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| It
is only fitting that the birthplace of heli-skiing
in the United States is Sun Valley, Idaho—the
same locale dubbed “America’s First
Destination Ski Resort.” |
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| The
mountains surrounding the town of Ketchum were discovered
in 1935 to be the ideal surroundings for a ski resort
and the opening of the Sun Valley Resort followed
just one year later. The same spectacular terrain
and pioneering spirit of the region led to the founding
of Sun Valley Heli-Ski Guides in 1966 by Bill Janss,
the owner of Sun Valley Resort. |
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| As
the company has witnessed changes in ownership,
progression to quieter and more powerful aircraft,
and the general evolution of the sport of skiing,
the tradition of untracked powder, exploration,
and adventure remains with each present-day heli-ski
trip. As SVHSG celebrates 20 years of ownership
by Mark Baumgardner, we are excited to watch heli-skiing
in the Sun Valley area continue into the twenty-first
century |
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| Above
is a shot from 1976. Some vintage 70's ski clothing
can be found in this shot, as can Franz Klimmer,
one of the early ski instructor "guides."
Tom Warde is also in the photo. |
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| More
on the history of heli skiing in Sun Valley . .
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Averell
Harriman, then chairman of the Union Pacific Railroad,
was introduced to Sun Valley in 1936 by Count Felix
Schaffgotsch. Averell had hired the Count to find
a location suitable to develop the west’s
first destination ski resort. Impressed by it’s
treeless lower slopes and similarity to resorts
he had visited in Europe, he decided to build. Within
a year, a luxurious “million dollar”
lodge was constructed. By 1938, the world’s
first chairlift was erected, changing the future
of skiing forever. By 1940, three chairlifts were
put in to the top of Bald Mountain. At 3400 vertical
feet, this was one of the first big mountain alpine
resorts.
Not satisfied with that, Harriman assembled a world
renowned ski school using the best Austrian instructors
of the time, teaching the progressive “Arlberg
Technique”. With names like Hauser, Haemmerle,
Pfeifer, Lang and Litchfield directing the Sun Valley
Ski School through the 50’s, it was a school
second to none. This attracted many of the rich
and famous to the Sun Valley area, including many
of the Hollywood greats of the time. Clark Gable,
Bing Crosby, Claudette Colbert, Errol Flynn, and
Gary Cooper were all regulars at the lodge.
Perhaps not so well know is that from the late 30’s
to the early 50’s, Sun Valley was also a mecca
for alpine ski touring. Using the Pioneer and Owl
Creek cabins, adventurers of the day pioneered some
of the same terrain now used by Sun Valley Heli
Ski.
Since these early days, Sun Valley has produced
a number of athletes and others influential in the
ski industry. The Scott and Smith eyewear companies
were founded here. Warren Miller started his film
career living out of the parking lot. A slew of
Olympians including Gretchen Fraser, Picabo Street,
Pete and Susie Patterson, Christin Cooper, and Suzie
Corrock all called Sun Valley home.
In 1977, Sun Valley was purchased by R. Earl Holding
of the Little America Corporation. Under this new
ownership, Sun Valley has redefined the image of
the elegant and luxurious resort, but that only
tells part of Sun Valley’s current story;
past the first rate lodging and food lies one of
the world's most unique and challenging mountains.
The mountain truly offers something for everyone
- from gentle cruisers to the steepest trees. If
you doubt the challenge, just try to keep up with
the locals on one of the resort's many autobahn
style cruiser runs.
The next chapter of Sun Valley has yet to be written,
but already a new crop of athletes are launching
their careers there. Some of the hottest free skiers
in the world hail from Sun Valley: Kent Krietler,
Reggie and Zach Crist, Will Burkes and Rick Greener
to name a few.
For a detailed History of Sun Valley see:
http://idahooutdoor.net/history/
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