Winter

It practically goes without saying that, if you’re visiting Sun Valley in the winter, you’re going to at least consider skiing or snowboarding. The resort offers more than 3,400 vertical feet and over 2,500 of varied terrain for all levels. There are two mountains of trails: Bald Mountain, known for its lack of lift lines and 65 varied runs, and Dollar Mountain, perfect for beginners and those wanting to hit the terrain park.
 
Snowmobiling
Tour the area and get far out into the mountains, where you wouldn’t get on foot, by snowmobile. Smiley Creek Lodge offers guided tours, or you can rent your own snowmobile and explore the winter wonderland at your leisure.
 
Ice Skating
Check out the ice-skating rink at the Sun Valley Lodge. You can take a lesson, rent skates and spend a couple of hours channeling your inner Olympic figure skater. The outdoor rink at the Lodge boasts some of the best alpine views in the valley. You might actually even see an Olympic or world-class skater practicing. Stick around for one of the many Sun Valley ice shows that are on the calendar throughout the winter.

Nothing says “winter wonderland” quite like a sleigh ride through the snow-covered landscape of Wood River Valley, while you’re snuggled up in blankets and sipping hot chocolate. Join a group or sign up for a private horse-drawn sleigh ride.

 
Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
Not a downhill skiing fan? Try cross-country, or snowshoeing, on more than 24 miles of groomed trails for skate and classic skiing and snowshoeing.

 
Riding the Gondola (and Eating Fondue)
Not a skier, but still want amazing mountain views? Take the gondola up Bald Mountain (from the base at River Run) and spend a couple hours at the Roundhouse restaurant. We strongly recommend the decadent fondue. Then, simply ride the gondola back down!
 
Fat Biking
Biking in the snow? Yes! This fast-growing outdoor winter activity is super fun and Sun Valley is the perfect place to try it for the first time. Rent a bike and set out on the trails!

Summer

Don’t like to hit the same trail twice? You certainly won’t have to worry about that in Sun Valley. There are more than 400 miles of single-track and 30 miles of paved, car-free trails for all levels. Need some gear or advice on where to go? Visit Pete Lane’s Outdoor Adventure Center. Then lace up your boots and explore the Wood River Valley, which is hemmed in by the Smoky, Boulder and Pioneer Mountains. You’re within an hour’s drive of the Sawtooth, White Cloud and Lost River mountain ranges, too.
 
Mountain Biking

If you’re a mountain biker, you can also use those 400 miles of single-track trails! Start mellow with a ride around the White Clouds Trail. You can even hire a shuttle service and then take a whole day’s ride back to town via Fox Peak.
 
Love to cruise on two wheels, but on more level ground? The Wood River Trail is for you. This 20-plus-mile, paved, multi-use trail is used year-round and connects the Wood River Valley, including Bellevue, Hailey, Ketchum and Sun Valley.

 
Fly-Fishing
Cast a line in the cold, clear running rivers of Sun Valley. You can head out on your own or with an expert guide. There are four diverse waterways to explore, where you may reel in a brown trout in Silver Creek, a cutthroat in the Lost River or an apex bull trout on the Salmon River.

 
Exploring Silver Creek Preserve
If you’re fly fishing, it’s likely that you’ll make your way to Silver Creek for its legendary angling. Stay while and look for the sandhill cranes and waterfowl, depending on the season, spot wildlife, from eagles and hawks to bobcats and elk. Birdwatchers love it here for the more than 150 species of birds that have been identified along the self-guided nature trail.

 
Sport Shooting
Join the shooting pros and certified instructors who can teach you about trap, five-stand and sporting clays.

 
Sun Valley Lake
Rent a paddleboat and venture out into Sun Valley Lake on a warm summer’s day, returning to shoe for a game of horseshoes or beach volleyball match.

Embrace the Wild West in Idaho and go horseback riding with Sun Valley Stables and Western Horseman’s Center. There are trail rides and wagon experiences for all experience levels, as well as lessons and training programs. Plus, you can take a tour of Sun Valley’s most historic wagons and carriages.

Golfing

Golf is taken almost as seriously as skiing in Sun Valley. Tee off at the Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed, 18-hole Trail Creek championship course, the alpine links-style, 9-hole White Clouds Course (with 360-degree views of the Wood River Valley). There’s even a 25-acre practice facility and the 18-hole Sawtooth Putting Course.

Tennis
Improve your game with a tennis pro at one of the Rocky Mountain West’s top tennis center. Or, sign the kids up for Junior Tennis Camp while you relax at the Olympic Pool.

 
Visiting Farmers’ Markets
Taste the valley’s bounty at the Ketchum Market in the lower River Run parking lot at the base of Bald Mountain. You’ll find numerous stalls featuring fresh, local vegetables, fruit, eggs, meat and dairy products, fresh flowers, handcrafted baked goods, beverages and artisan jewelry and crafts. Sounds like a good place to shop for a picnic for today’s hike!

