This is Sun Valley

It has to be one of my favorite spots in the continental United States.  It has everything the outdoors person would want, and beauty second to none.

This is Sun Valley, Idaho.

My trip this last weekend was a last minute one, a time to do some homework before the Great Wives Ski Trip coming up on February 24th, and a chance to spend some quality time with me.  It's needed sometimes you know.  Unfortunately for me history was made, Bald Mountain was closed two days in a row because of avalanche danger, the first time in over 25 years.  We made up for it with two great days of skiing on Saturday and Sunday, you would never know it poured down rain two days in a row, this is the beauty of Sun Valley.  It's hard to find a resort anywhere that does a better job of grooming their slopes.

Ketchum is more of a dinner town, unless you want to shop for expensive items, one of the draws to Sun Valley for the high affluent one.   There's plenty of great restaurants to choose from, Ketchum Grill, The Pioneer Saloon, and Michel's Christiania Rest, I had the pleasure of enjoying fine dining at all of them.  I enjoyed some live music at the newest addition to Ketchum, The Limelight Hotel, a spectacular modern beauty situated in the middle of town with an Aspen flare.  It brought some controversy to the town when it was being built, but as my friend John said, "it brings us a city we didn't have".

Live music at the Limelight

I had a chance to catch up with John from the good ol' days, he is a great ambassador for the town and the mountain.  38 years in Ketchum can accumulate a lot of good history. We told a few old stories too.  Some not worth sharing.

The Lookout with John

 It was awesome to catch up with my cousin Susie, who lives in nearby Bellevue.  We shared some cocktails at legendary Whiskey Jack's, she even brought her friend who has settled in nicely in Hailey from Wenatchee, WA.

Susie and Me

 We capped off our visit with a nice day of skiing on Saturday, and lunch at the legendary Roundhouse, situated halfway up the mountain from the River Run Gondola.  I felt like a local on Sunday morning with my friend Steve.  We skied hard from 9am until 11.  That's all you need on this mountain.  It's about as good as it gets.

It's Monday morning and my legs are sore.

This is Sun Valley.