance’s details were unavailable at press time; for the latest news and information on the Sun Valley Music Festival and the Winter Season, visit svmusicfestival.org. ï

sun valley music festival

CELLIST AMOS YANG: NILS RIBI / COURTESY SUN VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL

Sun Valley Music Festival Principal Cellist Amos Yang performing during the inaugural Winter Season in 2019

Storytelling Goddess

A charge to do the work, and then some

BY KATE HULL

When hearing Naomi McDougall Jones talk about her latest projects, it’s nearly impossible to not soak in the residual inspiration radiating from her passionate and creative energy. An award-winning storyteller, changemaker, and, most recently, a certified death doula, Naomi has her hand and heart, no doubt, in a variety of exhilarating projects. “I feel so expansively excited about so many things right now,” she says.

With two feature films in the works, a new book on the horizon (inspired in part by her time at the Hemingway House), and now embarking on the next chapter of her women-in-film investment fund, “The 51 Fund,” Naomi has her foot firmly on the gas of her career.

Naomi and her husband, Stephen, relocated to Sun Valley in 2020 after

COVID-19 made remote work more of a reality. She first visited the Wood River Valley four years prior while speaking at Conversations with Exceptional Women. Naomi then returned for a more extended stint as the first writer-inresidence at the Hemingway House, a program managed by The Community Library. Her time in Sun Valley reignited a deep connection to mountain town living, and she felt pulled to plant roots in Idaho.

“I grew up in Colorado, near Aspen,” she says. “The landscape here feels like home to me. I had this visceral feeling of being here, like my body recognized it. I knew what all the bugs were and the

wildlife and the plants. There is something about recognizing and knowing what everything is that felt deeply healing for me after living in New York City for 13 years.”

Now a full-time resident, Naomi is diving into a collection of new projects and continuing her advocacy work anchored by the Smoky Mountain Range as her backdrop. “I think my work has deepened because I have such a greater ability to be quiet here,” says Naomi.

“Here, there is this insane thing of having a small-town community and this incredibly cosmopolitan world-class arts and performances, like Pulitzer Prize winners doing free talks.”

NAOMI MCDOUGALL JONES: ALEXANDRA TURSHEN

Naomi describes it as world-class culture balanced with peace.

A filmmaker at her core, Naomi is known for her award-winning 2014 Indie feature film Imagine I’m Beautiful and the following feature film Bite Me. The latter was acclaimed at festivals and screenings held on a tour across the country. “I continue to work on my own films as a filmmaker,” she says. “I have two feature films we are hoping will film next year.”

The first, Hammond Castle, is a magical realism film about a seven-month-pregnant woman locked in the castle overnight. Naomi says they are in talks with A-list actors and

are excited to film in the actual Hammond Castle in Gloucester, Massachusetts. The second, slated to be filmed in Arco, Idaho, is a psycho-sexual thriller that takes place in a defunct powerplant. Naomi describes it as “an exciting, artistically-grounded project.”

Whether writing screenplays for film or authoring books, Naomi is a storyteller. One big part of that calling has been using her voice to shed light on the injustices for marginalized communities in the film industry, particularly women and people of color.

“I sort of fell backwards into this whole thing,” she says. “When I became a

filmmaker, the sexism was so blatant.”

Her career shifted to activism in the preMeToo era after she vocalized the flagrant sexism that she and her fellow women in film experienced. For example, she described being a part of an all-female production team, sharing comments that they needed a male on the team, so they seemed more trustworthy, particularly with money.

“When my first film came out, I started talking about what we experienced during Q&As after screenings,” Naomi says. “I thought people ought to know. I didn’t realize at the time that you were putting your career in jeopardy if you said the sexist experiences out loud. I was somewhat naively willing to say these things, so I was flown all over the place to talk about it.”

Naomi gave a TEDx talk on the issues and what to do about them called “What It’s Like to Be a Woman in Hollywood.”

The talk went viral, and her work in advocacy picked up steam.

Now, Naomi runs The 51 Fund alongside the former CFO of the City of Chicago. The goal is to continue to upset the status quo and get more female voices told through financing. “The 51 Fund is my inside strategy to try and get as many women as possible into the existing system and funding their projects,” she says. “But what I’ve really come to realize is that the whole system, not just the storytelling, has been shaped by the white male perspective. It’s the process by which the stories are made and the systems that deliver that story to audiences.”

She wrote the impactful The Wrong Kind of Women: Inside Our Revolution to Dismantle the Gods of Hollywood. She is now working on her next activism-focused project, Regenerative

‘‘

How can we really start to do the work to build an entirely new system where inclusivity and regeneration are baked into the DNA?

—NAOMI MCDOUGALL JONES

Clockwise from top: McDougall performs in Bite Me, Imagine I’m Beautiful and Suffer ALL

Creation Cohort. The cohort is a yearlong program she and an indigenous storyteller in Canada created for 10 students that focuses on how stories are created and delivered to audiences across all mediums. “It is looking at how we truly decolonize and take out the patriarchy and white supremacy and how do we do that in a regenerative way—in a nonextractive, and non-toxic way that could really heal society.”

“How can we really start to do the work to build an entirely new system where inclusivity and regeneration are baked into the DNA?” she continues.

Bringing her experience as an Idahoan full circle, Naomi is now exploring her activism through the lens of her time as writer-inresidence at the Hemingway House.

“I went on a wild journey with Ernest Hemingway, which is what inspired part of this book,” she says.

It wasn’t the intention, however.

Naomi describes the first part of her book as unpacking the journey with Hemingway and watching the world navigate the Black Lives Matter movement while looking at where the country currently sits. This next book is taking a deep dive into examining all of it.

“What does it mean to be a white woman in this movement, to be at the place of oppression and oppressor?” she asks. “The third part of the book is about moving to Idaho and trying to find my way forward in politics. How does one synthesize these movements through the body and mind of one human being?”

Taking on what she felt pulled to next might seem a bit obscure. But finding oneself, or transitioning into that next chapter, seems to be interwoven into Naomi’s ethos: navigating transformation. A death doula just seems to fit, somehow. While also working with the actively dying, Naomi is also applying for the death process work with people who are not necessarily in that ending chapter. This winter, she began offering a three-month course for 10 students to prepare for their own death by going through a ritual death.

“Whether they are going through a personal transformation or looking to get comfortable with their own death, it’s [about] the process of transformation,” she says.

