STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Go ice skating with Santa when the jolly ol’ fella takes time off from his duties at the North Pole to lace up his skates and hit the ice at Sun Valley Resort.
Santa is expected to show up with a merry band of friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at Sun Valley’s Outdoor Ice Rink. There will be complimentary holiday cookies and cocoa plus festive holidays tunes.
Ticket prices include skate rentals and are available at https://www.sunvalley.com/events/skatin-around-christmas-tree-with-santa/.
But, wait! That’s just one of the events ushering in Christmas week at Sun Valley:
The Los Angeles trio FAUNA will present “Let It Snow: A Jazz Holiday Concert at 7 p.m. tonight—Friday, Dec. 20—at the Sun Valley Opera House. The innovative jazz trio, which performs on the bass, drums and keys, will perform fresh interpretations of timeless holiday classics, including “Silent Night” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” They’ll be joined by local vocalist Katie Buxton. Tickets are available at https://www.sunvalley.com/events/let-it-snow-jazz-holiday-concert/.
Even though he dotes on cookies and milk, Santa is showing up for Christmas Brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Dec. 22-23, at the Sun Valley Club. Attendees can enjoy a holiday buffet with kid-friendly dishes and traditional favorites, including breakfast pastries, eggs Florentine benedict, prime rib, and white cheddar mac & cheese.
There’ll be live music and photo ops with Santa. Make your reservation at https://www.sunvalley.com/events/brunch-with-santa/.
Sun Valley Resort will hold its traditional Christmas Eve Ice Show, Torchlight Parade and Fireworks on Tuesday, Dec. 24. The free ice show—a Sun Valley tradition dating back decades—will begin at 5:30 p.m., with complimentary cocoa and cookies. Bleachers will open up at 3 p.m.
This year’s Torchlight Parade will be on Dollar Mountain.
The holiday season will be capped by New Year’s Eve Night Skiing at Dollar Mountain from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31. A DJ will be spinning groovy tunes, food will be available in Carol’s Dollar Mountain Lodge, and a fireworks display will light up the night at 9 p.m. sharp
Tickets are available at https://shop//.sunvalley.com/s/winter-activities-2/p/night-skiing
Once you’ve finished carving turns under the stars, kick off your ski boots and slip into a glittery gown for Sun Valley Resort’s New Year’s Eve Snow Ball Party at River Run Lodge. The glamourous evening will include dancing and music with complimentary champagne from 9 to 10 p.m. and a champagne toast at midnight. Complimentary snacks will also be served after midnight. Ticketss are available at https://www.sunvalley.com/events/newyears-snowball/.