BY KAREN BOSSICK

The second snowstorm in three days created an eventful morning commute for those riding a southbound bus Monday morning.

The Mountain Rides bus slid off Highway 75 in the vicinity of the Meadows trailer park about 7 a.m. as an overnight storm dumped nine inches of the wettest, heaviest snow some people could remember.

Riders were transported to St. Luke’s Wood River, which was just a stone’s throw away. There did not appear to be any serious injuries, according to one witness, but four people were hospitalized according to the Blaine County Sheriff's Department. The front of the bus, however, appeared to have some serious injuries.

Mountain Rides is investigating the slide-off, said Director Wally Morgus.

“At Mountain Rides, safety is paramount,” he added.

The storm left Sun Valley’s Bald Mountain looking as if it were ready to ski. The resort will host a week-long skier’s camp on Bald Mountain beginning Nov. 19.

Sun Valley’s General Manager Pete Sonntag said the mountain plans to be open from top to bottom on the River Run side for the general opening on Thanksgiving Day, which is on Nov. 24 this year.

Ketchum residents had to grapple with massive snow boulders stacked up by snowplows in their driveways. Further south in Bellevue there was no snow.

Galena Lodge only got five inches out of this storm, but it got seven inches on Saturday, and trails around the lodge are being packed. Grooming has not started yet, however.