I shared the joy of skiing this week with a drummer from Texas.  Every winter, the Paul Tillotson Trio plays at the historic Duchin Room in the Sun Valley Lodge.  Paul typically finds these cats from urban places without mountains and snow recreation.  The trio fills the "love lounge" with high-energy jazz that makes me laugh and tap.  During a set break, I learned that Andrew, the drummer from Texas, had never been skiing.  The words, "I'll take you skiing," popped out of my mouth before my brain could remind me that "you have no time!"

Later that week, we met at Dollar on a perfect winter fun under a summer sun day.  We were there to conquer the basics of skiing; the shuffle, the herringbone, the side-step, the side-slip, the snow plow (now named the wedge) and the chairlift ride.

After three hours, we had taken five runs on Quarter Dollar and two runs on Half Dollar.  There were spills and pale looks of terror but there was also the "I get it" moment as one pressurized turn linked to another and a smile replaced the terror.  And there was the moment of giggled glee as Andrew experienced speed!  Oh, how can I not share this!

We, who live here, know the splendor of what we have.  When visitors arrive, we want them to know and feel the same joy that we live.  It is with this joy that we embrace a group like the National Brotherhood of Skiers, an Olympic gold medalist like Kaitlyn Farrington and a drummer from Texas.  We thank them for being part of our experience and enjoying our mountain lifestyle with us. 

- Mayor Nina Jonas 

Avalanche warnings have inundated the Wood River Valley during the last two weeks as persistent snowfall coupled with strong winds continue to hit the region. The past three years, we have not had any avalanche accidents in the Sawtooth Avalanche Center region but this winter we have experienced one fatality and one serious accident with life-threatening injuries. Since 1996, we have had a total of 17 fatalities in the Sawtooth Forecast region and several life-saving rescues of critically injured avalanche victims.    

Although conditions are improving, the region wide snowpack continues to have some weak layering and more storms are anticipated this weekend. The City would like to be proactive in preparing you for Mother Nature by providing useful avalanche information and resources. 

Spotting the Signs

According to the Sawtooth Avalanche Center, warning signs of potential avalanche danger include recent avalanche activity, large amounts of windblown snow, heavy snowfall or rain during a 24-hour period, drastic temperature increases (especially a thaw) and significantly weaker layers of snow buried within the snowpack. Along with these red flags, it is important to recognize avalanche terrain. For a slope to slide, it must be approximately 30 degrees or steeper.

Know your slope angles. The Sun Valley Ski Patrol is at work on Bald Mountain before skiers arrive to reduce the avalanche hazard of their slopes.  During operating hours, inbound open slopes do not represent backcountry conditions but well-known ski runs are useful comparisons of slope steepness.  For example, Warm Springs Face is 34 degrees, steep enough to slide. Someone below this steeper face, but on lower angle terrain is exposed to avalanche debris running down from above, depending upon the size of the slide and the distance it runs. Upper Graduate is 32 degrees, steep enough to slide. Flying Squirrel is 27-28 degrees, not steep enough to slide and there are no steeper slopes above it. The same is true for College.  Smaller slopes can slide and bury or injure a person, especially if the debris piles up deeply or sweeps them into trees.  During avalanche conditions, stay alert for what slopes lie above you.  

In the White

• Attempt to get off the slab.  
• If a tree is nearby, hang on to its downhill side.
• Attempt to take off any skis, poles or board.
• Roll onto your back with your feet facing downhill.
• Move your arms and legs as if you were swimming.
• Try to force some part of your body above the surface.
• Make an airspace around your mouth. It will be up to your partners to locate you in time. 

As the terms of two Ketchum Urban Renewal Agency (KURA) commissioners came to an end, the Ketchum City Council took the opportunity to review the bylaws of the agency to ensure the most effective ratio of citizens to elected officials sat on the KURA board. Based on community feedback and conversation with members of the community and current board members, the bylaws now state that the board consists of seven members: three elected officials serving two-year terms and four citizen appointees who must be residents of Blaine County.  At least one of the appointees must be a registered voter in Ketchum.  Click here to read the revised bylaws.

The three elected officials who will serve on the KURA board will be Ketchum City Councilors Anne Corrock, Baird Gourlay and Jim Slanetz. At the Feb. 18 City Council meeting, Mayor Jonas made two citizen appointments to fill recently expired terms. Gary Lipton, who is new on the board but not to public service, and Tim Eagan, who previously served, will take the roles as KURA commissioners. Trish Wilson and board chair Mark Eshman will continue their terms.

The City of Ketchum would like to thank past commissioner Trina Peters for her service to the Ketchum Urban Renewal Agency. Her leadership and commitment to our community were very valuable during her time on the KURA board. Trina is a committed public servant, volunteer and passionate member of the Ketchum community and we are grateful she has given her time and best thinking to affect positive change in our community.  Trina remains a member of the Ketchum Arts Commission.  

For more information about the Ketchum Urban Renewal Agency, please visit their website at www.ketchumura.org.