STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Sun Valley’s Mountain Masters program will feature a couple new options this year.

The unique program geared for good skiers who want to get better will offer skiers a chance to take part in the program one day a week—on Thursdays. And it will let them take part in one week only.

Discounted lift tickets are available for both the daily rate and weekly package.

Those programs will be offered in addition to the traditional program, in which skiers meet weekdays for nine weeks.

“The new options allow me to sign up a group or individuals who may be coming here for a visit. And they allow people who aren’t ready to commit full time to try the program,” said Drew Merklinghaus, who heads up the program for Sun Valley’s Snow Sports School.

Mountain Masters runs from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays from Jan. 8 through  March 16. Participants get a week off during President’s Day Week from Feb. 19 through Feb. 23.

The program is different from a ski lesson. It’s a clinic environment in which skiers ski with one group through the course of the season learning to navigate their way around the entire mountain.

That includes getting their ski boots wet on the new skier cross at the top of Broadway Run on Seattle Ridge. And it includes a chance to learn to race gates, if they desire.

Coaches rotate among the groups—and the instructors are some of Sun Valley’s best.

“It’s really exciting seeing the interest and growth,” said Merklinghaus. “Our participants love the social environment. They gather once a week for a social event off the snow. And each day is very social as they all meet at the top at Lookout Restaurant each morning before picking their way down the mountain.”

Sun Valley Mountain Masters, Masters Race and Ski Club participants and friends are invited to a 2018 season kick-off meeting from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. today—Friday, Jan. 5—at River Run Lodge.

There’ll be a light breakfast and a chance to ask questions. And a few of Sun Valley’s elite instructors will ski with attendees after the meeting.