Whether through her films, activism, and now her transformative approach to death, the mountains seem to suit Naomi McDougall Jones well. We can’t wait to witness what she takes on next. ï

MAP TO THE GALLERIES

1) Aurobora 415.546.7880

2) B oulder Mountain Clay and Art Gallery 208.726.0773

3) B roschofsky Galleries 208.726.4950

4) Davies-Reid 208.726.3453

5) Frederic Boloix Fine Arts 208.726.8810

6) Friesen + Lantz Fine Art 208.726.4174

7) G ail Severn Gallery 208.726.5079

8) G ilman Contemporary 208.726.7585

9) S tejer Studio 509.993.1213

10) K neeland Gallery 208.726.5512

11) O CHI Gallery 208.726.8746

12) S un Valley Museum of Art 208.726.9491

13) Wood River Fine Arts 208.928.7728

14) Myriam Esther Fine Art Gallery 208.450.2066

GALLERY WALKS

Enjoy free evenings of art viewing and conversation at the Sun Valley Gallery Association’s “Gallery Walks.” Galleries are open from 5-7:30 p.m. with artists often in attendance.

Friday, December 30, 2022 Friday, February 17, 2023 Friday, March 10, 2023

2022-2023WINTER GALLERY B UZZ

wildlife in Sun Valley. The “Defiance” collection is often inspired by history. Myriam Esther was born and grew up in Europe. Therefore, she is always amazed, fascinated, and often surprised by the discovery of particularly important historical, less known characters that shaped the American history. They touch and inspire her profoundly. 3% of the profit goes to charities in Idaho for endangered species or animals or environment. 3% of the profit of specific artworks goes to charities for children, education, and other charities.

STEJER STUDIO

December – May

“CREATING ART WITH FIRE”

GAIL SEVERN GALLERY

December – January

SOLO EXHIBITION — MICHAEL GREGORY

Michael Gregory’s oil paintings depict the iconic American land scape as a terrain where space seems infinite, where light can shine in the sky uninterrupted by the debris of civilization. These paintings harken back to another time, yet are strikingly contemporary. Stripped down to the essence of structure, a barn sets the stage

for a sense of moody nostalgia and memory. Gregory’s unique style is simultaneously hyperrealist yet exorbitant in scale and color. This exhibition will feature new paintings by the artist, who has work included in the collections of the San Jose Museum of Art, California; Boise Art Museum, Idaho; Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington; Denver Art Museum, Colorado; Evans ville Museum of Arts, History and Science, Indiana; and numerous private collections.

GROUP SHOW — ”PREVIEW 2023”

“Preview 2023” is a major exhibition showcasing a variety of the gallery’s internationally recognized and emerging artists who will be

included in group shows or have one-person exhibitions at the gallery in 2023, including Laura McPhee, Hung Liu, Rana Rochat, Kathy Moss, Betsy Margolius, Marcia Myers, Diane Andrews Hall, Allison Stewart, Chris Maynard, Kenna Moser, Lisa Kokin, Jennifer Markowitz, Don & Era Farnsworth, Kiki Smith, April Gornik, Squeak Carnwath, Jun Kaneko, and more.

MYRIAM ESTHER FINE ART GALLERY

December – March 2023

Come and explore new pieces added to the “Snow” and “Defiance” collections. The “Snow” collection is inspired by the beautiful

Jodie Stejer is an encaustic artist working from her Wood River Valley studio in downtown Ketchum, Idaho: applying a fired torch to fuse together beeswax, resin and pigment to create abstract art. “As a commission artist I am fortunate to paint many different styles, from photo encaustics, landscapes and abstracts to skulls and old wooden skis,” says Stejer. “It’s an honor for me to work directly with my collectors to create a unique piece for their homes.” Currently booking commissions for next April, 2023. Stejer Studio will feature opening receptions during the Gallery Walk evenings this summer on Julv 8, August 5 and September 2, with additional opening receptions during the Artist Studio Tour on August 10 and 20.

GILMAN CONTEMPORARY

December – January GROUP SHOW

Each December Gilman Contemporary celebrates the diversity of the artists they bring to Sun Valley with a dynamic group show. This year

The Sun Valley area boasts a diverse and cosmopolitan art community. Here is a sampling of what’s in store at galleries this season.

Detail of “Red Willow, 2022” by Michael Gregory at Gail Severn Gallery, oil on canvas/panel, 58 in. x 60 in.

the gallery teases future exhibitions including Carmen McNall and Mayme Kratz who will have full exhibitions the summer of 2023. Also featured in the group show are gallery newcomers Matt Duffin, who creates “neurotically meticu lous” encaustic wax paintings, and Thomas Trum’s minimalist paintings that express his fascination with the unconventional use of paint.

KNEELAND GALLERY

December 14 – January 27

GROUP EXHIBITION — MARK GIBSON, LORI MCNEE, CALEB MEYER

A native of Hailey Idaho, Caleb Meyer has always enjoyed the rugged beauty the Northwest has to offer. His paintings are characterized by bright hues and a textural surface. Mark Gibson’s paintings achieve a powerful mood and atmo sphere and feature much Native American imagery. Local artist Lori McNee is talented in several different media including oil, cold wax and encaustic. Her subject matter is also extensive, and this exhibition will include both her signature stilllife imagery and poignant landscapes. Opening Reception: Friday, December 30, 5-7:30 p.m.

OCHI GALLERY

December 17 – January 28

GROUP SHOW — “WISH YOU WERE HERE”

OCHI is pleased to present Wish You Were Here, a group exhibition featuring new works by Andrea Aragon, Adam de Boer, Velia de Iuliis, Devin Farrand, Matthew F Fisher, Ozzie Juarez, Adehla Lee, Lilian Martinez, Stephen Truax, Anna Valdez, Brea Weinreb, and Avery Wheless. The exhibition will be on view at 116 Lewis Street, Ketchum, Idaho, from December 17, 2022, through February 4, 2023. Wish You Were Here is inspired by vintage Sun Valley postcards sent to loved ones while on winter holiday combined with the perpetual vacation vibes of sunny Los Angeles. Featuring sunsets, tropical flora, palm trees, swimsuits, beach and pool scenes, and golden hour light, Wish You Were Here reflects the spirit of both OCHI locations in California and Idaho.

WOOD RIVER FINE ARTS

December – May

Entering its twelfth year, Wood River Fine Arts is pleased to

continue its presence in Ketchum and Sun Valley, serving clients across the United States and Canada with major sculpture installations and important paintings for collectors seeking the finest in Western art. The gallery

proudly represents the following artists: Christopher Blossom, George Carlson, Jill Carver, G. Russell Case, Tim Cherry, Len Chmiel, Jeremy Lipking, Lars Jonsson, Richard Loffler, James Morgan, John Moyers, Terri Kelly Moyers, Ralph Oberg, Dan Ostermiller, Daniel W. Pinkham, Grant Redden, CAA, Cary Schwarz, TCAA, Tim Shinabarger, Amy Sidrane, Kathryn Stats, Skip Whitcomb and Wayne Wolfe.

