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A Skier´s Mountain Comparable To None
If you're looking for the world's best ski mountain, you just may have found it in Baldy.
What makes up a perfect ski day? First a mountain with perfect pitch, consistent vertical from its 9,150 ft. peak down to the 5,750 ft. base. No flats, no plateaus - all downhill on a variety of slopes rated to your liking and ability.
There's a place for crowds but it's not on a pristine ski slope. Sun Valley's lift capacity is 29,717 skiers/riders per hour and the average skier day is only 3,000. Lift service is waiting on you - you're not waiting in long lines.
Sun Valley was aptly named because its brilliant sun shines 80 percent of the ski season in an azur blue sky. After all, it was "winter sports under a summer sun" that put Sun Valley on the map nearly 75 years ago.
And since that time, Sun Valley has continued adding mountain amenities to take the winter vacation to all new heights. New on the scene is the Roundhouse Gondola and launching of the new Dollar Mountain Terrain Park - soon to be another world class act in Sun Valley.
Bald Mountain Facts
Bald Mountain can be accessed at River Run on the south and Warm Springs on the north. During the winter, finely appointed day lodges, a total of 12 lifts, including the new Roundhouse Gondola and 66 varied runs await on either side of the mountain. Bald Mountain's seemingly endless runs stretch 2,054 acres to the edges of the Sawtooth National Forest and slide another 3,400 vertical feet, top to bottom. During the summer, the world famous mountain is open to sightseers and adventurers, whether you want a relaxing day among the wildflowers, or a challenging journey through the rugged beauty of Idaho's wilderness. Baldy, as it is affectionately called, offers nearly 28 miles of hiking and biking trails. Feel free to tackle the trails yourself, or take along one of our expert guides to point out all the little things that make the Bald Mountain experience so unique.
Location: 1-1/2 Miles West of the Sun Valley Village
Phone: 800-635-4150
River Run
The River Run area of Bald Mountain is full of slopes covering all ranges of abilities. The most difficult runs, Olympic and Exhibition, are countered by an easier Olympic Ridge and Olympic Lane. From the top, intermediate skiers can choose Cutoff or Blue Grouse to Mid River Run to get back to the River Run Lift. From there it is a nine-minute lift ride back to the top. Advanced skiers can tackle Rock Garden, Exhibition or Upper Holiday runs for moguls galore.
Seattle Ridge
Seattle Ridge Lodge overlooks all runs designated as slow skiing areas with the exception of the difficult Firetrail. Seattle Ridge runs are well groomed and served by the Seattle Ridge chairlift, a five minute ride from the bottom of the ridge back to the top.
The Bowls
The Bowls along the top of Bald Mountain range in difficulty from easiest (Broadway Face) to most difficult (Little Easter Bowl). Intermediate skiers can begin at the left of the mountain and move to the right as they feel more comfortable. The Bowls are easily served by the Mayday chairlift, a seven minute ride back to the top.
Warm Springs
Warm Springs, named for the warm bubbling water at the base of the lift, is a great area of the mountain for the intermediate skier who needs a little more time to move on to the advanced stage. Filled with more difficult runs, Warm Springs glows in the afternoon sunshine. The top of the area is home to Warm Springs Face and most difficult runs International and Limelight. Halfway down, skiers can decide which of the more difficult runs they want to venture on ranging from Brick's Island to Cozy.
Super Pipe
The ski and snowboard half-pipe is located on the skier's left side of Lower Warm Springs, below Race Arena. The u-shaped terrain features are about 425 feet in length, 40 feet wide, with walls about 18 feet high.
Roundhouse Express Gondola
Opening for Sun Valley's 74th ski season, 2009-10, the Roundhouse EspressGondola travels from River Run Plaza to the Roundhouse Restaurant area. From there, skiers and snowboarders can jump on the Christmas detachable quad for access to the top of Baldy.
