Winter Dispatch: 011
A Q+A with skier Sierra Schlag, a guide to Sun Valley, Idaho, the coziest mountain shoes out there, and how to find yourself a valentine!
Good morning! This week’s letter comes to you from a day ahead somewhere over the South Pacific Ocean. Currently en route to New Zealand, where it is very much not skiing weather. However, it is the land of sheep, so it’s possible I come home with some new merino wool base layer recos. On that note, there will likely be no letter next week. If you’re out in the mountains, let me know where you’re skiing and how conditions are!
Chairlift Chatter
Apps are out, chairlift meet cutes are in.
If you find yourself at Copper Mountain in Colorado, there is a new snow maze and it’s pirate themed. The aerial view is sick.
Snowflake speckles have arrived on the scene. “Perfect for adding a frosty sparkle to your cheeks.” Kinda into it.
A ski film you need to watch and a rapid fire Q+A with featured skier Sierra Schlag
My dear childhood friend and professional skier, Sierra Schlag’s new ski film NISEI just went live! She debuted the film across the country with Girl Winter Film Tour and Backcountry Film Festival (epic) but it’s now available for the world to see via YouTube! I asked Schlag a few questions about the film…
NISEI (pronounced nee-say) is a creative exploration of skier Sierra Schlag's biracial identity. In Japan, she is perceived as white; in America, as Japanese. Through the lens of skiing, Schlag embarks on a journey of self-discovery, navigating the two cultures that shape her.
What was the most powerful moment for you during the making of NISEI?
Sharing Japan with my film crew was the most special part! It was so enlightening to see Japan through their fresh eyes during their first visit. This experience taught me to view my identity in a new light. I realized I’d been so caught up in how others perceived me, but this journey helped me embrace the idea that my identity is mine alone – not for anyone else to judge.
What do you hope viewers take away from the film?
I hope multiracial people see themselves reflected in my film and that viewers gain a deeper understanding of the biracial experience. I also wanted to create a Japan film that feels fresh and different from the traditional ski movies we see every fall.
How can the ski (and film) industries better support underrepresented voices?
The ski industry is slow to change, and we often say brands need to put their money where their mouth is. Providing athletes with budgets – not just for skiing but also for film projects, etc. – gives them the resources to grow in their sport. This helps these stories reach wider audiences and ultimately makes the ski industry a larger, more diverse space.
What are you most excited for this season!
I’m recovering from an ACL injury, so I’m most excited just to get back on snow and keep my body healthy throughout the season. I have some fun trips planned, including a return to Japan, hut trips, and skiing Mt. Shasta in the spring that I’m stoked for!
A Slopeside Guide to Sun Valley, Idaho
Sun Valley, Idaho, may seem like an unexpected ski destination, but it’s home to one of the most charming mountain towns ever and a spectacular ski resort. When some friends chose Sun Valley for our annual ski trip, it turned out to be one of the best decisions. We flew into Hailey, Idaho (20 min from town), and stayed in Ketchum – the heart of Sun Valley.
Known for its understated luxury, Sun Valley exudes a vibe that feels refreshingly different from most mountain towns. Despite hosting events like the notorious billionaires summer camp (also known as the Allen & Co. conference) every summer, the town has maintained its quaint charm and largely avoided the influx of chain stores that have reshaped many other ski towns. It reminded me of the old Deer Valley days, with its strong on-mountain local presence, gorgeous facilities (arguably some of the most beautiful resort lodges in the US), and endearing small-town feel.
Where To Ski
Sun Valley Resort features two distinct (read: very much not connected) mountain areas: Bald Mountain and Dollar Mountain. Bald Mountain, very conveniently located near downtown Ketchum, is perfect for intermediate and advanced skiers, offering steep groomers and great off-piste terrain. Dollar Mountain caters more to beginners and families with gentle slopes and forgiving groomers.
During our visit in late March, conditions were less than ideal, but the diverse terrain and exceptional vibes still made for a 10/10 experience.
Long Groomers: The terrain off the Challenger lift is steep, fast, and fun. I also loved lapping the runs around Frenchman’s lift – it’s the kind of terrain you can put on repeat all day.
Off-Piste: The Mayday lift line provided fantastic tree skiing, and the terrain off the Christmas lift was still a highlight, even in subpar conditions.
