Stop by the Sun Valley Visitor Center for maps, brochures, magazines and a good dose of local personalities to help start your visit off right! The Sun Valley Visitor Center, which was transformed by Ketchum architect Susan Desko from a decaying, vacant bank building into a community gathering place, is a recipient of the highly prestigious American Architecture Awards for 2012. The Awards are international in scope, and honor new and cutting-edge design. The space is also shared with a renowned, local Starbucks franchise, so pop in for your morning joe (or evening glass of wine) and feel right at home.
8 Things You Don’t Want to Miss in Sun Valley This Spring
Spring in a mountain ski town frequently goes unsung and frequently nearly unnoticed. It’s not uncommon for skiers to forget that the best skiing is right up to even after the mountain closes, as dreams of sunny beaches or rolling vineyards in lands far off frequently enchant those who wish spring would just do her thing and get on with it. But spring is awesome and a time when renewed energy for stretching the legs and the mind in new directions spawns a whole new level of creativity. So check out these fun, educational, artistic, or even downright goofy things you don’t want to miss out on in Sun Valley this spring! 1. The End of the Season Party It’s a bit sad when the season ends, but Sun Valley rally’s like no one else to close out a great year of spending days one end with good friends. Just don’t leave the top of the mountain too soon…(photo: Mark Oliver) The season ender is always one of the highlights/low points of being a skier/snowboarder. You’re sad because it’s over but somehow that makes you even more fired up to get after it and celebrate it properly. And Sun …
Starbucks
Specialty Coffee and Teas, Starbucks Reserve Brewed Coffee, Refreshers, Frappuccinos, Starbucks Pastries and Breakfast Sandwiches and locally baked pastries including gluten-free options. We are located at 491 Sun Valley Road in Town Square and share the space with the Visitor Center. Also in the building is “Glamour House”; a bank vault converted to a meeting room, and is a first come first serve space for all to enjoy. Voted “Ultimate Bucket List of Unique Starbucks Around the World” by Tasting Table Sept 2022 Voted one of the, “Most Over-The-Top Starbucks in the World” by MSN News April 2016. Stop by and see us!
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
Described as a “weird and scenic landscape”, Craters of the Moon certainly lives up to its reputation. It was established in 1924 to preserve the unique volcanic features of this enormous lava field. The 750,000-acre monument and preserve contains a diverse array of volcanic features including volcanic rifts, cinder cones, spatter cones, shield volcanoes and lava tube caves. A surprising number of plants and animals have adapted to live in the harsh volcanic and high desert environment. It is an excellent site for hiking, bird watching, photography, backpacking and caving (permits required). The monument is cooperatively managed by the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management. Click here for a detailed map of the 3 different units that make up & manage Craters of the Moon. The park is open every day. Some park facilities and the loop road are closed during the winter. Visit Current Conditions and Operating Hours & Seasons for more information. When the loop road is open to automobile traffic an entrance fee is charged. Find out more on the Fees and Passes page. Visitor Center – Visitor Center Open daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Extended summer hours, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., begin on Memorial …
Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway held an abiding affection for central Idaho from his first visit to Sun Valley in 1939 until his death in his final home along the Big Wood River in the Sun Valley, Idaho area in 1961. There are numerous Read Cowboys & Indians insightful article about Hemingway’s ties to Idaho here. Things To Do: Pay your respects at the Hemingway Memorial (1.5 miles east of the Sun Valley Lodge), at the Ketchum Cemetery (1026 N Main Street) or by visiting his favorite haunts (click here for a map). Visit the Wood River Museum of History and Culture (208-726-8118) Hemingway fans, historians, and researchers will enjoy the dedicated Hemingway exhibit: A Writer in New Country: Hemingway in 1939. For a full immersive audio narrated walking tour experience, check out the Community Library’s Hemingway tour. Check out the “Guide to Hemingway in Idaho” brochure with map of “Hemingway” locations, virtual Hemingway experiences, and recommended reading. Discover all of Ernest Hemingway’s historical ties to the area with our blog: A Guide to Ernest Hemingway’s Sun Valley Legacy Fans should make sure to attend the Ernest Hemingway Seminar hosted by The Community Library in Ketchum every September. Details can be found HERE. …
Sun Valley Joins the Mountain Collective
Sun Valley Resort has joined a group called the Mountain Collective, which offers a ski pass that gives skiers and snowboarders access to eight leading ski destinations in the West and Canada. For the 2015-16 ski season, Sun Valley will be allied with Alta/Snowbird, Utah; Aspen-Snowmass, Colo.; Ski Banff, Lake Louise, Sunshine Village, in Alberta, Canada; Jackson Hole, Wyo.; Mammoth Mountain, Calif.; Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows, Calif.; and Whistler-Blackcomb, in British Columbia, Canada. The Mountain Collective passes are on sale through a partnership with Liftopia at www.mountaincollective.com. View the Sun Valley blog post Mountain Collective Road Trip and experience our wild seven day downhill ride.
Cornucopia of Awesomeness- March Madness in Sun Valley
March in Sun Valley is the best. The short, cold days of winter slowly fade away as the sun climbs higher in the sky. The daily routine slows down dramatically with the timing of snow conditions. So take it from me, first off, there is no rush. Start the day out right and drop by your local coffee house in town for an expertly made cappuccino before hitting the slopes. After that caffeine hits your veins, the day will start to blossom. It’s the time of year when the snow begins to soften around midday and you take comfort in knowing that it’s possible after a day of riding to slide your feet into the luxurious embrace of flip flops while having an après-ski beer on the outdoor patio at Lefty’s, Apples, or Warm Springs Lodge, sharing in the camaraderie of good friends. At times it’s a challenge to just live in the moment. So I advise relishing every second of every day.
BigLife Magazine – The Mountain West at Its Best
Welcome to BigLife Magazine, where crazy is a prerequisite, but not enough. This magazine is a living, breathing homage to all the things we love about life in the mountains and the engaging, vital people who live and visit here. This is our love letter to those of you who want a big life. A full life. A real life with adventure and toil, inspiration and meaning. Stick with us, you’ll see— the sky is bigger, the mountains are bigger, and life is bigger here.
20 Things You Didn’t Know About Sun Valley
A smattering of things you might not have know about Sun Valley, Idaho.
Sun Valley Lake
Slip out onto the water in a rented paddle boat, and discover the fun and escape of Sun Valley Lake. If you prefer to stay onshore, there’s always a game of horseshoes waiting in the sand, or a beach volleyball match to be stepped into. Located a short walk from the Sun Valley Lodge and Inn, Sun Valley Lake is an easy escape from the heat when it’s time for a little beach in the mountains. Rates Paddleboat/Hr.$45 Kayak- Single/Hr.$45 Canoe – 2 or 3 people/Hr. $55 ½ Hour paddleboat/kayak sessions available for $22.50 ½ Hour canoe sessions available for $27.50 Cash or credit cards are accepted for payment. Room charges or gift cards are not accepted. Hours: Daily 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Prices subject to change. Age Limit: If you can wear a life vest, you may ride in the boat *Two persons per boat. At least 1 passenger must be of age 16 or older.