FESTIVALS, BIKES & ICE SHOWS!

Most of the nation may be gripped in a heat wave, but you can rise above the baking metropolis in the cool, clean mountains of Idaho. Idaho’s renowned ski areas come to life in the summer months with music, art and food festivals, like Summit Fest at Bogus Basin, Targhee Fest at Grand Targhee, and the Bluegrass Festival at Schweitzer. Or sporting events like the Brundage Mountain Bike Festival and Sun Valley Ice Shows. And don’t forget the unlimited recreation and adventure. Here you have a front row seat to endless trails and wildflower meadows, and the ultimate threshold to pristine wilderness.

So what are you waiting for? Ride a cool breeze to the high country. After a hike, bike or horseback ride followed by a fine meal with a panoramic view; rediscover a brilliant night sky that you may have lost touch with in the city. Relax, unwind, recharge. Reconnect with nature, and your loved ones in the spectacular mountains of Idaho. ~ Bill Jennings. 

BEAT THE HEAT WITH ICE

Leave it to Sun Valley to offer a winter spectacle in the middle of summer. We’re talking about the Sun Valley Ice Show. The 73rd annual Ice Show season features performances each Saturday through Sept. 5. Big time pros like Brian Boitano and Johnny Weir, take to the ice for shows this summer on the rink at the Sun Valley Lodge. 

Sun Valley Resort has designed special lodging packages wrapped around five of this summer's Ice Shows scheduled for Jun. 27, Jul. 4, Aug. 15, Aug. 29, and Sept. 5. Two special packages will be offered for each show. Available seating includes: Ice Show & Dessert Buffet, Bleacher and Sun Room Terrace. All shows begin at dusk.

The General Admission Package includes one night of double occupancy accommodations and Ice Show tickets for $114 per person. The Dessert Buffet Package puts together one night of double occupancy accommodations, a dessert buffet, and the Ice Show for $124 per person.

The July 4 show lines up Meryl Davis and Charlie White, United States 2008 silver medalists and 2009 champions, plus Ryan Bradley, the 2007 U.S. silver medalist. On August 15, Kimberly Navarro and Brent Bommentre, 2008 U.S. bronze medalists, skate the ice.

Complete your Sun Valley experience by having dinner at one of Sun Valley's great restaurants prior to the show! Call 208.622.2800 for Restaurant Reservations.

Five other ice shows that feature Olympic gold medalist Boitano and three-times U.S. champion Weir, plus additional medalists complete out the summer schedule.

July Sun Valley Ice Shows:  For Tickets call 208-622-2135   or seats.sunvalley.com

July 4 - Meryl Davis & Charlie White, 2009 United States Champions, 2008 United States Silver Medalists Plus … Ryan Bradley, 2007 United States Silver Medalist

July 11  - Brian Boitano, Olympic Gold Medalist, 2 X World Champion, 4 X United States Champion Plus …  Alyssa Czisney, United States Gold Medalist

July 18  - Johnny Weir, 3 X United States Champion, World Bronze Medalist
 
July 25  - Marie-France Dubreuil & Patrice Lauzon, 2 X World Silver Medalists, 5 X Canadian Champions

THE MOST FUN YOU MAY POSSIBLY HAVE ON TWO WHEELS

Nothing spices up your life like a shot of adrenaline. If you like to ride your mountain bike, consider testing your mettle in an event at an Idaho mountain resort this summer.
Daredevils bombing down a steep slope clad in full face helmets and body armor is the image that often comes to mind when people hear about a mountain bike race. Sure, there’s plenty of that madness going on, but downhill racing is only part of the story. A cross-country mountain bike race goes up as well as down. Often race courses are set to accommodate riders of all abilities—the intensity just depends on how fast you want to go. 

The best part about a mountain bike race is that it’s not about winning, but taking part. The excitement of following a trail designed to test you, surprise you and delight you can’t be beat. A mountain bike race meanders through lush alpine forest, mountain meadows blazing with wildflowers and across ridges opening to spectacular views.

As well as the ride, the sense of accomplishment you get at the finish is just part of the fun. You will discover a tremendous camaraderie among the riders, fellow enthusiasts who share a love of fitness and the great outdoors. And then there’s the great food after the race … and the schwag.

So find out for yourself. Add an exciting new dimension to your summer. You might just get hooked!

Lift-Served Mountain Biking in Idaho

Schweitzer - Looking for a fun and fast downhill thrill? Schweitzer was host to the NORBA national championships in 2006.  Hop on the Great Escape Quad and give a go at 1700' vertical feet of adrenaline.  Also, more than 20 miles of cross country fun. Start in the village and warm you legs up as you head out to picnic point to take in the sweeping views of the mountains and Lake Pend Oreille. From there, your options are wide open.

Silver Mountain - Home to some of the best bicycling (road, x-country and downhill) the country has to offer. Plus, The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes – passing right by the Gondola Village – spans 73 miles of Idaho pan handle and runs along rivers, lakes and the historic Silver Valley.

