Sun Valley is a mecca for the alpine skier or snowboarder: epic vertical decent, uncrowded trails and brilliant blue skies. But don’t be tricked into thinking the mountain is the only place to spend a winter day. We’ve compiled nine winter activities for a perfect day off the slopes.
10 Ski Experiences You Can Only Have in Sun Valley
From tailgating in the same parkign lot that Warren Miller used to hang to sharing the half-pipe with a gold medalist there are a variety of unique experiences that Sun Valley offers. Check out our top 10.
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.
What We’re Made Of: Terrain Park Manager – Nate Sheehan
Sun Valley, Idaho, known for its terrain perfect for mountain biking, skiing and snowboarding, hiking, and so much more, is home to all forms of adventure seeker from the weekend warrior to the ski bum living out of his car. Nate Sheehan, Sun Valley Resort’s Terrain Parks Manager, heard the siren call of this mountain town himself and accepted the job four years ago having only been to Sun Valley once in 2009. His love of snowboarding and the mountains as well as hitting the single-track on his mountain bikes in the off-season have instilled in him a love of the Sun Valley area as well as a passion for creating a terrain park on Dollar Mountain that will cull the adventurous spirit in all skill of rider. photo: Tal Roberts // Sun Valley Resort // Rider: Nate Sheehan Despite only having ridden in Sun Valley once, Nate brought a life time of snowboard and park expertise with him to the job of Terrain Park Manager. Growing up in Fairfield, Pennsylvania, the home of Ski Liberty, Nate was an avid snowboarder and was even competing in the Mid-Atlantic Snowboard series by the time he was in high school and would …
5 Reasons why Sun Valley is Nordic Skiing Nirvana
The toughest thing about writing this post is to keep the list to five! One trip here is all it will take for you to understand our dilemma. In no particular order, here are our top 5 Reasons why Sun Valley is Nordic Skiing Nirvana. 1. The Views! Yup — they are everywhere. Stick close to town and you will have the ever-present view of our beloved Baldy. That is, until you turn and face the other direction–and then you may feel like you are in the middle of nowhere. And chances are, you will have all of this to yourself. 2. The Trails… All 200km of them! Not only do we have 40km of trails right in town, there are another 160km just outside of town. From the undulating trails at the Sun Valley Resort to the up, down and around trails at Galena to the slight inclines of the Harriman trail, just match your trail selection to your energy and mood. Try the aptly named Psycho or Rip and Tear trails at Galena on a high energy day! 3. The Grooming — Every Day! Another thing that sets Sun Valley apart is the impeccable and predictable grooming. Just get …
Sun Valley: Home to Unassuming, Badass Lady Shredders
Sun Valley is full of badass women, who are ready and willing to introduce you to all sort forms of lady shred adventures from backcountry ski touring wine & cheese picnics to awe-inspiring mountain bike adventures.
Skiing & Snowboarding Sun Valley On a Budget
Believe it or not, many of the mountain lifestyle luxuries can be experienced while on a budget. This guide dishes out the inside tips of how to keep costs down while capitalizing on skiing America’s relatively undiscovered ski & snowboard resort destination.
Après 101: An Insider’s Guide to The “What Comes After Skiing” Culture
Après is hands down every ski town’s favorite French word. In Sun Valley it is taken quite seriously and the options to properly revel in the glory of a day in the mountains can be an overwhelming bounty. After you’ve skied or snowboarded yourself into a crumple of sore legs and blissfully glowing cheeks, your inner Frenchman/woman comes out and you find the magnetism of the bar calling your name, ski boots and all. While one may see après skiing a merely an afternoon bronzing booze-fest, it is in fact time honored tradition as culturally significant as sitting for an espresso after visiting a museum digesting in conversation that which one has witnessed. Just like in art, as skier’s and snowboarders, “it” basically didn’t happen if you didn’t sit around afterwords and recount it over cocktails, beers, or a glass of vino. So we struck out on a perfect morning to ride some great snow with the promise of a top notch après guide as our goal.
Mountain Collective Road Trip
Ahh, the coveted Mountain Collective Pass, your golden ticket to skiing some of the best resorts in the world, two days at a time for one mighty reasonable rate. The perks associated with the $579* price tag should make pulling the credit card out easier than grabbing the first round of après drinks. The only buyer’s remorse that might be associated with the purchase is figuring out which ski hill to hit first. With eleven top-rated destinations spread throughout North America and another thirteen scattered around various other reaches of the world, pinpointing stop #1 can be a daunting task. Not to worry though, we’ve laid out the perfect Mountain Collective road trip that will drop you into a diverse range of jaw-dropping, close-proximity terrain while at the same time giving you the best bang for your buck. Tucked in the heart of the intermountain west lies a primo group of adjacent ski resorts worthy of being at the top or your Mountain Collective checklist. Snowbird/Alta, Snowbasin, Sun Valley, Grand Targhee, and Jackson Hole are chock-full of credentials, including big vertical descents, diverse terrain, and heaps of snow. To top it off, these mountains all sit within a five hour or less drive from one another (1hr flight if driving isn’t your thing) making them prime real estate for a Mountain Collective road trip. Here’s how to tackle these beasts in …
Idaho Ski Resorts Listed by Vertical Drop and Snowfall
Idaho Ski Resorts Ski season is almost here, and Idaho is the place to be if you love cutting through fresh snow on a pair of skis or a snowboard. The state is home to 18 ski resorts, each with its own personality and unique draws. With so many ski resorts to choose from, you’ll be able to enjoy an unforgettable snow season in Idaho. Explore this Infographic of all Idaho Ski Resorts sorted by vertical drop and includes average annual snowfall and skiable acres. Sun Valley Located in central Idaho, Sun Valley was the starting point for Warren Miller who lived and worked at the resort. Sun Valley fulfills its name well. It is known for its sunny days and pleasant temperatures. The resort’s ski runs offer gorgeous scenery and well-groomed trails for skiers of all levels. After a long day on the mountain, warm up in one of the cozy lounges or choose from many available restaurants to fill your belly with good food. Acres: 2,154 Avg. Snowfall: 220” Vertical Drop: 3,400′ Pebble Creek With over 50 named runs and 1,110 acres of land, you really can’t run out of choices at Pebble Creek. This resort …
