Editors' Choice 2020: Above the Timber

Editors' Choice 2020: Above the Timber

Sun Valley is known for many things: challenging groomers; a historic ski town; incredible tree skiing in burn zones. But one of its greatest assets is located above treeline. Even during dry spells and days after the last storm, stashes of Idaho’s infamously dry powder can be found atop Sun Valley’s surrounding peaks, especially when you have a helicopter at your disposal.

​KARL FOSTVEDT SHOWS US THE BEST OF SUN VALLEY

​KARL FOSTVEDT SHOWS US THE BEST OF SUN VALLEY

Earlier this January, TGR had the opportunity to get shown around the mountains of Sun Valley, Idaho by none other than local pro skier Karl Fostvedt. After a week of chasing him around the Tetons stacking epic January pow shots, it was time for him to give us the lowdown on his stomping grounds. We happily obliged.

Heli Skiing with Jim Ryan: Tales of a Sun Valley Weekend

Heli Skiing with Jim Ryan: Tales of a Sun Valley Weekend

One of my favorite parts about heli skiing might be the casual breakfast.

Under few other circumstances can you opt for the eggs benedict and then go ski a remote backcountry summit, in sequential order.

For most of my backcountry skiing endeavors, warm meals and big peaks don’t often find themselves in the same sentence; nobody is making pancakes at 2:30 AM when they wake up to ascend before sunrise.

[Don’t get me wrong… I’m thankful for bananas and stale granola-chia power bars, just like the next person…]

But heli skiing is different.

You can usually have your cake (or toasted bagel sandwich) and eat it, too.

Sun Valley Heli Ski Takes You To The Powder

Sun Valley Heli Ski Takes You To The Powder

In the life and world of skiing and snowboarding, the only thing better than a blue bird powder day is a blue bird powder “heli ski” day. If you ever wanted to experience untouched, champagne powder repeatedly on peak after peak, Sun Valley Heli Ski (SVHS) can take you there. With 750,000 square acres of backcountry terrain at its disposal all winter-long, SVHS offers the ultimate experience in snow sports. This is by far the largest terrain of any heli ski operator in the lower 48 states.  The best part of it all is that a large portion of SVHS’s territory is in the Western Smoky Mountains which is in a completely different weather pattern than Ketchum.  Even when there is sagebrush showing all over town, SVHS can still deliver fabulous powder skiing and riding.

Elevated Luxury Life Article on SVHS

Elevated Luxury Life Article on SVHS

Come enjoy the spectacular Idaho backcountry with Sun Valley Heli Ski.  Located in historic Sun Valley, SVHS has exclusive helicopter access to an amazing playground of 750,000 square acres, which is by far the largest heli terrain in the lower 48 states.  Their intimate state of the art helicopter will be your chariot as you ascend over the majestic mountain peaks of the Smoky, Boulder, Pioneer and Soldier Mountains in the Idaho backcountry.  SVHS’s legendary powder terrain offers runs for intermediate and expert skiers and riders. 

Gear Patrol

Gear Patrol

Viewed on a macro level, Sun Valley’s role in the history of the development of alpine skiing in the United States seems illogical. The region’s central town, Ketchum, is far from the urban centers on either coast; it was at one time a hub for mining, smelting, and the raising of sheep. But zoom in, and the squashing and tightening of topographical lines leave the point moot: the region was made for winter sport.

Washington Post Article

Washington Post Article

If you want to see grown men giggle with joy like sugar-addled schoolgirls, you could go to the Super Bowl, a Home Depot clearance sale or a movie theater showing an early Jim Carrey marathon.