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
Opened for Sun Valley's 74th ski season in 2009-10. The Roundhouse Express Gondola 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 carries 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.
Adventure Trails
Red Tail Hawk (Upper & Lower)
Warm Springs Adventure TrailGreen
The Red Tail Hawk trails are named after this prodigious bird of prey, indigenous to the Bald Mountain area and prolific hunters on the slopes of the mountain, year-round.
The trails meander through the lightly wooded area on the skiers left of the Lower Warm Springs ski run. The Red Tail Hawks are presented as great experiences for Kids who are proficient skiers on Lower Warm Springs and would like to try trail skiing.
These adventure trails area is located in the wooded area on skiers' right of the Lower Warm Springs ski run. The entrance of the trail is immediately below Lift #9 at the point that Machine Road switchbacks to the Lower Warm Springs run and adjacent (across the run from) the Top Half Pipe Road. The Trail area is in two segments.
The Upper Section of the trail may be accessed from the skiers right of Warm Springs, immediately below the first Machine Road switchback and below the base of the Flying Squirrel lift. The trail descends gently through the trees following the natural contours of the lightly forested stand of trees, making several turns over the distance of approximately 400 feet. The trail emerges onto the skiers' right of the Warm Springs Run approximately 50 feet uphill from the point at which Machine Road again emerges onto the ski run.
The Lower Section of the trail starts from the tree line on skiers' right of the Lower Warm Springs run immediately below the continuation of Machine Road and continues, as segment one, through the lightly forested area between the road and the ski run. The trail descends gently through the trees following the natural contours of the lightly forested stand of trees, making four turns over the distance of approximately 250 feet, emerging onto the skiers' right of the Lower Warm Springs run onto a bench which begins access to the main run.
Huckleberry Bear
Olympic Ridge Triangle Adventure TrailGreen
The Huckleberry Bear Adventure Trail is named after the Black Bears often seen wandering in the vicinity of the Olympic Ridge ski run, mostly during the summer months. The Black Bear gains its whimsical 'Huckleberry' name after what is likely one of his delicacies, the Huckleberry, Idaho's state fruit.
The trail laces through a lightly wooded stand of trees over the distance of about 200 feet, exiting to the skiers left of the Olympic Ridge ski run. Huckleberry Bear offers a wooded yet relatively open treed experience for the young explorer.
This adventure trail area is located in a wooded triangle which is bordered by the Olympic Ridge ski run and Olympic Lane as it descends adjacent to the ski run. The trail is accessed via a natural opening in the tree line on skiers' right of the Olympic Ridge ski run, approximately 50 feet below Olympic Lane.
The trail descends through a lightly wooded area of mature trees which are generously spaced and winds through the trees following the contour of the gentle slope. The length of the trail is approximately 300 feet, consisting of four to six sweeping turns, emerging from the stand of trees on a bench approximately 50 feet to the skiers' right of the Olympic Ridge ski run.
Foxy Forest
Upper Can-Can Triangle Adventure TrailBlue
The Foxy Forest trail offers an extended trail experience for the more accomplished young skier/rider. Named 'Foxy' referring to the Red Fox, indigenous to this particular part of Bald Mountain…
A foxy adventure is sure to be had as young skiers/riders descend a serpentine path through a lightly forested area adjacent to the Upper Can Can Ski Run. The Foxy adventurer can expect to experience an exciting and fun filled tour.
This adventure trail area is located in the skiers' left hand side of the wooded area between Lower College, Upper Can-Can, Upper French Dip, and Lilly Marlane. The entrance to the trail is on the skiers' right of the Upper Can-Can ski run, approximately 100 feet below the Lower College ski run. The trail follows the natural contour of the slope, through the generously spaced trees, winding down the slope, back and forth, as it descends downhill towards Lilly Marlane. Approximately 100 feet above Lilly Marlane the trail turns to the skiers left and exits the wooded area on the far skiers left of the bottom of Upper Can-Can. This exit is protected by mature trees and offers an opportunity to stop and proceed the additional 50 feet down the left side of Upper Can-Can to the Lilly Marlane Road.
The Flume
Au Jus Canyon Adventure TrailBlack
The Flume adventure trail offers an exciting and fun filled descent through a natural 'flume-like' path, a 'swale', naturally carved into the terrain. The Flume trail reminds us of the rich mining history of the Wood River Valley during the late 1800's. The trail is named after the Guyer Hot Springs Flume, a man-made trough that carried timber from Warm Springs logging sites to Frenchman's, stoking the furnaces in the Philadelphia Smelter at the confluence of the Big Wood River and Warm Springs Creek.
The Flume adventure is for the most accomplished rider/skiers, and offers the excitement of a flume ride as it twists and turns, descending into Frenchman's.
This adventure trail is located in the area bordered by the Au Jus ski run, Lilly Marlene, and the French Connection Road. The entrance to the trail is approximately 25 feet down run, towards Au Jus on the access trail, leaving Lilly Marlene. The trail winds down a gentle swale, side to side, which has its high point at the intersection of Lilly Marlane and the Au Jus access trail, and its low point at the intersection of the swale and the French Connection road, approximately 25 feet from the skiers right of the Au Jus ski run. The total run length is approximately 300 feet.
The Red-Headed Wood PeckerGreen
Christin's Silver Adventure Trail
The Red-Headed Wood Pecker trail is a fun and exciting tour though a large stand of Lodge Pole Pines, the beautiful habitat of the Pileated Woodpecker, a majestic creature indigenous to Bald Mountain. Standing more than 24 inches tall, this incredible bird ushers the young adventurer through a winding path with a distinct forested feel.
The Red-Headed Woodpecker trail is a great way for kids to explore our wooded mountain areas and maybe see a Red-Headed Woodpecker or two.
This adventure trail is located in the area bordered by the Broadway ski run and the lower third of Christin's Silver ski run. The trail is entered from the tree line at the skiers left of Christin's Silver, approximately 300 feet above the low point of the stand of trees. The trail follows the natural contour of the slope and winds through woods with a gentle descent and five to six turn, emerging from the wooded area on a bench, between Broadway and Christin's Silver ski runs. This trail can be easily extended uphill and can be bisected into two contiguous segments, exiting and re-entering onto Christin's Silver.
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!!