Lookout Pass - The "crown jewel" of rail-to-trail mountain bicycle trails, operated by Lookout Pass Ski Area. Lookout is located adjacent to Hiawatha Tunnel - Interstate-90 at the Idaho/Montana state line, 12 miles east of Wallace, Idaho. Winding through 10 tunnels and 7 high trestles, this 15-mile bike trail is best known for the long, dark St. Paul Pass, or Taft Tunnel, which burrows for 1.66 miles under the Idaho/Montana state line. The Hiawatha Trail is open daily through October 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PDT. To plan your trip, check out http://skilookout.com/hiawatha/.

Brundage - Whether you’re looking for a relaxing ride in a gorgeous setting, or the adrenaline rush that only a high-altitude adventure can provide, Brundage Mountain’s lift-served mountain biking has it all. A high-speed chairlift whisks you to the 7,640 foot summit, and the rest is up to you and gravity. With more than 20 miles of hand-built single-track downhill trails, there’s a route to fit every experience level. Beginners can work out the kinks on the scenic Elk Trail, which gently winds its way down through scenic forests and meadows.

Sun Valley - Sun Valley offers nearly 28 miles of hiking and biking trails that give you plenty of room to explore beautiful Bald Mountain. For the true "gear head," Bald Mountain offers everything from challenging uphill climbs to extreme downhill switchbacks covering over 3,000 vertical feet. Grab your water bottle and helmet and dig in to nearly 28 miles of intense trails covering everything the Idaho wilderness can throw at you.  Visit Pete Lane's Mountain Sports for bike rentals- get a free summer lift day pass when you rent a bike at Pete Lane's.  Click here for Summer Lift Ticket Information.
A new 5 mile trail system called the Sun Valley White Clouds hiking and biking trail is now open directly across the street from the Sun Valley Lodge entrance.  Take a hike around the new 9 hole White Clouds golf course with beautiful views of the valley.

Grand Targhee - Mountain biking is a great way to enjoy the beautiful outdoor setting of Grand Targhee. Bike trails around the resort are easy and fun for the novice and intermediate rider; mom, dad, and the kids love our base trails. Experts can take their bike up the chairlift for great views and a fun downhill ride, or head out on our network of trails. Starting right at the base, our bike trails offer double track and single track riding amidst the wildflowers and aspens.

MOUNTAIN NEWS

Grand Targhee Resort Receives 2009 Clif® Bar Golden Eagle Award for Overall Environmental Excellence.  Grand Targhee Resort was recently awarded the 2009 CLIF® BAR Golden Eagle Award for Overall Environmental Excellence by a ski resort. The award recognizes Grand Targhee for its leadership and participation as a founding member of The Climate Registry, the leading greenhouse gas inventory regulator in North America, and for its aggressive greenhouse gas mitigation program. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) are considered the leading cause of global warming.  Established in 1993, the Golden Eagle Awards for Environmental Excellence recognize the environmental achievements of ski areas. The awards honor members of the National Ski Area Association, which represents the majority of ski area owners and operators in North America. CLIF® BAR & Company, which employs wind energy, biodiesel, waste reduction and other initiatives to reduce its own footprint on the planet, is the administrator of the awards program.

Brundage Honored by Intermountain Ski Areas Association.  The owners of Brundage Mountain Resort were honored this week at the annual conference of the Intermountain Ski Areas Association, along with two long-time Brundage Mountain employees. 

Judd and Diane DeBoer were awarded the honor of “Outstanding Contribution” to the ski industry. The DeBoers were acknowledged for steering the vision for Brundage Mountain Resort since 1985 following their purchase of founder Warren Brown’s interest in the ski area.
Lift Maintenance Manager Brian Valle won the “Golden Wrench” award for Lifts, while Assistant Mountain Manager and Vehicle Maintenance Manager Eddy Wilhoyt was given the “Golden Wrench” honor for Vehicle Maintenance.

The Intermountain Ski Areas Association is a trade organization that represents membership made up of ski areas located in Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.
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IDAHO MOUNTAIN EVENTS! 

Bogus Basin - July 25 -- Summit Fest:  Join us from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Deer Point Chair, trails and lawn in front of JR Simplot Lodge for a community event of fun, family-friendly Mountain biking and hiking on the mountain. Tickets ($15) are available for purchase at the mountain on event day. Barbecue features the Bogus Burger, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches & garden burgers.

Brundage - July 2: Summer Chairlift Grand Opening
FREE LIFT RIDES for everyone from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm. Stop by the Bike Shop to get your free scenic lift or mountain bike tickets.  We have a new fleet of mountain bikes available for rent. Enjoy Tasty Beer & Brats thanks to our friends at Salmon River Brewery. You’ll also find a variety of artisan beer styles, Double Smoked Bacon Brats, Volcanic Brats, kettle chips, and more!

