Top 5! The Best Things to Do in Sun Valley Idaho

View from the top Bald Mtn 9,105 ft Sun Valley, ID on a Bluebird Day
photo purevisionstudios.com

Top 5 The Best Things to Do in Sun Valley Idaho

1. Go Bluebird on Baldy!

Last year Sun Valley Resort celebrated its 75th year as the United States first and consistently one of its most successful ski resorts. Successful for many reasons, they just simply do it right. Laying down some fresh tracks on Baldy on one of its many "bluebird days" is hands down the best thing to do in Sun Valley. With a total Lift Capacity Per Hour of 26,780 even on a big powder day the smiling crowds are not waiting in line (per skier, Sun Valley has more uphill capacity than any other ski area). Sun Valley has something for everyone from the super family friendly Dollar Mountain with a new "state of the sport" terrain parks to a Gondola ride up to the famous Roundhouse Restaurant for an unforgettable dinner.

The Big Hitch, Wagon Days! photo purevisionstudios.com

2. Travel Back in Time with Wagon Days

As celebrations go in Ketchum, Sun Valley, Idaho it doesn't get any bigger than Wagon Days. The Big Hitch Parade is the highlight of the celebration. It has grown into the largest non-motorized parade in the West, displaying more than a hundred museum-quality buggies, carriages, tacks, carts, buckboards, and wagons of every variety in existence today. The Wagon Days Big Hitch, historic wagons used to haul ore from the area, are powered by an authentic 20-draft mule jerkline. Adding spice to the parade is a lively assortment of authentically costumed individuals, numerous breeds of horses, from Arabs to Morgans to Pasos. Plus, professional and scholastic marching bands from around the state and the intermountain west. It's a blast from the past not to be missed! Parties and special events abound all through Labor Day Weekend. A perfect way to wrap up the summer.

Wagon Days "Shootout Gang" photo purevisionstudios.com

3. Enjoy a Perfect Cut at the Pioneer Saloon

There's a reason why "The Pio", as it is affectionately called by locals, is often the first recommendation any local will give you for a fun place for a drink and a really great meal. The atmosphere reflects the true grit spirit and the adventurous heart of so many people in this beautiful wild western valley. For 30 years owner Duffy Whitmer is often seen working shoulder to shoulder with his staff making sure he personally welcomes his guests. The Pioneer Saloon treats you to a casual, friendly atmosphere with an offering of a wide variety of beers, wine and liquors then it dazzles you with perfectly prepared cuts of beef, seafood, fresh trout and the absolute, real deal overstuffed Idaho potato.

The author, Teri Lee Niedrich, enjoying the end of a Mountain Bike ride in Sun Valley

"ahhhhh the flats"...Now for some "Despos"

4. Get in the Zone on a Mountain Bike Trail

The Sun Valley area offers outstanding mountain bike trails! In fact, Sun Valley Idaho hosted the very successful USA Cycling Cross Country Mountain Bike National Championships

July 14-17, 2011 and will host again July 12-15, 2012 . Quoting local, Rebecca Rusch to USA Cycling on usacycling.org “I have traveled the world and the U.S. for races and I live in the Sun Valley area of Idaho because it has some of the best trails I’ve ever ridden as well as welcoming cycling community,” explains three-time 24 Hour Mountain Bike World Champion Rebecca Rusch. “I already know this place is world-class and I’m really looking forward to sharing what Idaho has to offer with the best cyclists in the U.S.” What else can I say? Single track through the woods to die for... I will add that local trails vary from the beginner friendly Harriman Trail to trails that challenge the most passionate mountain biking enthusiast. PS ..a few of them can turn out to be "a three hour tour" if you know what I mean so be sure to buy one of the local trail books. By the way if you are a "roadie", Sun Valley has an excellent bike path and plenty of challenging road cycling. For more info on rallies and competitions check out visitsunvalley.com

