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Lift-served biking on the Warm Springs Trail - Sun Valley/ Ketchum, Idaho
August 12th, 2009 by 
leel
SUMMARY
Overall this was a good way to rest the legs and good value for money. We didn’t ride Cold Springs but that too looked like fun. You could spend a day up here and get a lot of downhill on fast smooth trails. You could also ride these trails with family, or with riding partners of different abilities and still have a great time.
Having said that, these trails aren’t very different then the sweet, buff offerings with which the Ketchum/ Sun Valley area is blessed - and perhaps that’s what the resort is striving to achieve for a ride experience. I don’t know if I would come to Sun Valley solely for the lift-served biking at this point in time due to the lack of trail variety but there are so many choices outside the resort for cherry singletrack that this is not really a relevant concern.
From an outsider’s perspective, there’s a tremendous amount of terrain in resort boundaries; and a fair amount of this terrain is of intermediate/beginner variety that lend itself so well to purpose-built mountain bike trails. On Warm Springs, at times I would approach a rounded-off berm or a shaved off series of bumps and itch for opportunities to rail or jump but then remember that this is a multi-use trail for both uphill and downhills. There is potential for purpose-built downhill-only mountain bike trails with more features/stunts in the resort if land use permits allow such construction.
Pano looks back from mid-point of the Warm Springs descent
Sharon descending - the trail drops back into forest and winds its way back to town
PRICING AND HOURS OF OPERATION
A summary of the day’s costs and how to get there is at the Sun Valley/Ketchum Chamber of Commerce’s web-site. Some information is also at the Ski Resort’s website which also has more particular information relating to summer trails (including both Warm Springs and Cold Springs)
Life operating Times: 9am-3:15pm
http://www.sunvalley.com
Location: River Run Plaza
Phone: 622-6136
Admission: $15 adults, $7 children, $20 all day adults, $10 all day kids
Bald Mountain lift-serviced biking, Sun Valley/Ketchum Idaho. from Lee Lau on Vimeo.
Posted in Ride Reports |Tags:Bike, Idaho, Ketchum, lift, lift-served, Sun Valley, Warm Springs |4739 visits| 
August 12th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
A couple notes for those who have never been but read this. There is not overly technical aspects on the trail, but it is very fast, and a lot of times cutting on a slope of 35+ degrees. This means if you fall off you are falling far. There are many adrenaline seeking bikers that his this up because of the high speeds, fun rollers, and the fact you have to be ON IT every second otherwise you will end up like others with broken collarbones, busted up knees, arms, whatever else.
Also, the lift biking isn’t as big of a draw as skiing, where is it? The last picture caption is pretty dumb considering you don’t buy your tickets at the door anyways. you walk all the way inside to the back of the building to buy your tickets. Also, the first picture says ‘main office building’ where that building isn’t even open in the summer. Duh. Too bad there wasn’t a picture of all the rental bikes and shop tent set up outside.
Plus side, if people write articles like this, the crowds will continue to stay away.
August 12th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
wow - sorry you seemed to take the trail descriptions personally.
I mentioned many times throughout the article that this is a fast trail. Perhaps you didn’t click on subsequent pages? That might explain the confusion.
Finally I have no idea what you mean by the comment: “Also, the lift biking isn’t as big of a draw as skiing, where is it?” - Could you clarify?
August 12th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
After living in SV for 20 years and making probably 100 laps on the resort, I couldnt agree more with the review. Its fast, smooth and pretty fun. But there really isnt anything that could be categorized as techical. The views are spectacular and it is just one of the many sweet XC oriented rides in Sun Valley. I know there is dialogue to create a more progressive scene there and that would certainly draw more people. Lets all hope it happens.
August 12th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Whoa there, sv biker.
First, I suggest you read the rest of the article.
Next, ditch the old school, locals-only, keep-the-crowds away attitude.
If that’s how you’re going to roll Buzz Killington, you shouldn’t be anywhere near the Baldy trails anyway.
I know a nice ride out Long Gulch where you won’t see a single person.
Third, if you’d like to talk any more about this article, I’d be more than happy to discuss in person.
My name is Julian, and I work at Pete Lane’s up at Sun Valley.
August 13th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Just thought I’d add an interesting ‘local’ person ‘of note’ to your list of celebrities — namely, our friend and world-renown author, Ridley Pearson — who has, throughout his career, written extensively about Sun Valley in his best-selling mystery novels!!!
He lives here part of the year and writes using local people and places known to him in our City, and in our State.
Just wanted to round out your ‘list’ a bit…..:-)
Enjoyed your article, by the way!! pf
August 14th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I apologize for a ridiculous post. I read it in a different light. this is actually a great review, and well accurate. I apologize to MTBR, to Sun Valley, and all the locals. Mr Moderator, It would even be appreciated if you could delete my first comment. MTBR, Lee, I apologize. Thank you for coming to our hidden treasure, I hope you enjoyed your stay and hope to have you guys back again.
August 15th, 2009 at 9:14 am
hey no problem. I actually thought for a horrible second that i goofed and wrote something that slandered all the trails. I can’t edit the comments but will ask Gregg if he can do something. Thanks and no worries
August 18th, 2009 at 9:17 am
First off, I believe you put together a great article.
I would just like to say that for the most part this discussion seems rider-biased. I am not a Bomber by any means, but i do like to Go. I would consider parts of Warm Springs & Cold Springs quite technical, most curves/corners need to be taken carefully with any speed. There is a lot of loose, sharp shale and random roots that can throw you off the side. While it is a gorgeous ride, you do have to be on your game.
Side note, watch out for hikers.
August 18th, 2009 at 9:38 am
eg - Absolutely. I mentioned it in the article but it bears repeating. You might encounter uphille riders and hikers on both Warm Springs and Cold Springs. Manage your speed accordingly.
Sidenote - there’s lots of places on these trails where there’s long straight sightlines. If it’s clear then you can let the brakes go. But do that when you can see ahead
August 20th, 2009 at 8:27 am
i think the article shouldve mentioned more about sun valley itself instead of just baldy or at the very least mention the other trails. There are so many awesome trails there… i prefer Adams Gulch.. more technical uphill and a gnarley ride down towards hulen meadows.
August 20th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Hi local SV - we did ride local trails and I mentioned it but it’s buried in a link. Most people won’t read long stories unfortunately so I kept it short.
http://www.leelau.net/2009/montanaidaho/foxpeak2009_07_31/ - is the Mountain Fairy shuttle to Fox Peak - Adams Gulch trails
http://www.leelau.net/2009/montanaidaho/pioneer2009_08_01/ - is when we did Pioneer to Long Gulch the same day we did Warm Springs.
We definitely need more time here.