If you’re someone who likes to earn their turns (or just doesn’t want to pay to ski or ride), skinning up Baldy or Dollar is the move, garnering you plenty of runs for the cost of free-ninety-nine. But as both mountains are operated by the Sun Valley Resort, there are a couple rules to follow to ensure a safe and fun skin, as well as a few guidelines on what gear you’ll need.
The Rules
All of Sun Valley’s rules and guidelines for skiing Baldy and Dollar can be found on their website (or app) under “After-Hours Access.” This page is full of all sorts of information, including the mountain report, which will tell you the temperature (at both base and top); runs that are open and/or groomed; how much it has snowed this season, in the last week, in the last 24 hours, and overnight; how fast winds are blowing; and a small blurb giving any pertinent announcements/updates, weather forecast, webcams for various spots on both mountains. You can also sign up for email and/or text alerts for uphill access, which will let you know about closures, conditions, and more that might affect skinning.
Baldy: The rules for each mountain differ a bit. During the winter season, after-hours uphill travel is allowed on Baldy only between the hours of 5am and 8am, and 5pm and 8pm. If going in the morning, all after-hour users must begin descending no later than 8am, and for evening users, 8pm.
All uphill and downhill after-hours users must follow one of three designated routes, marked with illuminated markers along the sides of the trails. These routes are highlighted in yellow on the skinning trail map, which also shows areas where Snow Cat operators may be at any time, ski area boundaries, and cliffs. Skiers and riders must stick to the sides of the trails when traveling both uphill and downhill and not travel in groups wider than two abreast at any time. Dogs are not allowed on Baldy.
Dollar: Uphill hiking is permitted anytime outside of normal lift operating hours, so typically 4:15pm to 9am is fair game. There are no designated uphill or downhill routes for after-hours users on Dollar. Dogs are allowed during after-hours use on Dollar—just be sure to pick up their poop!
Whether on Baldy or Dollar, skiers and riders must yield the right of way to and stay clear of all ski area machinery (groomers, snowmobiles, and snowmaking equipment).
Gear and Where to Get It
For skiers: While you may have some of the gear already that you’ll need for skinning—poles, warm ski clothes, gloves, helmet, goggles—there are a few key pieces of gear you’ll need, namely alpine touring boots, touring bindings, and ski skins. You may also need touring-specific skis, unless your downhill skis are built to double as touring skis. For those looking to buy a full ski touring setup, you can find all the necessary gear at PK’s, Sturtevant’s, Elephant’s Perch, and Backwoods. Sturtevant’s, Elephant’s Perch, and Backwoods also rent alpine ski tour setups.
For snowboarders: For snowboarders who want to skin, you’ll need a backcountry setup, aka a splitboard, splitboard bindings, skins, collapsible poles, and touring-specific snowboard boots. Board Bin has backcountry gear both for sale and for rent.
Regardless of whether you ski or snowboard, Sun Valley requires uphill users to wear a retroreflective item such as an armband, sash, or vest, as well as a headlamp and blinking taillight at all times. Mountain Guest Services, available at both Warm Springs and River Run Lodges, has complimentary reflective armbands available. For headlamps and other accessories, check out any of the aforementioned ski shops.
Post-Skin Grub
For those waking up at the crack of dawn for a morning skin, grabbing a hot cup of coffee and some breakfast afterward is a must. For delicious coffee and a lighter bite, head to Maude’s, Java, or Hank & Sylvie’s. For a more sit-down breakfast and something heartier, try the Konditorei, the Kneadery, 4 Roots, or Bigwood Bread.
If an afternoon skin is more your game, you’ll have earned a beer or two, and maybe a snack to take the edge off. You can’t go wrong with a beer (and maybe a burger) at Lefty’s, Grumpy’s, or Sawtooth Brewery. For just drinks, try TNT Taproom and for something a little more upscale, head to the Warfield.
