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Sun Valley is truly the birth place of American Alpine Touring (Ski Mountaineering), having this country’s first and possibly only historiography that traces its roots back to the mid-1930s. World famous Austrian and German skiing pioneers fleeing the turmoil of Europe's infusion into the Second World War rapidly descended to the slopes of Sun Valley bringing their backcountry skills and innovative ideals to its countless mountains and ridges. While hundreds of Sun Valley’s many encircling height experienced their first ski prints during this European insurgence of the mid 1930s and early 1940s, countless thousands of peaks and ridges still stand, patiently awaiting their first conquering tracks. |
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A ski mountaineer surveys his surroundings. Sun Valley’s Boulder Mountains. |
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Avalanches sweep the north face of Snowy Side Peak. Alpine Tourist in the lower left-hand corner. |
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Alpine Tourist and Sun Valley’s Pioneer Cabin. See History. |
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Skiing near Sun Valley’s Devils Bedstead West. Pioneer Mountains. |
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Summit Creek with the Devils Bedstead East on the horizon. |
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Boundary Creek Ridge. Sun Valley’s Sawtooth Mountains Tower above the clouds. |
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Skier and Sun Valley’s Red Fish Lake on the horizon. |
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Skiing of the 10,200 foot summit of an unnamed Pioneer Mountain Summits. Peak first skied in 1939 by Andy Hennig. |
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Alpine Tourist survey the historic slopes of Silver Peak. Sun Valley’s Owl Creek Cabin occupied the valley below. |
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Skiing off the summit of Horton Peak. |
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Ski Mountaineer and Sun Valley’s Horstman Peak. |
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Skiing off the summit of an un-named 9,000 foot White Cloud Summit. |
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Skiing Sun Valley’s Boulder Mountains |
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Sun Valley’s encircling dominion of virgin snow dressed inclines offer, to those adventurous enough to try them, an amazing variety of skiing tailored to all abilities, but before venturing in the captivating beauty of this historic “land of the endless heights,” some forethought must first be given to equipment needs, safety and places to go. In the United States, Ski Mountaineering or Alpine Touring as it is commonly referred to in Europe, is a unique sport thought to be specifically reserved for “pinheads” (telemakers) and the most daring of alpine skiers. Such perceptions have no basis in reality , even to the neophyte, if proper equipment preparation is practiced by the participant. While specialized lightweight paraphernalia specifically designed for alpine touring exists, a quality backpack that can easily accommodate a pair of skis, ski boots (alpine and/or Nordic), poles, ice-ax, crampons, avalanche probe, avalanche transceiver, climbing skins and prudent warm winter clothing—being the most basic of necessities—will adequately suffice. Alpine touring adaptors that can transform downhill equipment into alpine touring gear is the cheapest way to go for the “downhill enthusiast.” Ski mountaineering, like many sports contains many unavoidable risks. Knowledge of a specific regions weather extremes, snow conditions, avalanche possibilities and a general understanding of the numerous hazards that lurk below the surface of un-patrolled snow fields can greatly minimize many dangers. An acute awareness of one’s own limitations, a knowledge of group dynamics in dangerous situation, as well as good map reading skills are also high-priority assets. Choosing a place to tour that is safe, enjoyably challenging and blessed with incredibly scenic beauty, fortunately is the easiest of obstacles to hurdle in Sun Valley’s mountain-rich outskirts. |
