Photo by Paulette Phlipot 

winter 2005
calendar
 

December

The Nutcracker Ballet—Sun Valley Ballet students dance the Christmas favorite on Dec. 3, 4, and 5 at the nexStage Theatre in Ketchum. Details: 726-9876.

X-country skiing Demo Days & Free Clinic—Demo the newest skate and classic equipment at Galena Lodge on Dec. 4. Pros will be on hand to help Dec. 5. Details: 726-4010.

Caritas Chorale Family Sing-a Long—A family Christmas concert on Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m. and Dec. 5 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Ketchum. Details: 578-9648.

Nordic Demos—Try new Nordic gear at the Sun Valley Nordic Center on Dec. 4. Details: 726-8818.

Papoose Club Holiday Bazaar—Shop for gifts during the 14th annual arts and crafts fair at Hemingway Elementary School in Ketchum Dec. 4, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Dec. 5, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Details: 726-6642.

Telemark & Randonee Demo Day—Sample the newest telemark ski equipment for free Dec. 5 at the base of Bald Mountain’s River Run Lodge.
Details: 726-8818.

Basic Avalanche Awareness Class—Learn basic avalanche skills with the Sun Valley Avalanche Center. The course begins with a classroom session at Hemingway Elementary School in Ketchum on Dec. 7, followed by an optional field session on Dec. 11. Details: 726-4333.

Old Fashioned Christmas Tree Lighting—Sip hot cocoa and watch the illumination of the community Christmas tree with Santa after he arrives by fire truck on Dec. 9 at the Ski and Heritage Museum in Ketchum on the corner of Washington Avenue and First Street in Ketchum. Details: 726-8118.

Wood River Festival of Trees & Dinner Dance—
Admire over 40 beautiful trees decorated by local artists and community groups Dec. 9-11. The trees will be auctioned off during the Gala Dinner benefit for the Blaine County Senior Connection at the nexStage Theatre in Ketchum on Dec. 9.
Details: 788-3034.

Teddy Bear Tea—Children and adults find activities and meet Santa at the nexStage Theatre Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Details: 788-3034.

Winter Wonderland & Gingerbread Housemaking— Children will enjoy decorating cookies, making ornaments and meeting Santa on Dec. 11 at Kidshop next to Hemingway Elementary School in Ketchum. Details: 788-3034.

Alternative Holiday Gift Fair—Shop the 2nd annual bazaar for gifts from nonprofit organizations in the area and around the world. The fair is held Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Ketchum. Details: 726-5349 ext. 24.

Winterstart X-C Ski Race—Celebrate the start of the ski season on the Galena Lodge Trails with free 5- or 10-kilometer ski races for the community on Dec. 11 at Galena Lodge. Details: 726-4129.

Fools Holiday Song Book—Take in the down home feeling of the Wood River Valley with a collection of seasonal songs presented by the Company of Fools from Dec. 17-Dec. 23 at the Liberty Theatre in Hailey. Details: 788-6520.

2nd Annual Great Reindeer Hunt—Children of all ages are invited to ski in search of area notables pretending to be Santa's reindeer on Bald Mountain Dec. 18 from noon to 4 p.m. St. Thomas Episcopal Church and Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church sponsor the event that benefits Camp Rainbow Gold and Sun Valley Adaptive Sports. Details: 726-5349 ext. 24.

Holiday Skiathlon—Wax your skis and join the Sun Valley Ski Education for races on the Lake Creek ski trails on Dec. 18. Details: 726-4129.

“The Messiah”—Enjoy the Christmas musical presented by the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood choir. The performance is free of charge Dec. 19 at 4:30 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood. Details: 622-4774.

Christmas Sprint Relays—Gather a team to race in the three-leg classic and skating relays on the Lake Creek ski trails with the Sun Valley Ski Education on Dec. 19. Details: 726-4129.

“The Promise”—Relish a holiday musical featuring the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood choir, the Footlight Dance Theater and the Big Wood Children's Christmas Choir on Dec. 21-23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood. The performances are free of charge with donations accepted at the door. Details: 622-4774.

Christmas Eve in Sun Valley—Sun Valley Resort celebrates Christmas Eve with a mini ice skating exhibition and a torchlight skiing parade with ski instructors winding down the face of Dollar Mountain. Festivities continue with the Dickens' Carolers, an appearance by Santa and a fireworks display the entire area can enjoy on the evening of Dec. 24. Details: 622-2097.

Holiday Dinners at Galena—Dine on a festive holiday meal prepared by the chef at Galena Lodge. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. on Dec. 25 or enjoy a New Year’ s Eve dinner on Dec. 31 at 7 p.m. Details: 726-4010.
 

January

Snowmaker Classic Race—Kids and adults can race the 15-, 7.5- or 2-kilometer cross-country courses on the Prairie Creek Trails Jan. 1. Register for races at The Elephant's Perch in Ketchum. Details: 726-3497.

