mashed potatoes in Ketchum, ID
I learned a new term in skiing: mashed potatoes.
Very fitting for my first skiing experience in the state boasting of raisin’ spuds.
A view of the Sawtooths redeemed the experience.
I couldn’t believe my luck getting invited on a ski trip with TAJ and his buddies + wives. For weeks I looked forward to celebrating my birthday by adventuring while also agonizing about my lack of skiing ability. Like most, when I ski I can’t stand holding people back or them having to wait on me. Or skiing alone. What’s the point? Anyway, the date crept up and the excitement, nervousness, and anticipation jumbled together within me.
TAJ and I rolled through Montana easily due to perfect driving weather guiding our route. Intriguing geographic features entertained our eyes, such as Craters of the Moon National Monument, along with our usual admiration of mountain vistas. To me, the reading-as-a-distraction copilot, the trip felt short and sweet. After unloading, greetings, and relaxing in the sunshine, we headed off to dinner at the iconic Sawtooth Club. Remember this restaurant for when you visit Ketchum! It’s an old standard.
day one - ski day at Sun valley
The flat of the ridge offers unimpeded views of the surrounding mountains.
The main event: day one of skiing cough my bday cough. The bluebird day and warm sunshine seemed too perfect. I admired the rocky outcroppings we swooped along on the ride up the lift from River Run and made note of the large swath of groomed trails. My humble mountain at home is tiny compared to this area that hosts two ridges delineating three major sections of skiing trails. After our pictures on top where four lifts converge (FOUR!), we skied down and over to another lift that would take us to Seattle Ridge.
On my second time down I accidentally overshot the lift I was supposed to meet TAJ at by concentrating too hard. TAJ decided to follow me down rather than watch me struggle to sidestep my way back up. By the time we repeated our morning chutes and ladders routine of up, down, across, and back up to Seattle Ridge we learned our friends awaited us on the other side of the other mountain at the Warm Springs Lodge.
Therefore, we performed a bit of wayfinding together like all good partners do. Have I mentioned how much I’ve missed hiking with TAJ these past two summers Finally, we made our way down for a coffee break. Birthday champagne for me!
Brown, bare hillsides prove spring skiing is for the hearty.
By the time we headed up and began again, the snow softened significantly. Churned by all the skiers out attempting spring skiing conditions. Naturally we ended our day asap. I forgot to mention how easy the free ride bus system is so there’s no need to drive yourself to either of the two check-in points. A definite plus for the staying in town.
After another relaxing afternoon reading in the sunshine, I cleaned up in preparation for our fancy dinner at Fiamma’s. A new restaurant in town with mixed reviews. I enjoyed the crispy duck and farro while TAJ taste tested their elk medallions. Overall, tasty and birthday treat worthy.
Any birthday wouldn’t be complete without a nightcap so we scooted over to the Limelight for drinks and storytelling to end our evening. The entire day was a success minus the mashed potatoes of course, which left me never wanting to ski again.
day two - exploring downtown ketchum
While the gentlemen of the group headed back up to ski, I spent the morning exploring town before my plans with another wife. Peeking into the performing arts center brought me luck! A local student group was arriving to attend a lecture demonstration by a symphony in town performing for the weekend. The kind ushers welcomed me in for the showing. Yes, I’ll admit to my tears of joy and bliss. We Pisces are deeply moved by music after all.
Afterwards, I chatted with the ushers about how special the experience was for my birthday and reminisced about my childhood Saturdays spent choreographing to Vivaldi Four Seasons, which felt serendipitous to be a section of the program. A lady was so move she found me tickets to the sold-out Saturday evening performance in response. Can you believe my luck?! Me either.
Then, I headed out around town admiring all of the bustling shops, old west architecture, and spring break in a mountain town vibes. The bookstore found me. It’s the most adorable bookstore I’ve perused. The cozy upstairs will impress you. I certainly gawked and admired the space as much as I looked at the books on the shelves.
From left to right: Front view of the Chapter One Bookstore in Ketchum, ID; logo of the bookstore with a fox sitting on a stack of books holding a mug of tea; the owner reading in the upstairs loft.
All images from the Chapter One Bookstore Instagram page or Yelp review page.
Follow @ketchumbookstore
Ice skating outside in the warm sunshine delights the soul
Afternoon plans included a ride up to the resort and walking through shops for keepsakes and gifts before I ice skated and my friend worked on her laptop in a sitting area of the lodge. I practiced my skills under the sun on rink lined with mountain views. There may have been a few puddles but I didn’t mind the opportunity to make laps and take in the spring air while watching kids wobble around in joy and elation.
I didn’t last as long as I thought I might and joined my friend inside for a snack and prosecco. What a treat! What a day! I still couldn’t believe my luck. Every moment seemed resonant with wonder and contentment. Later at our Italian dinner at Rominna’s, we all swapped sweet stories on how our days in the sunshine unfolded.
day three - long walk + ladies night
Picture of Warm Springs Lodge from the Sun Valley Resort website.
Wanting exercise, I decided to walk and found a trail that led me all the way up to the Warm Springs Lodge where I thought I could meet Joey for a coffee break from his skiing. When I arrived and checked in with him I discovered he was already showered back at the condo. So I walked back laughing. Then spent extra time getting ready for my evening at the symphony.
Rooftop champagne bliss
I made dinner reservations for Sun Valley Wine Company for my friend and I to enjoy before the performance and we were able to dine on the patio in the sun. The view of the ski hill enamored me while we chatted and sipped champagne and nibbled on tasty sweet potatoes, cheese, and curry lentil salad. Simply perfection.
The Argyros winter concert series lived up to its mission statement: “to enthrall audiences and inspire performers”.
Then we walked a few blocks over to the Argyros Performing Arts Center for the show. The intimate theatre, modeled after the one in Jackson Hole, is advanced technologically and very impressive. The sound of the instruments was crisp and clear leaving you feeling the performance is for you and you alone. Words don’t describe how riveting the performers made the pieces they played. Again, I’m the luckiest human. Then, we carried our sippy cups of wine the block home and indulged in the chocolate bday cake from dinner as our night cap before falling asleep fulfilled.
TAJ and I packed up, helped clean the condo before loading our goods, and said our goodbyes before heading out. Another sunny, easy driving day. I considered staying a night in Bozeman to explore but changed my mind when I got there. Upon arrival of home, I slept for two days straight.
Overall, the long birthday weekend in Sun Valley/Ketchum, Idaho deemed itself successful. If there’s any of my itinerary you wish to repeat, I riddled this post with links to all the places and my activities. I hope your heart and soul are as captured by Ketchum and mine has been!