Wood River Fine Arts is an online gallery with private in-person appointments available on request for visitors to and residents of the Wood River Valley. The work of represented artists can be viewed at woodriverfinearts.com. For more information contact owners Tom Bassett and Sandy Gregorak at (208) 928-7728 or email tom@ woodriverfinearts.com.

BROSCHOFSKY GALLERIES

December – May

GROUP SHOW — “BEST OF THE WEST”

“Best of the West” is a group show of gallery artists with an array of subjects and interpretations of the American West, historical

in. x 40 in.

“Rolling Open” by Caleb Meyer at Kneeland Gallery, oil on canvas, 40

“In the Bleak Midwinter” by David Yarrow at Broschofsky Galleries, pigment print photograph, 52 in. x 71 in. (standard) • 71 in. x 100 in. (large)

through contemporary. Displaying vintage photographs from Edward Curtis’ 30-year project “The North American Indian” (1898 – 1928) across the board to Western pop works from Andy Warhol’s “Cowboys and Indians” series (1986). Other artist works include David Yarrow’s large-scale photographic works that often evoke a feeling of curiosity, laughter and awe with their spectacular backgrounds, recognizable models, eccentric Western characters and trained animals. Also highlighting recent acquisitions of paintings by Russell Chatham. In viewing a Chatham painting one typically gets a feeling of recognition of place. What is actually revealed is a feeling, a sense of emotion that goes deeper than the visual mind. Other works will be on display by gallery artists: Bill Barrett, Emil Bisttram, Rudi Broschofsky, Jim Dine, Joellyn Duesberry, Ewoud de Groot, William Matthews, Joan Mitchell, Ken Peloke, Billy Schenck, Theodore Villa, Russell Young and more.

FRIESEN + LANTZ FINE ART

December 30 – February

SOLO EXHIBITION — BEN STEELE

With an education built upon classical training, Steele utilizes the processes of the old masters with a contemporary sensibility; never staying in one place for too long. The result is a wide-ranging body of work, from still life to portraiture to landscape (and often somewhere in between), melding art history and pop culture references in his ever-changing process.

“As someone who frequently references art and culture, I’ve explored a lot of the depths of the history of artists and art: from the obscure to the ultra-famous. What I’m often surprised by is how few iconic images actually exist; those visuals that almost everyone, regardless of background or knowledge base, instinctively recognizes.

Getting to study and emulate the style and craft of these images throughout my career has brought

me immense purpose. And I think that getting to recontextualize these works, as other artists have done before me, allows for them to continue to exist in other forms.”

Ben Steele

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023 EXHIBITIONS

KNEELAND GALLERY

January 30 – March 1

GROUP EXHIBITION — DOUGLAS AAGARD, JOHN HOREJS, NEAL PHILPOTT

Douglas Aagard draws on the Utah landscape as his source of inspiration. His subjects vary from the mountain pines and cedars to the farmland in between. A local favorite, John Horejs will paint familiar scenes from the Wood River Valley, while realist painter Neal Philpott seeks to capture the ephemeral nature of the Northwest, seeing himself as a record keeper of a specific place and time. Opening Reception: Friday, February 17, 5-7:30 p.m.

GILMAN CONTEMPORARY

February

SOLO EXHIBITION –TUCK FAUNTLEROY “BURN”

Fauntleroy’s focus for his Burn series is wildfireaffected regions in Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. They represent a mixed perspective with some images shot aerially and others shot from the ground. The photographs are careful compositions of positive and negative space while capturing the elegant lines and shapes created by a natural landscape scared by flame. Critical to the series is the idea of taking something more commonly per ceived as unsightly, destructive, negative and making it beautiful, elegant and engaging. “To me, the work has a meditative quality and feel that is similar to Waterline. And while the aesthetics are quite

graphic, they are calming and peaceful at the same time.”

“I like to think of the winter season as a time for the land itself to rest. Zero human activity, the silence of falling snow in one of the most remote places on earth is enchanting and reflective... In that space, there’s hope of discovering a healing element that a landscape at rest is pristine and peaceful—it inspires promise.”

Tuck Fauntleroy

GAIL SEVERN GALLERY

February

THEODORE WADDELL & JAMES COOK –

“SEEN WITH THE BRUSH”

This two-person exhibition of paintings by Theodore Waddell and James Cook explores dual interpretations of the Western landscape. Waddell’s stylistic approach has become iconic across the Western states and beyond. His paintings reveal themselves as something frozen in time, something captured. His subject

is nature and the animals existing within these wide-open spaces.

The artist’s newest book, Tucker Plays the Back Nine, will be available at the gallery as well. James Cook brings scenes from nature to life with each impasto brush stroke on canvas. His painting style evokes the impressionistic approach of capturing the essence of an instantaneous moment with a focus on movement and light. Cook’s subtle abstraction and attention to color create vibrant panoramas that awaken the senses. This two-person exhibition will feature new work by both artists, offering a fresh perspective on long established artists.

FRIESEN + LANTZ FINE ART

February 17 – March

SOLO EXHIBITION –STEVE JENSEN

The art of Steve Jensen — be it paintings, sculpture or carvings — suggests a glimpse into the distant past while hinting at the unknown future. Each work evokes a sense of continuity that transcends time

“Floating Pug” by Matt Duffin at Gilman Contemporary, encaustic on panel, 19.5 in. x 19.5 in.

and space, always circling one back to their individual path and their personal voyage of life.

“The ‘voyage’ has been a recurring theme for as long as I can remember making art. The boat as a haven, the vessel of transport, is meant to symbolize a journey into the unknown … perhaps to the other side, or from the old life to the new. I want my viewers to contemplate what the voyage means to them.” - Steve Jensen

AUROBORA GALLERY

January – May

Aurobora is an invitational fine art studio that publishes and exhibits works by artists of regional, national  and international reputa

tions.  This summer Aurobora will continue to exhibit regularly changing shows of works by various artists that have worked in the Aurobora studio for the past 30 years. Artists include Lynda Benglis, Dana Frankfort, Fraser Taylor, Pia Fries, Willy Heeks, Richmond Burton, Wesley Kilmer, LoopmasterM, Clem Crosby, Lisa Williamson, William T. Wiley, John Zurier and others.