Basic Avalanche Awareness Class—Learn basic avalanche skills with the Sun Valley Avalanche Center. The course begins with a classroom session at Hemingway Elementary School in Ketchum on Jan. 4 with an optional field session on Jan 8. Details: 726-4333.

EcoKids Club Animal Tracking Workshop—Ann Christensen teaches kids ages 8-12 about different animals and their tracks in the area. Parents are welcome to attend the free event on Jan. 7. Details: 726-4333.

“Mountainfilm on Tour”—The ERC brings a variety of outdoor inspired films and provocative documentaries steeped in the traditions of mountaineering and adventuring. The films play Jan. 14 and 15 at 7 p.m. with a kids matinee Jan. 15 at 4 p.m. at the nexStage Theatre in Ketchum. Details: 726-4333.

Sun Valley Opera—“From the Met to Broadway”-Delight in popular opera and musicals offerings on Jan. 15 at 8 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum. Details: 726-6446.

Ski the Rails—Ski the world-class Wood River trails along the old Union Pacific right of way on Jan. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Details: 788-2117.

Ski Joring—Watch the action packed winter sport in which skiers and horses pair up to steer through a course of jumps and gates. The competition happens Jan. 29 and 30. The event is sponsored by the Smokey Mountain Ski Joring Association. Details: (208) 764-3033.

Caritas Chorale Concert—A collection of valley singers presents a high quality classical and traditional choral concert on Jan. 29 at 7:30 p.m. and Jan. 30 at 5:30 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum. Details: 578-9648.

Ethos Percussion Group Concert—The percussion ensemble performs Jan. 29 at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood presented by Sun Valley Center for the Arts. Details: 726-9491.

 

February

“Our Town”—The St. Thomas Playhouse presents Thornton Wilder's great American drama that addresses essential life questions in February Details: 726-5349.

Wells Fargo Boulder Mountain Tour—The 30th anniversary of the spectacular Nordic ski race attracts modest racers to Olympic caliber athletes. The 32-kilometer skate ski tour on Feb. 5 begins with a wave start at 10 a.m. from Galena Lodge, winding south to the Sawtooth National Recreation headquarters north of Ketchum. Details: 788-1550.

Backwards Boulder Mountain Tour & X-C Ski Festival—Boulder Mountain Tour enthusiasts have an opportunity to do the 23-mile race course backwards on Feb. 6. The course begins at The Sawtooth National Recreation Area headquarters at 10 a.m. and finishes at Galena Lodge where the 10th annual cross-country ski festival welcomes finishers. Details: 726-4010.

“The Sisters Rosensweig”—Company of Fools present Wendy Wasserstein's story of three middle-aged Jewish sisters, originally from Brooklyn, who come together in London for a birthday celebration. The play, directed by John Glenn traces the laughter and surprises the sisters find during the evening. Catch the performance Feb. 9-Feb. 27 at the Liberty Theatre in Hailey. Details: 788-6520.
 

Galena Lodge Valentine’s Dinner—Romance your sweetheart with dinner at Galena Lodge 6 p.m. on Feb. 14. Details: 726-4010.

Maya Beiser Concert—The acclaimed cellist with a strong voice for contemporary music arrives on Feb. 19, as part of the Sun Valley Center's Winter Music Series. Details: 726-9491.

“Pitch Perfect Evening”—Sun Valley Summer Symphony Music Conservatory students, faculty and alumni arrive to share their musical talent at the nexStage Theatre in Ketchum Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. The concert celebrates American composers. Details: 788-4616.

 

March

Coming of Spring Nature Walks—Watch Spring unfold through the changes in the flora and fauna found at Silver Creek every Saturday in March. Sponsored by the ERC. Meet at Sturtevants in Hailey at 9 a.m. Details: 726-4333.

“Ethel”—Sun Valley Center of the Arts presents the performance as part of the Winter Music Series on March 4. Details: 726-9491.

Sun Valley Opera—“From the Met to Broadway”-Enjoy a medley of opera and musicals numbers, featuring music from “Carmen” on March 2 at
8 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum. Details: 726-6446.

Boulder Mountain Classic—A noncompetitive classic technique ski tour from the Sawtooth National Recreation Area headquarters to Galena Lodge. Skiers convene March 5 at the SNRA headquarters at 9 a.m. and leave at 10 a.m. Details: 726-3497.

Night Sky Party—View the brilliant winter sky with the ERC on March 10 at 8 p.m. on the South West corner of Atkinson Park in Ketchum. Details: 726-4333.

St. Lawrence String Quartet—The world-class chamber ensemble plays March 12 as part of the Sun Valley Center for Arts’ Winter Music Series program. Details: 726-9491.