The new state-of-the-art Doppelmayr CTEC Detachable-Grip Gondola has 56 eight-passenger cars and will carry 1800 passengers per hour, traveling 2,000 vertical feet in eight minutes.
For questions and information about Roundhouse Restaurant please call 208-622-2800.
Dollar Mountain Facts
Dollar Mountain, "the finest teaching mountain in the world", caters to the needs of beginners with 10 runs and 628 feet of supportive, nurturing vertical rise. Its day lodge houses a cafeteria-style restaurant and the world-famous Sun Valley Ski and Snowboarding School. Over 200 experienced instructors are available to hone your alpine, snowboarding or racing skills. Expert or novice, the options for quality skiing are nearly limitless to all Sun Valley guests.
On Dollar Mountain, the "never-evers" are welcomed by this friendly, warm and sun-bathed mountain. Treeless terrain and instructors specializing in making the first steps on skis or snowboards a breeze, combine to assure the beginner of a fun experience.
Currently there are 5 lifts on Dollar Mountain: 2 Quads, 1 Triple, 1 Double and 1 Magic Carpet.
Location: 1/3 Mile South from Sun Valley Lodge
Phone: 208-622-2242
Mountain Lodges
"Baldy," says resort owner Earl Holding, "is a regal mountain and it is only fitting that she wear a crown radiant with three precious jewels.” Those jewels are Baldy’s three distinctive and award-winning day-lodge facilities: the Warm Springs Lodge, Seattle Ridge Lodge and River Run Lodge.
In keeping with this level of excellence is Sun Valley’s newest day lodge situated at the bottom of Dollar Mountain, Carol’s Dollar Mountain Lodge.
River Run Day Lodge
River Run Plaza at the base of Baldy creates a mini-village full of skier friendly services and amenities.
Pete Lane's has all of your equipment needs covered rental, storage and tuning. The Brass Ranch offers smashing ski wear and all of the accessories.
You can begin your day at River Run Lodge with a full breakfast and then stop back by for a delicious slope-side lunch. A bountiful salad bar, wok station, a fresh deli counter and oven-fired pizza await.
River Run Lodge also sports a full bar and après ski entertainment on Saturday & Sunday afternoons.
Warm Springs Day Lodge
At the base of Bald Mountain on the Warm Springs side you will find the Warm Springs Lodge, open for breakfast, lunch and après ski. The food servery features one of Idaho's famous potato bars, wood-fired pizza, gourmet salads and fresh pasta.
And, later on, the sunny deck warms up for après ski entertainment
Seattle Ridge Day lodge
Perched atop the Seattle Ridge area of Baldy, the Seattle Ridge Lodge sets at an elevation of 8800 feet. With spectacular views of the Wood River valley and the surrounding mountain ranges, this spot on Baldy is a must see.
Serving lunch, fare includes mesquite grilled entrees, wood-fired pizza, pastas, soups and gourmet salads.
Carol's Dollar Mountain Lodge
Sun Valley's newest mountain lodge was created with children in mind. But the beautiful European décor and the scrumptious menu attracts skiers and non-skiers of all ages.
Located at the base of Dollar Mountain, the lodge is an easy walk from Sun Valley village, giving guests who don't ski an enjoyable 1/3-of-a-mile walk and a delicious lunch, either inside or on the sunny and heated deck. Breakfast and lunch are served daily during the winter season.
Mountain Tours
Join a Sun Valley Mountain Host for a fun and informative mountain tour of Bald Mountain. Learn about the history of Sun Valley and Bald Mountain, the variety of skiing that we offer, interesting facts and trivia regarding our operations and have your questions answered by a well informed Mountain Host.
This is a great opportunity for both the first-time visitor and the long-time local. We start the tour outside of the Lookout Lodge on the top of Bald Mountain every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and end the tour at Seattle Ridge. Tour durations may vary based on the number of guests and their interests.
Due to the variety of terrain that is visited during this tour, it is recommended that the guest ski at an intermediate or advanced level. Reservations are not needed. Come and join us!!
