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Summer, Wellness, What We're Made Of

What We’re Made Of – The Sun Valley Wellness Festival

In 1997, a group of wellness-minded community members in Sun Valley decided to host a small event over Memorial Day weekend. Since then, the annual Sun Valley Wellness Festival and Conference (SVWFC) has grown into a major event as well as the longest-running wellness festival in the world. Each year’s festival and conference draws roughly 1,500 people to see speakers such as Ram Dass, Deepak Chopra, and Arianna Huffington, and to the festival portion which includes movement classes, vendors, and the experience park. This year’s 25th annual event will be held from June 10-13, and will focus on COMING HOME. It will explore how social health & well-being define the foundation of our collective wellness, illuminating what it really means to be a community. History After its founding in 1997, the formative team behind the festival started the non-profit arm, the Sun Valley Wellness Institute (SVWI) in 2005. The festival is now run by the institute as well as a Board of Directors, Advisory Council, and current Executive Director Andria Friesen. Over the years, the date of the SVWFC has changed from taking place during the slack month of May to a busy summer event. Its location has varied over the …

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Bucket List, Summer

5 Ways to Avoid the Crowds in Sun Valley this Summer

Have the trails seemed busier? Are you looking to get away from the crowds? Maybe you want to spice things up and explore new territory. While hiking, mountain biking, and camping are all extremely popular activities we have some less trafficked destinations that are hiding right under your nose as well as some other activities to check out. We’ve compiled 5 ways to avoid the crowds in Sun Valley. Your perfect Idaho summer vacation starts here. Hike Dollar Mountain This winter center piece is often forgotten during the summer months and is great if you don’t like traffic on the trails. It’s central location in the valley offers up some great views as well as a different perspective on the area especially during sunset. From the parking lot at the base, head up a gravel road that crosses under Half-Dollar lift. After a bit this road will stop climbing and you can either climb up the more aggressive Dragon’s Back ridge or a more mellow route traversing east towards and up Sepp’s Bowl. There are trails crisscrossing all over Dollar which creates the possibility to hike a different route each time. Disc-Golf Out Warm Springs Arguably the rowdiest of disc …

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24hrs with a Local, Uncategorized

24hrs with a Local: Wellness Festival’s Heather LaMonica Deckard, August

In this monthly series, we check in with one of our adventurous locals to find out how they would spend a perfect 24 hours in Sun Valley. The dog days of summer have arrived, and with them, our favorite combination of warm days, cool nights, and long evenings that beg to be enjoyed with close friends and a favorite beverage in hand. For this August edition of 24hrs Sun Valley, we caught up with Heather LaMonica Deckard, the Executive Director of the Sun Valley Wellness Festival & Conference. This year’s conference, Sun Valley Wellness Virtual, takes place online from August 22-23. Speakers include Dr. Matthew Walker, author of Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams; Seth Cohen, MD, MS, Director of Infectious Disease Medicine at the University of Washington Medical Center and lead of their COVID-19 clinical program; and Nora McInerny, award-winning host of the podcast Terrible, Thanks for Asking.  In addition to the incredible speaker lineup, the Festival also includes guided meditations, movement classes, and sessions on finding happiness and nurturing creativity. Though hosting a virtual event wasn’t what Heather anticipated, she’s excited about the possibilities. “Because it’s virtual, participants can interact with the Festival in ways they haven’t been …

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Arts & Culture

2020 Sun Valley Summer & Fall Events

Events have been an infusion of liveliness to the summer & fall culture in Sun Valley. As with the vast majority of the word we’re living in, these happenings have had to adapt to current state of affairs. In many cases, the ability to host a safe event has not been possible. For others, they have found a way to modify their offerings in ways that range from limited capacities to virtual experiences. While the experiences may not be the same, we’re grateful to still have semblance of their presence. We’ve compiled a list of the 2020 Sun Valley summer & fall events and experiences that are still happening for you to enjoy. Signature Events Sun Valley Wellness Festival & Conference | August 22-23 Attend the annual Sun Valley Wellness Festival & Conference, virtually this year: It is as important as ever to keep well-being top of mind, no matter where you are. This August 22 & 23rd, Sun Valley’s Wellness event is on with a creative adaptation to the virtual realm. Twenty plus groundbreaking presentations by renowned wellness thought leaders will be streamed during the conference. This is your chance to experience a taste of Sun Valley Wellness from the comfort of your home …

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Fall, Innovation, Spring, Summer, Winter

8 places to Catch Up on Work in Sun Valley, Idaho

In our hyper-connected world, it’s hard to unplug. While we hope that getting away from it all is exactly what you do on your next trip to Sun Valley, Idaho, sometimes other responsibilities beckon. If that happens, we’ve got you covered. Check out these five places to catch up on work so you can get back to enjoying your vacation

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Dining, Uncategorized, What We're Made Of

What We’re Made Of – Warfield Distillery & Brewery

At the corner of Main Street and Sun Valley Road stands the Warfield Brewery & Distillery, the only combination brewery and distillery in Idaho. This combination brewery, distillery, and gastropub opened in 2015 and has been a go-to dining and imbibing destination ever since. Whether you’re hitting the roof-top bar in the summer for drinks and to sit around a fire pit or stopping by in the winter after spotting the blue light (which means it’s snowed over three inches in town and beer specials will run until it stops snowing), the Warfield serves up food, beer, and spirits like no other. The Warfield had some big shoes to fill when taking over the building that previously housed two local institutions: The Roosevelt and Slavey’s. The property itself has been in the Werry family since 1936; the Werry siblings were even born in the Sun Valley Lodge and raised in Ketchum. In 1952, the main street saloon known as Slavey’s—or sometimes “Slimey’s” by locals due to its atmosphere and clientele—moved in. Known as Ketchum’s last “honky tonk”, Slavey’s was famous for its live music and dancing, its drinking and brawls, and its annual 4th of July tradition of a horseman …

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Spring, Summer

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 …

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Bucket List, Family, Summer

How to Enjoy the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve with the Family

We make an adaption to an old saying around here. Instead of telling folks they need to “stop and smell the flowers,” we tell people they need to “stop and look up at the stars.” Over 1,416-square-miles of Central Idaho, including Ketchum and Sun Valley, are designated as an official Dark Sky Reserve. The first in the nation and one of just 12 worldwide, our region was selected for its pristine night sky and our efforts to limit light pollution. I often tell friends, family and even random people I meet around the valley visiting here for the first time, that star gazing is a “Must Do” in Sun Valley. It just seems like there are more stars above our skies than there are anywhere else in the world. On a clear night it makes the universe look endless and is downright awe inspiring. So spectacular, The Washington Post used “enveloped in a blaze of light among the flaming stars” in their piece “At the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, socially distanced stargazing“ Since star gazing is good here every season of the year, here’s are some tips for making the most out of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve. …

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Family, Summer

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 White Cloud Rafting Adventures Offering half- and full-day trips on various sections of the Main Salmon River, White Cloud Rafting Adventures offers trips for a span of abilities in both kayak and rafts. Their most popular covers Class II and III rapids in raft or kayak and lasts four hours and departs at 10am, noon, and 2pm from north of Sun Valley at the Elk Creek launch site, making this truly just a short day trip for those in the Sun Valley area. Take in scenery and learn about local wildlife and be back in time for dinner. The scenic trip is a calmer pace with one of the company’s friendly guides maneuvering …

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Family, Summer

Summer Fun for Kids in Sun Valley, Idaho

It’s the first morning of your Sun Valley vacation and the kids are ready for an adventure. Don’t panic; you’re in the land the family fun. Here are some of the best experiences for kids this summer in Sun Valley.