STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Check out the new pow at Rotarun Ski Area when “the little mountain with a big heart” throws its annual New Year’s Eve ski and ride party under the lights.
The party features free riding and skiing—Rotarun’s gift to the community.
Mountain managers turned on the ski hill’s new snowmaking to seal Jesse Foster’s wedding held at the ski hill a few weeks ago. Foster led the effort to install snowmaking while serving as director of the family ski hill.
The effort was completed this year by the Sun Valley Ski Education, which hopes to expand snowmaking in future years.
“You should see the big mounds of snow out there,” Foster enthused Monday. “They’re all ready to groom them out.”
The New Year’s Eve skiing will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. tonight—Tuesday, Dec. 31.
Rotarun Ski Area is three miles west of downtown Hailey. Drive out Bullion Street as it turns into Croy Creek Road. Turn right on Rodeo Drive. There is a warming lodge with food available.
Following New Year’s, the ski area will offer its LASAR (Learn to Alpine Ski and Race) program for children ages 5 through 12 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays beginning Jan. 8. Rota-Rippers for 5 through 11-year-olds will train from 3 to 5 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays from Jan. 13 through Feb. 25.
Public skiing starts at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, and at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11.
For more information, visit www.rotarun.org.