News Paper Articles

Ringing in the New Year, Sun Valley Style - January 2nd, 2026

           The holidays in Sun Valley looked a little bit different this year. A period of unseasonably warm weather—and lots of rain—led to the cancellation of the annual Christmas Eve torchlight parade, a tradition that locals and tourists look forward to all year. The disappointment was heard around the valley. Sun Valley may have missed out on one of its most beloved traditions; however, this meant that all the holiday spirit typically reserved for Christmas Eve was delegated to New Year’s Eve. Luckily, this ‘Eve’ arrived with a much more fitting winter welcome. Not only did snow begin to lightly fall the evening of December 31st, but the town woke to a fresh layer of snow on New Year’s Day. Additionally, New Year’s celebrations took place across the valley, calling crowds of all ages and interests. Whether you were looking for family-friendly fun, late-night dancing, or something a little more glamorous, Sun Valley delivered. So, let’s break it down!

           Starting at 9 p.m. on the 31st, Sun Valley Resort rang out the old and rang in the new with a special fireworks show. The New Year’s celebration took place above Dollar Mountain and could be seen from the Resort and the surrounding area. The fireworks followed Dollar Mountain’s New Year’s Eve night skiing: a night of fun for the whole family! Skiers and snowboarders took to the slopes to shred under the stars, dance to music, and of course, witness the fireworks display. It’s safe to say that Dollar and the fireworks were a hit!

           If you wanted a New Year’s celebration that took place closer to midnight, and with fewer children around, you likely attended the Snowball, hosted at River Run Lodge. Patrons dressed to the nines: furs, feathers, glitter—you name it! The lodge was transformed into party central with a DJ booth, strobe light, smoke machine, dance floor, and even a photobooth. The Snowball was for adults 21+, and complimentary champagne was served upon entry. The dance floor was hit, bubbles were sipped, and lots of fun was had.

           Staying in town was another option this New Year’s Eve, with many of the local bars hosting celebrations. One of the most notable was Whiskey’s on Main, which hosted an 80s-themed party. Whiskey-goers sported neon, tulle, and sheen, all while adopting their best 80s mindset. Whiskeys encapsulated the Neon 80s through their live music performances from Casio Dreams and DJ sets by Daws & Harley. Champagne toasts were made, photobooth pictures were snapped, late-night bites were munched, and one of the most exciting decades was honored!

           Another 21+ option that was slightly more exclusive was Fiamma’s Black Tie Masquerade. This new-ish, flourishing Italian-inspired restaurant invited 50 guests to a black-tie masquerade dinner, with 5% of the evening's proceeds benefiting the Corry Hard Clayville Scholarship Fund. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., guests arrived in chic, masquerade attire to indulge in an open bar, an oyster & champagne pairing station, hors d’oeurves, a four-course menu, a professional photographer, and live music.

While Christmas Eve may have arrived without snow, Sun Valley still found its winter magic, albeit a little bit later than expected. From fireworks over Dollar Mountain to dance floors and candlelit charity dinners, New Year’s Eve proved that our valley knows how to rally and celebrate when it really matters. With fresh snow on the horizon, regardless of the amount, and spirits high, 2026 began exactly as it should: sparkling, festive, and Sun-Valley-style!

Let It Snow: Winter Makes Its Grand Entrance in Blaine County - December 19th, 2025

Blaine County has got its ultimate holiday wish: snow, and lots of it! Bald Mountain opened on December 3rd, with limited runs available to the public. However, since yesterday afternoon, Baldy has seen 6” of fresh snow; so, skiers can now ski top-to-bottom on Upper and Lower College, Roundhouse Lane to Mid River Run, Sunset Strip, and Lower River Run. So head on up and hit the slopes, and make sure to stop into Roundhouse, as it is now open daily for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you can’t make lunch, drop in for dinner on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The best news is that this onset of snow is just the beginning. It is predicted to snow every day from today until next Friday, with temperatures getting as low as 11°. Which means our town is on its way to looking like a winter wonderland, just the way we like it! And while the snow has been welcomed by our community with open arms (and freshly waxed skis), it is important that we keep in mind how this change in conditions affects the roads and our safety. Cold temperatures may mean fresh powder, but they also mean icy roads and slick sidewalks, which makes getting around town a bit more dangerous.

           Since snow started falling on Thursday afternoon, Morgan Ballis, Blaine County’s Sheriff, reported that there have been seven vehicle accidents and several slide-offs. The Sheriff recommends drivers to “keep their lights on during the day, reduce speeds, and increase following distances.” We must take the road conditions into account when driving around town, or from Hailey to Ketchum; make sure you are driving with reason this holiday season.

