Every spring, the Sun Valley, Idaho area transforms from a skiing and snowboarding Mecca into a lush, wildflower-filled valley with miles of hiking and biking trails in the surrounding five mountain ranges. From mellow loops skirting lakes and rivers, to 12,000-foot rocky mountain peaks, there are plenty of hiking trails to please all levels of hikers throughout Hailey, Ketchum, Sun Valley and beyond.
What We’re Made Of: KDPI- Community Drop-In Radio
words by Hayden Seder If you scroll the radio tuner in your car in the Wood River Valley, there’s a good chance you’ve been stopped by a song on a certain station: maybe it was a deep cut that you didn’t know anyone else out there liked; maybe it was a new band you’d never heard and certainly hadn’t heard on any other stations. Likely, it was on KDPI, the Wood River Valley’s local community radio station at 88.5 FM. This fifteen-year-old station has had numerous locations, all manner of radio shows and hosts, played all the tunes (and even had String Cheese Incident play live in studio once!) and through it all, successfully maintained its mission to connect and amplify the voices of the Wood River Valley, building community one song and one radio show at a time. The History Founder and general manager Mike Scullion started working in the Wood River Valley in the ’90s, at The Mint in Hailey, back when it was owned by Bruce Willis. As part of his job, he would go to the local KSKI radio station every other week to promote the bands coming to play at the Mint. Though Mike had …
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- and Full-Day 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 River, White Cloud …
Golfing Around Sun Valley, Idaho
“This is not all about golf,” is inscribed in a stone marker at the 5th tee box of Sun Valley Resort’s White Clouds golf course, words spoken by the Resort’s owner to commemorate his vision when he dedicated the parcel of land for the golf course. While the Sun Valley area is certainly not all about golf, it’s certainly holding its own in the department with three Sun Valley golf courses—Trail Creek, White Clouds, and Elkhorn—as well as Bigwood and The Valley Club courses. Read on to learn about which style of course will suit your fancy and which clubs have the best afternoon drinks and bites to soak up rays after hitting the links. Sun Valley Resort The Sun Valley Resort is home to three golf courses, each with their own terrain and appeal. Combined, these three courses offer up a total of 45 holes with two driving ranges and putting practice putting opportunities. Sun Valley golf was most recently recognized by Golf Digest as one of the Best Courses in the PNW. Trail Creek The Trail Creek golf course is located at the Sun Valley Club House and is the resort’s signature course. The 18-hole course was designed by Robert …
Fly Fishing in Sun Valley, ID – The Ultimate Guide
The Sun Valley area offers an incredible diversity of fly fishing opportunities for everyone from the casual novice to the ambitious expert. Time to buy a stack of postcards for Mom, because you’ll have plenty of fish stories to tell after wading our local waters.
Spring in Sun Valley: Ski, Fish, and Hike All in One Day
When spring in Sun Valley, Idaho has begun to sprung, with some days convincing you summer is right around the corner, with the sun shining down and the layers coming off, only to have the cold chill of winter come back with a vengeance just a few days later. There’s snow in some spots, mud in others, and a whole lot of unpredictability. But while it may feel a bit murky in this in-between time, it also opens up the opportunity for packed multi sport days, if you’re willing to find the right place and time for each one. Spring in Sun Valley, Idaho is one of the few places in the country where you can ski & snowboard, hike, and fly fish,all in a single day. From casting a line on one of the nearby waterway to skiing Bald Mountain and hiking in Hailey, this guide shows you exactly how to plan the perfect spring multi-sport day. Spring Skiing on Bald Mountain With the morning spent on the water, the temps have had a chance to warm up a bit and it’s time to head to Bald Mountain in Ketchum for some spring skiing on Bald Mountain where …
A Runner’s Tour of the Sun Valley Area
With hundreds of summer trails and plowed paths throughout the winter, the Sun Valley, Idaho area boasts a year-round running season and community to boot. A known mecca for skiers and riders alike, the area triples as a high altitude runner’s paradise. Try any run on this list for inspiring views and challenging routes, just remember to calibrate your pacing to at least 6000 feet of elevation.
How to Fall in Love With Sun Valley in 11 Easy Steps
THERE’S A LOT TO LOVE in Sun Valley — just ask around and you’ll pretty quickly encounter folks who left behind their lives and high-powered careers in big cities like New York and Los Angeles for a chance at the good life in this one-of-a-kind mountain town. If you’ve never been to Idaho’s Wood River Valley, here are a handful of experiences to expect…and which may just turn you into Sun Valley’s newest year-round resident. It’s happened plenty of times before!
The Truth Behind Sun Valley in the Summer
IT MAY BE TEMPTING to pigeonhole Sun Valley as a winter destination (it’s home to one of the top ski resorts in North America, after all). But the options for adventure and fun only increase in proportion to the daily hours of sunlight — meaning that summer in Sun Valley is pretty hard to beat. Here are 19 truths that prove why.
5 Reasons Why Sun Valley Summers Shine
With the mountains in full bloom, a bevy of outdoor pursuits, and a seemingly endless array of festivals and special events, they make it their mission to ensure each weekend is more epic than the last. With plenty of room in the suitcase without the bulky boots and winter gear, get ready for playtime because there is no off-season in Sun Valley’s mountainous backyard.
Spend the Day Cross Country Skiing in Sun Valley
words by Hayden Seder Sun Valley, Idaho, has been referred to by Cross Country Skier magazine as “Nordic Town, USA,” and for good reason. The area is home to roughly 200 km of networked Nordic trails, making it one of the most expansive trail systems around. The US Olympic Committee designated it the country’s first Nordic Olympic and Paralympic Training Site, and several winter events bring Nordic enthusiasts of all ilk from near and far, such as the annual Boulder Mountain Tour, Ski the Rails, the Galena Loppet, and Ride, Stride, and Glide. The Blaine County Recreation District (BCRD), which maintains and manages the local trail system, even provides several “Ski Free Days” each season, giving equal access to the trails to all interested. But don’t take our word for it. Check out our itinerary below for the best way to experience Nordic skiing in the Sun Valley area, from which trails to hit to where to fuel up like the locals do. Morning: For a long day of Nordic skiing, you’re going to want to fuel properly, so head to long-time local establishment Bigwood Bread, where traditional breakfast items, like French toast and breakfast burritos entice, alongside unique menu …