Before Count Felix Schaffgosch arrived in Ketchum and created “America’s First Destination Ski Resort,” the area had already experienced the boom and bust of a profitable mining settlement, the rise of sheep ranching, and the quiet days of the Great Depression. The Wood River Valley was settled in the 1860’s by a handful of mining prospectors, and by 1880 the area was on its way to being one of the richest silver mining regions. Mule and horse-drawn wagons transported ore between the mines and Union Pacific depots until the rail line extended into Ketchum. After the silver bust in the 1890’s sheep ranching in the area grew from the 1890’s to the 1920’s, when Ketchum became the largest sheep and lamb shipping station in the United States. Though the town changed with the creation of Sun Valley Resort, the past lived on in buildings, ranches, and colorful stories. Through activities like horseback riding, sport shooting, and festivals like Wagon Days and Trailing of the Sheep the story of the area is not being forgotten and you can still experience the Western heritage of this one-time mining town. Horseback Riding While Sun Valley may not flaunt its reputation as a part of the …
Galena Lodge: Where You Should Take Your Family This Summer
Galena Lodge has all the ingredients for an awesome and memorable family day in the mountains. Take advantage of mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, great food, cool vibes and breathtaking views all at the special Galena Lodge.
Sun Valley: Where the Beer and Healthy Initiatives Flow Like Wine
SKI towns typically are not synonymous with health. After a full day of shredding we post up for pints, happy hour discounted nachos, and chicken wings. Our mogul-mashing thighs have earned it, right? Après festivities filled with celebratory beers, and Irving’s Hot Dogs are the norm. However, this all shouldn’t overshadow the abundance of healthy initiatives that lie at the core of this Valley. The abundance of wellness oriented events, fitness clubs, spas, and health conscious food resources here in Sun Valley encourage an overwhelming sense of well-being to locals and visitors alike.
Finding Water in a Desert: A Guide to Sun Valley’s Swimming Spots
Sure Sun Valley might technically be considered a desert region, but believe me, there is no shortage of natural water sources. Keep in mind I’m still far from the highly acclaimed local status but if a fellow Out-of-Towner asked me, my top 5 spots thus far would have to be:
What We’re Made Of: Wood River Farmers Market
words by Hayden Seder There’s a saying that the best way to know a place is to eat its food. During summer and fall, the Wood River Valley flourishes with a bounty of locally produced food, from tomatoes, bread, and eggs to squash, mustard, and sauerkraut. The Wood River Farmers Market displays its homegrown goods and crafts twice a week during its four-month season. Given the relatively short season of the market and the quality of food available, it’s no wonder that lines start forming long before the market’s bell goes off to signal that vendors are open for business. How It Started The first Wood River Market was held in June 2000, after a group of farmers who had been sporadically in the area wanted a more structured approach to selling, ideally somewhere in downtown Ketchum. They approached Ketchum’s Atkinsons’ grocery store to see if they could work together in some way. Atkinsons’ knew that Tuesday afternoons were typically slow, so it seemed the perfect time to work with the farmers, who they set up in the city-owned lot across the street that the store used for parking at the time (in what is now the town square). The …
The Dirtbag Guide to Sun Valley: How to Enjoy the Area Without Breaking the Bank!