           Additionally, the National Weather Service has issued an urgent winter storm warning across the Sun Valley Region, Lost Highlands/Copper Basin, Frank Church Wilderness, and Sawtooth/Stanley Basin. The warning will remain in effect until Saturday, December 20th, at 5 a.m. The service predicts 6” of snow, winds gusting as high as 55 mph, and incredibly slippery road conditions. They warn that hazardous conditions could affect commutes and that strong winds could cause tree damage, and recommend keeping an extra flashlight and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

           The roads from Hailey to Ketchum are not the only ones falling victim to the treacherous, snowy conditions. The Sawtooth Avalanche Center has also issued a warning for Galena Summit, Eastern, Sawtooth, and Western Smoky Mountains, where avalanche danger is rated at a 4, or ‘High’. Driving or traveling within these areas is not recommended; the Avalanche Center advises people to stay off steep slopes (slopes steeper than 30°). The center believes that avalanches could be triggered from above, below, and to the sides of steep slopes, and that any smaller triggered slab could potentially break deeper into weaker snow, so it is best to keep your distance for now.

Our little town is showing its true colors, and it is time to celebrate the snowy change in weather. However, while we prepare for this upcoming week, and all the snow it has to offer, let’s remember to keep our and others’ safety in mind while getting around town, hitting the slopes, or heading up north. So, get out on the mountain, do your best snow dance, and reap all that this place has to offer, just make sure you’re doing it safely!

Your Guide to the Holidays in Sun Valley - December 5th, 2025

Sun Valley is the embodiment of a Winter Wonderland, which means the holidays feel extra special when they’re spent here. Despite this year’s lack of snow—don’t stop praying for it—there are dozens of activities going on in the valley that are sure to lift your holiday spirits! So, without further ado, here is your guide to the holidays in Sun Valley.

        Starting strong: the Sun Valley Community Gingerbread Contest. This year, beginning December 4th, the Boiler Room in the Sun Valley village will be filled with elaborate gingerbread houses, all constructed in support of local nonprofits. Though it is too late to enter your own work, entries needed to be delivered in completed form by December 4th, it is not too late to cast a vote for your favorite house! Gather up your friends and family, and head over to the Boiler Room to check out some exquisite, and edible, pieces of art. The gingerbread houses will be on display throughout the holiday season, and viewers must provide a cell phone number and email address to cast their vote. Not only is voting fun, but it also supports wonderful causes throughout the Wood River Valley; the nonprofits listed in the top three winners’ entries will receive donations from the Sun Valley Company. Nothing says ‘Holiday Spirit’ more than gingerbread houses and supporting local nonprofits!

        Speaking of nonprofits, make sure to check out the Papoose Club’s Annual Holiday Bazaar. This holiday arts and crafts market will be held on December 6th from 9 AM to 5 PM and on December 7th from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM at the Hemingway Elementary School in Ketchum. A beloved local tradition, the holiday bazaar features hand-made gifts from 70+ artists’ booths, artists from across the Intermountain West, a famous cookie sale, and a seriously stacked raffle! Raffle tickets are $10 a piece, or you can purchase a pack of 6 for $50, which is a great deal considering the wonderful raffle prizes available: a Sun Valley ski pass and ski demo, $100 or higher to seven different restaurants in town, a gym membership, guided fishing, a quarterly wine order plus a tasting party, the list goes on! Stop by Hemingway the first week of December to support the Papoose Club and check out sweets, ceramics, handblown glass, clothing, birdhouses, cards, art, wool products, home decor, ornaments, textiles, and so much more.

        One of the most magical pieces of the holidays, for children at least, is Santa. Spark your kids’ Christmas spirit by stopping by the Boiler Room in the Sun Valley Village on December 6th from 12 PM to 4 PM for cookie decorating and photos with Santa! No prior registration is required, but individual cookies can be purchased for $13.50 a piece; children will be given a space and materials to decorate. To top off the Christmas feel, Colla Voce, Wood River High School’s select vocal ensemble, will be caroling from 12 PM to 3 PM.

        December 12th through the 14th has no shortage of holiday activities, just take your pick! On December 12th, the Sun Valley Opera House’s Holiday Movie Series begins at 2 PM with a showing of the holiday classic, Elf. Tickets are $5 for adults, children 3 and under get in for free, and can be purchased at the door. Later that same day, from 6 PM to 8 PM, Elaine Kim will be hosting a Winter Wonderland Fashion Show at the Senior Connection in Hailey. Tickets are $50, and all proceeds benefit Senior Connection’s delivery of essential services. The fashion show will feature delicious food and drinks, a DJ, a photo booth, and even raffle prizes!