GAIL SEVERN GALLERY

February

“Isn’t that all we really have?” asks Carolyn Olbum, whose sculptures

of discarded tree limbs, rotten roots, and dried vines tell a story of regeneration. Abstract painter Raphaëlle Goethals challenges space and time with ethereal compositions that root us in a present moment of beauty. Olbum weaves nature and art together through organic forms and scavenged objects. She immortalizes and recontextualizes her findings by casting them in bronze to create visual poetry, or what she calls “sculptural haiku.” Olbum grace fully translates environmental fragments into a cohesive whole, which take on a life of their own. Raphaëlle Goethals is known for her signature layered encaustic and sophisticated minimalism, fusing to create non-representa tional masterpieces. Her works are void of any sense of gravity, with emphasis on light, texture, and emotive color. Similar to Olbum’s ability to capture and freeze her subject, Goethals suspends the viewer weightlessly in front of her morphing galaxies.

MARCH/APRIL 2023 EXHIBITIONS

GAIL SEVERN GALLERY March

SOLO AND GROUP EXHIBITIONS

Gary Komarin, Kathy Moss, Betsy Margolius, Chris Maynard, Carolyn Olbum, Raphaëlle Goethals, Carolyn Olbum, Nicholas Africano, Maggie Shafran, Therman Statom, Pegan Brooke, Jane Rosen, and more

KNEELAND GALLERY

March 3 – April 15

GROUP EXHIBITION — ANDRZEJ SKORUT, SILAS THOMPSON, SETH WINEGAR

Andrzej Skorut’s landscape paintings take a traditional subject and depict in a highly contemporary way through the use of multiple layers of paint and glaze. Idaho native Silas Thompson’s passion

for drawing and painting was instilled at an early age, fostered by his parents and manifest by the filling of countless sketchbooks and refrigerator magnets with the icons of beautiful rivers, valleys, and mountains that carve through the high desert and vast farmlands of the West. Known for his landscape and still-life scenes, Utah artist Seth Winegar’s paintings are deep in rich, thick oil strokes. His works are freshly vivacious, filled with tonal rhythms and dramatic movements, not often seen in the work of such a young artist. Opening Reception: Friday, March 10, 5-7:30 p.m.

GILMAN CONTEMPORARY

March – April

GROUP SHOW –“WORKS ON PAPER”

Featuring John Westmark, Jill Lear, Jeri Eisenberg and Joanne Freeman

The primary material used in John Westmark’s paintings is storebought paper sewing patterns applied directly to the canvas. The patterns are reinterpreted outside of their usual functional context as garment templates to create a dialogue that speaks of sociopolitical issues and gender. The female figure is presented as an agent of revolt, stoic martyr, or fantastical being. In every instance the identity of the figure(s) is denied by wraps, suggesting an anonymous “everywoman” or veiled entity. By embellishing the garment patterns with custom text from contemporary feminist writing and criticism, Westmark creates a conceptual narrative alongside the existing material narrative of imprinted assembly instructions. This added textual narrative disrupts the nostalgic or stereotypical notion of “women’s work” and admits an aggressive feminist dialogue into the visual conversation. The viewer is asked to read both the text-embedded surface and the image. Also featured are artists Jill Lear, Jeri Eisenberg and Joanne Freeman.

CAROLYN OLBUM AND RAPHAËLLE GOETHALS –“HERE AND NOW”

“Leonardo” by Myriam Esther at Myriam Esther Fine Art Gallery, acrylic on canvas, 40 in. x 30 in.

food&drink

SOUP’S UP

Sourceable recipes in support of local food and farms of Idaho

RECIPES AND PHOTOS BY LAINE WHITTIER

The state of Idaho has nearly 25,000 farms and ranches spread over 11.8 million acres of land, with agricultural production accounting for more than 18% of Idaho’s total economic output. Agriculture in Idaho began in earnest in the mid-1800s when Mormon settlers began migrating into southeast Idaho from Utah, establishing one of Idaho’s earliest farm settlements at Franklin, in Preston County, in 1860. Thirty years later, farming surpassed mining as Idaho’s leading economic activity—a position it continues to hold.

Farming and ranching are as integral to Idaho as, well, potatoes and French fries. It is in our blood and on our license plates, and Idaho stands as the third largest agricultural state in the West, with a good portion of the lands dedicated to farming fanning out from the areas surrounding the Wood River Valley,

following the course of the Snake River as it cuts across the southern part of the state.

Due to our location near the heart of Idaho’s largest agricultural area, residents of Blaine County are uniquely positioned to enjoy fresh locally and regionally grown food every day—an objective that the Sun Valley Institute for Resilience and Local Food Alliance have put at the forefront of their initiatives to strengthen community-based food systems and support local farmers. With 190 farms in Blaine County alone, there are lots of choices for fresh, farm-raised goods and produce.

All these facts were not lost on Wood River Valley native Laine Whittier, who shares her passion for cooking and community in a unique collection of recipes sourcing ingredients from local and regional farms and producers. Last summer, as a 23-yearold student attending the University of

Colorado, Boulder, Whittier created a local food cookbook with over 80 original recipes drawing on the abundance of local food available in the area. Recipes for sides and soups, both meat and vegetarian mains, desserts and drinks, utilize local products from farms and ranches including— B&G Produce and Shooting Star Farm in Hailey, Itty Bitty Farms in Carey, Ballard Cheese in Gooding, Wild Spaces Farm in Glenns Ferry, Big Wood Bread and Sun Valley Mustard in Ketchum, Waterwheel Gardens in Emmett, Desert Mountain Grass-Fed Beef in Hammett, as well as Raw Life Farms, Hillside Grain, Kraay’s Market & Garden, and Buck Wild Beef, all located in Bellevue.

Visit Atkinsons’ Markets, NourishMe or your local Farmers’ Markets to gather regional ingredients for the recipes that follow. Happy cooking!

SPICY PARMESAN

TOMATO BASIL BISQUE + CROUTONS

YIELD: 4-6 bowls of soup

INGREDIENTS:

6-8 tomatoes, quartered 3 tablespoons olive oil 3 cloves garlic, removed from peel, but whole ½ cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon red pepper flakes ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan ⅛ cup gruyere cheese, grated 4-6 basil leaves, torn

CREATING:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine tomatoes, olive oil, red pepper flakes, garlic, salt & pepper in a glass baking dish. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until tomatoes are soft and bubbly. Scrape contents into a blender. Cool, and then blend until creamy soup consistency is reached. Place the puree into a pot, and add warm heavy cream, half the parmesan, and gruyere, bringing to a low simmer. Adjust seasoning. Top with parmesan and basil to serve.

