In the heart of Idaho's breathtaking Sawtooth Mountains sits Sun Valley, enchanting and iconic to figure skating. Its legendary and rare year-round outdoor ice and historic Sun Valley Lodge have hosted world-class figure skaters and the spectacular "Sun Valley on Ice" summer shows, in what looks like a living postcard. What many feel but rarely see is the heartbeat of this skating treasure — the Irvine family.

Scott Irvine was immediately hooked upon his arrival from Utah for mid-1990s summer competitions with coach Stu Sturgeon; Sturgeon also performed in Sun Valley on Ice shows.

"Everything in Sun Valley was such a different experience from what I had known in Bountiful [Utah]," Irvine said. "There were bike paths everywhere and this was right around the time rollerblades were becoming a huge thing, so we rollerbladed everywhere. The outdoor rink was nothing short of magical. I'd skated outside before, but in the summer ... what a game-changer.  Back then, the ice show headliners would spend significant stretches of time at the resort, and I found myself sharing sessions with Katarina Witt, Brian Boitano, Scott Hamilton, you name it.  I was getting to skate with all my heroes.

"I always thought the summer ice on the outdoor rink was amazing. I believe Dick Button once said something about the natural spring of outdoor ice and I always felt that the ice here had a little something extra. Regular rainstorms, constantly shifting surface and base temperatures help contribute to an ice surface that really is different from anything I skated on in all my years of touring. Through in a captive audience of resort guests having lunch on the terrace and applauding for all the skaters and you have the makings of a truly memorable skating experience.  I was hooked from the start and always managed to find my way back to Sun Valley every chance I had until I was finally able to call it home."
 
Irvine's summers quickly became work/training at the Sun Valley rink, while he enjoyed the social atmosphere as well.

Irvine first ran show spotlights, then found himself in the ensemble in between 13 years of show contracts. He met wife, Natalia Zaitseva, touring while both performed principal roles.

Zaitseva competed pairs until age 17, then Moscow on Ice Ballet, Disney on Ice, Broadway on Ice, Ice Theatre of New York and Ice Dance International.

"Two suitcases were home for 14 years," Zaitseva said.

In 2009, Sun Valley became their permanent home. Mountains, endless outdoor adventures and the town's skating tradition made it the perfect place to settle.

The couple's shared goal of growing skating, developing strong athletes and kind individuals on and off ice, has provided balance despite differing perspectives.

Zaitseva embraces the long, rewarding journey of growth, considering skating a lifelong home, rather than a ladder of levels and medals. Irvine's creativity and craftsmanship streak led him to making scribes (a figures tool), preserving a bit of skating history.

"I get immense satisfaction making things," said Irvine, who observed props, wardrobe and equipment on tour, absorbing creativity that is now shared in Sun Valley.

Family
The Irvines' mutual respect extends to their 9-year-old daughter, Sasha, a budding show skater.

Along with Zaitseva's young students, Sasha is fortunate to perform surrounded by history and beauty, sharing ice with and learning from top-level athletes.
 
Her favorite class is "show tricks" with Craig Heath.
 
"I like living here, skiing with friends in winter and visiting the candy store in summer," the young Irvine said. "What I like about performing is no rules, and the audience cheers you on which helps me feel confident."

At 4 years old, Sasha told Zaitseva, "When I listen to music, I imagine choreographing for Disney on Ice."

"I never get tired of performing energy," Zaitseva said. "It's telling my story out loud and there's no place like it."

Watching her parents perform and seeing 4th of July fireworks from the ice are favored memories. Sasha's social circle includes Sun Valley Girls teammates, and best friends, Anna and Maija Freedman-Navarro, daughters of performer/ice dancer, Kim Navarro. Navarro and Zaitseva have performed together for 16 years.

"Our girls have been connected since the womb," Navarro said. "I swear Sasha was babbling to Anna through my belly!"

Summer Shows
At the show's inception in 1936, Union Pacific employees wore costumes, with instruction to 'go out and move around.'

"Our skaters and production crew are willing to pivot instantly, and there's always excitement when headliners roll into town, despite our small airport's occasional issues," Irvine said. "Local skaters interacting with headliners working their magic right in front of you is special. We're all skating fans, right?"

Many spectators return annually for innovative performances and sense of belongingness to this ice show family.

One year weather moved the show indoors and headliner Ilia Malinin performed an impromptu rendition of "Singing in the Rain."

"I think Sun Valley encourages that kind of fun and spontaneity," Irvine said.
 
Choreographer Stephanee Grosscup manages show structure, group numbers and offers abundant creativity, while Irvine manages the technical aspects.

Grosscup has known Irvine since he was 13, a unique connection that holds great meaning for her.

"They are family. Watching show skating blossom in Sasha is awesome," Grosscup said. "She captures audiences with her charisma."

Legacy
Watching the next generation write their stories inspires Zaitseva.

"I'm moved seeing my teaching become a springboard, knowing something I've shared travels across countries."

Sasha recently performed with Zaitseva's former producer, and Zaitseva's first student, Jaysa Bozzuto, who tours with Disney. Bozzuto affirms Zaitseva didn't simply teach her skating.

"She set my soul on fire for it," Bozzuto said. "I wanted to be her. I carry her with me on a tattoo of her handwriting. She taught me the thrill of performing — a bond I cherish deeply."

Performer Erin Reed counts Sun Valley as family and a career highlight.

"I've witnessed firsthand the Irvine's deep love for skating, unwavering work ethic and creating meaningful opportunities," Reed said.

"I hope while guests are here, they lose themselves in music, lighting, emotions and natural beauty," Irvine said. "Skating becomes a significant part of us after dedicating much of our lives to it. If this brings a sense of connection, we've done what we were meant to."

Welcome everyone!
This magical remote vacation retreat is embraced by a community of locals and visitors who have long appreciated the up-close-and-personal relationship with the skaters.
    
"Skating has always been such a huge part of the resort that everybody involved, from the youngest skaters up to the show performers, are celebrities in their own right," Irvine said. "I've often overheard guests talking about how cute it was to see the little skaters walking in their skates and dresses down through the Sun Valley village to the Chocolate Foundry to buy treats in between their sessions.
 
"The show headliners, performers and coaches are a naturally outgoing and friendly group and are easily recognized at the restaurants and hangouts around the resort.  Skating just naturally fits in, and the Sun Valley community has become accustomed to running into skating glitterati as they're sipping their morning coffee or grabbing lunch at the resort."