Three-Day Festival Features Head-to-Head Racing, Live Music, and Mountain Culture Celebration
Sun Valley, ID (Jan. 19, 2026) – Sun Valley Resort, North America's first destination ski resort established in 1936, announces its inaugural Sun Valley Stampede presented by POWDER Magazine, a brand-new winter competition and mountain festival debuting March 13–15, 2026, on Bald Mountain's Warm Springs terrain. The Sun Valley Stampede is a fresh, high-energy event combining head-to-head ski competition, live music, community festivities, and après-ski celebrations into one action-packed weekend designed for athletes, spectators, and mountain culture enthusiasts alike.
"Warm Springs has always been the heart of ski racing at Sun Valley, and we're excited about keeping the momentum going with an event like this, something new and innovative that builds on our legacy," said Pete Sonntag, Chief Operating Officer at Sun Valley Resort. "The Stampede is our take on crowning 'The Best Skier in the West,' a format that challenges athletes in every way while creating a festival atmosphere that brings our community together. We can't wait to welcome competitors and spectators to experience this new tradition and see what makes this mountain and this valley so special."
Competition Format
The Stampede challenges athletes across all age groups on a course that blends elements of racing, skier cross, natural terrain, and park features. Saturday's qualifying rounds determine Sunday's head-to-head bracket, with competitors scored on both style and speed. Top finishers from each age group advance to compete in the championship bracket, crowning the first-ever Sun Valley Stampede champion, "The Best Skier in the West."
More than a competition, the Sun Valley Stampede transforms the Warm Springs base area into a lively festival hub throughout the weekend, featuring:
- A Vendor Village showcasing local and regional brands, ski demos, and giveaways
- Live music performances including Hooks & the Huckleberries (Saturday) and Kris Lager Band (Sunday), plus DJ sets throughout both days
Weekend Schedule:
Friday, March 13 – Welcome Day
- 2:00–4:00 PM: Athlete registration (Warm Springs Lodge)
- 2:00–5:00 PM: Live music and pro athlete introductions (Warm Springs Plaza)
Saturday, March 14 – Qualifier Day
- 9:00 AM–3:15 PM: Qualifying rounds
- 9:00 AM–5:00 PM: Vendor Village open
- 12:00–5:00 PM: Live music (DJ and Hooks & the Huckleberries)
Sunday, March 15 – Finals & Celebration
- 10:00 AM–2:00 PM: Championship heats
- 9:00 AM–5:00 PM: Vendor Village open
- 12:00–5:00 PM: Live music (DJ and Kris Lager Band)
- 3:30 PM: Awards ceremony (Warm Springs Plaza)
Registration for competing athletes will open in early February. No pre-registration is required for spectators, and the public is encouraged to attend and experience the debut of this exciting new event.
For more information regarding the winter 2025-26 season and events lineup, visit sunvalley.com.
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