Tour Leader wearing new outfit
We had a great trip to Sun Valley. Eighteen inches of fresh powder arrived before us. Even though the weather reports kept on warning about snow showers, there was sun shine every day. There were three days of great sunshine and the other days consisted of morning snow and afternoon sun and blue skies. There was great skiing every day.
Sun Valley is the plushest resort I’ve ever been to. The lodges were fantastic and the food tasty. The cleanest and classiest bathrooms of any ski resort I’ve ever been to. The staff are the nicest people I’ve ever met. Service is great here. If you have unused lift ticket days, you can trade them in for massages, hair cuts, souvenirs, and meals. Amazing.
On Sunday, we had a Welcome Reception. Unfortunately, it was scheduled at the same time as the 49ers game. So only a handful of us showed up for the free cheese and wine party. Our table was the loudest as we missed winning every raffle prize by only one number. Afterwards, I went to the free “Forever Plaid” musical comedy and enjoyed the show.
On Monday, we had a potluck and there was lots of good food. I’d like to thank Edna and Haruko for organizing the event. Someone thought I was gluten intolerant and they had arranged to make the dishes edible by me. The funny thing is, I have no food allergies. I can eat anything. Wonder where that rumor started from? Though gluten free, I can testify that all the food was delicious.
Sleigh Ride and Dinner (click to enlarge)
On Tuesday, we took a Sleigh Ride to the Trail Creek Cabin and ate at the hideaway for movie stars. The Sleigh Ride took us through quite woods and past the Hemingway Memorial. I had one of the best Prime Rib steaks ever. David told me that the steak must have been really good because it was rare that his wife Mimi would eat that much steak — only one person took home a doggie bag and it wasn’t Mimi. Rick joined our club and thought he knew no one in the club, but at dinner, he found out that both Dave and Peggy were his classmates at Mountain View High. Small world. Several people had Hot Toddies for the Sleigh Ride home. We got free movie tickets for eating at the Cabin.
On Wednesday night, a number of us went to see Hugo at the Opera House using the free movie tickets. Before they played Hugo, they showed several ancient promotional films for Sun Valley. At one point, movie stars rode horses 2-1/8 miles to the Trail Creek Cabin to get away from the prying eyes of the public. Wow, talk about circular self-references: Cabin – Movie – Cabin – Movie Stars – Cabin. Luckily the movie about movies started. Hugo is really for movie history buffs and movie lovers, not a kids movie that it is advertised as — I think the slow pace wouldn’t keep kids interested. Having taken a few film history classes myself, I loved the movie. By now a number of us figured out how to walk back to our condos. It’s either a 6 minute walk or a 10 minute wait for a van to drive us to our condos.
Farewell Dinner (click to enlarge)
On Thursday, we had a free NASTAR race and because it was snowing heavily in the morning, only 9 NSCers raced. We got 5 medals though. By noon, we had blue skies again. I had lunch with Jim and Janice at the Roundhouse Lodge. They shared part of their Fondue with me. I scraped off the crusted bottom — yum. I also had my very first taste of Spaetzle. The Lodge had a four sided fireplace and beautiful views. In the evening, we had our early Farewell Banquet (Janice was leaving Friday, so I had decided to have our dinner on Thursday). A few days ago, I had visited the Sun Valley Heritage and Ski Museum and found that Hemingway was a long time resident and had written parts of Farewell To Arms in the Sun Valley Lodge, in room 206. If the room is vacant, they let you tour it. It took me two days of trying to get access. It’s the little surprises that amaze me. I was delighted when Joel, on behalf of everyone, presented me with two books on Hemingway as a Thank You gift. Joel had given me a heads up before the trip and I had already purchased a new Marmot Jacket and Pants — so I had already spent the money Joel was going to collect. But Joel was still able to surprise me with those books and several other additional gifts. Thanks Joel and Thanks to everyone that had gone on the trip — otherwise I would have been skiing naked.
The Most Dangerous Run (click to enlarge)
On Friday, we had sunny skies. I took Sandy to some of my favorite runs at Sun Valley. We went on runs of every color from green to black, from cruisers to moguls. I took her through the Red Headed Woodpecker. Sandy said it was “The most dangerous run in Sun Valley.”
The only hitch was our early departure on Saturday and the freezer box bus ride. I’m currently working with our tour company and the bus company in getting some restitution for those involved.
Nevertheless, it was a wonderful week.
If you have links to photos or pictures of the trip you want to share, please send them to me or the newsletter editor.
