Think of a place that has 250 days of sunshine every year. Ernest Hemingway wrote “For Whom the Bell Tolls” there. It was the birthplace of the very first chair lift for skiing. Any guesses? The answer is Sun Valley, Idaho. Although this destination is a great place to visit all year round, this Western destination is a winter lover’s paradise. Whether you ski, snowboard, or prefer to apres ski with a drink, Sun Valley is the place to be during wintertime.
Sun Valley is home to world-class skiing and is considered the birthplace of destination skiing. It is also the location for the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals in March 2025. Whether you prefer to hit the ski slopes or carve up the mountain on your snowboard, Sun Valley has wintertime activities for everyone. Here are all the ways you can get outside into the great outdoors and plan a winter adventure to Sun Valley, Idaho. (Don’t worry, there are also plenty of ways to stay warm too).
Winter Activities in Sun Valley
Skiing and Snowboarding
First up is skiing and snowboarding at Dollar Mountain or Bald Mountain, which is fondly referred to as “Baldy” by the locals. Dollar Mountain is a great mountain for beginners and intermediate skiers and boarders, but if you need something a little more challenging, head over to Bald Mountain, which is home to 2,500+ acres of terrain, including expert-level double black diamond runs. There have also been so exciting updates in recent years. In 2023 and 2024, new chair lifts opened, which helped to expand terrain access.
If hitting the slopes is not your jam, you may still want to take a ride up Bald Mountain using the gondola. The gondola ride will not take you to the top of Baldy, but you will come pretty close. Enjoy the views at the top and grab some food at the lodge before making your way back down the mountain.
If you feel like staying for a meal, consider making a reservation at The Roundhouse. Only accessible by gondola, this restaurant is a popular option so be sure to make reservations plenty in advance.
Snowshoeing
If you prefer to stay off the slopes and stick to mostly flat terrain, head up to Galena Lodge for some cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. With a variety of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails, Galena Lodge is a great spot to fit in some outdoor wintertime activities. After an active morning enjoying the fresh mountain air and snow-capped mountain tops, head into the lodge for a hot meal. We recommend the hamburger, but the chilli is a well-known favourite.
Ice Skating
Channel the wintertime vibes with a skate around the ice rink and head over to the Christina Potters Outdoor Ice Rink in Ketchum. The largest non-refrigerated ice rink in the Pacific Northwest, the Christina Potters Outdoor Ice Rink is located in Atkinsons’ Park and covers almost two acres. The best part about this ice rink is that it is entirely free to the public. That is right. You can rent skates, helmets, hockey pucks, and sticks at no charge. Need to warm up? Head over to the rec centre next door to sip on a piping hot mug of hot chocolate. You can also head up to Sun Valley Resort to skate their ice rink, but that one will cost you a fee to use.
Hiking
Although Sun Valley is a great spot for summertime hiking, the town also provides some winter trails including Trail Creek Path, White Clouds Trail, and the Wood River Trail. This is a great option for those individuals who prefer to be outside in the wintertime without anything strapped to their feet.
Stargazing
All about astronomy? Grab a star map and telescope and do some winter stargazing. Although it may seem super cold, being you have to do this at night, winter is the best time for stargazing. Stars are generally easier to see in the winter because colder air tends to be clearer with less humidity, resulting in a less hazy sky and brighter star visibility compared to warmer seasons like summer. This makes winter the best season for stargazing. Just be sure to bundle up with many layers to stay warm.
Check Out the Wood River Museum of History and Culture
Opening its doors in the summer of 2023, the Wood River Museum of History and Culture is a free-admission museum that houses a variety of exhibits. Many include interactive elements, where visitors are encouraged to talk, type, write, and remember – because we all are part of history. Our personal favorite was the Ernest Hemingway exhibit.
He even wrote “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” during his time in Ketchum. If you feel like taking a brief one-mile walk to the Ketchum Cemetery just outside of town, you can pay your respects to this great writer at his gravesite. Be sure to bring a pen or a mini bottle of your favourite drink and toast him as so many visitors have done before, which is evident by the bar collection at his tombstone.
Curl Up with a Good Book at the Community Library
You may not think to visit a community library whilst vacationing, but the Community Library in downtown Ketchum is worth a stop. Home to a robust collection of artifacts and materials from Ernest Hemingway’s time in Idaho, the library’s unique design and soaring stone fireplace reflects the mountain surroundings and is the perfect place to curl up and warm up with a good book.
Explore Downtown Ketchum
Exploring downtown Ketchum will require some walking around to local art galleries, boutiques, and shops, but it is worth braving the blustery winter weather. (And everything is located close together so your walk will never be too long). Our favorite was The Farmer’s Daughter. We also adore the local bookshops, preferably Chapter One Bookstore. Other favourites amongst visitors include Gold Mine Consign and Gold Mine Thrift Shop, where you never know what kind of treasures you will find.
As silly as it sounds, stop by one of the branded shops in town, Starbucks. Although the locals despise any big brand names that try to come into town, this is by far one of the cutest Starbucks, complete with a giant log wall outside and a strand or two of twinkle lights strumming up the building. Visit Sun Valley, the local tourism board, also has an information station in the same building, so stop by and get some ideas on what to do during your stay.
Now this one may sound even sillier, but swing by the Atkinsons’ Market. This local grocer has some of the best (and healthier brands) and is great for a wander. Be sure to pick up one of their giant baked cookies that are freshly baked in-house, and are super soft. We recommend the sugar cookie with rainbow sprinkles.
