Sun Valley is a resort town located in Idaho. While the town is a popular winter destination due to its perfect skiing conditions, the summer season is a great time to visit as well. The list of activities you can do when visiting is endless. Read on to learn more about Sun Valley and what it has to offer.

What To Do In The Winter

The official Sun Valley website likes to refer to the town as “the birthplace of destination skiing” (Skiing & Riding). Bald Mountain, or “Baldy,” is one of the most popular skiing destinations in the world. The mountain belongs to the Smoky Mountains which run through the state of Idaho. On the mountain, you will find 13 chairlifts that serve 3,400 vertical feet. The world’s first ski chairlifts were actually installed in Sun Valley in 1936. At the foot of Bald Mountain, sits Dollar Mountain, a ski hill that caters to young and inexperienced skiers and snowboarders.  

If downhill skiing and snowboarding aren’t for you, perhaps you’ll enjoy Nordic skiing. Sun Valley features numerous trails that are perfect for cross-country skiing. You can also sit back and relax on a scenic sleigh ride.

What To Do In The Summer

When the snow melts and the sun comes out, Sun Valley transforms into the perfect summer getaway. Horseback riding is offered at the Sun Valley Stables and Western Horseman’s Center. There are wagon rides for the family, trail rides for riders of all ages, and private and group instruction for inexperienced riders. At the Sun Valley Gun Club, you’ll find a variety of target shooting experiences.

Fishing, bowling, and tennis are some of the other activities you can do each day during your stay. When you are ready to relax, you can go for a swim in the Sun Valley lake or rent a paddle boat. Before you end your day, catch a movie at the Opera House or watch an ice show featuring some of the world’s top talent.

Where To Stay

The historic Sun Valley Lodge, built in 1936, is the best place to stay in town. Over the years many celebrities have passed through its doors. Ernest Hemingway completed one of his best works, For Whom the Bell Tolls, while staying in the lodge. Hemingway lived in the area for many years and is buried in the nearby town of Ketchum.

For over thirty years, the lodge has hosted the Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference, a popular event for some of the world’s most powerful media and technology leaders. If you stay at one of the lodge’s luxurious rooms, you’ll be treated like royalty. The lodge has a number of suites and available amenities, including a spa and fitness studio. While the Sun Valley Lodge is the best place to stay in town, there are also less expensive lodging options in the surrounding area.