Christy
Angel Diva
Our annual trip. (Which sometimes happens twice or even 3 times a year). It was some of the best conditions we've ever had. Once again we brought the snow, which they sorely needed.
Beautiful weather Sunday and Monday. It's been very thin this year but they did get some snow last week which helped. I thought it was going to be real hard pack these days but it wasn't, the groomers at least were lovely.
It was empty, even by Sun Valley standards. The occupancy rate at SV properties was 12%. I wonder if the resorts associated with the MCP are seeing fewer visitors as the Ikon/Epic passes have gotten so popular. (Then why are the SV properties still so dang expensive??).
Quiet base lodge in the am.
I used the half price lesson voucher I get with my Alaska Air boarding pass. Such a deal. When we use these on weekdays we generally end up getting a private since there aren't enough students to form groups. My husband got a private and I was paired with a very cheerful Australian woman who comes with her family every year. The instructors are usually very, very good, and they always try to talk us into moving there. I did a drill that was new to me, where you drop your downhill shoulder in an exaggerated fashion, and boy does that get you on your outside ski. It really set me on the right path for the whole trip.
Of course, it's usually relatively quiet in SV. My sister in law from Iowa came to meet us and it's easy to see why people choose more convenient destinations. She missed her DEN-SUN (on United) connection in DEN, and since there is only one SV flight a day from there it was either wait 24 hours or figure something else out. She took a flight to Idaho Falls then got a rental car for a one way to the SV airport. Then she had to wait until the next incoming flight arrived to pick up others for the SV shuttle to pick her up. Then on her last day her flight was diverted to Twin Falls which means getting bused by the airline and losing some hours of your last day. She would have been able to ski her last morning but couldn't due to the diversion. Alaska Air has better technology than the other airlines and they are now allowed to fly in when others aren't (this is new since 2017). They are now getting in ~95% of the time in winter, compared to other airlines at ~65%. This is SO nice as we've been diverted to Boise so many times which is a huge drag as it's 3 hours away and just kills your last day.
Then it started snowing. A little Tuesday; a few inches for Wednesday; then 6+ inches overnight and more all day Thursday. Tues and Wed were a blast. Thursday was fun but also tiring. I was on my Total Joys (not great in powder; I bought them in SV for SV conditions) and it was relatively warm. I should have demoed fatter skis. Next time. It's amazing how glorious powder can be some days (on the right skis) and how much work it can be otherwise. It's also amazing how tracked out powder gets quickly even at a place like SV!
I had the best massage of my life at the spa on Wednesday. I'd had some nagging back pain and it turned out I had 2 rib tips out of place.
I thought I was just sore from doing so much Pilates. In general the spa is super nice and worth the splurge. Non-guests get to use the hot pool if they book a spa service (WORTH IT!!).
We had to be back at the lodge late afternoon for our shuttle to the airport. They let us use the hot pool and locker room/shower even though we've checked out. One of my true joys in life is drinking sparkling rose and watching the ice skaters from the Dutchin Room at the lodge. The bartender there gave me an extra special pour since I was leaving.
One time my husband found me drinking my rose down there in my slippers and he knew I'd reached a place of entitlement. I have yet to do it in my robe and slippers straight from the pool though and you do see that.
This will be our only trip of the year as we both turn 50 in March and are going to Paris and London in early March (during ski season--sacrilege I know). It's always a little sad to leave.
Beautiful weather Sunday and Monday. It's been very thin this year but they did get some snow last week which helped. I thought it was going to be real hard pack these days but it wasn't, the groomers at least were lovely.
It was empty, even by Sun Valley standards. The occupancy rate at SV properties was 12%. I wonder if the resorts associated with the MCP are seeing fewer visitors as the Ikon/Epic passes have gotten so popular. (Then why are the SV properties still so dang expensive??).
Quiet base lodge in the am.
I used the half price lesson voucher I get with my Alaska Air boarding pass. Such a deal. When we use these on weekdays we generally end up getting a private since there aren't enough students to form groups. My husband got a private and I was paired with a very cheerful Australian woman who comes with her family every year. The instructors are usually very, very good, and they always try to talk us into moving there. I did a drill that was new to me, where you drop your downhill shoulder in an exaggerated fashion, and boy does that get you on your outside ski. It really set me on the right path for the whole trip.
Of course, it's usually relatively quiet in SV. My sister in law from Iowa came to meet us and it's easy to see why people choose more convenient destinations. She missed her DEN-SUN (on United) connection in DEN, and since there is only one SV flight a day from there it was either wait 24 hours or figure something else out. She took a flight to Idaho Falls then got a rental car for a one way to the SV airport. Then she had to wait until the next incoming flight arrived to pick up others for the SV shuttle to pick her up. Then on her last day her flight was diverted to Twin Falls which means getting bused by the airline and losing some hours of your last day. She would have been able to ski her last morning but couldn't due to the diversion. Alaska Air has better technology than the other airlines and they are now allowed to fly in when others aren't (this is new since 2017). They are now getting in ~95% of the time in winter, compared to other airlines at ~65%. This is SO nice as we've been diverted to Boise so many times which is a huge drag as it's 3 hours away and just kills your last day.
Then it started snowing. A little Tuesday; a few inches for Wednesday; then 6+ inches overnight and more all day Thursday. Tues and Wed were a blast. Thursday was fun but also tiring. I was on my Total Joys (not great in powder; I bought them in SV for SV conditions) and it was relatively warm. I should have demoed fatter skis. Next time. It's amazing how glorious powder can be some days (on the right skis) and how much work it can be otherwise. It's also amazing how tracked out powder gets quickly even at a place like SV!
I had the best massage of my life at the spa on Wednesday. I'd had some nagging back pain and it turned out I had 2 rib tips out of place.
I thought I was just sore from doing so much Pilates. In general the spa is super nice and worth the splurge. Non-guests get to use the hot pool if they book a spa service (WORTH IT!!).We had to be back at the lodge late afternoon for our shuttle to the airport. They let us use the hot pool and locker room/shower even though we've checked out. One of my true joys in life is drinking sparkling rose and watching the ice skaters from the Dutchin Room at the lodge. The bartender there gave me an extra special pour since I was leaving.
One time my husband found me drinking my rose down there in my slippers and he knew I'd reached a place of entitlement. I have yet to do it in my robe and slippers straight from the pool though and you do see that.This will be our only trip of the year as we both turn 50 in March and are going to Paris and London in early March (during ski season--sacrilege I know). It's always a little sad to leave.
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