Idaho’s Sun Valley shines during the winter months
By Jeff Wignall | Published Jan 6, 2014 6:46 AM EST
“Any view of Baldy is iconic,” states Idaho photographer Tory Taglio (torytagliophotography.com) of Sun Valley’s majestic Bald Mountain, Idaho’s ski magnet. “A morning view from the deck of the Sun Valley Nordic Center offers ski trails in the foreground with the towering mountain behind.”
Evening and sunset, he says, are great times for landscape lovers: “Alpenglow gives the snow a hue of saturated magenta or pink just before sunset,” he says. For panoramas, take the gondola (non-skiers welcome) up to the Roundhouse Restaurant’s deck.
Action shooters flock to nearby Dollar Mountain where extreme skiers work on their games. “Dollar offers half pipes and a terrain park where athletes and locals provide nonstop photo ops,” he says. The world-class half pipe is only 100 yards from the lodge, so access is easy for photographers.
For alpine scenery, Taglio suggests driving out to Trail Creek Road just north of the resort. “Try shooting the beaver ponds four miles from town, with Trail Creek Pass in the background,” he says. Best time: the golden hour, with snow-covered peaks bathed in gorgeous light.
Also nice? Proctor Mountain Trail, a snowshoe hike from the Trail Creek Cabin Restaurant. “Sunrise hikes will reward you with stunning views of all Sun Valley,” Taglio says.
And finally, action shooters can hone their skills at the 2014 Sun Valley Nordic Festival (January 25 to February 2). It celebrates Nordic (a.k.a. cross-country) skiing with races, snowbike races, demonstrations, a film festival, and a bonfire with costumed revelers.