Goodbye Challenger, Hello Sun Valley Of The Future

Michael Fulton15 Apr 2023

TL;DR

Sun Valley Resort, a popular ski destination in Idaho and the number 1 ski area in North America is set to undergo major upgrades to its Bald Mountain area. The Warm Springs base will be revamped with two new lifts, replacing the Challenger and Greyhawk lifts with a new six-person Challenger lift that includes a mid-station. In addition, a new quad lift, the Flying Squirrel, will take skiers and snowboarders to the top of the Flying Squirrel terrain area, which will be expanded to include an additional 54 acres of glade skiing. Sun Valley expects the improvements to be completed by December 2023.

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Over the recent Easter long weekend, Sun Valley bid farewell to the Challenger Lift and the Warm Springs base, which has been in operation since 1996 as the only lift that carries skiers and snowboarders from the base to the summit of the resort. The Challenger Lift will be replaced with a new six-person chairlift, and the Greyhawk Lift will be removed entirely. The replacement Challenger Lift will include a mid-station where riders can either get off or continue on to the top of Baldy.In addition to the new Challenger Lift, a new Flying Squirrel lift is also planned. The old Flying Squirrel lift was destroyed in a fire in 2014 and was removed. The new express quad lift will take riders to the top of the Flying Squirrel terrain area and will be accompanied by an extension of the Flying Squirrel run and the addition of 54 acres of glade skiing in the Little Scorpion area.

An updated version of the Warm Springs zone at Sun Valley showing the placements of the new lifts. Sun Valley Resort's GM, Pete Sonata, stated that the changes are being made to enhance the overall guest experience, including quicker lift rides, new runs, and expanded base area amenities. The new six-person Challenger lift is expected to transport riders from the Warm Springs base area to the top of Baldy in eight minutes, 30% faster than the previous lift, and with an additional in-line mid-mountain unload point.Sun Valley submitted a proposal to the US Forest Service in the summer, which it hopes to be approved by next month. The plan also includes new snowmaking in the area and an upgraded patio area at the Warm Springs base lodge. Sun Valley expects the improvements to be completed by December 2023. USFS District Manager Kurt Nelson expressed that there is a need to improve skier circulation out of the Warm Springs base area and that both lifts are in need of replacement as they have exceeded their operational lifespans.

Challenger Mid Unload Station

Challenger Mid Unload Station 2

Challenger Lift Summit

Challenger Lift Summit 2

Flying Squirrel Base

Flying Squirrel Summit

Flying Squirrel Summit 2

About the author

Michael Fulton

Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

50+ resorts visited15 years skiing

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