Words by Cody Richmond With fresh mountain air invigorating your soul and the sun shining deep into your subconsciousness, you will come to know why Sun Valley revels in a level of wellness and health not found many places. From healing hot springs to meditative botanic gardens to day spas and health food stores, it’s place where the words “clean living” take on real meaning. We have gathered the five best ways to dive into all of Sun Valley’s wellness offerings so that you can make the most of your visit and return refreshed and recharged. Yoga Spas If you simply need to chill, pamper yourself with a hot-stone massage, facial or acupuncture treatment to relax your mind and revive your senses, you can do that, too. Fitness and Exercise Sure, Sun Valley has trails that go on for miles, and hiking up or skiing down Bald Mountain is a sure-fire way to torch some calories. But, if you’re more in the mood for a good stretch, a core/muscle building workout or a trainer pushing you to try even harder, there are several world class gyms and studios for you to choose from that offer everything from yoga mats to …
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Takin’ The Long Way: Boise, Idaho City, Stanley, Ketchum Road Trip
There is something soothing about hitting the road with the intention of enjoying the journey. Driving from Boise to Sun Valley seems like a straight shot, but you can make it an adventure by taking an extra hour on the road, stringing together scenic byways, and enjoying mountainous Idaho. Details Boise to Ketchum through Idaho City, Lowman, and Stanley takes 4 hours, just about 2o minutes more than taking the freeway out of the capital city. By taking “the long way,” you drive on Highway 21, the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway, and Highway 75, Sawtooth Scenic Byway. While you could just enjoy the views, we encourage you to stop where you can and get to know these wonderful communities! Idaho City Just an hour into your drive, passing Lucky Peak Reservoir and heading into the Boise National Forest, you will come to Idaho City. This community is rich in gold mining history, was founded in 1862, and home to the Boise Basin Museum. While you are there, be sure to grab some huckleberry cheese cake! Lowman As you make your way through the national forest on the winding Pondorosa senic byway, you will come to the towwn of Lowman, …
Fall Festivals You Have to See
From iconic music to herds of sheep running down Main Street, Sun Valley’s festivals are designed to delight your senses. We invite you to experience how we celebrate fall in the mountains. But be careful, you may just find it hard to leave.
Finding Water in a Desert: A Guide to Sun Valley’s Swimming Spots
Sure Sun Valley might technically be considered a desert region, but believe me, there is no shortage of natural water sources. Keep in mind I’m still far from the highly acclaimed local status but if a fellow Out-of-Towner asked me, my top 5 spots thus far would have to be:
What We’re Made Of: Wood River Farmers Market
words by Hayden Seder There’s a saying that the best way to know a place is to eat its food. During summer and fall, the Wood River Valley flourishes with a bounty of locally produced food, from tomatoes, bread, and eggs to squash, mustard, and sauerkraut. The Wood River Farmers Market displays its homegrown goods and crafts twice a week during its four-month season. Given the relatively short season of the market and the quality of food available, it’s no wonder that lines start forming long before the market’s bell goes off to signal that vendors are open for business. How It Started The first Wood River Market was held in June 2000, after a group of farmers who had been sporadically in the area wanted a more structured approach to selling, ideally somewhere in downtown Ketchum. They approached Ketchum’s Atkinsons’ grocery store to see if they could work together in some way. Atkinsons’ knew that Tuesday afternoons were typically slow, so it seemed the perfect time to work with the farmers, who they set up in the city-owned lot across the street that the store used for parking at the time (in what is now the town square). The …
The Dirtbag Guide to Sun Valley: How to Enjoy the Area Without Breaking the Bank!
