Opening weekend for Sun Valley Heli Ski delivers

Author: Chris Owens

Looking good in Idaho

Sent in by Tyler Ferris of Sun Valley Heli Ski:

Right now, Sun Valley Helicopter Ski Guides can boast the best heli-skiing this side of Canada.

While other operations in the lower 48 are waiting for another storm or two to start up, SVHS was blessed with a couple of big ones at the end of 2011. The snowfall in our remote terrain doubled from 2 to 4.5 feet. On our first day of operation on January 6, stability was rated “fair” and skiing was rated “good” to “very good”. Groups skied several extra runs.

It may look thin on Sun Valley’s Balm Mountain web cams, but as often happens the jet stream came straight from the west and dropped two times the snow in the Smoky Mountains, the hidden gem of SVHS.

Ok, how can SVHS offer great skiing with only 4.5 feet? The secret is the terrain. Runs are typically long and consistent with few cliffs or dramatic breaks. There are open slopes and great glades of trees. Every aspect has a skiable line.

In the heart of this skiers paradise is the Idaho Smoky Mountain Lodge. Right now you can have a private “Canadian Style” heli ski experience right here in the US. Check out the footage from our opening weekend below!




Posted on: 1.10.2012
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Idaho Smoky Mountain Lodge Catches Early Snow

Author: Mark Baumgardner

A beautiful Indian Summer ended abruptly this week with 2 feet of snow at upper elevations. Rain down low perfected the bike tracks and trails. Fall colors still survive but the staff is busy preparing for the shift of seasons, well aware we could be closed out any day. Snow up high inspires us to prepare to welcome winter guests to our private powder paradise in one of the snowiest regions of Idaho!


Posted on: 10.10.2011
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Cold Call

Author: Nick Thomson
 Anxious, our crew meets up at the cafe to see if we can salvage our ski trip.    We’ve been stuck in the condo in Jackson Hole with 40 mph winds and dangerous temperatures of -30F.  We have taken a few days away from the office to ski and celebrate a deal-closing, but a large persistent arctic air mass seems to have other ideas.  Sometimes you have to take a little risk to reap the reward; time to make some “cold calls”.
 
8:30am

We meet below the tram at the cafe, frustrated and over-caffeinated.  We are hemorrhaging cash, craving adventure and skiable snow, and trying to salvage a precious ski vacation.  Give up or get creative?

9:35am

Make a few calls and hear that the snow and weather is better to the west, in Sun Valley.  Call over to Sun Valley Heli Ski to check on availability and snow conditions.  Reports favorable.

9:45am

Call to Independent Jets in Teton Village to check on availability and pricing for a King Air…  response favorable (and surprisingly affordable).  Aircraft is available and ready to go.

10:00am

Our crew decides to go for it, and calls Sun Valley Heli Ski again.  They warm up the heli, rally the troops, and make arrangements.  We go to our rooms and suit up for skiing, slipping a toothbrush into our pockets.

12:15pm

King Air C90 wheels up from Jackson Hole.  Weird wearing ski boots on an airplane… we’ve got skis stacked in the aisle.

Loading Up

 

Terrific flight past the Grand Teton

 

1:00pm

Wheels down in Sun Valley. Met on the tarmac at Hailey Airport by the Sun Valley Heli Ski helicopter. 

Hop in the heli, and we are off…

1:30-4:30pm

Back-country shredding!!

Adrenaline levels return…

Happiness returns, stoke is high, grumpiness gone.

4:30pm

Land at the remote Smoky Mountain Lodge.  Pure backcountry luxury!

Welcomed by the lodge team, Dire Straits, and PBR.

Followed by steaks, birthday cake, and shenanigans.

8:30am

Breakfast is on the table.  Wake up!!  A nice start to the day…

9:30am

Warm up the heli – we are going skiing again!

10am – 2:30pm       

MORE POWDER….

3:00pm

Fly the heli back to Sun Valley Airport, transfer gear from the ship to the plane, and fly back to Jackson for our regular flights home. 

Many thanks to the terrific team from Sun Valley Heli Ski for pulling this off on about an hours’ notice.  It was an epic trip, requiring an amazing display of spontaneity, logistics, and hospitality.  We all sat on the plane home incredulous that you pulled it off, so happy that we grabbed life by the horns and went for it…

MAKE THE CALL!

Ethan, John, Nick, and Craig


Posted on: 3.15.2011
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Special Smoky Mountain Lodge Package

Author: laurietrautman

The Smoky Mountain Lodge is the only fly-in heliski lodge in the lower 48.  Located west of Sun Valley and in the heart of some of our best heli ski terrain, this luxurious six bedroom lodge has all the amenities of home with the added benefit of a personal chef.  We are currently offering a free stay at the Lodge when a group of  8 books two days of heli-skiing with us.  Take advantage of this opportunity to balance out your heli-skiing adventure with an evening of quiet luxury.  Give us a call for more details or to book a trip!


Posted on: 2.15.2011
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Bike Ranch Featured in the Idaho Mountain Express

Author: scottdesserault

Here is a great article on the Idaho Smoky Mountain Lodge Bike Ranch.

There is still time to book a stay at the Ranch before the snow flies.  September and October are some of the best months to be riding in the Sawtooth Mountains.


Posted on: 9.19.2010
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Bike Ranch “Dirt Divas”

Author: admin

The Bike Ranch at the Idaho Smoky Mountain Lodge just wrapped up its’ first “Dirt Diva” program of the summer.

Dirt Divas

This camp is designed for women looking to break-in their saddle; or those that have been riding for awhile with little or no off-road riding experience. The program starts off with the core fundamentals—bike-body coordination, braking, cornering, climbing, descending, and building confidence to maneuver over a variety of obstacles and stunts with progressive degrees of difficult. Once the fundamentals have been covered, the riders head out onto the custom network of singletrack trails on the Bike Ranch property.  After 2 days, these women left “The Ranch” with a solid riding foundation and the confidence to ride their local trails.

Here is one of the participants had to say about the program:

“In two days I went from literally breaking into a sweat when thinking about using my front break– to imaging the look on my son’s face when I show him Mom can do a wheelie! Dirt Diva Camp made me a mountain bike lover. I am SO excited!!”

Dirt Diva conquering the bridge

September and October are great months to be at The Bike Ranch.  We are offering $300 off the 3 day package through the end of the season so book your trip now….


Posted on: 9.06.2010
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