Hot Yoga at Gather Yoga
Get your sweat on and warm up with a yoga class at Gather Yoga Studio. We took a Friday morning vinyasa class, “Power Vinyasa – Flow State of Mind Vinyasa,” where the room is heated to 95º-105º using red light rays to warm you up from the inside out. This class was no joke and had us sweaty and sore, but in the best way. However, if you are looking for an easy flow to get your morning zen on, opt for a different class.
Walk Up to Sun Valley Village
If you feel like a breath of fresh air in between downtown shops, take a brisk walk up to Sun Valley Village, a self-contained, family-friendly neighbourhood in Sun Valley, the Sun Valley Village is the heart of the Sun Valley Resort. Reminiscent of a cute little European mountain town offering visitors a variety of activities, including horse-drawn sleigh rides, restaurants, and shops. Although Sun Valley Village is accessible by foot, you can also hop on one of the complimentary town buses to get you there.
Where to Stay in Sun Valley
We recommend staying at the historic Sun Valley Lodge. With an onsite spa to relax at the end of a day out on the slopes and only steps away from Sun Valley Village, not to mention Dollar Mountain, Sun Valley Lodge is the place to be. If you prefer to be closer to Bald Mountain and downtown Ketchum, book a stay at Hotel Ketchum or the Limelight Hotel.
We opted to stay at Hotel Ketchum, which is conveniently located right downtown so you are never too far away from mouthwatering restaurants and one-of-a-kind shops. It is also connected to Black Tie Ski Rental, which is where we borrowed our skis and snowboards from. The team there is incredibly helpful and kind. Hotel Ketchum has the cutest little lobby to check in at and it is constantly supplied with endless cups of hot chocolate for you to enjoy, not to mention the roaring fire, which is front and center. Grab your reusable water bottle and fill up at the water filter station, which is conveniently located in the lobby as well.
Oh and did we mention, some of the rooms have their very own fireplaces with the cutest little corner nook overlooking Bald Mountain? Yep, we’re serious. Another great part about staying at Hotel Ketchum is that they have a gear garage with equipment for you to use during your stay. Think of things like e-bikes, snowshoes, and stargazing equipment. A complimentary breakfast made up of hot and cold items is also available at their breakfast building called The Hangout.
Where to Eat in Sun Valley
Honestly, there is no wrong choice regarding restaurants in Sun Valley. We do have a few recommendations, namely, Whiskey’s on Main, The Warfield, Galena Lodge, Rocky Mountain Pizza and Pasta, Dollar Mountain Lodge, Warm Springs Lodge, The Cellar Pub (order the fish and chips) and Sun Valley Wine Company.
Galena Lodge, Dollar Mountain Lodge, and Warm Springs Lodge are each located at different mountains and are usually visited by skiers and snowboarders, but that does not mean you cannot stop in for a bite. For instance, the Galena Lodge is about a 20-30 minute drive from town and is mainly frequented by those using the cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails. However, it is such a good spot, that locals come for the drive and a meal just so they can catch up with a drink, good food, and good company.
Getting to Sun Valley
United Airlines now offers direct flights from Chicago to Sun Valley and can get you there in around three hours, give or take. If by chance you cannot find a direct flight, most travellers will fly to Denver or Salt Lake City and catch a connecting flight over to Sun Valley that way. Either way, it is a super quick jaunt and does not feel as far as it looks on a map. You can also schedule a pick-up and drop-off with a local taxi company, Aardvark Taxi and Shuttle and some local hotels offer airport shuttle service. However, once you get into town, you can easily access Sun Valley’s free bus system, Mountain Rides, which takes you all around town and to the nearby surrounding areas.
Why You Should Visit Sun Valley
Okay, so why should you come to Sun Valley? Seriously. Why would you fly over and skip great ski spots like Aspen, Park City, and Vail to go to Idaho? “In Sun Valley/Ketchum Idaho you will find a laid-back unpretentious vibe, friendly locals, and an incredible array of outdoor recreation, big city arts and culture, and a myriad of other year-round experiences,” says Ray Gadd, Executive Director at Visit Sun Valley.
As a reminder, Sun Valley’s skiing heritage was established in 1936 and its claim to fame is being home to the world’s first chairlift. “Today, the nostalgia, respectfully, is appreciated amidst modern-day advancements in chairlift, snowmaking, and grooming technology,” explains Gadd. “It is one of the few resorts still privately owned while gracefully accepting IKON and Mountain Collective passes.” However, you will not find the lift lines overtaking the majority of resorts these days. “Off the slopes, you will find U.S. Olympic designated Nordic skiing training grounds, endless snowshoe trails, and ice rinks to satiate a variety of recreationalists,” notes Gadd.
If you cannot wait to return to Sun Valley after a winter weekend, consider visiting during a different season for a new set of activities. “Late spring and summer bring blooming wildflowers and ideal conditions for hiking, mountain/gravel biking, and fly fishing amidst the varying topography lining five different mountain ranges,” shares Gadd. “This [time of the year] is a prime time event season with acclaimed happenings such as the Sun Valley Writers’ Conference, Summer Music Festival (Symphony), Ballet, ice shows, and more.
After all, the saying here goes, ‘You’ll come for the winter, but you’ll stay for the summer.’ ” As fall sets in, the landscape transforms into a picturesque tapestry of golden hues, perfect for scenic drives along winding roads or sampling local cuisine. Throughout the year, the area’s vibrant arts scene, with galleries, live music, and cultural events.
“These coupled with the Dark Sky Reserve designation, soul-soothing spas, and fitness studios, along with locally owned and operated stores and restaurants all add another layer of appeal,” adds Gadd. “Collectively, they make Sun Valley and Ketchum an irresistible destination for travellers seeking adventure, relaxation, and natural beauty.”
The next time you plan a trip, consider staying on the sunny side of Sun Valley and we promise, it’ll be worth the hype.
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