LEMON PARMESAN CROUTONS

INGREDIENTS:

½ loaf sourdough, cubed 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar ½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper

1 garlic clove, minced ½ cup olive oil

¼ cup chopped chives ½ cup freshly grated parmesan

CREATING:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine lemon juice, vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic, and olive oil in a food processor. Add chopped sourdough to a medium mixing bowl, and drizzle liquid mixture over the bread, stirring to coat. Spread out bread over a sheet pan, and cook for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown but still a little bit soft. Once cooled for 10 minutes, return to bowl and coat with chives and parmesan. Use on any salad, or on top of soup.

ROASTED SQUASH & PEAR SALAD

INGREDIENTS :

1 local squash, cubed

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 pears, sliced

1 bag local lettuce mix (or local kale. If using kale, massage for 2 minutes with 2 teaspoons olive oil before adding toppings)

¼ cup candied pecans

Sprinkle of shaved parmesan

Salt & pepper, to taste

For the Dressing:

2 teaspoons honey

2 cloves garlic, minced

½ cup olive oil

⅛ cup balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons dijon mustard

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Salt & pepper, to taste

CREATING:

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Combine all dressing ingredients in a food processor and blend. Chill dressing while you create the salad. Toss the cubed squash with olive oil, brown sugar, salt & pepper. Spread over a sheet pan and bake for 20 minutes, mixing halfway through. Add lettuce, sliced pear, parmesan, nuts, and squash to the salad and toss. Finish with a drizzle of dressing.

FALL BEEF AND VEGETABLE STEW

YIELD::

6-8 servings

INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoons butter

1 pound beef chuck roast (stew meat)

1 zucchini, chopped

4 carrots, chopped

4 stocks celery, chopped

½ pound mushrooms, chopped

½ yellow onion, chopped

15 (or about one bag) small cooking potatoes, halved and then quartered

4-6 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups beef broth

1 cup water

2 teaspoons flour, for coating meat

Salt & pepper, to taste

⅛ cup tomato paste

Drizzle of balsamic vinegar

CREATING:

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In an oven-safe pan (preferably a dutch oven), add butter and chopped stew meat coated in flour, salt and pepper. Cook for 5-8 minutes and brown the meat. Add tomato paste and vinegar to the pan and stir. Add all vegetables, then add beef broth. Bring to a boil over the stove. Cover the boiling pot with a lid and transfer to the oven for approximately 2 hours (at 350 degrees), until the meat is tender.

CORN CHOWDER

YIELD: 4-6 cups soup

INGREDIENTS:

3 tablespoons butter

1 bell pepper, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

4 green onions, chopped and separated by white and green parts

2 potatoes, peeled and cut into small cubes

4 cups chicken broth

8 ears of corn, kernels removed from the cob

1 bay leaf

Salt & pepper, to taste

2 teaspoons garlic powder

2 cups milk

CREATING:

Using the butter, sautee bell pepper, carrots, and the whites of the green onion over medium heat until broken down, 12 minutes. Drop the bay leaf into the pot, followed by the broth, remaining green onions, cubed potatoes, and 2 cups of corn kernels. Let the mixture simmer at a low boil for 17 minutes. While this mixture is cooking, combine the milk and remaining corn kernels in a blender and puree. When the soup is finished simmering, add the corn and milk puree, along with salt and pepper, to taste. Make sure the soup is thoroughly warmed. Serve with cracked pepper.

FRENCH ONION SOUP

YIELD :

4-6 cups soup

INGREDIENTS:

3 tablespoons butter

3 fresh sage leaves

3-4 sprigs fresh thyme

5 yellow onions, thinly sliced ½ pound mushrooms, cubed

2 cloves garlic, minced

1¼ cup white cooking wine

10 cups beef stock or broth

1½ tablespoons dry sherry

Salt & pepper, to taste

1 french baguette, sliced Olive oil, to brush the bread

12 slices provolone cheese

2½ cups shredded gruyere cheese

CREATING:

In a large pot or dutch oven, melt the butter with the thyme and sage. Once bubbling, add sliced onions and mushrooms to the pan. Cook on high for 5 minutes until broken down. Add the garlic. Reduce heat and cook for an additional 25-30 minutes until the vegetables are caramelized. To deglaze the pan, add white cooking wine and sherry and scrape the sides to achieve the most flavor. Once boiling and

cooked off (about 5 minutes), add beef broth, and season with salt and pepper, to taste. While the soup simmers for 20-25 minutes, lightly brush slices of bread with olive oil. Preheat the oven to broil, and crisp bread for 2-3 minutes. Fill oven-safe ramekins with the soup, place bread and equal rations of cheese on top, and place back into the broiler until cheese is bubbly, about 3 minutes. Serve hot.

LIGHT SIMMERED POTATO, BEAN & CHICKEN CHILI

INGREDIENTS:

1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (rinsed and patted dry)

2 potatoes, diced

½ small onion diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon avocado oil

8 cups chicken broth

2 cans white beans, drained and rinsed

2 cups corn

4 oz can diced green chiles

½ teaspoon chili powder

⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper

¼ cup chives, chopped Salt & pepper to taste

Sour cream & lime wedges, for serving

1 avocado, sliced for serving

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded for serving

CREATING:

Heat an extra-large (preferably wide) pot with olive oil. Add garlic and onion, and sauté until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Add the spices, chicken broth, potatoes, beans, corn, and chiles, muddling with a wooden spoon to add thickness to the chili. Add whole chicken breasts. Boil for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, move the chicken to a cutting board and shred it with 2 forks. Add the shredded chicken back to the pot, season with salt & pepper, and cook for a few minutes longer. Serve with a dollop of sour cream, avocado slices, cheddar cheese, and a lime wedge.

DINING AROUND TOWN

A fast guide to the Valley’s best eateries

BREAKFAST & CAFES

AROMA COFFEE & BAKERY

A coffeeshop and bakery collaboration between Juan Flores and Cristina Ceccatelli Cook (founder of Cristina’s restaurant), serving breakfast, lunch and Sunday brunch, as well as pastries, breads and cakes in the deli case.

520 Second St., E., Ketchum. 208.726.6427.

BIG BELLY DELI

Homemade soups, salads, and a variety of great sandwiches. Serving the Valley for over 15 years and rated #1 Best Sandwich Deli. Let us prove it, and your belly will thank you.

