Every spring, the Sun Valley, Idaho area transforms from a skiing and snowboarding Mecca into a lush, wildflower-filled valley with miles of hiking and biking trails in the surrounding five mountain ranges. From mellow loops skirting lakes and rivers, to 12,000-foot rocky mountain peaks, there are plenty of hiking trails to please all levels of hikers throughout Hailey, Ketchum, Sun Valley and beyond.
What We’re Made Of: Sawtooth Mountain Guides
All manner of people have explored the Idaho wilderness for as long as it’s been there. Sawtooth Mountain Guides is one of the longest-running backcountry businesses in the Wood River Valley. An accredited mountain guide service, Sawtooth Mountain Guides (SMG) has been around for over 30 years, providing summer and winter backcountry guiding services. Sawtooth Mountain Guides The History Founded in 1985, Sawtooth Mountain Guides is the brainchild of outdoor enthusiast Kirk Bachman, who began exploring local ski and climbing terrain in the area in the early ’70s. When Kirk started SMG in the mid-’80s, it was primarily as a climbing guide service, though he soon added ski guiding on to the company and also built and established some of the first North American yurts as backcountry ski huts in the Sawtooths. This included the Williams Peak Hut, which the company established in 1988 as a winter base for local at-risk youth programs and continues to operate today for both guided and non-guided backcountry touring groups. Erik Leidecker, one of the co-owners of SMG, began working with SMG in December 1992, while attending Dartmouth College, and went on to purchase half of the company from Kirk in 2002. In 2013, …
Sun Valley’s Backcountry: A Short Guide to Long Runs
Sun Valley is a gateway to endless, powder-filled backcountry terrain with awe-inspiring views. Accessible by helicopters, hut systems, snowmobiles, and by human powered means, enthusiasts will revel in the area’s expansive mountain ranges. Here is a short guide to making safe and endless turns across the surrounding bowls, peaks, and glades.
3 Best Ways to Maximize Hiking in Sun Valley
With hundreds of miles of trail within easy reach of downtown, Ketchum and Sun Valley are a hiker’s paradise. The Wood River Valley is fenced in by the Smoky, Boulder and Pioneer Mountains and within an hour drive lies the Sawtooth, White Cloud and Lost River mountain ranges, each boasting their own unique hiking experiences. Views will have you channeling your inner Ansel Adams, with wildlife sightings virtually guaranteed. The best ways to maximize your hiking experience is to check out some local guide experiences, read up on some of our blogs, and educate yourself on trail etiquette. Guide Services Guides are the best way to take all the leg work out of deciding where to hike and puts the leg work on the trails. There are plenty of guides across the valley with decades of local knowledge and all the best spots to go at any time of year! Beyond just dodging the crowds, Guides are also a vital resource for trail stewardship and etiquette. With more and more visitors venturing to the outdoors to take advantage of the trails, they may feel busier than normal. Guided hiking trips and shuttles to your favorite trailheads are available for any …
Get your Western on Sun Valley Style
Before Count Felix Schaffgosch arrived in Ketchum and created “America’s First Destination Ski Resort,” the area had already experienced the boom and bust of a profitable mining settlement, the rise of sheep ranching, and the quiet days of the Great Depression. The Wood River Valley was settled in the 1860’s by a handful of mining prospectors, and by 1880 the area was on its way to being one of the richest silver mining regions. Mule and horse-drawn wagons transported ore between the mines and Union Pacific depots until the rail line extended into Ketchum. After the silver bust in the 1890’s sheep ranching in the area grew from the 1890’s to the 1920’s, when Ketchum became the largest sheep and lamb shipping station in the United States. Though the town changed with the creation of Sun Valley Resort, the past lived on in buildings, ranches, and colorful stories. Through activities like horseback riding, sport shooting, and festivals like Wagon Days and Trailing of the Sheep the story of the area is not being forgotten and you can still experience the Western heritage of this one-time mining town. Horseback Riding While Sun Valley may not flaunt its reputation as a part of the …
Galena Lodge: Where You Should Take Your Family This Summer
Galena Lodge has all the ingredients for an awesome and memorable family day in the mountains. Take advantage of mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, great food, cool vibes and breathtaking views all at the special Galena Lodge.