 
Go Skateboarding
Join the local skateboarders of all ages and abilities at the Guy Coles Skate Park, which you’ll find en route to the Warm Springs base area. Nearby Big Wood River is a popular spot for an apres-skateboarding dip on a hot summer’s day.

Not far from the Wood River Valley, you can explore a lunar-like landscape at Craters of the Moon, making for as cool a day trip as they get. Check out volcanic rifts, cinder cones, spatter cones and lava tube caves, keeping an eye out for the many plants and animals that have adapted to the harsh environment. Activities include hiking, bird watching and caving (with a permit).

Playing on the River

The Sun Valley area’s rivers are famous for their rafting, kayaking and tubing possibilities. As you run the rivers, you’ll find the Salmon River and Payette River hot springs, Indian pictographs, soaring cliffs and great trout fishing.

Day-Tripping

Those in the know in Sun Valley suggest a day out at Redfish Lake, where you can swim and play on the beach, then raft the Salmon River. Check out the funky western streets of Stanley.

Taking a Scenic Drive

Spend a day cruising the Sawtooth Scenic Byway, which has the distinction of being the 100th National Forest Scenic Byway. You’ll wind your way through fertile farm land and through Sun Valley, Hailey and Ketchum.

Year-Round

Swimming
Treat those ski- or hiking-weary muscles in the heated pool and Jacuzzi at the Sun Valley Lodge. The fitness center is well equipped and there’s a lovely yoga room to use as well. (During the summer only, the Olympic Pool is also open, as well as its grounds, which include volleyball courts, soccer fields and lawn games.)

Touring Craft Breweries
Any time of year is great for checking out the brews at the local watering holes. Try the freshly brewed wine and spirits at Warfields Distillery and Brewery, the wines at Sun Valley Wine Company or a flight of beers at the Sawtooth Brewery Public House.

Sun Valley Village will satisfy all your shopping needs in a charming Main Street, USA style with a touch of panache. In fact, there’s even a boutique called Panache, your first stop for high-end women’s fashion (perhaps for a romantic night out while you’re here?). From golf gear to skis, toys to fine jewelry, there’s a shop for every interest and taste.
 
Venture to Ketchum for even more choices, such as adorable homewares housed in an even more adorable cottage shop, all manner of outdoor gear and bookstores you can get lost in.
 
Dining

All that fresh mountain air is going to leave you with a hearty appetite. And the Sun Valley dining scene won’t fail to fill you up. This is where farm-to-table is a given, thanks to the local, organic and sustainable bounty within minutes of Sun Valley. Start your day in a homey coffee shop, then branch out later for huge steaks, Asian fusion tapas, sushi, huge Idaho potatoes and so much more. There are more than 50 restaurants and nightlife venues in the Sun valley and Ketchum area.

Checking Out the Night Sky

Did you know Sun Valley is in the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, ranked the United States’ first Gold-Tier International Dark Sky Reserve. The lack of light pollution makes for incredible stargazing, so bring your eyes, your binoculars and your telescopes to check out planets, the Milky Way, meteors, comets and deep-sky objects.

Celebrating the Arts
If you’re a lover of the arts, you’ll adore Sun Valley for its numerous galleries, live theater companies, Sun Valley Film Festival, free summer symphony concerts and the Sun Valley Center for the Arts. There’s an opera house in the heart of Sun Valley Village, ballet performances, a history museum and more.

 
Saying Hi to Papa Hemi
Did you know Ernest Hemingway fished, hunted, wrote and passed away in the Sun Valley area? Celebrate this literary legend with a stop at the Hemingway Memorial or visiting his favorite haunts. Take a narrated walking tour, available through the library. If you’re in town in September, definitely check out the Ernest Hemingway Festival.
 

Playing at Galena Lodge
Spend a day exploring this day lodge and its countless outdoor recreation opportunities. The Galena Lodge is in the heart of the Boulder Mountains a short drive from Sun Valley Resort and Ketchum. Hikers, runners, horseback riding visitors and mountain bikers can all access the 47-mile network of non-motorized single-track trail. In the winter, it’s a great base area for cross country skiers and snowshoers.

Where to Stay

 
There are countless rental and hotel-style accommodations through the Sun Valley Area. If you really want to be in the heart of the action, consider the Sun Valley Lodge or Sun Valley Inn.

 
Sun Valley Lodge: The granddaddy of Sun Valley accommodations, the legendary Sun Valley Lodge has been expanded to include new and larger guest rooms, a massive destination spa, a world-class fitness center and yoga studio, an airy, glass-enclosed pool and re-imagined restaurants.

 
Sun Valley Inn: For a more intimate, Austrian ski chalet-inspired stay, consider the Sun Valley Inn, which opened in 1937. The Ram restaurant on-site is delightful, while the Village Station graciously welcomes families.
 

Cottages: For your family or group of friends, consider one of the eight varieties of chalet-style cottages available at Sun Valley. You can choose from two to seven bedrooms, plus you get to use all the amenities at the Sun Valley Lodge.