Some 140 youngsters are engaging in what Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation Director Scotty McGrew calls a rite of the Wood River Valley. These young Rota-Rippers are learning to ski and snowboard at Rotarun Ski Hill, the “mountain with a heart,” as they find within themselves a love for winter that is so much of the mountain culture here.

In the process, they’re setting themselves up for a new program called Grassroots to Grand Stage that offers motivated young’uns a chance to take part in SVSEF’s racing programs. Watch the fun as Eye on Sun Valley’s Karen Bossick takes you to that mighty hill west of Hailey in today’s video.