Claudette Colbert and Gary Cooper at Sun Valley Photo Courtesy: SVR

5. Dig the Historical Vibe of the Sun Valley Lodge Resort

Okay, this last one was a hard one. I have to be honest there are so many really cool festivals and events worth mentioning in this amazing town like the Wellness Festival in the spring, The Trailing of the Sheep festival in the fall and the Nordic Festival in the winter but the winner is...anytime at the The Sun Valley Lodge Resort. Seriously, I am a local and I stay at the lodge and play tourist in my home town quite frequently. I am connected with the Sun Valley Resort in no way but sheer admiration. There is such a great vibe at the Sun Valley Lodge. The Lodge has been meticulously maintained and upgraded with luxurious details for 75 years. Walking down the hallways and enjoying a little time travel with the old celebrity photographs is a treat. Be sure to have a mug of beer, glass of wine or better yet a glass of champagne with you to make it fun. Enjoy the old school Duchin Room named for Eddie Duchin, an American popular pianist and bandleader of the 1930s and '40s, famous for his engaging onstage personality and his elegant piano style. You will be sure to hear some classic jazz entertainment. Sit in the "gangster" corner in the back. Very private and dark but big enough for your entourage. If you want to stay in the vibe, have dinner at the Ram Restaurant. If you are on a tight budget, just have a drink and the escargot (killer), then have pizza later. Just go with it and hang out. Who knows who you will meet? Maybe Warren Miller , Arnold Schwarzenegger , Steve Miller, or Mark Zuckerberg will walk by. Sure there are many newer ski resorts to enjoy today. In fact, since Sun Valley was the very first....ALL of them are newer. However, Sun Valley Resort with all of the latest technologies and amenities boasts 75 years of eloquent history. This grand ole dame has mastered the art of staying young at heart. Enjoy.

Special Olympics World Winter Games 2009

The Special Olympics World Winter Games 2009 ~ Photo Slideshow from Teri Niedrich on Vimeo.
Larger HD version at

http://vimeo.com/3431548

Diamonds Along the Way.
I belong to an incredible group of female professional photographers from the Wood River Valley, The Digital Divas. We were asked to volunteer our skills for the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2009, hosted by the USA this year in Boise, Idaho. The competition locations included, Boise and Sun Valley, Idaho. We were happy to volunteer our time and we expected a wonderful adventure. We had no idea the diamonds we were about to discover.

I honestly don't have words to describe the experience. Inspiring just doesn't cut it. To be completely surrounded by athletes, coaches and volunteers who were purely loving and supporting each other. No politics, no ego, just spirit like I really did not know existed. This was a celebration of our differences and it was a site to behold. Everyone gladly gave it their all.

I was shooting with my new Canon 5d MarkII and it was a great environment for learning..shooting indoors without flash, action photos and outdoors in low light. Love that camera!!! More about that later...

The movie above was made using all of the Digital Divas photos. My partner in crime and I made this with the new imovie 09. Having used other softwares Final Cut, Fotomagico and others..this was another opportunity to learn something new.

Take the opportunity to volunteer and support The Special Olympics. It will be the greatest gift you can give to this wonderful world and to yourself.

Wagon Days 50th Anniversary

Wagon Days Echoes of the Past
The Big Hitch, Wagon Days, Sun Valley Idaho

The Budweiser Clydesdales in Sun Valley, Idaho

As celebrations go in Ketchum, Sun Valley, Idaho it doesn't get any bigger than Wagon Days.

The Big Hitch Parade is the highlight of the celebration. It has grown into the largest non-motorized parade in the West, displaying more than a hundred museum-quality buggies, carriages, tacks, carts, buckboards, and wagons of every variety in existence today. The Wagon Days Big Hitch, historic wagons used to haul ore from the area, are powered by an authentic 20-draft mule jerkline.

Adding spice to the parade is a lively assortment of authentically costumed individuals, numerous breeds of horses, from Arabs to Morgans to Pasos. Plus, professional and scholastic marching bands from around the state and the intermountain west.