171 N. Main St., Hailey. 208.788.2411.

BIGWOOD BREAD

Visit us at one of our spectacular locations, both featuring beautiful outdoor views, fantastic food and outstanding service. Fresh and homemade is how we do it!

271 Northwood Way, Ketchum. 208.726.2035.

BLACK OWL CAFÉ

Locally roasted, custom blended coffee brewed to perfection. Large selection of loose-leaf tea. Home-baked scones, muffins and breads. Breakfast and lunch.

208 N. River St., Hailey. 208.928.6200.

CAFÉ DELLA

Café, bakery, and market located in the heart of Hailey. Our market offers prepared dinners to-go, housemade provisions, grocery essentials, local produce, dairy, meats, fish, beer and wine. Stop in to shop our daily “Dinner Tonight” offerings and more, or order from our weekly dinner and grocery menu online for Friday pickup or FREE delivery. 103 S. Main St., Hailey. 208.913.0263.

GALENA LODGE

The perfect place for a winter or summer outing. During the winter months Galena is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lunch served daily from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

15187 State Hwy. 75, Ketchum. 208.726.4010.

GLOW LIVE FOOD CAFÉ

Glow is a plant-based and organic café and health food store. Glow specializes in delicious, plantbased foods, emphasizing locally grown produce. 380 Washington Ave. #105, Ketchum. 208.725.0314.

GRETCHEN’S

Adjacent to the Sun Valley Lodge lobby, Gretchen’s Restaurant welcomes you with a relaxing indoor/outdoor feel with easy access for Terrace dining all day long. Enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner and full bar service. Sun Valley Lodge. 208.622.2144.

HAILEY COFFEE COMPANY

Our café serves delicious gourmet espresso drinks and fresh-baked goods from our on-site bakery. All of our coffees are fresh roasted in Hailey and our baked goods are served fresh from the oven. 219 S. Main St., Hailey. 208.788.8482. 611 Sun Valley Rd., Ketchum. 208.928.7955

HANK & SYLVIE’S

We are a bakery, floral design and gift shop offering fresh-baked sweets, custom cakes, flower arrangements, and a large array of unique gifts. 471 N. Leadville, Ketchum, 208.726.0115; and 91 E. Croy St., Hailey, 208.928.4088.

JAVA COFFEE AND CAFÉ

Truly a great coffeehouse! Baking from scratch daily. Serving the finest Fair Trade and organic coffees. Sound like a local and order the “Dirty Hippie Burrito” and a “Bowl of Soul.” 191 4th St. W., Ketchum, 208.726.2882; 111 N. 1st Ave., Hailey, 208.788.2297.

JERSEY GIRL

Best sandwiches in town! Jersey Girl is home of Trenton, New Jersey-famous porkroll, egg and cheese sandwich, the locals favorite “Bacado”

(house roasted turkey, bacon, Swiss, avocado), a bangin’ lineup of homemade soups and a mean biscuits and gravy. 14 E. Croy St., Hailey. 208.788.8844.

KONDITOREI

Lunch dishes range from pumpkin spaetzle with sausage and apples to roasted chicken crepes with spinach and spicy Liptauer cheese. The café offers a full complement of artisanal coffee and hot chocolate drinks, plus house-baked European pastries. Sun Valley Resort, 208.622.2235.

MAUDE’S COFFEE & CLOTHES

Maude’s is a coffee shop and a clothing store that serves traditional espresso, small eats, and is a purveyor of unique vintage contemporary clothing for women and men. The husband and wife team, Jacob and Tara, who started Maude’s, believe in products made with integrity and intention. 391 Walnut Ave., Ketchum. 208.726.6413.

Pick up a copy of TASTE OF SUN VALLEY for menus and more!

TASTE of Sun Valley - Dining & Menu Guide showcases feature articles on the latest in food and drink, chef and restaurateur profiles, restaurant TO GO menus from the area’s best eateries, and tantalizing recipes.

NOURISHME

Julie Johnson opened NourishMe in June 2010 in order to bring her love of nutrition and local food to the community in which she lived. This lightfilled store on Main Street in Ketchum features everything from seasonal produce and bulk seeds, nuts and fruits, to a wide variety of supplements, homemade sandwiches, salads and soups, wellness products, gluten-free foods and organic cosmetics.

151 Main St., Ketchum. 208.928.7604.

RASBERRYS

Callie and Maeme Rasberry believe all the senses must be involved in meal preparation; therefore, the menu is eclectic, just like the chefs, with dishes prepared with fresh local ingredients when available and their own take on comfort and ethnic food.

411 Building, 5th St., Ketchum. 208.726.0606.

SMILEY CREEK LODGE

Under new ownership, Smiley Creek Lodge is located near the headwaters of the Salmon River at the top of the Sawtooth Valley, 37 miles north of Ketchum/Sun Valley. A full restaurant serves delicious homestyle food for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a newly renovated market features fresh and wholesome take-away meals and provisions. The connecting retail store is small, but well-stocked with provisions and gear for all your outdoor adventures.

16546 N. Hwy. 75, Sawtooth City (over Galena Summit). smileycreeklodge.com.

THE KNEADERY

The Kneadery combines wholesome fresh food with a rustic Idaho atmosphere. All meals start with the freshest ingredients: locally baked organic breads, farm-fresh, cage-free eggs, seasonal fruit and top-quality meats. 260 Leadville Ave. North, Ketchum. 208.726.9462.

DELIS

ATKINSONS’ MARKETS

Atkinsons’ Markets, serving you and your family at our three locations in the Wood River Valley with deli sandwiches made to order, hot soups, graband-go meals and desserts, and a full deli case of freshly made main dishes and sides.

451 E. 4th St., Ketchum, 208.726.2681; 93 E. Croy St., Hailey, 208.788.2294; 757 N. Main St., Bellevue, 208.788.7788.

JOHNNY G’S SUB SHACK

Serving the best subs in the Great State of Idaho! Family owned and operated since 1998, and serving up hot subs like the popular “5B” (turkey,

bacon, cream cheese, mayo, lettuce, tomato) or the “Mama Sass’s Meatball” (Italian meatballs, marinara, parmesan). Homemade soups, salads, smoothies and build-your-own round out a solid menu of delicious sandwiches. 371 Washington Ave., Ketchum. 208.725.7827.

WRAPCITY

Wrapcity serves up creative wraps and salads, homemade soups, and unique quesadillas. Wrapcity also serves breakfast wraps all day with special breakfast creations on Saturdays and Sundays. 180 Main St., S., Ketchum. 208.727.6766.

