More skiers/snowboarders learn their winter skills on 400 vertical feet slopes than 4,000 vertical ones. The Eastern and Midwest states have numerous small ski slopes of all different sizes that are small in comparision to the upper Northeast and West. Many of the the top USA skiers come from these grassroot ski slopes, working their way up to the big vetical mountains. Once you master a big mountain, it might feel as if you could fly down the smaller ones. Could you do it at night?
The valley leading to Ketchum, Idaho, has a unique look, as many of the mountains in this area are void of trees. Looking up at these snow covered ridges, it may seem that the Pilsbury dough boy is laying on his back and what you really see is his belly. A quick left at Hailey will lead you to another side of the snow covered dough boy, to the home of the night rider Run of Rota, a snow creature learning to spread their wings.
Skiing down a slope on skis is not just the only way to get down. Add in a parachute, darken the sun, add in a few lights, and the night flying ski creature at Rotarun will land near your feet at the base. This small ski slope run by the Rotary of Hailey offers a perfect learning hill, a five finger cost lift ticket, and the launching pad for the learning curve of ski flying. Sun Valley is for the masters of this, Rotarun is the spot to spread your wings. Classic, simple, and easy night skiing with a bonfire is what attracts the locals to Rotarun. Expect a warm welcome from this grassroot ski location.
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