THST-SV: Day 1-Afternoon Blog

The Honda Ski Tour opened in Sun Valley, Idaho today! Here is the afternoon blog update from THST, with a report on the morning skiercross training session and the afternoon halfpipe practice.

Thanks for coming back and checking in! I just got home. Let me just say, that before I sat down to plunge into THST blog, I took a hot shower and tried desperately to warm up. It is unusually cold out there! My porch thermometer says it is 14 degrees Fahrenheit and it is snowing… Dress for very cold weather if you are coming up! There is no sun in Sun Valley, Idaho and it is reportedly going to stay chilly throughout THST.

The morning skiercross training session was a total blast! Locals, media, coaches and several classes from the local elementary school were all at hand to watch the skiers negotiate the course for their first time. The kids cheered loudly every time a skier caught some big air (there is a big jump right before the last stretch to the finish line). One skier even played to the kids. He took the jump, turned towards them in mid-air and waved! The kids ate it up! Look for lots of action on this course. I can’t wait to see what happens on race day…

The afternoon halfpipe practice did not have nearly as much energy as the morning skiercross session. Why? By the afternoon the temperature had dropped at least ten degrees. I saw maybe five spectators make their way up to the actual halfpipe. Most audience members decided not to attempt the chilly fifteen-minute climb up the mountain.

The number and type of spectators had also dwindled. The halfpipe practice viewers were mostly locals (members of “god’s waiting room,” as one gentleman informed me). We "waited" patiently (inside the lodge) for the skiers to come down the halfpipe. The skiers were slow to come down, but we did see a couple of big tricks, inspiring a low roar of “ohhs and ahhs.”

I did however, learn something to pass on to all of you! The halfpipe finals have been moved to Sunday at 6pm. It will take you at least fifteen-minutes to walk up the mountain and get a spot at the halfpipe. I would arrive by at least 5:30pm or 5pm, if you think you can handle the cold. Also, take the Warm Springs bus down to the halfpipe competition. Extra busses will be running all weekend long and rides are always free!

Lastly, a bit of a plea from the Courtyard stores in Ketchum. Several shop owners shared with me that they have had absolutely no business since Monday (that was the day THST’s enormous Basecamp started going up right in front of their stores). If you are in town, the Courtyard on 4th Street is OPEN. Check out the Courtyard's wonderful shops and Osaka Sushi for lunch or an après skiing snack!

Come back here later for the next THST blog update!

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