How does Sun Valley Resort keep its edge and remain one of North America’s most popular resort destinations? By refusing to rest on its laurels and legacy.
Sun Valley, in Idaho, staked its claim to greatness more than 70 years ago when it became the first ski resort in America. Since then it has built upon its acclaimed status by continuing to change with the times while maintaining the setting, service and amenities which made it so popular and an “American Original.”
The latest news from Sun Valley pertains to a number of enhancements the resort will unveil in 2008.
These include the first nine holes of a new, 18-hole championship golf course. (There is already an acclaimed 18-hole course at the resort, the second nine holes of the new 18 is planned for a 2009 debut.) An outdoor symphony pavilion which dovetails with the thriving arts scene at Sun Valley, and a state-of-the-art, 58,756-square-foot golf clubhouse and Nordic Center.
“Sun Valley Resort is committed to exceeding our guests’ needs and wishes which the new amenities coming online in 2008 demonstrate,” says Sun Valley general manager Wallace Huffman. “Sun Valley constantly strives to be a leader and visionary in the destination resort world.”
The new clubhouse-Nordic center is a rock and timber structure featuring curved tresses, indoor and outdoor dining, retail space, indoor digital driving range and will service the golf courses and 40 kilometers of Nordic and seven kilometers of snowshoe trails offered by Sun Valley.
With 1,500 seats under cover and another 2,500 on the lawn, guests will be able to relax and unwind under the stars at the Symphony Pavilion while listening to the Sun Valley Summer Symphony. The SVSS is a world-class orchestra consisting of distinguished musicians from major orchestras throughout the United States and is the largest privately funded free admission symphony in America.
The new nine-hole golf layout was designed by Donald J. Knott – of Knott Brooks Linn Golf Course Design Group out of California – who was lead architect during the Robert Trent Jones Jr. design firm’s renovation of Sun Valley’s original 18 holes in 1978-79. The course largely sits on ridges and among the clouds, and the course reverses the traditional way resort courses are routed.
Whereas most resort courses are in valleys with real estate and resort lodging stealing the best, higher elevated vantage points, Sun Valley’s new nine dances from on high, providing panoramic views. It offers long-range sight lines, views of the Sawtooth, Boulder and other surrounding mountains, and an inspired routing which will require golfers to hit shots at the top range of their abilities to negotiate the layout.
For more information about Sun Valley Resort call 800-894-9941 or visit www.sunvalley.com.
