words by Hayden Seder

Sometimes, the outdoors-focused lifestyle in Ketchum means days can be all go, go, go. You wake up early for a yoga class, grab a quick bite to eat before hitting the mountain, then it’s on to après and dinner. But the mountains and the amenities aren’t going away, and the sun shines about 250 days per year, so it’s okay to slow down and have a quiet morning or a lazy afternoon. For those moments when you just want to cozy up with a book, enjoy remote work with a view, or just enjoy a hot toddy while you breathe for a minute, we’ve highlighted some of Ketchum’s coziest spots.

Community Library

Ketchum’s Community Library is chock-full of different spaces for a variety of needs, from doing some remote work to perusing books to finding a nice place to sit and catch up on your favorite book. Near the ma

in entrance is a coveted fireplace, with cushy chairs on either side for lounging—a great way to while away a slower morning. Wander throughout the library and you’ll find personal workstations, more cushy lounge-style chairs near sunny windows with views of the surrounding mountains, or standard chairs and long tables for more workspace (my personal favorite for remote work is in the regional history room). For those looking to enjoy some library time with the family, head to the children’s library and visit the Tree House, a room on the second story of the library with floor-to-ceiling windows and comfy beanbag chairs, giving you views like those from a tree house.

Starbucks/The Visitor’s Center

Located in the middle of downtown Ketchum, The Visitor’s Center is hard to miss, with its unique architecture featuring reclaimed logs visible on both the inside and the outside. The interior itself is an architectural masterpiece, and combine that with the historic photos and artifacts on the wall, and you’ll find yourself spending time here just to take it all in. The Visitor’s Center shares its space with Starbucks, so grab your favorite beverage and settle into one of their many seating options, from large wooden community tables to armchairs by the fire to the more private meeting room that was once a bank vault, located in the back.

Konditorei

While pretty much all of the area’s coffee shops offer a cozy atmosphere, the Konditorei’s is not only worth noting but certainly worth visiting. This Austrian-inspired restaurant and café has full dine-in service, but half the space is also reserved for their café, where you can order delightful coffees (try the Morning Star: cold brew, chai tea, and half and half) and a pastry and grab a comfy armchair by the fire or a seat at their large wooden community table. This is a great spot for enjoying a treat while you work on your laptop or for catching up with a friend. Stroll through the Sun Valley Village afterward or take in some window shopping to complement your period of slowing down.

Galena Lodge

For a more remote cozy destination, drive up to Galena Lodge, located 24 miles north of Ketchum. During the winter, Galena serves as a base camp for winter sports enthusiasts, as the lodge is surrounded by over 50 kilometers of groomed Nordic trails for skate and classic skiing and over 25 kilometers of snowshoe trails. But the lodge itself is the perfect destination for a cozy, slow afternoon, where you can take in the falling snow while enjoying a beverage, a fresh-baked pastry, or one of their delightful lunch entrees, made from scratch on the premises. Their $10 hearty mug of soup served with house-made sourdough never disappoints, and one of their signature Don Bars is a great treat for the road.

Sun Valley Lodge/The Duchin

Whether you’re a guest of the Sun Valley Lodge or not, it is a great space (always open to the public) for relaxing, people watching, and having a sip or bite for a casual afternoon. The lobby space itself has numerous couches and comfortable seating, much of which looks out on the famous Sun Valley Ice Rink, where you can watch professionals and amateurs alike performing on the ice. Adjacent to the lobby is the Duchin Lounge, where more varieties of casual seating await you—perfect for ordering an afternoon martini and listening to live music performed on the piano.