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Sun Valley Resort Crowned No. 1 Ski Resort in America
 
           
 
Saturday, October 31, 2020
 

STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK

PHOTO BY TORY TAGLIO for Sun Valley

VIDEO BY COOPER MORTON for Sun Valley

The Grand Dame of alpine skiing has taken her spot atop North America’s ski world for the first time ever.

Sun Valley Resort, which debuted in 1936 as America’s first destination ski resort, has been named the No. 1 Ski Resort in North America by SKI Magazine for 2021.

SKI Magazine noted that Sun Valley combines “exciting slopes with the down-to-earth town of Ketchum.”

“After so many years of falling just shy of the top spot, Sun Valley finally claims No. 1 this year,” the magazine says. “Maybe partnering with the Epic Pass did the trick, luring more skiers than ever to this somewhat remote yet idyllic pocket of central Idaho, where the ‘skiing is legit,’ ‘the locals don’t look down their noses at you,’ and ‘there’s so much to do off the slopes, too.’ ”

The magazine went on to say that the authentic Western town of Ketchum captures hearts of visitors right off the bat. Indeed, readers rated down-day activities No. 1; dining, No. 2; lodging, No. 3; apres activities, No. 7, and nightlife, No. 7.

Sun Valley’s skiing, the article said, caters to all levels of skiers from Baldy’s black diamond Easter Bowls to the “thigh-burner groomers of Warm Springs” and Dollar Mountain’s mellow trails “perfect for getting your ski legs beneath you.”

“But if you have a soft spot in your heart for corduroy, you’ve come to the right place,” the article continues.

“Best grooming I’ve ever skied,” said one reader. “Where else can you ski 35,000 vertical in under four hours?” asked another.

The mountain itself ranked No. 1 for its lifts, No. 2 for its grooming, No. 2 for On-Mountain Food and No. 3 for Local Flavor.

And the lifts will get even better this year with the newly named Sunrise terrain expansion, which adds 380 acres of new terrain along with a high-speed Broadway quad that replaces the old Cold Springs lift. The expansion will offer chutes, glades and bowls and a long cruising run.

SKI Magazine’s annual Resort Guide is based on the results of the Reader Resort Survey, the most comprehensive and longest-running ranking in the industry. Sun Valley Resort was named No. 2 Ski Resort in North America in 2020.

Others in the top five this year are Deer Valley, Whitefish Mountain Resort, Taos Ski Valley, N.M., and Aspen Snowmass. Rounding out the top 10 are Telluride, Whistler-Blackcomb, Steamboat, Beaver Creek, and Crested Butte.

The Sun Valley Resort community is elated to receive the award, said Tim Silva, president and general manager of Sun Valley Resort.

“This was truly a team effort, with our entire resort staff and leadership having a hand in creating an exceptional destination and year-round experience for guests and community. This award reflects their hard work and commitment to this great ski resort,” he said.

Sun Valley Resort has more than 3,400 vertical feet and 2,500 acres of skiable terrain. It has 12 chairlifts and more than 65 runs on Bald Mountain. And it offers two high-speed quads, 22 runs and a full-featured terrain park with 76 rails on Dollar Mountain.

The resort has been hiring lots of young ski instructors in preparation for coming off the longest off-season the resort has ever seen, after having closed a month early in 2020, when it reopens on Thanksgiving Day. Dollar Mountain will reopen on Dec. 12.

Today is the last day to buy Sun & Snow Passes on sale. They’re available at www.sunvalley.com

 



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