The World Cup Finals are coming to Sun Valley in March, and it is a really big deal!
After all, the last time the World Cup was hosted in Sun Valley was 50 years ago. The big-name skiers at that event have become legends of the sport of skiing: Ingemar Stenmark, Annemarie Moser-Pröll, Cindy Nelson, Gustav Thöni”and a host of other ski champions.
The course for the races that Sun Valley Company has been feverishly working on for over a year will be historical in nature. Baldy will provide the steepest downhill on the World Cup circuit. In all the downhill courses in the World, racecourses have flat areas to provide a ‘wax race’ dynamic. However, on Baldy there are absolutely no flat sections. As
NBC ski announcer Steve Porino says, “This course has no letup…it will be a 100% grind from top to bottom.”
Due to the challenging course and the historical significance of the Sun Valley Resort, Perino claims that this will be a true test of the Valley’s ‘Ski Character.’
“Baldy has an amazing Ski Race Heritage,” says Porino. “Everywhere you turn, you can truly feel the ski racing vibe on the mountain, in town and especially in its history. With the Harriman Cup, the Diamond Sun Race off the top and with today’s Sun Valley Ski Academy success!”
Take a look at this chart of World Cup Courses, and you can clearly see that on the Baldy Course, the 36% pitch will get the hearts pumping amongst the racers and provide a thrilling experience for the spectators (See Chart).
Porino says, “We locals can take great pride in the fact that we ski this intimidating World Cup Course every day all season long! Several top-to- bottom non-stops in the morning ski session with a follow-up chat with other skiers at Apples [Bar & Grill]…and you are about as dialed in as any experience on the World Cup circuit!”
It’s funny, as a broadcaster for the World Cup, everyone thinks I know it all, and I tell everyone that I learn most of what I know about racing and race culture by being on the Warm Springs hill and hanging out around town!”
“Remember,” Porino concludes. “This World Cup is a massive test for not only Baldy but the entire area. Will we live up to our age-old opinion of ourselves as being the best of the best in terrain, and will the town show up in force with thousands of cowbells to make this event loud and proud? That will be what we look at after the event is over and whether we are thought of as being one of the best events in the minds of the racers and fans in advance of the next World Cup in a couple of years!”
With this amazing event coming to our backyard, how do we best take advantage of the experience? For that, I turned to an expert. Kyle Watson has led his ADL Tours (Alp du Lakemont) to major World Cup Races in Europe for years. In Europe, the racecourses are set up so you can ski down next to the course and watch from various vantage points on a downhill run, the jumps, the tight corner turns and the inevitable ‘crash corners.’
“For the Baldy downhill course, it will be set up just like in Europe,” according to Watson. “Which means you can start your viewing at the Race Shack on top and work your way down the course as each racer peels off the top one by one. For the slalom and giant slalom specifically, it is fantastic to be in the stands with all your noise makers and watch the descent practically from top to bottom with the timing board in full display to see how each competitor is doing. You will be in the middle of a giant crowd, and the excitement and vibe are definitely not to be missed!”
The World Cup racecourse on Baldy named “Challenger.”
I love the fact that Sun Valley has this event in late March when the weather should be just perfect when it’s blue bird, bright sunshine, white snow and tons of folks ready to party! The bar scene with all the Europeans in attendance will create an atmosphere that is unmatched anytime in the Valley. This is the time to barhop to the max around Ketchum, Sun Valley and on the Mountain. And the different race teams are always happy to talk to the fans; just buy them a drink or two, and you get insider information on the World Cup circuit. If you are adventurous, find out where all the teams are staying. In Europe, they have an official team race headquarters, and fans are welcome to stop by and have a drink and say ‘hi.’ Hopefully, the same program exists in Sun Valley.”
Watson reminds everyone, “Bring your bota bags, flags, cowbells, and outrageous ski outfits and enjoy the show—it is going to be huge!”
In two short years, the World Cup Finals will return to Baldy, and it is incumbent upon all the residents of the Wood River Valley to show the thousands of visitors our A-Game. Sun Valley needs to be absolutely rocking for the Ski World!