Local Events
Cross Country
From September through February each year, a handful of community-driven events are held to celebrate the sport of cross country skiing, encourage friendly camaraderie and competition, inspire the next generations of young skiers, and of course—endulge in a fair number of baked goods along the way!
Baldy Hill Climb
Date: September 27, 2025
Location: Base of Warm Springs, Ketchum Idaho
2025 will be the 47th year of suffering at the infamous Baldy Hill Climb! Organized by the SVSEF Cross Country Ski Teams, the course challenges participants to a grueling 1.86 miles and 3,140 vertical feet—straight up from the bottom of Warm Springs to the summit of Bald Mountain at 9,020 feet. All participants receive a collectible event t-shirt and a refuel at the summit aid station. In addition, and in partnership with Sun Valley Company, participants receive a much-deserved ride down on the Challenger Lift after they finish.
Sponsors
Atkinson’s Market, Backwoods Mountain Sports, Boulder Mountain Clayworks, Coxa, Durance, Hydrapak, Salomon, Sturtevants of Sun Valley, Sun Valley
Winterstart
Date: December 13, 2025
Location: Galena (back-up venue: Lake Creek)
Race Format: Single person interval start, 1k, 3k, 5k, 10k distances
Kick off the winter annual event! The Winterstart is a local skate race open to the community. Interval start with appropriate distances for all ages and abilities.
Sponsors
Galena Lodge, Elephant’s Perch, Lee Gilman, Engel & Volkers Jones Grover Team
Snowmaker Classic
Date: January 10, 2026
Location: Lake Creek
Race Format: Wave starts, 1k, 3k, 5k, 10k distances
This annually held race is a classic race, open to the community and all ages. This event is paired on the same day with the SVSEF XC Team annual fundraiser, bringing our community together over some good old fashioned classic ski racing.
Sponsors
Elephant’s Perch, Lee Gilman, Engel & Volkers Jones Grover Team
NordicTown USA Sprints
Date: February 4, 2026
Location: Simplot Lot, 2nd Avenue & Fourth Street, across from the Post Office in downtown Ketchum
Race Format: Sprint races short 300-500m loops, 2-person team sprints
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Sponsors
Boulder Mountain Tour sponsored prize money for elite class
Quigley Nordic Cup
Date: February 14, 2026
Location: Quigley Nordic
Race Format: Freestyle mass start races for U6-U14, 1-2k loops, open class skate relay
Co-hosted by SVSEF with the Papoose Club, this festive event is for U14 and younger skiers introducing racing in a fun and less competitive environment. At the completion of the youth event, an open class relay will be held free of charge for the community.
Sponsors
Sun Valley Papoose Club
2025/2026
XC Local Event Sponsors & Partners