The Sun Valley Village Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place the following day, December 13th. The festivities kick off at 5:30 PM, with live holiday music by Faculty Lounge, ice carvings, free cookies and cocoa, an outdoor bar, a European-style market, and even an appearance from Santa. The tree lighting begins at 6 PM sharp, and you don’t want to miss it—it is an unforgettable way to start the holiday season! The Christmas fun does not stop there… The Sun Valley Opera House’s Holiday Movie Series continues that same evening with National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation at 6:30 PM. If tree lightings and Christmas movies aren’t your cup of tea, the Wood River High School (WRHS) Performing Arts Theater will be hosting a holiday dance on December 13th as well, from 7 PM to 8 PM at the Community Campus in Hailey. This free event will feature a collaborative performance by Footlight Dance and Sun Valley Music Festival Music Institute students!

        If you miss the Footlight Dance Company on December 13th, don’t fret. On the 15th, from 3 PM to 4 PM, Ballet Sun Valley will be hosting a free community film screening of Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker, performed by the artists of Boston Ballet. The best part? The show will end with a special live performance from the Footlight Dance Company. Head on over to the Sun Valley Opera House and experience the beauty and wonder of the holiday classic, The Nutcracker!

        Santa isn’t the only way to make your kids’ holiday season magical. On December 17th and 22nd, the Community Library will host Holiday Storytelling. In partnership with the Sun Valley Resort, the library plans to share festive holiday storybooks with children. The event will take place in the Sun Room at the Sun Valley Lodge from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM and is open to all. Children will even receive a holiday treat bag as they leave. This storytelling is a wonderful way to ignite children’s holiday spirit, while getting them involved in literature.

        Not everybody celebrates Christmas, but everyone can celebrate the winter solstice—and Bald Mountain knows the best way to do it! On December 21st, from 1 PM to 6 PM, a Winter Solstice Party will take place in River Run Lodge. Live music will run for all five hours: the Cliftonite Acoustics will perform from 1 PM until 4 PM, and DJ beats from Alex Hegewald will run until 6 PM. Join in on some local fun by sipping seasonal cocktails, enjoying live music, and celebrating the shortest day of the year!

        The winter holidays are a special time regardless of location, but in this little town, as you can see, we hold them especially near and dear to our hearts. So, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or none of the above, Sun Valley is sure to have an event for you; get out there and spread your holiday cheer!

Sun Valley’s 90th Ski Season - November 21st, 2025

As Sun Valley enters its 90th ski season, it feels like a good time to reflect on what a special place this town is; whether you are a long-time local or simply stopping through, this fact is undeniable. Perhaps our town’s excellence stems from its unique, timeless charm, or maybe it’s that, in winter, a visit to the Sun Valley village feels more like stepping into a snow globe or a Fachwerk gingerbread village. Although these are well-loved aspects of our town, there is one Sun Valley hallmark that undoubtedly takes the cake: Bald Mountain.

One of the first people to see Sun Valley and Bald Mountain’s potential was Count Felix Schaffgotsch in 1936. Schaffgosch was hired by Averell Harriman, the chairman of the board of the Union-Pacific Railroad, to venture through the West and find the perfect place to develop North America’s first destination ski resort. The Count traveled far and wide until he stumbled upon a little mining town, surrounded by glorious mountain ranges, with a population of only 100 people: Ketchum, Idaho.

It is safe to say that Sun Valley immediately left its mark on Count Felix Schaffgosch; no more than three days into his stay, the Count wired Harriman: “Among the many attractive spots I have visited, this combines the more delightful features of any place I have seen in the United States, Switzerland, or Austria for a winter ski resort." The Count’s words struck a chord with Harriman, and the beloved Sun Valley Resort was completed in less than a year.

Once the resort was built and became a popular year-round destination, Dollar Mountain and Proctor Mountain became the new focus. Construction on the hills began in the summer of 1936. Jim Curran, a Union Pacific engineer, drew on his extensive knowledge of banana conveyor systems to develop a method for transporting skiers uphill; his approach, although unheard of at the time, made Sun Valley the birthplace of the modern chairlift.

Bald Mountain, or Baldy, was one of the last pieces of the Sun Valley puzzle, opening in December of 1939. Averell Harriman was incredibly proud of his ski town’s new 9,150-foot summit, 3,400-foot vertical drop, and 33 trails; thus, he asked a New York publicity agent, Steve Hannagan, to announce the resort and Baldy to the world.

Hannagan introduced Sun Valley as “America’s First Destination Ski Resort.” Additionally, Harriman and Hannagan proposed inviting celebrities to visit the resort to help Sun Valley gain traction. One of the most notable celebrities was Ernest Hemingway, who first visited in 1939 after being invited to stay alongside other VIPs; he loved the town so much that he later bought a home in 1959. Marilyn Monroe was another celebrity invited to visit the resort; in fact, her movie Bus Stop was filmed in Sun Valley. The early days of the lodge also saw such famous faces as Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, and Sonja Henie.

