STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK

PHOTO BY HEATHER FOSTER

Neither rain nor snow nor chairlift construction can stop the tradition that is the Baldy Hill Climb.

The 45th annual gallop to the top of Bald Mountain will be held Saturday, Sept. 30, but with a new route. The course will go up the River Run side of the mountain rather than the Warm Spring side.

“This year will be the second time in 45 years that we’ve had to move the event to the River Run side of the mountain, and we are just grateful for Sun Valley’s partnership and collaboration to host the event in a year when they have such large-scale priorities on Baldy,” said Rick Kapala, director of Sport Development for the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation.

The event, which benefits SVSEF programming, is organized by the SVSEF Cross-Country Ski Team.

“The Baldy Hill Climb is one of the longest running athletic traditions in our Valley,” said Kapala. “It’s simple, and that is what makes it great! Climb up Baldy, as fast as you can. It is just you, your shoes, and your sheer determination; and at the end it’s a chance for you to get together with friends and family and celebrate our community and the wonderful place that we live.”

Runners and hikers will get a tidbit of a break this year, thanks to the new course.

The course involves a grueling 1.8 miles and 2,045 vertical feet from the bottom of River Run straight up Lower River Run, through mid-River Run and across Roundhouse Lane to the Roundhouse.

That compares with the traditional Warm Springs Baldy Hill Climb course, which climbed 1.86 miles and 3,140 vertical feet up Warm Springs to the top of the former Challenger chairlift at 9,020 feet..

Participants will receive an iconic event t-shirt and a refuel at the summit aid station and a ride down on the gondola after they finish.

“The Baldy Hill Climb welcomes the fall season and gets everyone excited for what’s to come this winter,” said Becky Woods, SVSEF’s Cross Country Program Director. “Our teams and coaches love to put on this challenging event that helps support our programming and brings the ski community together to enjoy an invigorating run or hike up the mountain.”

IF YOU GO:

Online registration runs through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28. There is no race day registration.

Friday, September 29

3 - 6 p.m. Optional race bib pick-up at Sturtevants, 340 N. Main St., Ketchum

Saturday, September 30

8:00 a.m. Check-In opens

8:30 a.m. Kinder Climb Start: Free for kids 11 years and under. No pre-registration. 

9:00 a.m. Hike Start

10:00 a.m. Race Start

12 p.m. Awards at the summit

Sponsors include title sponsor Sturtevants and lead partner Sun Valley Company, along with supporting sponsors Atkinsons’ Markets, Proctor Mountain Group, Durrance Cycleworks, Salomon, Coxa Carry, Backwoods Mountain Sports, Elephant’s Perch and Boulder Mountain Clayworks.