This year was the 50th Anniversary of Wagon Days and the legendary celebration did not disappoint. The Budweiser Clydesdales were invited to join the parade along with the past Grand Marshalls of previous parades. The event was not only a great tribute to the history of Idaho, but also a tribute to this close knit community, the organizers and voluteers of Wagon Days who truly make this celebration a successful party.

I felt privileged to be be invited to photograph all of the activities of this event, including a ride in the lead ore wagon of the big hitch at the practice session. As I bounced around like a rag doll in the massive wagon trying to capture the moment, my mind raced back to history when these great wagons traveled much more treacherous paths through the mountains. I was in awe of the skill of Muleskinner Bobby Tanner and his amazing crew. The mules of his team were exceptional world class athletes by anyone's standards!

Check out Pure Vision Studios Events and Celebrations Gallery/Wagon Days 50th Anniversary and double click for the slide show. Here you can see the massive ore wagons, historic wagons and the beautiful horses, mules and donkeys who pull them. The classic colorful characters of the old west come alive to tell the tale of Wagon Days.

The Wells Fargo Stage, Wagon Days, Sun Valley, Idaho

The Blackjack Ketchum Shootout Gang Wagon Days Ketchum Idaho

Eh-Capa Rider, Wagon Days Parade 50th Anniversary,

Sun Valley, Idaho

Pure Vision Studios Contracted by Personal E-ssistant

Personal E-ssistant, an exciting new service also based out of Sun Valley, Idaho has contracted Pure Vision Studios to supply their clients with creative, cutting edge, photographic and digital imaging services. Personal E-ssistant creates and manages blogs, social networking, audio/visual postings and marketplace listings for businesses and professionals.

Pure Vision Studios is really charged about becoming a part of this new "state of the web" service. We know how much time is involved in really working the internet to its potential and are extremely aware of the value of being truly connected. We are certain Personal E-ssistant will become E- ssential to the success of many businesses and professionals both locally and world wide.

Isn't it great? It is like the old west baby! Trail Blazin'! Who knows where this trail goes to? We don't.. but we are having a really good time on this ride. We welcome Personal E-ssistant as our partners on the trail.

Visionary Portraits

We love nothing better than being asked to step outside the traditional when it comes to capturing the essence of a personality. These can sometimes be called "lifestyle portraits". Of course, we prefer to call them Visionary. Sometimes, actually most often, these ideas come in the middle of the night, after pondering the spirit you are trying to capture. There are no rules. At least not from our perspective.

See more portraits at Pure Vision Studios. Who's work do we love? Annie Leibovitz. See this NPR interview, New Leibovitz Collection Reveals Personal Side .

Also this link to her timeline and photos from temple.edu. The only photo in this series that I do NOT like is the one of the Trumps. Please...I would have loved to see one of him combing his hair in the mirror.

Who's portrait work do you love and why? Let us know. Send us comments and links (please, no photos) we will post the first 25. Here's looking at you.

Baby Portraits

What says "Holidays" better than baby Christmas photos? Oh the joy of photographing a beautiful child and creating that "OOOOH How Cute!" moment for the family to treasure forever.

We had a wonderful season shooting family and individual portraits this year. It is a great deal of work, but the result is completely satisfying. The photo above was shot at Pure Vision Studios using a Gary Fong Whale Tale light diffuser. I love this product. The light is soft and natural. It is so nice not to be using harsh, hot lights with the little people. They tend to get cranky.

No Photoshop Cs3 editing required with this photo. We liked the the soft, warm, natural richness and tone just the way it was.

And....ho ho ho he peed all over this lovely blanket shortly after this shot. The show was over.

Quikcamo Product Shoot

Every now and then Pure Vision Studios is introduced to a product that simply dazzles us with sheer genius. Well "Get Yer Game Face On" and check out Quikcamo.


Hunters will appreciate the "Health and Stealth" technology of this camo device. I personally am gave 2 of these bad boys for Christmas. We had a great time doing product shots for these guys and expect to see more (or is it less?) of them in the future.