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: Salted Sprig
words by Hayden Seder For the size of the Wood River Valley, it is home to an extraordinary number of events, from private dinners held for donors to local nonprofits to wedding receptions to one of the annual events that’s a draw for the area. And behind those events are the many businesses that make them possible, including whole teams of caterers, interior designers, planners, and more. The Salted Sprig, with its new location at 700 N Main Street in Ketchum, is providing a much-needed amenity for the area: a bespoke full-service event space, along with the company’s beloved custom catering and deli takeaway. How It Started Salted Sprig founder Courtney Barnard had never even been to Ketchum when she moved here to take over a former business and start her own three years ago. Courtney had a long history in the restaurant business, working in every capacity—from management to hosting to wine buying to working on a line—but had yet to try owning. She also has a number of food allergies and restrictions, which limits where she can eat out, so the notion of starting a food-inclusive business was appealing. She was living in Wisconsin before moving here, where …
What We’re Made Of: Graphic Designer Cara Shumate
written by Hayden Seder Even if you’re never heard her name, you’ve surely seen the work of graphic designer Cara Shumate, whose digital fingerprints are all over the Wood River Valley. From Tim’s Electric to the Board Bin, Johnny G’s, Gather Yoga, and so much more, her branding and designs have helped many of the area’s most beloved businesses rebrand in the last few years, calling upon Cara’s unique blend of extensive design experience and just overall radness, which translate into branding and designs that businesses young and old covet. Before moving to Sun Valley in 2009, Cara Shumate spent nearly ten years in Tahoe snowboarding and waiting tables before realizing she needed a change. After visiting Sun Valley for 48 Straight, the now-defunct multiday ski and music event, she met someone from Smith Optics who mentioned a potential internship. During that weekend, the community resonated with her, and she eventually made the move. Though the internship didn’t work out, she would eventually work for Smith Optics down the road—but not before working at several restaurants, then Sun Valley Magazine and Scott Sports. “It was not linear, but it worked, and it solidified my roots here.” How She Got …
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 …
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, …
Discover the Magic of Silver Creek Preserve
About 30 minutes south of Ketchum, a spring-fed creek winds through the high desert valley floor beneath the rolling Picabo Hills. Silver Creek Preserve is a unique ecosystem known for its crystal-clear waters, abundant wildlife, and remarkable natural beauty. Trout glide beneath the surface while birds soar overhead, creating a landscape that feels both peaceful and wild. Whether you’re seeking adventure or relaxation, Silver Creek offers an unforgettable experience. What is Silver Creek Preserve? In 1976, The Nature Conservancy purchased 479 acres along Silver Creek with the support of local residents who recognized the importance of protecting this unique ecosystem. At the time, portions of the creek and surrounding land had suffered from overgrazing and overfishing, making restoration a significant undertaking. Over the decades, Silver Creek Preserve has grown to 882 acres and now protects more than 12,600 acres through conservation easements. Today, it stands as one of the most successful private stream conservation efforts in the country, preserving critical habitat for trout, wildlife, and migratory birds while benefiting the entire Wood River Valley ecosystem. Visitors now come from across the country to experience the preserve’s walking trails, visitor center, self-guided audio tour, and world-renowned fly fishing opportunities. Whether you’re …
Best Hikes to Catch the Blooming Wildflowers
Spring and early summer in Sun Valley, Idaho is full of blossoming wildflowers. We’ve compiled a list of the best hikes to view the vibrant wildflower blooming throughout the Wood River Valley.
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!
What We’re Made Of: Ketchum Run Club
written by Hayden Seder It’s hard to imagine in a town as active as Ketchum that there’s never been a run club before, but indeed, before this summer, this was the case. Enter Ketchum Run Club, the Wood River Valley’s newest way to socialize, meet new people, and, of course, run. How It Started Ketchum Run Club (KRC) is the brainchild of two area natives, Meggie Rose and Madison Hendrix. Rose is a personal trainer and group fitness coach at The Mill SV in Ketchum and also offers a variety of online training programs through the Solin app. Despite her obvious love of fitness, running is a relatively new hobby for Rose. Though she did cross-country running in high school and ran on and off in her twenties, it wasn’t until signing up for a half-marathon in Jackson Hole in spring 2024 and getting into the training of the sport that she really fell in love with it, both for the mental clarity and the freedom it provides. Although Madison Hendrix also grew up in the area and thus is plenty active outdoors, it wasn’t until signing up for the Standhope Ultra Challenge 30k two years ago (a lengthy trail …
Sun Valley’s Backcountry: A Short Guide to Long Runs
Sun Valley is a gateway to endless, powder-filled backcountry terrain with awe-inspiring views. Accessible by helicopters, hut systems, snowmobiles, and by human powered means, enthusiasts will revel in the area’s expansive mountain ranges. Here is a short guide to making safe and endless turns across the surrounding bowls, peaks, and glades.