PUBS, GRILLS, & LOUNGES

APPLE’S BAR & GRILL

For 33 years, Apple’s Bar & Grill has been a popular spot for lunch and aprés-ski. Apple’s is still the best spot to fuel your body after a long day ripping turns on Baldy—and it’s now open year-round for lunch and dinner! At the base of Baldy near Warm Springs Lodge, the restaurant is known for mouthwatering grub and as the locals’ #1 post-ski destination. Now open year-round and available for private events. 205 Picabo St., Ketchum. 208.726.7067.

GRUMPY’S

Grumpy’s is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. We are a little hard to find, but not hard to find out about. 860 Warm Springs Rd., Ketchum. No phone.

LEFTY’S BAR & GRILL

Lefty’s has a great casual dining menu, including killer burgers served on fresh-baked bread, monster hot sandwiches, wings, salads and the house specialty, fresh-cut French fries. And the outdoor deck can’t be beat in the summer! 231 6th St. East, Ketchum. 208.726.2744.

LIMELIGHT LOUNGE

When late afternoon hits, we swing our doors wide open for guests and locals to dig into our friendly après food and drink specials. Our full dinner menu is available evenings in the Lounge, for in-room dining, or take-out. 151 South Main St., Ketchum. 208.726.0888.

MAHONEY’S BAR & GRILL

Mahoney’s offers a full bar, a terrific patio that’s just a short stroll from Bellevue’s Howard Preserve and a tasty menu featuring their famous “Juicy Lucy” cheese-filled, grilled-onion-topped hamburger. 104 S. Main St., Bellevue. 208.788.4449.

POWER HOUSE

Serving locally-raised Wagyu beef burgers, blackened Ahi sandwiches and tacos, hand-cut fries, and organic salads with a wealth of beers on tap. 502 N. Main St., Hailey. 208.788.9184.

SAWTOOTH BREWERY

25 taps with beer, wine, cider, and kombucha on tap! Join us for the game on one of our bigscreen TV’s. We fill growlers, crowlers, and have kegs, bottles, and cans to go! Two locations— Hailey and Ketchum—with seasonal outdoor seating at both spots.

631 Warm Springs Rd., Ketchum. 208.726.6803; 110 N. River St., Hailey. 208.788.3213.

ROOTS WINE BAR & BOTTLE SHOP

Opened in 2022 by husband and wife team Crhis and Rian Salvatierra, Roots offers an chic and cozy space to explore wine and food. An expansive retail wine set is available to peruse with the assistance of the educated staff. Guests may buy bottles to take home, or enjoy at Roots with a snack, and may also choose from the rotating selection of wines by the glass, weekly tasting flights, beers, and ciders. The menu is geared toward lunch and happy hour snacking, with an array of cheese and charcuterie boards, snacks and small plates.

122 S.Main St., Hailey. 208.928.4376.

SCOUT WINE & CHEESE

Started by two friends, Dianne Dillingham and Amie Marvel, Scout is a celebration of good wine, good food and community. Featuring a dynamic selection of new and established producers, as well as family-run, small estates making outstanding wines in both classic and New World styles. Scout offers a mix of classic vintages, limited-release gems, and regional favorites in constant rotation. Their extensive wine list is accompanied by a selection of beer and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as cheese from the U.S. and Europe, cured meat, and thoughtful bar snacks. 360 East Ave., Ketchum. 208.928.4031.

THE CELLAR PUB

Big Wood Bread

From traditional pub fare such as buffalo burgers or fish & chips to original dishes such as our flatiron steak salad, we have something for everyone in your party. We have a full bar and feature a great selection of draft beer and fine wines. 400 Sun Valley Rd., Ketchum. 208.622.3832.

LA CAB SPORTS BAR

Enjoy the neighborhood-tavern feel of La Cab Sports Bar while dining on local favorites that include a Buffalo chicken sandwich, jalapeño poppers, Wings, burgers and fish and chips. 107 Hwy. 75, Hailey. 208.788.5048.

THE SMOKEY BONE BBQ

Featuring award-winning, authentic barbecue right here in Idaho. Featuring Texas-style brisket cooked with applewood smoke, ribs, pulled pork, turkey, chicken, sausage and a selection of

mouthwatering sides to fill up any plate. 315 S. Main St., Hailey. 208.788.0772 210 2nd Ave. S., Twin Falls. 208.733.3885

TASTECRAFT / RO’S RAMEN

Serving fresh and authentic ramen bowls (winter only) along with beer, wine, and craft cocktails made with a variety of champagnes, liqueurs and wine. 117 N. River St., Hailey.

TNT / TAP ROOM

TNT / Tap Room is a craft beer and wine bar focusing on organic, sustainable and biodynamic wines. We’re located in a piece of Ketchum history in the dynamite shed. We have 12 rotating taps of independent craft beer along with bottles and cans as well as a unique and younger approach to wine. We don’t serve food but we welcome and encourage guests to bring in their food of choice. Open Wed.-Sat. 271 Sun Valley Road E., Ketchum.

VILLAGE STATION

Enjoy a wide selection of cocktails and craft beer on tap, as well as a crowd-pleasing menu of classic American favorites: hearty cheeseburgers, chicken wings, pizza and family-style salads. Sun Valley Village, Sun Valley. 208.622.2143.

WARFIELD DISTILLERY & BREWERY

The ever-changing menu brings you the best provisions from across the Northwest in our comfortable neighborhood pub setting. The best summer deck in town with fire pits and rocking chairs for comfort and conversation. 280 N. Main St., Ketchum. 208.726.2739.

MEXICAN/SOUTH AMERICAN

BARRIO75 TACO LOUNGE & TEQUILA BAR

Tucked into the edge of downtown Ketchum with patio views of Baldy, Barrio75 offers a lively and decorative take on a beloved culinary duo … tacos and tequila. Every day, they grind organic heirloom corn, crafting housemade tortillas—the base of everything they do—while paying homage to the traditional street tacos of Mexico and South America. And don’t miss the list of over 40 tequilas, draft beers and wines, and a cocktail menu designed to accentuate the bold and bright flavors of each dish. 211 4th St. E, Ketchum. 208.726.3068.

CHAPALITAS GRILL

A family Mexican restaurant serving authentic dishes, including specialties such as pollo a la chapala, chicken carnitas, and huevos con chorizo. 200 S. Main St., Hailey. 208.928.7306.

DESPO’S

Despo’s is committed to authentic, delicious Mexican dishes that respect your desire for a healthy meal without compromising flavor. 211 4th St. E., Ketchum. 208.726.3068.

