written by Hayden Seder In downtown Ketchum, next to Java and across from Rickshaw, there’s a small white building that houses the Environmental Resource Center (ERC). While this unassuming building may not look like much, the nonprofit organization it houses has been operating in the Wood River Valley for over 30 years, connecting people to nature through education and action. In addition to their current initiatives and programs, the ERC is now the new stewards of the Sun Valley Mountain Huts as well, opening up further possibilities of connecting locals and visitors with the area’s natural surroundings. History of the ERC The ERC got its start 32 years ago as just a handful of passionate locals who believed that environmental action and education were imperative to sustain the beauty of our area. What that looked like has changed greatly over the years, from leading beaver dam tours back in the day to starting some of the earliest conversations around recycling the Wood River Valley and ride-sharing, which then ultimately transformed into the start of Mountain Rides. While the forms it’s taken have varied over the years, the mission of the ERC to provide education and inspire action to cultivate a …
Get to Know Every Ice Rink in the Wood River Valley
written by Hayden Seder For those visiting the Wood River Valley this winter season, put away the skis and sleds for a day and try a different winter activity: skating! Whether you’re a complete beginner or a pro on the ice, lacing up a pair of figure or hockey skates can be a great family friendly activity. There are three rinks to choose from, from a completely free outdoor rink in Ketchum to the historic Sun Valley Ice Rink in the heart of the Sun Valley Village and the Campion Ice House in Hailey. Whether you visit all three or just stick to one, you’ll be sure to have fun! Campion Ice House Prior to the building of the Campion Ice House in 2015, Hailey made do each winter with a free, outdoor natural ice sheet, first at Roberta McKercher Park and then the Hailey Rodeo grounds. But the community wanted an enclosed ice arena, and thus the Campion Ice House was born, providing an affordable skating facility in Hailey as well as a home for the local Sun Valley Suns amateur ice hockey team. The facility runs numerous events and programming, including learn-to-skate clinics, a curling league and clinics, …
Sun Valley: A Spiritual Vortex
There’s a certain magnetism to Sun Valley, a pull that draws in people from all walks of life. People come to vacation here for a few days and decide to move here. Celebrities, athletes, chefs, artists, and all manner of passionate people are drawn to this special place. The reason, according to Life Purpose Shaman, the owner of the Shaman’s Healing Sanctuary aka Crystal Healing Room in Ketchum, is a positive energy vortex at the center of Sun Valley which she discovered 25 years ago. Shaman has had 30-plus years of experience healing, including receiving mentoring from Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa, and the Dalai Lama. Shaman explains how and why she came to Sun Valley and the impact of the vortex on the energy of our town and its inhabitants. What originally brought you to Sun Valley? Shaman: Over 25 years ago, I actually saw a vision of the energy and vibration that’s in Sun Valley. I am an intuitive, spiritual healer who connects with the vibration or frequency of the earth’s vortexes. Since I was very young, I’ve studied with many different shamans and healers and spiritual leaders because of my abilities. When I had this vision, …
Sun Valley, Idaho: Your Next Mountain Biking Bucket List Destination
Bucket list — it’s a term often used to describe mountain biking in Sun Valley. What makes this place deserving of such a lofty moniker? First, there’s literally hundreds of miles of prime Idaho singletrack, and because the valley flies under the radar of mainstream mountain bike enthusiasts, there’s not a ton of folks competing for real estate. Heard of the movie Private Idaho? It’s pretty common to feel like you’ve got the place pretty much to yourself. With so many options, where do you start? Well, it’s helpful to size up what kind of riding you’re looking for. Are you the meadow-skipping sort who’s in it for stunning scenery more than white-knuckle descending, or are you rip ready for a rugged, sub-alpine adventure that will leave your legs and arms feeling like a raw tartare you might find on a French menu? Never fear, because we’ve got it all here and can steer you in the right direction.
How to Fall in Love with Fall in Sun Valley: A Bucket List
This is your guide for how to Fall in Love with Fall in Sun Valley, Idaho. From hiking to leaf peeping see why this is the best kept secret season.
20 Things You Didn’t Know About Sun Valley
A smattering of things you might not have know about Sun Valley, Idaho.
The Greatest Golf Tourney On Earth – The Ketchum Wide Open
The official score card of destiny Harley’s for hangovers, Banks Gilberti must still be looking for his passport. It began nearly a quarter century ago as a way to pass time during spring slack season at a time of year when the tourists are not on tour and the locals are getting a little restless. It’s a basic yet brilliant concept: the bars and restaurants in town rally together and each creates a mini-golf hole to try and befuddle even the savviest golfer. Athletes congregate in teams of two and play a round of ultimate mini golf. Bonuses are awarded for various actions and everyone tries to make it all the way around town before the closing bell rings. Costumes are taken seriously in Sun Valley and the KWO as it is affectionately known brings out the best of the best. The Vikings and the Americans battle for the title in a previous year’s KWO. It’s no joke and if there was ever a winter of preparation to get ready for this event Sun Valley has got it. Spend hours upon hours at après and you are the finely tuned machine who will come and represent. Registration starts promptly at …
How to Skin Up Baldy & Dollar
If you’re someone who likes to earn their turns (or just doesn’t want to pay to ski or ride), skinning up Baldy or Dollar is the move, garnering you plenty of runs for the cost of free-ninety-nine. But as both mountains are operated by the Sun Valley Resort, there are a couple rules to follow to ensure a safe and fun skin, as well as a few guidelines on what gear you’ll need. The Rules All of Sun Valley’s rules and guidelines for skiing Baldy and Dollar can be found on their website (or app) under “After-Hours Access.” This page is full of all sorts of information, including the mountain report, which will tell you the temperature (at both base and top); runs that are open and/or groomed; how much it has snowed this season, in the last week, in the last 24 hours, and overnight; how fast winds are blowing; and a small blurb giving any pertinent announcements/updates, weather forecast, webcams for various spots on both mountains. You can also sign up for email and/or text alerts for uphill access, which will let you know about closures, conditions, and more that might affect skinning. Baldy: The rules for each …
Complete Guide to Cross-Country Skiing Sun Valley
Each winter, at the first hint of snow, local Nordic skiers pull out their gear and anxiously await the inaugural groom of the season. From the first pass of the snowcat in early winter until the trails disappear in spring’s warmth, stoke runs high. These long-time skiers know what many others are about to find out—that cross-country skiing is a great way to explore the mountains, clear the mind, and, especially this year, socially distance. While the pandemic may be partially responsible for this year’s meteoric rise in the sport’s popularity, cross-country skiing’s roots run deep in Sun Valley. Over 200 kilometers of Nordic ski trails wind through the Sun Valley area from Hailey in the south to Galena Lodge, tucked in the Boulder Mountains north of Ketchum. Our world-class trails are not only a destination for skiers from around the globe but are also the United States’ only designated cross-country skiing Olympic and Paralympic training site. Exploring Sun Valley’s Nordic scene for the first time can get a little overwhelming, but we’re here to help. In this guide, we give you the 411 on everything from where to ski to who can help you get the right gear. See …