Subscribe to Outside Magazine
advertisement

Online Favorites

Special Issues

Photo Galleries

save this page print this page email this page
  • share this page

Outside Traveler Winter 2005

Top North American Ski Resorts
We Sing the Slopes Fantastic
IDAHO :: SUN VALLEY

By Tim Neville


Intro | Aspen & Aspen Highlands, Colorado | Taos, New Mexico | Jackson Hole, Wyoming | Park City, Utah | Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia | Mammoth, California | Steamboat, Colorado | Big Sky, Montana | Alta & Snowbird, Utah | Stowe, Vermont | Vail & Beaver Creek, Colorado | Heavenly, California & Nevada | Lake Louise, Alberta | Telluride, Colorado | Big Mountain, Montana | Alpine Meadows, California | The Canyons, Utah | Mt. Bachelor, Oregon | Sun Valley, Idaho | Killington, Vermont | Moonlight Basin, Montana | Tamarack Resort, Idaho | Ski Emotionally Naked

Sun Valley Ski Resort
(image courtesy, Sun Valley Ski Resort)

HOLLYWOOD HOTTIES, Olympic skiers, and John Kerry may flock to sexy Sun Valley these days, but America's first ski resort has been drawing us hoi polloi since '36. Swaths of immaculate corduroy run for miles here, so pray your legs last. No sweat if they don't: French chefs and other fanciness await below.
MOUNTAIN STATS:
SUMMIT, 9,150 feet
VERTICAL, 3,400 feet
SKIABLE ACRES, 2,054
ANNUAL SNOWFALL, 200 inches
LIFT TICKET, $67
800-786-8259, www.sunvalley.com
WHY WE LOVE IT: Fantastic snow- making gear, five-star base facilities, and runs so fast and long you can attempt to break the sound barrier—after stuffing your face with beignets, of course.
NUMBER-ONE RUN: Crank the bindings and launch down Warm Springs. After a continuous 3,100-foot vertical loss on a blue groomer, your quads will glow like an Apollo capsule on reentry.
HOT LODGE: Stay in Ketchum, Sun Valley's neighbor and the epicenter of the après action. The Best Western Kentwood Lodge, situated right in the mix, has an airy stone-and-wood lobby, big rooms, a hot tub, and a pool. (Doubles, $159-$179; 800-805-1001, www.bestwestern.com/kentwoodlodge)
SOUL PATCH: Clomp into Apple's Bar and Grill, at the base of Greyhawk, and mingle with folks who packed it in after logging 30,000 feet of vert—by lunchtime. Notice all the passes tacked to the wall? You could once trade yours for a pitcher of suds. Talk about priorities.


Next Page: VERMONT :: KILLINGTON

Intro | Aspen & Aspen Highlands, Colorado | Taos, New Mexico | Jackson Hole, Wyoming | Park City, Utah | Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia | Mammoth, California | Steamboat, Colorado | Big Sky, Montana | Alta & Snowbird, Utah | Stowe, Vermont | Vail & Beaver Creek, Colorado | Heavenly, California & Nevada | Lake Louise, Alberta | Telluride, Colorado | Big Mountain, Montana | Alpine Meadows, California | The Canyons, Utah | Mt. Bachelor, Oregon | Sun Valley, Idaho | Killington, Vermont | Moonlight Basin, Montana | Tamarack Resort, Idaho | Ski Emotionally Naked

 Subscribe to Outside and get a FREE Gift!
 Give the gift of Outside Magazine!
 Subscribe to Outside Online's free weekly e-mail newsletter featuring gear reviews, fitness advice, galleries, podcasts, and more.