Sun Valley Resort debuted a new high-speed quad this winter, it was Sun Valley's first significant expansion in the last 20 years and it added 380 acres of new terrain on Bald Mountain.
The high-speed quad named Broadway replaced the oldest lift at Sun Valley. It rises 1582 vertical feet and drops skiers and snowboarders at the Round House Restaurant, where the Gondola also drops people off.
This new lift services a new long beginner run called Lower Broadway that runs from Seattle Ridge down to the new lift. Along the way, 25 snowmaking guns ensure this run has enough snow.
"Lower Broadway is really turning out to be one of our most popular runs on the mountain," said Bridget Higgins of Sun Valley Resort. "It is a great learning terrain for all of the young shredders or new people to skiing or riding."
However, Sun Valley has not been able to open their new expert terrain because they haven't got enough snow, but mother nature is starting to cooperate.
"We are really excited, yesterday it was a bluebird day, today we are in the middle of a blizzard with perhaps a couple of feet of snow on the way," said Bryant Dunn, who has been a ski patroller at Sun Valley for around 20 years. "Everyone here at Sun Valley Resort is really excited about the new Sunrise expansion terrain."
The new Sunshine expert terrain will include a steep bowl, some steep chutes and some glade runs that will add a lot of variety to the Sun Valley experience.
"It's a backcountry style experience," said Dunn. "So you want to bring four pieces of equipment back there with you, especially after a new storm, your avalanche transceiver, your probe, your shovel, and most importantly, your common sense."
That common sense also transfers to the COVID-19 protocols we talk about with every ski story this winter.
Try to reserve your tickets online as far in advance as possible, make sure to have a mask that covers your face and remember that the lodges are no longer available to lounge in this winter.
"It is the Sun Valley way to treat each person with kindness, said Dunn. "We want to encourage everybody to take that approach here."
Sun Valley has also dedicated this week to safety, and they are producing videos to profile the five different zones on the mountain and the protocols for each zone.