Gourmet Ski Tour—Sample the morsels of local restaurants and caterers while Nordic skiing through the upper Wood River Valley trails. Skiers start the 13-kilometer loop at Baker Creek March 12. The tour benefits the North Valley Trails. Details: 788-2117.

8th Annual Bill Janss Memorial Pro Am Classic— Ski with past and present legends during a team dual giant slalom race on Bald Mountain. The three-day event runs March 17-19 with a friendly on-hill competition, cocktail party, auction and gala dinner to benefit the young racers on the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation. Details: 726-4129.

Atlas Snowshoe Challenge—Summit Bald Mountain during the annual snowshoe climb to the top. The race begins at the base of River Run on March 14. Details: 726-3497.

Galena Spring Loppet Tour—A fun, costume filled 30-kilometer ski tour of the Galena Trail system. Meet at Galena Lodge on March 26. Details: 726-4010.
 

April

Ride, Stride, Glide Relay Race—Celebrate the end of the cross country ski season at Galena Lodge with a bike, run and ski relay race on April 3. Teams and solo competitors race to finish in crazy costumes. Details: 726-4010.

Night Sky Party—Admire the stars and planets adorning the winter sky with the ERC on April 8 at 9 p.m. on the South West corner of Atkinson Park in Ketchum. Details: 726-4333.

"New Voices"—The Company of Fools theatre company works with Wood River Middle and High School students to bring original student writings to life on April 18-24 at the Liberty Theatre. Details: 788-6520.

 

May

Mothers Day Flower and Native Plant Sale— Honor mom with a plants for sale at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden on May 7. Details: 726-9358.

Sun Valley Mountain Wellness Festival—Explore healthy ways of living with keynote speakers, wellness-related workshops and an exhibition hall at the annual four-day festival over Memorial Day weekend to at the Sun Valley Resort.
Details: (800) 634-3347.

 

Ongoing

“The Hunt: Ritual and Narrative”—Sun Valley Center for the Arts presents a multidisciplinary project exploring the ritual and tradition of hunting through an ongoing exhibition that runs Nov. 5 to Jan. 14 at the Center in Ketchum.

Free Skate Clinics—Learn to skate ski during free clinics for beginners held at Galena Lodge on
Dec. 5, 18, Jan. 16 and Feb. 13 at 1 p.m.
Details: 726-4010.

Gallery Walk—Enjoy the copious art in Ketchum during evening gallery walkabouts. Various galleries throughout town open their doors for artists to share their work. Check the gallery listings for locations. Gallery Walks will be held Dec. 29, Feb. 19 and March 11, May 28, 6 to 9 p.m.
Details: 726-8180.

Winter Skills Series—Learn outdoor survival skills, including Winter Navigation Dec. 11, Snow Shelters Jan. 22 and Winter Plant Ecology Feb. 19. Free to all. Meet at 9 a.m. at the ERC in Ketchum. For details and to register: 726-4333.

Armchair Adventure Series—The Environmental Resource Center brings entertaining and informative evenings featuring the experiences of local adventurers. Presentations are held at the Clarion Inn at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16, Jan. 20, Feb. 17, March 17 and April 21. Details: 726-4333.

Full Moon Dinner—Relish a ski or snowshoe under the moonlight before or after feasting on a five-course dinner at Galena Lodge Dec. 26, Jan. 23, 24, Feb. 21, 22, March 24 and 25. Reservations and details: 726-4010.

Winter Animal Tracking Workshops—Embark on a snowshoe tour to learn how to identify native animal tracks. Every Saturday from Jan. 1 to Feb. 26 at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meet at the ERC. Details: 726-4333.

“Confluence: Merging Traditions and Trends”—
Sun Valley Center for the Arts presents an on-going exhibition Jan. 21 to April 1. Details: 726-9491.

View Birds on Snowshoes—Local birder Poo Wright-Pulliam takes hikers for a day of birding along Silver Creek Jan. 29, Feb. 26 and March 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. sponsored by the ERC. Details: 726-4333.

Star Gazing Dinner—Enjoy a stargazing dinner and a slideshow while the moon is new and the sky black. Local astronomer Steve Pauley leads the observations on Feb. 6 and March 10 at 6 p.m. at Galena Lodge. After dinner, venture into the crisp night to gaze through a telescope at the crystal clear sky. Reservations and details: 726-4010.

Art History Reading and Film Series—The Hailey Public Library presents a look into art history with book discussions of fictional works at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Feb. 10, 24, March 10, 24, and April 7 at the library. A complimentary film series is offered on alternate Tuesdays throughout the program. Details: 788-2036.

Winter Gardening Workshops—Sawtooth Botanical Garden invites adults and children to the garden for gardening workshops throughout the winter. Details: 726-9358.

Suns & Sunsets Hockey—For sports fans catch the Suns, Sun Valley's men's amateur hockey team and the Sunsets, the female squad, both play weekly. Details: 726-6967. •