Lunch on Mountain: Seattle Ridge Lodge is a must. The panoramic views are incredible, and the food surpasses typical ski lodge fare. My highlight was the bartender’s daily special – one day it was a variety of tiki drinks (love), the next it was a carajillo.
Medical Facilities: Unfortunately, we became intimately familiar with St. Luke’s Medical Center (s/o Tristan and his broken shoulder on the last run of the weekend). Delightful staff, highly recommend! Also, very conveniently located to downtown bars for a post-hospital Big Buck Hunter sesh.
Where To Stay
Similar to the Steamboat feature a couple weeks ago, part of Sun Valley’s appeal is its lack of big hotel chains. We opted for an Airbnb in Ketchum, which was ideal. Staying in Ketchum is highly recommended since the mountain and the town’s restaurants, bars, and shops are all within walking distance. If you prefer a hotel, both the Limelight Hotel and Sun Valley Lodge come highly rated.
Where To Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
The Roundhouse: Ride the gondola up the mountain to dinner. Views are spectacular, food is also great. Certainly more of a novelty dinner experience but well-worth it.
A blurry but delicious espresso tini moment at The Roundhouse Enoteca: Great dinner option with something for everyone. The wine list is great, as are the wood fire pizzas.
Rickshaw: Casual Southeast Asian local spot. Everything was excellent, but their KFC (Korean fried chicken) was a highlight. They don’t take resys so get their early to put your name in.
Warfield Brewery: Great brewery to hang for the afternoon with solid bar food.
The Kneadery: Breakfast spot with a charming, rustic Idaho vibe. Pancakes for the table are a must. The cinnamon roll was also 12/10.
TNT Taproom: Craft beer and wine bar/shop. They have a great upstairs seating area and bar games (Codenames) if you’re killing time or looking for a chill, afternoon hang.
Grumpy’s: Maybe the most well-known Sun Valley establishment. Burgers and schooners. When a menu looks like this, you know it’s worth a visit.
The Casino: Another Sun Valley staple. Dive bar, can be very busy but always a great time.
Maude’s: A cute coffee shop that also is a vintage store. Great coffee/matcha and fun to browse around.
Adding to Cart, Mountain Shoe Edition
This week’s retail roundup is inspired by the flood of cool new mountain footwear options hitting the scene. I’m intentionally not calling this a snow boot section because the lines between winter shoes and traditional snow boots are blurrier than ever. These days, so many options fall perfectly in between. While I’m a firm believer in wearing your ski or snowboard boots straight to après, there are plenty of other moments in the mountains where something fun, warm, and a bit more versatile makes sense.
Swedish footwear brand Fubuki is subject of much chatter in the mountain community lately. The cool kids are wearing them, in all parts of the world, and I really love what the brand is doing (more on Fubuki soon!). The exterior is an incredibly durable outer shell while the interior is a soft and very warm wool lining. Inspired by Japanese fisherman boots, this silhouette feels very new and fresh in the category.
The North Face’s Thermoball traction booties are everywhere these days, in both mountain towns and chilly work from home setups alike. Upon seeing these on a man for the first time, I admittedly wasn’t sure how I felt. But then I tried them on myself and immediately understood the appeal. They are insanely warm and come in both mens and womens styles. It’s also reallyyyy hard to hate a puffy shoe.
I’ve written about the Moonboot comeback in the letter before and I’m back again for more. I can’t get enough of this renaissance and am loving all of their recent collabs. I think the short boots are so fun and incredibly comfy after a long day on the slopes.
Despite being created for surfers, UGG continues to dominate the winter shoe category for many fluffy, warm reasons. I first saw someone wearing these Tasman Weather Hybrid slippers at Solidcore and thought they were ~unique~. Then I saw Post Malone wearing them and was intrigued. The weatherproofing is a much needed UGG element so I’m interested in copping a pair myself. I once wore my UGGs after a (terrible) ski day at Alyeska when it was pouring rain and my boots were ruined forever. Their product innovation team has been working overtime – the amount of new styles they’ve released this season is nothing short of impressive.
If you enjoy this letter, please share with friends! Feel free to respond here with ski-related intel, new products you’re loving, or just to say hi. Thanks for reading 💌