KB’S

This cheerful, laid-back burrito joint serves delicious fish tacos and offers a make-your-own burrito, with a choice of 27 fillings.

460 Sun Valley Rd., Ketchum. 208.928.6955; 121 N. Main St., Hailey. 208.788.7217.

LA CABAÑITA MEX

Only one way to put it…best authentic Mexican food in town. The town’s hidden gem that is truly a favorite. 103 S. Main St., Hailey. 208.788.1255 160 W. 5th St., Ketchum. 208.725.5001; 745 N. Main St., Bellevue. 208.928.7550.

LAGO AZUL

Enjoy true Mexican food in downtown Hailey. Pollo rancherito, carne asada saran and “Sandy” tacos are house specialties not to be missed. 14 W. Croy St., Hailey. 208.578.1700.

SERVA PERUVIAN CUISINE

Serva Peruvian Cuisine is all about simple clean ingredients and inspiring flavor. Step inside and experience a fusion of Peruvian and American food served in a healthy and unique way using the freshest quality ingredients seasonally. Traditional recipes from Rodolfo Serva’s family appear alongside the unique creations of Chef Edgar for an upscale Peruvian dining experience. 200 N. Main St., Ketchum. 208.928.4332.

INDIAN SAFFRON INDIAN CUISINE

A communal space for relaxed social dining, Saffron draws its inspiration from the vibrancy of the culture and art, as well as the innovative spirit of authentic Indian cuisine. We have traversed the length and breadth of the country to create our distinct seasonal menu, which will introduce you to unique Indian ingredients, combined with the freshness of produce in fresh, seasonal dishes that are an interpretation of customary Indian sensibilities through international techniques and inspirations. 230 Walnut Ave., Ketchum. 208.913.0609.

ITALIAN & PIZZA

ENOTECA

Ketchum’s newest gastronomic addition, with its upscale pizzeria and wine bar. Enoteca has a

plethora of small plates to choose from.

300 N. Main St., Ketchum. 208.928.6280.

IL NASO

Il Naso is special whether you drop by to have a burger and beer at the wine bar, or to relax in the candlelit dining room. The extensive wine list and knowledgeable staff will help you choose just the right bottle to enhance your dining experience.

480 Washington Ave., Ketchum. 208.726.7776.

ROMINNA’S

Since 2013, we have been offering contemporary Italian cuisine prepared to the highest standards. Our premium wine selection includes more than 150 wines to pair with any course.

580 Washington St., Ketchum. 208.726.6961.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN PIZZERIA & GRILL

Our fresh, handcrafted food is what brings people in, and our service is what keeps them coming back for more. We pride ourselves on creating a “nourishing and memorable neighborhood experience that people love!”

200 Sun Valley Rd., Ketchum. 208.622.5625.

WISEGUY PIZZA PIE

Serving New York-style, hand-tossed pizzas topped with whole-milk mozzarella, and baked to perfection in our stone deck ovens. Large selection of local and regional bottled and draft beer.

460 Sun Valley Rd., Ketchum, 208.726.0737; and 411 N. Main St., Hailey. 208.788.8688.

ASIAN/SUSHI

DANG’S THAI CUISINE

Dang’s offers a wide selection of popular dishes ranging from sushi, green papaya salad, pad thai, and their famous green curry with chicken! Highly recommended as an affordable, flavorful and fun experience in Hailey!

310 N. Main St., Hailey. 208.928.7111.

IDA THAI

Enjoy authentic Thai cuisine in a log cabin with views of Bald Mountain. With specials such as tender slow cooked Lamb Shank served in a Massaman curry, Shrimp in a Ceramic Pot served on top clear vermicelli noodles and Fresh Rolls with house-made peanut sauce, Ida Thai is your place to celebrate an occasion, relax after a day on the mountain or order online..

310 S. Main St., Ketchum. 208.726-7155

MR. DEE

Opening January 2023 and serving Asian fusion, sushi, steak and seafood selections. A full bar with

handcrafted cocktails and lounge.

416 N. Main St., Hailey.

RICKSHAW

Serving “ethnic street foods,” inspired by the flavors and foods in locales such as Thailand, Vietnam, China, and Indonesia.

460 N. Washington Ave., Ketchum. 208.726.8481.

SUSHI ON SECOND

Sushi on Second is the Valley’s oldest sushi restaurant. But don’t let age fool you. A talented crew of Sushi Chefs are in the center and delight in creating dishes that are as appetizing to look at as they are to eat.

260 Second St., Ketchum. 208.726.5181.

REGIONAL NORTHWEST

COOKBOOK

This cozy place was built in 1932 as a church and then later on was an architect’s office, daycare, butcher shop, BBQ restaurant and bakery. Vita and Burke Smith fell in love with this cute building and decided to give it a new life.

271 7th St. East, Ketchum. 208.720.3260.

DUCHIN LOUNGE

All new and inviting, this legendary lounge serves up cocktails, imported beer and an extensive wine list. Now you can also duck in for a quick bite from our lounge menu. Sun Valley Lodge. 208.622.2145.

GRILL AT KNOB HILL

The environment at the Knob Hill Inn is casual and comfortable, yet sophisticated, with distinctively Northwest cuisine, and a variety of American and European classics. A top local favorite! 960 N. Main St., Ketchum. 208.726.8004.

KETCHUM GRILL

For nearly 28 years, Ketchum Grill has brought your dining experience to the highest gastronomical level, and the best Idaho has to offer.

520 East Ave., Ketchum. 208.726.4660.

ROUNDHOUSE

Perched midway up Bald Mountain on the River Run side, the Roundhouse is a culinary destination not to be missed. Serviced by the Roundhouse Gondola, the restaurant offers spectacular views of the Valley.

Bald Mountain, Ketchum. 208.622.2012.

SUN VALLEY CLUB

Among the most popular places in Sun Valley to eat, drink and relax, the wraparound terrace at Sun Valley Club offers stunning views of Bald

SKIJORING

You can feel the magic in the cool crisp air. Skijoring a sport so very rare. Equine and human the perfect pair. In the glistening snow mutual trust they share. Here on the track all is fair. But high on the mountain vision and care. On a field of snow the wind’s laid bare. Where ice can form on mane and hair In the valleys deep snow they must beware. Gliding skis, muffled hooves, a thoroughbred mare. Gathering speed, exhilaration beyond compare. The thrill is there for all who dare.

WORDS MARY LASCELLES (FROM HER BOOK RACING DREAMS ) PH OTO RAY J. GADD

Fly in