July 11, 12:  18th Annual Brundage Mountain Bike Festival
Saturday Events: Cross-Country Bike Race. It’s a 10-mile loop. Register at brundage.com or on-site at 8:00 am. XC Race starts at 11:30 am.  5th Annual Brundage Mountain Festival Run - This 10-mile loop is legendary for both its climbs and its descents, with most of the course on the spectacular Elk Trail. Brundage Mountain Super D - Experience what ‘old school’ downhill was like before the advent of suspension technologies. The course favors an experienced, fit rider. Sunday Events:  18th Annual Brundage Bomber Downhill - This spectacular 2.5-mile course loses 1,500 vertical feet, with shuttle rides made easy thanks to the BlueBird high-speed quad chairlift.

Lookout Pass - This portion of the Olympian Hiawatha route has been called one of the most breathtaking scenic stretches of railroad in the country.  The "crown jewel" of rail-to-trail mountain bicycle trails is operated by Lookout Pass Ski Area which is located adjacent to I-90 at the Idaho/Montana state line, 12 miles east of historic Wallace, Idaho.  The Hiawatha Trail is open daily from May 30 thru October 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PDT.

Pebble Creek - July 20 -- Elephant Revival in Concert.  The music of Elephant Revival will fill the slopes at Pebble Creek Sunday, July 20 starting at 6:30 pm.  The Nederland, Colorado group has a large following in the area. It has been said that one Elephant Revival show will save your soul from stagnation. For this lunar evening, just two nights from the full moon, and the anniversary of man’s first walking on the moon, celebrate with their hit song, “Ring Around the Moon”.  Dancing shoes are and must, and with the wild flowers finally in bloom, bring your blanket to nestle in on the slopes for a perfect view of the action and the sunset.

Grand Targhee - July 4 -- 14th Annual WYDAHO Mountain Bike & Fred's Hill Climb Running Race.  This annual single-track mountain bike race has become a favorite Wyoming mountain bike race for enthusiasts of all ages. This race meanders through the spectacular Caribou-Targhee National Forest and fields of wildflowers just a short distance from Jackson Hole. This year, we will also offer a running race to the top of Fred's Mountain.

July 17-19: 5th Annual Targhee Fest at Grand Targhee.  Targhee Fests are some of the best music festivals of the summer season. Headliners include: Gov't Mule, Jonny Lang, and Keb' Mo'.  Other Artists Include:  Grace Potter & Nocturnals, Jackie Greene, The Wallflowers, James McMurtry, Betty Lavette, Carrie Rodriguez

Great food, vendors, games and on-site activities are all a part of our summer music festivals. Tent camping at Grand Targhee in our beautiful national forest is available during the festival weekend. Take advantage of our FREE shuttle service and leave your vehicle in Driggs. Or save on gas, be more sustainable, and carpool ($10 parking fee per car; FREE parking for weekend passholders).

Silver Mountain - July 4   4th of July Celebration, July 11  Howl at the Moon Bike Ride, July 11,12  Historic Skills Fair, July 18  Village Concert, July 23  Summer Wine and Art Festival, July 25  Lunch on the Lawn, July 25, 26  Silver Hoops - 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament, July 31  Living History - "Life on the Lookout - A Vanishing Lifestyle" (6 p.m. Gondola Village)

Schweitzer - July 18 -- The 9th Annual Bluegrass Festival:  It just doesn't get much better than FREE bluegrass music on the mountain.  We've got a stellar lineup of music that you won't want to miss:  The Clumsy Lovers, Custers Grass Band, Bonds & Coats.  This free outdoor concert will headline awesome views, brews, barbecues and music, as well as activities for all. Stay tuned for more information and schedule of events and playing times.

August 2 – Huckleberry Festival:  Enjoy free live music, huckleberry hikes, a huckleberry breakfast, huckleberry treat tent, huckleberry crafts, a huckleberry pie eating contest and more huckleberry fun than you ever thought possible.  This is a family event with fun for all ages!

Sun Valley - July 3 - Maureen McGovern with the American Festival Chorus & Orchestra
Grammy Award winning Maureen McGovern will join The American Festival Chorus at 7:30pm. “An American Tribute,” will be performed in the new Sun Valley Pavilion by the 130-member chorus.  Tickets may be purchased online at www.sunvalleypavilion.com or by calling 208-622-2135. For special hotel and concert packages please call 800-786-8259.

July 17 – BARRAGE at the Sun Valley Pavilion, 7:30 p.m.
July 27 – Sun Valley Summer Symphony at the Sun Valley Pavilion, 6:30 p.m.

SKI IDAHO MEMBERS:

Bald Mountain - Bogus Basin - Brundage - Cottonwood Butte - Grand Targhee - Kelly Canyon - Little Ski Hill - Lookout Pass - Lost Trail - Magic Mountain - Pebble Creek - Pomerelle - Schweitzer Mountain - Silver Mountain - Snow Haven - Soldier Mountain - Sun Valley