STORY BY HEATHER FOSTER

PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Tickets are now on sale for the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation's 49th Annual Wild Game Dinner to be held Friday, Dec. 5, at the Sun Valley Inn.

Steeped in tradition of support for the organization founded in 1966, the Wild Game Dinner directly supports SVSEF's ability to grant more than $500,000 annually in athlete financial aid.

Rest assured that Heather Foster and her crew will hold nothing back when it comes to providing an elegant but fitting atmosphere for the Wild Game Dinner.

The evening will include a pre-game dinner reception presented by Stoke Tracks to kick-off the evening's festivities, followed by a savory feast and live music from The Pisten Bullys. 

“The Wild Game Dinner holds a special place in the heart of the ski club and for so many in our community,” said SVSEF Executive Director, Scott McGrew. “It’s a time to gather and share stories of impact and inspiration, while raising critical funds to ensure families up and down the valley participate and have access to the experiences we offer.

“Now entering our 60th year, we have much to celebrate and even more to build upon as we look to the future and how we can most positively impact our community in all that we do.”

The Wild Game Dinner directly supports SVSEF’s mission to provide exceptional snowsport programs, and specifically, the ability to grant more than $500,000 annually in financial aid to athletes across all ages and all programs. Funds are raised through the Wild Game Dinner via sponsorships, event and raffle ticket sales, a live auction, and a paddle raise.

“What we do is so much bigger than sport,” said McGrew. “Our job is to plant the seed of confidence and to nurture the potential in our children. The generosity we see through the Wild Game Dinner allows us to make sure any family who wants to participate can participate. Regardless of whether a child goes on to compete on the world stage, or pivots along the way, what matters is that they develop the courage, confidence, and humility to make an impact on the world. An impact that likely has nothing--and everything--to do with a perfect turn, landing a cork 9, or a classic stride.”

The popular Hunter’s Draw Raffle returns for the 2025 Wild Game Dinner. Exclusive prize packages will be up for grabs, each packed with a minimum $1,500 and up to $3,000 or more value in gift cards and experiences from local partners and businesses.

A “Sun Valley Chic” package, for instance, awards the winner with a shopping spree at various fashion and home retailers, while the “Savor the Valley” package provides the winner the opportunity to taste the best food in the valley. The First Lite Ultimate Layering Kit will keep you warm and cozy whether you're on the hunt or purely soaking up all that mountain living has to offer. Other prizes include an invigorating Zenergy Health Club Membership Prize Package and an adrenaline-filled “White Otter Outdoor Adventure” experience.  

Following a dinner defined by the season, the Wild Game Dinner Live Auction will have those with a love of travel, adventure, and culinary artistry ready to raise their paddles. A few of the Live Auction Previews can be found at: https://25svsefwildgamedinner.afrogs.org/#/pages/26947/. 

Absentee (proxy) bidding will be available for the live auction, and those interested in bidding remotely can register to do so at the event’s website and Live Auction Preview at https://25svsefwildgamedinner.afrogs.org/#/pages/26947/

Tickets and tables are available for purchase online through the following link: https://25svsefwildgamedinner.afrogs.org/#/tickets/event

Reserved Farm Table for Eight = $1,950

Individual Ticket = $195

Local businesses interested in sponsoring the Wild Game Dinner or contributing via in-kind product or service opportunities to the event or the raffle can visit https://svsef.org/. They can also contact Heather Foster at heather@svsef.org or Will Falltrick at wfalltrick@svsef.org.