STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Some locals have skied Bald Mountain’s College Boulevard so many times since Sun Valley Resort kicked off its ski season last week that they should be awarded Ph.Ds.

But, thanks to a herculean effort by Sun Valley’s snow making crew, the resort opened Mid River Run on Wednesday with soft, fun ski conditions provided by temperatures in the 30s and 40s. And they will open Dollar Mountain’s Quarter Dollar lift and Magic Carpet for the season on Friday, Dec. 12.

The addition of more skiing in what’s been a slow start for ski areas in the West is just the exclamation point on what promises to be a busy fun-filled holiday weekend at Sun Valley Resort.

Children had a blast decorating giant-sized gingerbread man cookies as Sun Valley Resort launched its Winter Wonderland last weekend.

Sun Valley will stage its annual TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY by the Duck Pond in front of the Sun Valley Inn on Saturday, Dec. 13.

THE FACULTY LOUNGE—a group of acapella singers who originated at the Sun Valley Community School--will sing a round of Christmas and Hanukkah songs at 5:30 p.m. The  tree lighting will take place at 6 p.m. following a wave by Santa from the balcony of the Inn.

There’ll be complimentary cookies, cocoa and cider and an outdoor bar, and celebrants may check out the LIVE ICE CARVING DEMONSTRATION that will take place near The Ram restaurant beginning at 4 p.m.

Sun Valley’s EUROPEAN-STYLE MARKET will add to the festivities. Artisans will be selling a variety of goods from holiday wreaths to holiday treats from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14.

Santa’ crew kept busy filling orders for gumdrops and other decorative items for the gingerbread men.

The booths will be set up near the Duck Pond and the Sun Valley Opera House.

While in the village, don’t forget to check out the entries in the COMMUNITY GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST in the Boiler Room. Wood River Valley artists and groups have created the houses on behalf of various nonprofits.

Those who get the most votes from viewers will win a donation from the Sun Valley Company. The gingerbread concoctions will be on display through Dec. 31.

Sun Valley is showing the movie “ELF” at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at the Sun Valley Opera House. Tickets are $5, available at the door; children 3 and under will be admitted free. “NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION” will be shown at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Santa even found himself taking wishes from older youth during Winter Wonderland.

COMEDIAN JEFF SHAW, “the fun dude” who has played such venues as Fitzgeralds Casino in downtown and Carnival Cruise Line, will kick off five nights of Sun Valley Resort’s Comedy Series at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, in the Sun Valley Opera House. Tickets are available at https://www.showpass.com/sun-valleys-stand-up-comedy-series-2/.

Additional comedy shows will be held Dec. 27, Jan. 17, Feb. 14 and March 14.

The SUN VALLEY APRES MUSIC SERIES will launch at River Run Lodge on Friday, Dec. 12, and Saturday, Dec. 13. The Corey James Grubb Band will perform free of charge from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday and Lee Penn Sky on Saturday.

A singer/songwriter from Mountain Home, Grubb performs Americana/country/honky tonk/folk/blues music. He was the 2023 nominee for ISSA Male Vocalist of the Year and the 2023 Gold Winner for ISSA Emerging Artist of the Year.

A couple reindeer joined in the festivities at Ketchum’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony this past week.

The ROUNDHOUSE RESTAURANT is now open daily for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. And dinner reservations are available for Friday, Dec. 12, when diners will enjoy a four-course dinner accompanied by a complimentary pot of fondue.

Dinner service will be available Fridays and Saturdays starting Dec. 19. Make reservations at www.sunvalley.com/dining/the-roundhouse/.