STORY BY HEATHER FOSTER

PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Online registration is now open for the 47th Annual Baldy Hill Climb, which will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27.

For the past 46 years, come rain, sun, or even snow, runners and hikers have made their way up Bald Mountain in support of Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation cross-country programming. 

“Our SVSEF cross country coaches, families, and athletes of all ages come together for this special event every last Saturday in September,” said Kelley Yeates, SVSEF’s Cross Country Assistant Program Director. “It’s a full team effort—many volunteering their time to help with the event and others conquering the hill climb to test their summer training in anticipation of the ski season ahead.”

Organized by the SVSEF Cross Country Ski Teams, the course challenges participants to a grueling 1.86 miles and 3,140 vertical feet—straight up from the bottom of Warm Springs to the summit of Bald Mountain at 9,020 feet.

All participants receive a collectible event T-shirt and a refuel at the summit aid station. In addition, and in partnership with Sun Valley Company, participants receive a much-deserved ride down on the Challenger Lift after they finish. 

“Many of our cross-country athletes embrace the start of a new season by challenging themselves to tackle The Baldy Hill Climb,” said Becky Flynn, SVSEF’s Cross Country Program Director. “And seeing so many from our community and beyond join in to hike, run, or race up Baldy is so inspiring. Every Baldy Hill Climb entry helps support our cross-country programming from our youngest Striders to our athletes on the Gold Team competing on the world stage.” 

Flynn added a special thank you to sponsors, which include Durrance Cycleworks, Salomon, Coxa Carry, Backwoods Mountain Sports, Elephant’s Perch and Boulder Mountain Clayworks.

“And we are so grateful for our partnership with Sun Valley Company and all they do for SVSEF—we wouldn't be where we are today without their belief in and commitment to our programs.”

A $100 bonus is on the line in the race division for those who set a new course record. Morgan Arritola is the only woman to have beat the forty-minute mark in the history of the Baldy Hill Climb—she holds the women’s record set in 2010 at 39:51. Miles Havlick holds the men’s record with a time of 35:04, set in 2014.

EVENT SCHEDULE:

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

12:00 p.m. Awards at the summit

Further event details and the link to register can be found at svsef.org/baldy-hill-climb.  Online registration closes on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 11:59 p.m. There is no race day registration. Uphill lift service will NOT be available.