STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Sun Valley Resort embarked on an ambitious mission to install a new Challenger and Flying Squirrel lifts and extending Flying Squirrel Monday morning.

If you want to check the two out next year, you might consider buying your pass now while season passes are at their lowest price.

“We’re making a massive investment in the skier and rider experience at Sun Valley Resort this summer with the Warm Springs Enhancement Plan, which includes new lifts, new terrain and additional snowmaking coverage. Our guests will be blown away by the change,” said Pete Sonntag, General Manager and Vice President of Sun Valley Resort. “There has never been a better time to come visit us, and we can’t wait to welcome Sun Valley Resort, Ikon and Mountain Collective pass holders for the upcoming season.”

The resort has renewed its partnership with Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective Pass holders. The Ikon Pass, in particular, attracted hundreds of skiers from the East Coast who were anxious to check out a resort that has been named the top ski resort in the West by SKI Magazine readers three years in a row. It also drew a myriad of skiers from the West who were looping through the West skiing the ski resorts using the Ikon pass.

The Ikon pass is good for more than 50 resorts spanning five continents, 10 countries, 15 states and four Canadian provinces. The Mountain Collective Pass boasts two days at each of its collective’s destinations for a total of 44 days of access.

Additional days can be accessed for half price, without any blackout days.

Sun Valley is offering its Challenger Platinum pass this year for $2,419. It offers unlimited access to Sun Valley’s Bald Mountain, Dollar Mountain and Snowbasin in Utah, as well as an Ikon Base Pass. Other options include the $1,999 Challenger season pass, the $499 College Pass, a Freedom Found pass, a 15 Day Plus Pass, an Early Late Pass and a Dollar Mountain Pass

The following are benefits available to various pass holders:

• Sun Valley Challenger Platinum: Unlimited skiing and riding at Sun Valley’s Bald and Dollar Mountains as well as unlimited skiing at Snowbasin Resort in Huntsville, UT. Purchase of a Challenger Platinum Pass comes with an Ikon Base Pass (23-24 winter access only) and 50% off single-day lift tickets at all Mountain Collective resorts.
• Sun Valley Challenger: Unlimited skiing and riding at Sun Valley’s Bald and Dollar Mountains as well as unlimited skiing at Snowbasin Resort in Huntsville, UT. 50% off day window tickets at all Mountain Collective partner resorts starting the 2022-23 winter season. Ikon base pass is not included with this pass option.

● Ikon Pass: Ikon Pass holders will receive seven days of unrestricted access at both Sun Valley and a 10 Friends & Family discounts of 25% off day window tickets at both resorts.

● Ikon Base Plus Pass: Ikon Base Plus Pass holders will receive five days with holiday restricted access at Sun Valley and 8 Friends & Family discounts of 25% off day window tickets at both resorts.

● Ikon Base Pass: Ikon Base Pass will not receive access to Sun Valley.

● Mountain Collective Pass: Mountain Collective Pass Holders will receive two days of unrestricted access at Sun Valley and an additional 50% off day window tickets for pass holders after using their two days.

To learn more, visit https://www.sunvalley.com/mountain-passes/. Or, call 208-622-2135.