Sun Valley Local Guide
Sun Valley Resort is comprised of the two mountains located in the town of Ketchum, Idaho: Dollar and Bald. Dollar Mountain houses beginner to intermediate terrain, as well as big park with pipe features. Bald Mountain rises from the town of Ketchum and holds beginner to expert terrain. With a constant pitch over 3,400 vertical feet, Bald Mountain will make your legs burn but your face smile.
Bald Mountain funnels to two bases, River Run and Warm Springs, each with parking, making both easily accessible from town. With 105 runs, seventeen chairlifts and 3,400 vertical feet, you will not run out of terrain to ski. Seven different on-mountain restaurants will help keep you fueled and in good spirits while you attack all this resort has to offer.
Off-Mountain Activities:
Snowmobiling
There are more than 100 miles of groomed trails located within an hour of Sun Valley area as well as a wide open backcountry acreage. It is best to use a local guide or company to set up your snowmobiling experience. There are several in Sun Valley that rent sleds, like Ryan’s Mountain Rentals (http://www.ryansmountainrentals.com/) and other companies that will take you out for a half day or full day ride like Sawtooth Traxx (https://www.sawtoothtraxx.com/).
Ice Skating
Believe it or not, the outdoor skating rink located in Sun Valley resort, is year-round. The outdoor rink is open daily from 10:00am — 8:00pm and offers classes on Friday from 4:00pm — 5:00pm. You can rent figure or hockey skates right there, or bring your own.
Heli-Skiing
Who doesn’t want to go Heli-Skiing? Get access to some of the most amazing terrain Idaho and the West has to offer. Sun Valley Heli-Ski (www.sunvalleyheliski.com) has all kinds of packages to suit anyone’s needs. Don’t want to ski? They also offer scenic flights that showcase the Pioneer, Smoky and Boulder Mountain ranges.
Nordic Skiing
With over 200km of networked and groomed trails, Nordic Skiing is not a hobby in Sun Valley. This is skinny ski heaven, infact the US Olympic Committee designated it the country’s first Nordic Training Site. Not comfortable on Nordic Skis, there are plenty of snowshoe designated trails as well.
Restaurants:
On Mountain:
The Roundhouse: Perched atop the Roundhouse Gondola on Baldy, the Roundhouse has been serving up memorable meals, soul-warming drinks, stunning views, fondue by the fire and good cheer since 1939. This is where a beautiful day of skiing ends — or, if you want to dine with an exquisite view and without the skis, you can take the gondola up.
Seattle Ridge Day Lodge:
Glide in to Seattle Ridge Lodge, right atop the slopes, and enjoy a bite and beverage when the midday munchies set in. Specializing in wood-fired fare, this restaurant offers grilled steaks and fish, burgers you won’t believe and barbecue to write home about, along with a large variety of food to grab on the go. Our chefs will build salads to order, which you can take with you or enjoy while appreciating one of the most panoramic views in North America.
In Town:
Sawtooth Club:
The Sawtooth Club has been the gathering place for Ketchum locals and visitors alike for more than 25 years-and for good reason. Always warm, comfortable, and welcoming, intimate yet lively. Rustic elegance and sophistication without pretension. The Sawtooth Club is downtown Ketchum at it’s very best!
Rickshaw:
Serving “ethnic street foods”, as chef Andreas Heaphy likes to say, Rickshaw has been well-received by locals, visitors and critics alike. Creative, fresh, small plates are inspired by the flavors and foods in locales such as Thailand, Vietnam, China, and Indonesia.
Grumpy’s:
It started as a place the working man & local could come, have a beer & burger and not be bothered; you see…Grumpy’s has never had a phone. Today, Grumpy’s is the favorite of locals and tourists alike, “We serve everyone from Tom Hanks to the Town Drunk,” as a bartender was overheard saying.
Resources:
Visit Sun Valley: www.visitsunvalley.com
Sun Valley Resort: www.sunvalley.com
