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Americal Airlines Phoenix & Chicago Flights Welcome Party & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
This December, the Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN) will welcome a new airline, American Airlines, with new nonstop winter flights from Phoenix and Chicago beginning December 18, and a new nonstop flight from San Diego on Alaska Airlines beginning December 19. With the addition of these new flights, SUN will now offer nonstop service to eight destinations – Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Salt Lake City – a new record for the airport. The Friedman Memorial Airport, along with community partners Fly Sun Valley Alliance, Visit Sun Valley, The Chamber of Hailey and the Wood River Valley, will host a New Flight Welcome ribbon cutting party at the airport on Dec 18 to greet the passengers and crew of the new AA Chicago flight, which is scheduled to arrive SUN at 12:30pm. There will also be a ribbon cutting for the Phoenix flight arrival later that evening, and the new Alaska San Diego flight arriving mid-day on December 19 American Airlines will inaugurate new daily nonstop service from Phoenix (PHX) and Chicago (ORD) to SUN for the winter season on December 18. The Chicago flights will run daily December 18 through April 6, and the …
BCRD Ski Free Days
Each winter, BCRD offers Nordic and snowshoe trails free to the community. Includes Quigley, Galena & Wood River Trail. 2025/26 Dates December 13 January 11 February 21 Free Ski Day December 13 On December 13, join us for a Free Ski Day, courtesy of the Blaine County Recreation District. This is your chance to experience the joy of Nordic skiing on our beautifully groomed trails, as conditions allow, at no cost. In addition, Elephant’s Perch and Backwoods are hosting an Equipment Demo Day at Galena Lodge. Whether you’re a seasoned skier or new to the sport, this is a perfect opportunity to try out the latest skiing gear for free. With expert advice available, you can find the equipment that best suits your style and needs. In addition, Galena Lodge will be offering free 30 minute beginner skate or classic ski lessons at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 1:00 pm. No registration required. Mark your calendars for this fun event. For more details, keep an eye on bcrd.org. We look forward to seeing you there!
BCRD Ski Free Days
Each winter, BCRD offers Nordic and snowshoe trails free to the community. Includes Quigley, Galena & Wood River Trail. 2025/26 Dates December 13 January 11 February 21
Keep It Connected: Conserving Wildlife Movement
Keep It Connected: Conserving Wildlife Movement in the Wood River Valley and Throughout the Transboundary Rockies As communities expand, wildlife habitats become fragmented and migration routes are compromised. While conservationists are hard at work across the Mountain West, there is still much to be done to keep up with the pace of development. In this program, presented in partnership with the Wood River Land Trust, Jim Williams, wildlife biologist with the Heart of the Rockies Initiative, will share incredible migration stories and explore the critical role land trusts serve in keeping large-scale habitats protected and intact. Because our region offers one of the best remaining chances to protect a full theatre of wildlife, the actions we take in our community today will have effects far beyond the Wood River Valley. Jim Williams is an Explorer’s Club Fellow and award-winning wildlife biologist. He holds a B.S. in biology from San Diego State and Florida State Universities, and a M.S. in wildlife biology from Montana State University where he studied mountain lion ecology. As a wildlife biologist and wildlife program manager in Montana for over 31 years, Jim has managed big game populations, flown countless hours in helicopters and fixed wing aircraft …
Artists’ Studio Tour of the Wood River Valley
Artists from all over the Wood River Valley will open their studios on August 21, 22 & 23, 2026 from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm. This tour is free and open to everyone. The pace will be leisurely, with time for visitors to discuss techniques and inspiration with the artists themselves and perhaps choose a special piece with a meaningful story behind it. The tour is also a great time to introduce the younger generation to the world of the professional artist. A map will be published in The Idaho Mountain Express before the event and the flyers with the map will also be posted around the valley. All pertinent contact information will be included for each of the forty artists. Please email Lisa@lisaholley.com for further information about this special event In these days of molasses-speed supply chains and slowed down shipping, it makes even more sense to shop locally from artists who have stock on hand ready to hand over to you! Please join us in 2025 for this intimate view into the heart of Wood River Valley art.
Papoose Club’s Holiday Bazaar
The Annual Holiday Bazaar will be held the first full weekend of December at the Hemingway Elementary School in Ketchum. The Holiday Bazaar is a juried art and craft show featuring authentic hand-made artisan gifts from more than 70 artists from across the Intermountain West. Saturday, December 6th: 9am – 5pmSunday, December 7th: 9:30am – 3:30pm Wood River Valley’s top market for buying gifts for friends and family: sweets, ceramics, handblown glass, clothing, jewelry, handbags, wood products, photography, birdhouses, cards, art, wool products, home decor, ornaments, textiles, and so much more. Please consider volunteering! We need cookie bakers! Purchase raffle tickets!
Sun Valley Policy Forum Winter Summit
Join us for the Sun Valley Policy Forum 2026 Winter Summit on February 11, 2026 at 5:00PM at the Argyros Performing Arts Center with keynote speaker, Christopher F. Rufo. Don’t miss Christopher F. Rufo in Sun Valley for an exclusive, intimate conversation on America’s enduring values and the challenges of the digital era. As civic virtue and principles face unprecedented erosion, they explore how liberty, merit, and responsibility can thrive in both society and technology—a rare opportunity for open dialogue and engagement with big ideas. Christopher F. Rufo is America’s leading voice defending free speech, freedom of opinion, and the pursuit of truth on campus and in the media. A Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, he fearlessly challenges once-taboo issues—from DEI to racial preferences—and helped inspire a presidential order and legislation in 15 states. A PBS and Netflix filmmaker, he directed America Lost about three “forgotten” cities. In an age of rising censorship and even violence against open debate, Rufo shows how to confront hard issues without silencing dissent. Please visit https://www.svpolicyforum.org/february-2026 for more information and to register for tickets. For season packages, please visit https://www.svpolicyforum.org/season-packages. Additional details and full day schedule to be announced.
Hailey Tree Lighting Ceremony
Join us for a holiday tradition at the Hailey Tree Lighting on Thursday, December 4th from 5 – 7 pm. Meet Santa, enjoy candy canes, hot chocolate, cookies, and see our Hailey Tree light up! For more information, contact The Chamber at (208) 788-3484 or email at info@valleychamber.org.
Ketchum’s Tree Lighting Ceremony
Ketchum’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting, to be held on Wednesday, December 3, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM in Ketchum Town Square (480 4th Street East, Ketchum). Event highlights Letters to Santa: Beginning the day after Thanksgiving, mailboxes to the North Pole will be set up by the Ketchum City Hall front door (191 5th Street West) and on the Ketchum Town Square stage for children to write and mail their letters directly to Santa. Drop off your letters leading up to, during, or after the tree lighting event. Reindeer: Meet real, live reindeer on site for a unique holiday photo opportunity. Holiday carols: Girl Scouts of Silver Sage will perform festive Holiday melodies. Complimentary treats: Warm up with complimentary hot cocoa and delicious cookies, courtesy of the City of Ketchum. Adult beverages: For those 21 and over, hot toddies and other adult beverages will be available for purchase. Santa’s grand entrance: Santa Claus will arrive around 5:00 p.m. on a Ketchum Fire District fire truck, ready to greet children, take photos, and hear their holiday wishes. Tree Lighting Ceremony: Following Santa’s arrival, the tree lighting will commence, casting a warm glow over the town square. This year, the centerpiece …