STORY BY JOHN W. LUNDIN

PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

The Everman family from Maine was among the thousands who came to Sun Valley this week to watch the 2025 Audi FIS World Cup finals.

They learned that it was surprisingly easy to get here: A direct flight to Chicago, then one more flight to Hailey got them here in a relatively easy travel day.

A festival goer did a little hula hooping during the lunch hour at Warm Springs Plaza on Tuesday.

The parents of an ex-racer, they have put in their share of long drives, longer days on the slopes and countless lessons for their son.  They have attended a number of National and International tournaments at Killington, Vt., and in Canada, but only have seen women’s technical races (Giant Slalom and slalom).

They came to Sun Valley to see both men and women compete in all four disciplines.  They met 1984 Olympic medalist Christin Cooper at Killington in 1982, the year the U.S. women won the team event.  Killington sponsored yearly national team events in the teens until COVID hit.

Sun Valley has done a marvelous job hosting the World Cup finals, really “dialing it in,” they say.

They have enjoyed their time here, staying at the Knob Hill Inn and taking advantage of the inn’s limo service to take them around time.  They plan to visit Hemingway’s grave before they leave.

Skiers head to the lifts underneath a balloon arch proclaiming the Stifel Sun Valley Finals that must be raised every morning.

They came to the mountain 1 ½ hours before the start of the Super G event, to get places along the fence at the front of the viewer’s area, and were interviewed for the big screen.

They say Sun Valley has treated the visitors well, cutting steps into the snow and providing ski poles to assist their walk into the spectator’s area.  They were surprised at the lack of security.  At Killington, there has been a $5 per visitor charge to get into the spectator’s area, and all bags must go through security.

Although disappointed about the cancellation of the Downhill event, they saw the practice runs and the Super G competition.  They say they will go home at the end of the week with many happy memories.

Independent Goods welcomed ski racers and visitors with a multitude of flags.

Revelers took to Main Street in Ketchum over the weekend for 5850 concerts.