Sun Valley Continues To Shine ( Continued )

Sun Valley 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 resort plans to unveil several enhancements 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 elegant, 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," said 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, unforgettable sight lines, spectacular 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 well the titillating layout.

From the spacious deck of the new clubhouse and Nordic Center, guests will overlook mountain peak and meadow views, an expansive new practice facility, and the new, 18-hole putting course. Named "Sawtooths" in tribute to the mountains of the same name which grace the area and because it includes a series of mounds which reflect them in miniature, Sawtooths is patterned after the putting course at St. Andrews ("Himalayas") and allows beginners and non-serious golfers to enjoy the game as much as "regular", accomplished players will given the quality and creative genius in the putting course design.

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