5 fabulous winter walks in the Sun Valley area suitable for everyone from families to dog walkers.
What We’re Made Of: Sun Valley Guides Owner – Zach Crist
A Local Legend Some folks are legendary in Sun Valley and some folks are lifers. Zach Crist is both. A Ketchum native, Crist has been through all iterations skiing has to offer—riding professionally, being featured in Warren Miller movies, coaching, owning a backcountry guide company—all while still living in the place he wouldn’t dream of not calling home. Now married to Emilie DuPont and father to four kids (ages 1, 3, 8, and 12), Crist has settled into his newest role as the owner of Sun Valley Guides and couldn’t be happier. Crist is evidence that you might think you’ve done all this town has to offer, but there’s always a new angle to enjoy the culture of Sun Valley, Idaho. The Educational Years Though he was technically born in California, Crist is an Idahoan through and through. He moved to Ketchum with his parents and siblings Danielle and Reggie (also a former professional skier) when he was 6 years old. With his experience on skis since he was 2, Crist ended up joining the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation and was eventually picked for the U.S. Ski Team, joining his brother Reggie on the World Cup Tour. After seven …
A Dozen Family Fun Activities for the Winter
It’s school vacation time and you’re lucky enough to be in—or at least a short, scenic drive away from—Sun Valley. So what do you next? Pretty much whatever you want. This is America’s original ski resort, for crying out loud! Crying is just about the only thing that we don’t really allow around this fun-filled place, unless, of course, they’re tears of joy. To help make your family time in Sun Valley more joyful, here are a dozen ideas. Go Sledding In our mountainous section of Idaho there are oodles of places to go sledding during the winter months. The popular “Sledding Hill” across from the Sun Valley Stables is usually a good spot, but Sun Valley is literally surrounded with the two main ingredients for great sledding action: hills and snow. There are places to sled from Hailey up to Galena Lodge and lots of local shops sell a variety of sleds. Sledding also gives you a great excuse to get some hot chocolate afterwards—add some peppermint schnapps and make into a “Ski Lift” for mom and dad. Go Nordic Skiing Nordic or cross-country skiing is a surprisingly enjoyable activity for active families. It’s easy to learn. It’s a great way …
9 Off Mountain Winter Activities to do in Sun Valley, Idaho
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.
Kid-Friendly, Adult Approved Winter Activities in Sun Valley
Winter can be a challenging time of year when it comes to entertaining the kids. Sun Valley, Idaho rolls out the red carpet when it comes to delivering kid friendly, adult approved winter activites that will please the whole family. We’ve compiled a list of our must-do’s for the season to take the stress out of the equation.
What We’re Made Of: Snowboard Coach, Screen Printer & Family Man – Andy Gilbert
While many think of skiing and its long history when they think of Sun Valley, snowboarding its own legitimately legendary history in as well. Since the inclusion of snowboarding into the Olympics in 1998, there has been a Sun Valley rider on every Olympic snowboard team. And, playing a huge role in that is Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation (SVSEF) Snowboard Coach Andy Gilbert who has helped guide the careers of snowboarders like Kaitlyn Farrington and Chase Josey as well as all other level of snowboarders in his 25 years as a coach (along with several other amazing coaches and staff at SVSEF over the years, of course!) Despite the caliber of snowboarder he’s worked with and traveling the world over, Gilbert still calls Sun Valley home, a place where his wife and two kids can hit the slopes and he can also work in screen-printing, another passion of his. Since moving to Ketchum in the winter of 1993, Gilbert has been a snowboarding coach, primarily for SVSEF, but also last year as the U.S. National Team Rookie Halfpipe Coach. “Last year, the U.S. team lost their rookie coach right before the season and I was on the short list,” says Gilbert about the …
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 …
The Wood River is Not Your Typical YMCA
It’s Fun to Visit Our YMCA! Much like everything else in our small mountain town, our local YMCA is not your average gym; it’s not even an average YMCA where typically concrete abounds and people are looking to get in and get out rather than stay a day. The Wood River YMCA is so much more than just a gym, it’s a community center, an activity hub, and a truly integral part of life in the Valley. Whether it’s working out and doing group classes, catching free screenings of movies, giving kids an area for after-school, or learning new gardening skills, the YMCA offers more than just dumbbells and yoga mats. What They Offer Opened in late 2007, the YMCA has been offering family-friendly workouts, equipment and more for over 10 years in the Valley. The gym itself is open Monday through Friday from 6am-8pm, Saturdays and Sundays 10am-6pm. During that time, access to the upstairs gym is always available where you’ll find a mix of cardio machines including elliptical, treadmill, stair master, erg machine, and stationary bikes. Strength training machines are set up for easy transitioning between sets and there is a dedicated space for free weights and benches. Yoga mats …
The Top 10 Misconceptions About Sun Valley, ID
Misconceptions and wives tales about Sun Valley are as plentiful as the sunny days out here. Some of the stories are worth their weight in tabloid gold while others are just flat out flabbergasting. Well over two decades ago I had the good fortune of being able to call Sun Valley home. Throughout my tenure, I have heard more than my fair share of fictitious stereotypes about this little mountain town somewhere in the middle of Idaho. I’ve found it only fitting to bring my loud-mouthed, beer-loving local dad persona about to tackle some of the most common misconceptions. So here are responses to the Top 10 hair-brained, half-cocked myths about Sun Valley. 1. It’s All Old People We don’t appreciate age-discrimination around here. We don’t care how old or young you are. If you can shred, you can shred and you’ll fit right in to our mountain town. It’s doesn’t matter if you’re a toddler or a teenager, a twenty-something or an octogenarian, you’ll always feel welcome to pursue your passions here amongst like-minded folks. Sure, we are home to America’s oldest ski resort and people from all over the country like to retire and buy second homes here. Who can blame them? There’s so much to do …
The Best Outdoor Hot Tubs and Pools of Sun Valley
Growing up in Ketchum, there was no greater joy in the winter season than grabbing a few friends and sneaking into a heated pool or hot tub, making as little noise as possible and hoping not to grab the attention of the owners or worse, the police. But with so many great options for (legally) getting your “aahhh” on in Sun Valley, there’s no reason not to do a “tub-crawl” at one of these great outdoor heated pools and hot tubs in the area. After a long day of enjoying Sun Valley via skiing, mountain biking or any of the numerous physical activities the area boasts, there’s no better way to relax than a nice soak. Whether your muscles are sore or you just want to bask with some friends and relive the day, these are the best spots in town for gorgeous views and delightful temps. Hotel Ketchum While Hotel Ketchum is located on Main Street at the north end of town with easy access to all the great things Ketchum has to offer, the hotel’s complex that includes shops, dining, Hangout Lounge, and a great outdoor heated pool and hot tub is so complete you may never leave. …