It’s 2011 and with that, the 75th winter season is underway at Sun Valley Idaho’s world renowned ski resort, known to the locals as “Baldy.”

The walkway is adorned with the flags of other countries as you cross the bridge over the Snake River to the River Run Lodge. Ski rental shops and food stands stake ground here to welcome the skiiers and boarders to another winter of powder days and perfect corduroys. If you’re lucky, someone might pay you to use your lift ticket when you’re coming off the mountain.

Home to the steepest downhill slope in all of America, (the path is Ridge, Christmas Bowl, Cold Springs) Sun Valley Ski Resort lies right in the heart of Ketchum, a quiet Idaho town located deep within the mountains. Lindsey Vonn, and John Kennedy Jr. and Arnold Schwarzenegger have cruised the catwalks along the side of the mountain, Shawn White has graced the half pipe, and many olympic skiiers throughout the generations have flown down the groomers since the inaugural winter in 1936.

I have skiied on this mountain since 2000 and the lift tickets in my family’s ski closet display over a 20 year evolution of passes. I did my first 360 and rode my first double diamond on that mountain, I have eaten at the various lodges, got caught in a few blizzards, have skiied in the spring with a short sleeve t-shirt and have had some of the best times I’ve had at River Run. Happy Birthday Baldy, and many more to come. I’ll see you again in February.

For more information on this awesome place, please visit http://www.sunvalley.com/

Happy Shredding