STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK

PHOTO BY ERIN ZELL

Sun Valley is asking hikers, skiers and boarders to stay off Bald Mountain until Saturday, Nov. 18, while mountain crews ready the mountain for the 2017-18 winter ski season.

The uphill traffic restriction complies with the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management guidelines and is done for safety reasons, said Peter Stearns, Sun Valley’ Resort’s director of mountain operations.

Snowmaking and grooming teams are taking advantage of ideal weather conditions right now to make snow, push it around and build a foundation for skiing and boarding day and night right now They are winching groomers to trees in some area, which can pose problems for hikers, skinners and dog walkers. At least one skier was injured last year when he ran into a cable.

Skiers will be permitted to hike up before 9 a.m. and after 4 p.m. when uphill restrictions are not in effect due to avalanche control, or construction. Those hiking up in the morning are asked to descend before 9 a.m.

It’s full steam ahead right now for the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation’s preseason ski camp. Skiers from Idaho and the surrounding states are expected to attend the camp, which begins Saturday, Nov. 18.

Bald Mountain and Dollar Mountain will open to the public for Sun Valley's 82nd ski season on Thanksgiving Day. The top of Baldy got four inches of snow overnight on Friday to add to its already robust snowmaking. The bottom of the mountain got an inch of new snow, but it set up like concrete, which should help make a good foundation.

While Baldy is closed to recreationalists this week, skiers have been flocking to the trails around Galena Lodge for the past week. The trails, which boast nine inches of snow, are not officially open. But Galena Lodge manager Erin Zell says she's skied Titus, Cabin, part of Northwood and the upper part of the Harriman Trail and found all to be in good shape.

"The Harriman was by far the best for skating," she said.

Nordic skiers can still save on their season passes if they buy online at www.bcrd.org through Sunday, Nov. 19. Galena Lodge opens for the season on Saturday, Nov. 18.