48 Straight…. Can You Handle It?

48Straight, billed as the”The loudest show on snow” by to tour promoters, is celebrating the end of  it’s first year run here in Sun Valley March 12-14.  It is named so because it is a 48 hour party rotating from the ski slopes to the bars to concerts and back to the slopes.  It was known formerly as The Ski Tour until its merger with Jeep King of the Mountain Tour earlier in 2007.  Previous tour stops for the 2007-2008 winter season include Telluride, CO., Park City, UT., and Squaw Valley, Calif.  Featured events are the snowboard halfpipe, the snowboard cross, the skier halfpipe, and skier cross for both men and women. 

Last year I was fortunate enough to attend a decent amount of the events, including the Hinder/Three Days Grace concert, as well as the Skier Halfpipe (Snowboarding events are new this year).  It was an amazing experience to stand a few feet from world-class twisting and twirling on the pipe, something I will never forget.  The energy level for the whole weekend was at a high and downtown Ketchum was packed, despite sub-zero temperatures.  If you are a fan of the mountain lifestyle, this is an opportunity you will not want to miss!For the 2008 season, the show is destined to be bigger & better with the addition of more on and off mountain events.   For a complete lineup, please visit 48Straight.com  and click on the big guitar.  Oh yeah and bring your party hat!

DiVine Restaurant Review

I’ve been the innkeeper at this incredible bed and breakfast for three and a half years now.  I’ve made it a point to try to get out into Hailey and the surrounding area and experience as much as I possible could, at least within the limits of my wallet!  I’ve been skiing at Sun Valley, attended countless concerts and music festivals, hit the Trailing of the Sheep, Jazz Festival, rafted in Stanley… the list could go on for days! 

In spite of all this, I managed to overlook a tiny little wine bar located just down the street from The Inn called DiVine.    Finally, on Sunday night, the inspiration hit me to leave my nest here at The Inn and 1) Find Friends  2) Go to DiVine and 3) Eat, Drink, and be Merry.  Mission Accomplished!  My friend Rick joined my father Bill and I for the adventure.

 The restaurant is a small old-world-meets-new-world affair located right off Main Street in Hailey (400 South Main St. Hailey ph. 208.788.4422) Tall wine racks loaded with a fantastic selection of wines line most of the walls.  The rest are taken up by floor to ceiling windows that let you peer out into the surrounding neighborhood.  The wines sell for about the same price you would pay in a store.  Our wine was a 2005 Layer Cake Shiraz, a great choice.  A five dollar corking fee is required to drink the wine there, which is a small price to pay to enjoy the atmosphere and food.   

Speaking of food!   We already had plans for dinner, so the three of us split a half-pot of  Gruryere and Swiss cheese fondue.  To dip we had toasted bread, apple sausage, and fruit.  Mama Mia!  Delicioso!  The also have paninis, pizzas, and salads on the menu.  I would recommend this restuarant for couples in search of the romantic and small groups of friends.  The atmosphere is casual and reservations are accepted but not necessary.   Buon Appetito!