words by Hayden Seder Sun Valley is known for its beautiful mountains, access to the outdoors, small-town hospitality, and practically perfect weather, but it’s also known for being pretty pricey. But it doesn’t have to be. Read on for the “dirtbag” guide to the area, perfect for those who want to enjoy all Sun Valley has to offer without spending an arm and a leg. Where to Stay If the price of an Airbnb or hotel has turned you off, fret not—there’s plenty of free or cheap camping available just a short distance from town. The easiest and closest are located out Trail Creek, just a few minutes past the Sun Valley Resort. The first is Boundary Campground, which has nine non-reservation campsites that run $10/site per day. The campground has a vault toilet and a hand pump for drinking water, so even if you decide to look for free camping, this is a good stop for some resources. Each site has a fire ring, grill stand, and picnic table, and the campground itself has trash service. Stay limit is three days. Farther out Trail Creek are a slew of dispersed campsites, where one can stay for free up to …
Guide to White Water Rafting Near Sun Valley
Rafting on any of the numerous sections of rivers surrounding the Sun Valley area can be the experience of a lifetime. Taking in the beauty of Idaho from the swirling waters of its beautiful rivers is truly a unique experience to our area. While for many, a white water rafting trip is synonymous with a multi-day trip, complete with nights around the campfire and food fresh from the Dutch-oven, there are plenty of half- and full-day rafting opportunities in the Sun Valley area. Half, Full Day & Lunch River Trips Sawtooth Adventure Company Sawtooth Adventure Company specializes in whitewater rafting trips for the entire family on the Salmon River. SAC has a variety of half-day and full day trip offerings on the Main Salmon and multi-day trips Middle Fork of the Salmon. One of SAC’s unique offerings is their Twilight Dinner Trips offering top-shelf experience on the Salmon River reserved for private groups. Twilight trips Dutch Oven entrees, creative salads, grilled meats, beer, wine, live music and s’mores. For a complete line-up of their offerings, be sure to check out Sawtooth Adventure Company site. White Cloud Rafting Adventures Offering half- and full-day trips on various sections of the Main Salmon …
Most Instagrammable places in Sun Valley, Idaho
If you have ever visited the Sun Valley area, chances are there is at least one image of our breathtaking locale in your Instagram feed. Or maybe you haven’t visited yet but hashtags like #seeksunvalley on our @Instagram page have caught your attention and have drawn you into exploring this amazing place. Whether you are a seasoned visitor or a first timer, we complied a list of the must see places in and around Sun Valley to fill your Instagram feed with the best there is to offer. The Sun Valley Barn An icon of Sun Valley, many a photo has been taken in front of this barn and numerous reproductions of it in paintings and memorabilia have been made over the years. Located on Sun Valley Road between Ketchum and Sun Valley, the red barn is hard to miss. Built in the early 1880s, its thought that this barn used to service ore wagons that traveled Trail Creek Road. Speaking of, swing by the Ore Wagon Museum for some more history and to grab a few grams there too. Across Sun Valley Road from the barn is a stop many make to photograph the beautiful horses that are occasionally …
Fly and Ride! Traveling to Sun Valley with Your Bike
words by Hayden Seder While there are plenty of places to rent a mountain bike in the area for Sun Valley mountain biking, having your own bike on the trails makes them that much sweeter. But flying with your bike is a pain . . . right? Not so much these days, where for a short amount of prep and the cost of checking a bag, you can have your bike on your next vacay to Sun Valley, where the area promises over 400 miles of singletrack. With how much riding you’re going to be doing, you’re going to want a bike that fits you perfectly and has all the specs adjusted to your liking. So read on for Visit Sun Valley’s guide to flying your bike to Sun Valley. Getting Your Bike Ready to Fly There are a few options for what to pack your bike in to fly, namely either a hard or soft case or a cardboard bike box. Many local bike shops carry the cardboard boxes and will either give them to you for free or for just a couple bucks. Assuming you pack the bike correctly, most airlines will accept this. The other option is …
Chasing Elevation: Trail Running Adventures in Sun Valley
“Some places are built for trail running. Sun Valley feels like it was born for it.” Early mornings on alpine singletrack. Cool mountain air even in July. Long climbs that open into massive views of Idaho wilderness. Whether you’re chasing a finish line or simply looking for your next favorite trail, summer in Sun Valley offers a rare combination of race culture, high-elevation adventure, and endlessly runnable terrain. Why the Sun Valley Area is a Trail Runner’s Dream Destination Sun Valley and Ketchum sit at 5,850 feet in elevation, making the area an ideal place to experience the benefits of altitude training without immediately pushing into extreme elevations. Summer weather opens the door to endless trail running opportunities, with cool mornings and crisp mountain air creating perfect conditions for longer adventures before the afternoon heat arrives. From Bellevue to Galena Summit and beyond, the Wood River Valley offers an expansive network of trails ranging from smooth beginner-friendly paths to rugged mountain terrain built for serious endurance athletes. One of the best parts of trail running here is accessibility. Many trails begin just minutes from downtown Ketchum, allowing runners to move from coffee shop to trailhead in no time. Around here, …