Holiday Guide

The holidays start Dec. 16 in Sun Valley Village. Carolers have been singing strong and will continue through Christmas at local restaurants and hotels. You can have them come to your home or private party by contacting John Mauldin at (208) 622-2167.

The music carries on with the Classical Christmas Concert at the Sun Valley Opera House (new this year), Tuesday, Dec. 23. Enjoy Christmas classics and new favorites in Sun Valley's historic Opera House featuring professional opera singers John Mauldin, Leslie Mauldin, Jason and Michelle Detwiler. Doors open at 7 p.m.; show starts at 7:30 p.m. Price is $35 plus tax (no kids under 8 years old please). Tickets available at the Sun Valley Recreation Center: (208) 622-2135.

The Christmas Eve Festival at the Sun Valley Ice Rink brings out the Sun Valley Lodge Terrace Carolers at about 5:30 p.m. Wed., Dec. 24. Free hot chocolate and cookies will be distributed, followed by a free performance of Sun Valley Nutcracker on Ice, torchlight parade, Santa, fireworks, and free ice skating after the show.

Drop the kids off at Evening Playschool and you and your 'other' go enjoy the holidays romantically Dec. 24-31. Children ages 18 months to 5 years are treated to games, crafts, movies, and snacks from 6 -11 p.m. for $15/hour per child. New Year's Eve is $18/hr, 6 p.m. - 1 a.m., with a dinner option for an extra $8. Advanced reservations required: (208) 622-2288. Sleeping facilities will be available for New Year's.

Kids 6-14 can have their own New Years Eve at Sun Valley Inn Continental Room Dec. 31. Fun, adult-supervised activities include arcade games, crafts, fast-track auto racing, roulette wheel, balloon drop, prizes and more. Food and beverages are included in the $75 charge. Please call Sun Valley Recreation Office for reservations at (208) 622-2135.

The adults have two New Year's Eve options: Dinner & Dancing in the Lodge Dining Room. It's $425 per couple (tax & gratuity included) gets you a gourmet five-course meal and bottle of champagne, and The Sun Valley Trio performing for your entertainment and dancing. Seating is at 8 p.m. Call Sun Valley Restaurant Reservations: (208) 622-2800.

Or, get rocking at the Limelight New Year's Eve Party. There promises to be an "exquisite" hors d'oevres buffet and dancing in the Limelight Room at the Sun Valley Inn, cash bars, complimentary party favors, and champagne toast. Swing all night with the High Street Jazz Band. Ticket cost is $79. Call (208) 622-2135 for reservations.

Schweitzer Mountain has the holidays under control as well. Bring your whole family for four nights of slopeside lodging and four days of skiing for only $975. Price includes a standard room in the beautiful Selkirk Lodge and lift tickets each day (2 adult and all legal children 0-17), plus a special gift from Schweitzer. You'll be there in time to catch Santa's arrival Dec. 24. He skis in for the day for photos and last minute wishes in the Selkirk Lodge Lobby. Don't pass on New Year's Eve. There's a rockin' concert in Taps, the teen tubing party, and the ever popular 'tween' party. These parties sell out every year so get your tickets early at the Activity Center.

Visit OnTheSnow.com's 2008 Holiday Guide for a library of news stories and features about special holiday events from visits by Santa (even his reindeer) to where the best parties are planned for New Year's Eve at the world's mountain resorts.