Today, Baldy has transformed into something bigger than Averell Harriman could’ve imagined. The mountain has 2,533 skiable acres, 12 ski lifts, and over 120 trails. Sun Valley has become so well-known that it hosted one of the biggest ski events in the world: the 2025 Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals. Harriman would also be proud to know that his little ski town was voted the #1 ski resort in North America by SKI Magazine readers from 2021 to 2023.

Baldy is a Sun Valley staple; tourists travel from all around the world to experience the magic it offers. In the past, the mountain opened to the public on Thanksgiving Day; it is many people’s favorite tradition! Come Thanksgiving morning, tourists and locals bundle up, load up their skis and poles, and head to the River Run side of Baldy. Unfortunately, this year, to the dismay of skiers and snowboarders alike, opening day is going to look a little bit different.

Sun Valley Resort planned to open Baldy on Thursday, November 27th at 9 a.m. However, our town has experienced unusually warm, dry weather this fall, which has prevented sufficient snowmaking on Baldy. While this news is far from positive, Sun Valley remains hopeful that a new opening date will be announced soon; colder temperatures and snow are forecast for the upcoming weeks, with lows as low as 16°. In the meantime, all we can do is pray for snow, check updates on Sun Valley’s social media channels and https://www.sunvalley.com/the-mountain/opening-day/, and of course, pray for snow again.

Election Results - November 7th, 2025

Voters across Blaine County took to the polls on Tuesday to elect new mayors and council members and vote on ballot measures. The election results were released on November 5th, 2025, at voteidaho.gov; the results will remain unofficial until certified by the Board of County Commissioners later in November.

In the Bellevue mayoral race, Christina Giordani maintained her mayoral status and was reelected with 60.32% of the vote (377 votes), defeating Suzanne Wrede, who received 39.68% (248 votes).

Voters also approved the Bellevue City Non-Property Tax measure, which raises local non-property taxes, such as a 1% tax on restaurant food, a 2% tax on liquor by the drink, and an increase in lodging tax from 3% to 6%, while extending the tax’s duration to 15 years. The measure passed 57.66% to 42.34% (365–268).

In a landslide style victory, Pete Prekeges won the Ketchum mayoral race with a decisive 81.39% (1,321 votes), defeating John Wigdale, who received 18.61% (302 votes).

Prekeges was initially disqualified from the mayoral race by Blaine County Clerk Stephen Graham back in September of this year; the clerk claimed that Prekeges was ineligible to run for mayor of Ketchum on account of Idaho Code Title 34's residency requirements. Prekeges claims a homeowner exemption for a property in Hailey, making Hailey his legal city of residence under Idaho code. However, the 5th Judicial District Court held an expedited hearing of Prekeges' mayoral eligibility, and Judge R. Cotton determined that Prekeges was qualified, and thus, the race for Ketchum mayor continued.

For Ketchum City Council’s four-year seats, the two electees were Randy Hall (18.10%, 577 votes) and Matthew McGraw (16.72%, 533 votes). Other candidates included Perry Boyle (15.85%), Hannah Harris (14.31%), Ed Simon (10.89%), Tracie Smith (8.79%), Robert Vallee (4.93%), David Page (4.05%), Kendall Kirkpatrick (3.51%), and Biche Rudigoz (2.86%).

Hailey voters selected Sage Sauerbrey to fill City Council Seat 1, giving him a clear lead with 62.53% (1,482 votes). Joel Zellers received 25.70% (609 votes), and Jeff Emerick followed with 11.77% (279 votes).

A separate Special Non-Property Tax Election in Hailey, which increases the city’s local option tax on rental vehicles and hotel/motel occupancy from 4% to 6%, passed overwhelmingly, with 75.3% (1,838 votes) in favor and 24.7% (603 votes) opposed.

In Carey, Clayton Mecham and Tyler Norman won the two open City Council seats, earning 41.97% (149 votes) and 34.65% (123 votes), respectively. Tara Hansen finished third with 23.38% (83 votes).

One of the most highly debated ballot measures this election was the Blaine County School District’s supplemental budget levy. The school district urged voters to support a two-year budget levy that would raise $3.85 million per year, about $1.85 million more than the previous supplementary levy. The funds would be used to finance full-day Kindergarten, preschool, special education, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), School Resource Officers (SROs), and cybersecurity. The levy was approved, with 66.27% (4,791 votes) in favor of authorizing it.

Blaine County’s previous election, which determined the Hailey mayor, Bellevue mayor, and several city council positions, was held on November 7th, 2023. The total number of registered voters in this election was 12,472, with 4,210 ballots cast, for a voter turnout of around 34%.

This year’s voter statistics, albeit unofficial, show an increase in voter turnout compared to 2023. This year’s election had a total of 14,970 registered voters and 7,473 ballots cast, resulting in a voter turnout of around 50%—meaning turnout was 15% higher than in 2023 and roughly half of all registered voters participated. With this rise in voter turnout, Blaine County residents showed greater interest in shaping their local government and policies this election.