The 44th Annual Baldy Hill Climb took place on Saturday, September 24 in support of Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation (SVSEF). With perfect fall weather on tap, more than 260 participants ranging from seven to seventy-eight years old, hiked and raced the 1.86-miles and 3,140 vertical feet straight-up to the top of Bald Mountain. The event is organized annually by the SVSEF Cross Country Team.

“Humbling and inspiring—what a great day!” said Becky Woods, SVSEF’s new Cross Country Program Director. “It was so much fun to see the community come together for this event to support SVSEF and all the young skiers in the Valley. Thank you to Sun Valley Company and our sponsors—Sturtevants, Atkinsons’ Market, Salomon, Durance, Coxa, Backwoods Mountain Sports, Elephant’s Perch, and Boulder Mountain Clayworks for believing in the mission and supporting our programs!”

Peter Wolter held off 11-time Baldy Hill Climb winner, Miles Fink-Debray, with a finish time of 36:18. SVSEF Alumna, Alexa Turzian, topped the women’s podium with a time of 47:26, besting her winning time from 2018 by seven seconds. The $100 bonus on the line for those who set a new course record remains elusive. Morgan Arritola’s record set in 2010 stands at 39:51 for the women, along with the men’s record of 35:04 set in 2014 by Miles Havlick. Arritola remains the only woman to break 40 minutes in the history of the event.

Peter Wolter, SVSEF XC Gold Team Member and winner of the men’s race said, “The Baldy Hill Climb win has been a notch I’ve wanted to add to my belt for a long time and to be able to achieve that on Saturday was pretty darn awesome. It’s one of my favorite events to do and fun to see everyone at every age busting up to the top of Baldy.”

“Just another great day in paradise!” added Rick Kapala, SVSEF’s Director of Sport Development. “Thanks to all the participants who came out to support our SVSEF programs. Let the snow begin!”

2022 Women’s Race Podium Results:

1. Alexa Turzian 47:26 (SVSEF Alumna)
2. Cora Faye Scott 47:46 (SVSEF XC Comp Team)
3. Grace Sundali 48:24

2022 Men’s Race Podium Results:
1. Peter Wolter 36:18 (SVSEF XC Gold Team)
2. Miles Fink-Debray 37:29
3. Neil Bangs 38:15

Complete race results and hiking times can be found here.

Main Photo: Women’s podium from L-R Grace Sundali, Alexa Turzian, Cora Faye Scott