Here & There: Sun Valley opens doors to rest of us

Well! That ought to show him.

After a long love affair with Ernest Hemingway – and, more recently, a less-than-satisfying flirtation with Bruce Willis – Ketchum, Idaho, has pulled up its collective socks and opted to slum it with the likes of you and me.

Indeed, the entire Sun Valley is batting its eyelashes our way with a long list of enticements for the 2007-08 winter season.

Let’s hit the highlights:

With the installation of two high-speed detachable quad chairlifts to replace some older equipment, Dollar Mountain – Skiing Central for children and beginners – has doubled lift capacity for reaching its 13 runs.

They’ve also boosted their snow-making capacity, so you won’t have to experience the crushing disappointment of sloshing your way to the lodge for a hot toddy after only one rocky run.

See? Sun Valley just wants you to be happy. Is that so wrong?

And they’ll work hard to keep you, too. Ketchum plans to spend millions of dollars keeping itself pretty over the next five years.

The downtown 4th Street/Heritage corridor’s facelift will eventually include an eight-block pedestrian walkway, with a central plaza. The latter will host outdoor concerts, festivals and other community events.

The first two blocks of the project opened last summer with weekly farmers’ markets. children’s carnivals, dance exhibitions and more.

If you’re just looking for a place where you can get yourself clean, have a good meal and do whatever you feel, Ketchum’s got you covered there as well.

Their brand-spanking new, $19 million YMCA opened last month. Its 95,000 square feet offer educational and cultural resources, along with an aquatic center and climbing canyon, where you can take a break from skiing. Daily and short-term passes are available for visitors.

A number of new businesses cater to out-of-towners. The il Sogno Spa and Wellness Center can sooth your tired muscles with massage, acupuncture, an infra-red sauna and the like. Or you can drown your sorrows in Dirty Little Reddy’s, the town’s latest entry in the nightclub category.

But should you need to check in at home, no worries. Ketchum is nothing if not discreet, and the whole town’s gone wireless.

If you’re sufficiently tempted, you can find out more at www.visitsunvalley.com. Or call the chamber/visitors bureau’s visitor services specialist at (208) 725-2108.

Follow the Suncadia

There’s still plenty of cold weather fun closer to home, and Suncadia – the mountain resort near Cle Elum, Wash. – is whipped up in a wintertime frenzy with their second annual Winterfest celebration.

Here’s what you’ll find:

Gingerbread Lane stays open through Jan. 2, presenting the sweet, sticky work of Suncadia builders, architects and members of the community. It’s all available for silent auction, with proceeds benefiting Kittitas County food banks.

And one week from today, you can rub elbows over breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus for a mere $15 for adults, $7 for children 4 to 11, and a big goose egg for the younger set.

Friday and Saturday, brush up on your bartending skills with a $12 crash course in hot toddies and other wintertime beverages. Then stumble over to the resort’s Christmas tree for story time and s’mores.

For the more outdoorsy among you, sled dog rides are available through the month, snow pack permitting. Or you can snuggle into a horse-drawn sleigh for a free ride next weekend.

And you can leave the kids behind at the holiday arts and crafts workshop while you’re gone. I’m not sure, but I suppose it’s possible that you’ll get a lanyard out of the deal.

To find out more about Suncadia’s Winterfest activities, or outdoor recreation options like snowshoeing, sn-olf (winter golf), cross country skiing, ice skating and more, visit www.suncadiaresort.com or call (866) 904-6300.

Regional events

“Annual Ski Fest, Jan. 5 and 6, Essex, Mont. Celebrate cross country skiing with family activities, equipment demonstrations, free ski lessons, discounted rentals and free passes. ( www.visitmt.com/ 406-888-5700)

“Ag & Construction Expo, Jan. 10-12, Billings. Find out what’s happening in the world of construction and agriculture technology. ( www.visitmt.com/ 406-866-5765)

“New Year’s Astrology Conference: Conscious Creation with Astrology, Jan. 11-13, Detroit, Ore. Breitenbush Hot Springs hosts “two of the world’s top astrologers,” Jeff Jawer and Rick Levine, who will explore the upcoming year’s patterns with individual natal charts and in-depth analysis. ( www.breitenbush.com/ 503-854-3320)

“Fourth Annual WinterHope BrewFest, Jan. 19, Ellensburg. Drink your way through 10 historic downtown businesses hosting live music and a total of 20 Washington microbreweries. ( www.visitellensburg.com/ 509-925-2002)