Sun Valley + IKON Pass
No matter how much you might love your home mountain, there are always other resorts to try out. And if you’re a powder hound, you might just spend your winters hopping from ski hill to ski hill, going where the meteorologist says the next dump will hit. This kind of winter adventuring is a heck of a lot easier with the IKON Pass, a multi-resort ski and snowboard season pass that gives you access to a 70+ resort destinations across five continents, 13 countries, 17 states, and four Canadian provinces. The 2023–2024 season, marked the first year that the Sun Valley Resort was a part of the Ikon Pass, adding itself to the list of iconic mountains one can experience as a pass holder. Sun Valley also joined the Mountain Collective Pass for the 2023-2024 season. For the 2026-2027 season, Sun Valley continues to be on the IKON Pass & Mountain Collective Pass. What Are the IKON Pass Offerings? For the 2026-2027 season, the original namesake IKON Pass gets you unlimited access at 18 destinations and up to seven days each at 42 destinations. Plus there are 9 bonus destinations where you can ski up to two days. Included …
Labor Day Weekend in Sun Valley, Idaho
The long Labor Day weekend has become a bit of a big deal here in Sun Valley, Idaho over the years. It’s a last summer hoorah as the kids begin to head back to school and the crisp temperatures of fall start to nip at our heels. With spirits running high and festivities plentiful, this is one long weekend that you won’t want to miss. To make the most out of the Labor Day weekend we’ve put together a list of all the best happenings. Wagon Days Gallery Walk Free Movie on the Pavilion Lawn Sun Valley On Ice Portugal. The Man For this year Rebecca’s Private Idaho dates are September 9 – 12, 2026. Find information here. Find your next favorite Sun Valley Labor Day tradition this year! For the full line-up, head over to our events calendar. Events Calendar
What We’re Made of: Our House
words by Hayden Seder The live music scene in the Wood River Valley is hardly lacking. From free music events like Ketch’em Alive and Sun Valley Music Festival to local bands performing at small venues to big-name shows at venues like the Sun Valley Pavilion and the Argyros, there’s live music being performed every week, year-round. But no matter how well curated the local music scene, there’s always room for something fresh, which is exactly what Our House is. Founded by two locals, Our House transforms different corners of the Wood River Valley into “our house” for the night to accommodate one or more musical artists and create the vibe of the best house party you’ve been to: dancing, connection with your friends and neighbors, and a chance to discover something new. Behind Our House Our House is the brainchild of locals Kailyn Avery and Brett Ashley McCoubrey, both of whom share a passion for music in all its forms. As a live music and events professional with a background in international touring, festival production, venue and event space management, and artist management, Kailyn brings years of experience in the music industry to the table. Brett Ashley incorporates her love …
Spend the Whole Day Hiking in Sun Valley, ID
words by Hayden Seder The Sun Valley area has hiking trails for any kind of excursion your heart desires: a short and quick jaunt to get the body moving first thing before spending the day on other activities; longer hikes, where you’ll want to bring a lunch to enjoy in a scenic destination; or day-long outings that are sure to leave you tired in the evening. For those looking to maximize the amount of hiking on a short trip to the area, we’ve compiled a one-day itinerary to get the most (realistic) amount in while still enjoying the area and not burning out your legs! Morning Views If getting going first thing in the morning is your style, start the day with some epic views for fairly minimal work. Hiking Dollar Mountain, one of the area’s wintertime ski mountains, is an underrated hike, considering its proximity to town. From the heart of Ketchum, it’s a five-minute drive, and if you’re staying in the Sun Valley Resort, it’s even closer! Start at the base lodge and start walking up a wide road that leads partway up the mountain. From there, you can walk along flat cat tracks until you find a …
Eat Local! In Sun Valley, Idaho
There’s no end to the variety of restaurants, cafes, and bakeries in the Sun Valley area and greater Wood River Valley, and complementing those eats are a bounty of fresh, locally grown ingredients as well as homemade creations from area bakers and cooks. Whether you’d like to enjoy a meal completely cooked from scratch while you dine out or simply want to pick up locally made cooks to enjoy at home or on the road, Ketchum, Sun Valley, and Hailey are home to many spots to eat local made and sourced food. Restaurants So many restaurants within the Wood River Valley make many of their ingredients from scratch, source locally grown food, or buy already made products from local producers. It would take up this whole blog entry to go into each in depth, but here’s just a selection of the best spots to eat local goods. In Hailey, try dinner spot CK’s for globally inspired farm-to-table cuisine made with sustainable ingredients and lots of Idaho suppliers. Also in Hailey is high-end bike shop and pub the Powerhouse, which offers a selection of burgers, tacos, salads, and fries made with house-made, locally sourced ingredients. Ketchum dinner restaurant The Covey makes …