words by Hayden Seder Sun Valley is known for its beautiful mountains, access to the outdoors, small-town hospitality, and practically perfect weather, but it’s also known for being pretty pricey. But it doesn’t have to be. Read on for the “dirtbag” guide to the area, perfect for those who want to enjoy all Sun Valley has to offer without spending an arm and a leg. Where to Stay If the price of an Airbnb or hotel has turned you off, fret not—there’s plenty of free or cheap camping available just a short distance from town. The easiest and closest are located out Trail Creek, just a few minutes past the Sun Valley Resort. The first is Boundary Campground, which has nine non-reservation campsites that run $10/site per day. The campground has a vault toilet and a hand pump for drinking water, so even if you decide to look for free camping, this is a good stop for some resources. Each site has a fire ring, grill stand, and picnic table, and the campground itself has trash service. Stay limit is three days. Farther out Trail Creek are a slew of dispersed campsites, where one can stay for free up to …
What We’re Made Of: Salted Sprig
words by Hayden Seder For the size of the Wood River Valley, it is home to an extraordinary number of events, from private dinners held for donors to local nonprofits to wedding receptions to one of the annual events that’s a draw for the area. And behind those events are the many businesses that make them possible, including whole teams of caterers, interior designers, planners, and more. The Salted Sprig, with its new location at 700 N Main Street in Ketchum, is providing a much-needed amenity for the area: a bespoke full-service event space, along with the company’s beloved custom catering and deli takeaway. How It Started Salted Sprig founder Courtney Barnard had never even been to Ketchum when she moved here to take over a former business and start her own three years ago. Courtney had a long history in the restaurant business, working in every capacity—from management to hosting to wine buying to working on a line—but had yet to try owning. She also has a number of food allergies and restrictions, which limits where she can eat out, so the notion of starting a food-inclusive business was appealing. She was living in Wisconsin before moving here, where …
Guide to White Water Rafting Near Sun Valley
Rafting on any of the numerous sections of rivers surrounding the Sun Valley area can be the experience of a lifetime. Taking in the beauty of Idaho from the swirling waters of its beautiful rivers is truly a unique experience to our area. While for many, a white water rafting trip is synonymous with a multi-day trip, complete with nights around the campfire and food fresh from the Dutch-oven, there are plenty of half- and full-day rafting opportunities in the Sun Valley area. Half, Full Day & Lunch River Trips Sawtooth Adventure Company Sawtooth Adventure Company specializes in whitewater rafting trips for the entire family on the Salmon River. SAC has a variety of half-day and full day trip offerings on the Main Salmon and multi-day trips Middle Fork of the Salmon. One of SAC’s unique offerings is their Twilight Dinner Trips offering top-shelf experience on the Salmon River reserved for private groups. Twilight trips Dutch Oven entrees, creative salads, grilled meats, beer, wine, live music and s’mores. For a complete line-up of their offerings, be sure to check out Sawtooth Adventure Company site. White Cloud Rafting Adventures Offering half- and full-day trips on various sections of the Main Salmon …
Most Instagrammable places in Sun Valley, Idaho
If you have ever visited the Sun Valley area, chances are there is at least one image of our breathtaking locale in your Instagram feed. Or maybe you haven’t visited yet but hashtags like #seeksunvalley on our @Instagram page have caught your attention and have drawn you into exploring this amazing place. Whether you are a seasoned visitor or a first timer, we complied a list of the must see places in and around Sun Valley to fill your Instagram feed with the best there is to offer. The Sun Valley Barn An icon of Sun Valley, many a photo has been taken in front of this barn and numerous reproductions of it in paintings and memorabilia have been made over the years. Located on Sun Valley Road between Ketchum and Sun Valley, the red barn is hard to miss. Built in the early 1880s, its thought that this barn used to service ore wagons that traveled Trail Creek Road. Speaking of, swing by the Ore Wagon Museum for some more history and to grab a few grams there too. Across Sun Valley Road from the barn is a stop many make to photograph the beautiful horses that are occasionally …
What We’re Made Of: Graphic Designer Cara Shumate
written by Hayden Seder Even if you’re never heard her name, you’ve surely seen the work of graphic designer Cara Shumate, whose digital fingerprints are all over the Wood River Valley. From Tim’s Electric to the Board Bin, Johnny G’s, Gather Yoga, and so much more, her branding and designs have helped many of the area’s most beloved businesses rebrand in the last few years, calling upon Cara’s unique blend of extensive design experience and just overall radness, which translate into branding and designs that businesses young and old covet. Before moving to Sun Valley in 2009, Cara Shumate spent nearly ten years in Tahoe snowboarding and waiting tables before realizing she needed a change. After visiting Sun Valley for 48 Straight, the now-defunct multiday ski and music event, she met someone from Smith Optics who mentioned a potential internship. During that weekend, the community resonated with her, and she eventually made the move. Though the internship didn’t work out, she would eventually work for Smith Optics down the road—but not before working at several restaurants, then Sun Valley Magazine and Scott Sports. “It was not linear, but it worked, and it solidified my roots here.” How She Got …