In 1999 the Higher Ground organization began right here in Sun Valley, Idaho with a goal of using recreational therapy for people with cognitive, physical, and developmental disabilities, as well as active-duty military members and veterans. The extraordinary beauty, recreational possibilities and a community that believes that people of all abilities should be able to experience the healing powers of the mountains made Sun Valley an ideal incubator to bring this therapy to fruition. When they first started, it was just about teaching locals with disabilities how to use adaptive skis but their programming has since grown to include so much more. Today, locations for Higher Ground have expanded to the surf of Los Angeles—home to over 300,000 veterans—and the hiking trails of western New York, home to another one of the largest veteran populations in the country. Using top recreational therapists and mental health professionals, Higher Ground strives to give people of all abilities a better life, bridging the gap between disability and belonging. Programming Higher Ground offers two types of programming; one for recreation and one for military. Recreational therapy is defined by the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) and National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) as a systematic …
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Plan the Ultimate Ladies Weekend in Sun Valley This Winter
When you’re overdue for some fun with your favorite squad of ladies, we have everything you need for a weekend away from it all. Luxurious accommodations, world-class art, innovative dining, relaxing wellness experiences, outdoor recreation, and wine (lots, and lots of wine) mix together to set the stage for three spectacular days with your best friends. Book a ladies weekend in Sun Valley this year (we’re easy to get to!) and get ready for a little fun in the winter sun. Here’s how we’d do it: Friday Afternoon Arrive in Sun Valley, meet up with your favorite ladies, and check into your lodgings. The Limelight Hotel Ketchum is centrally located on Main Street and offers comfortable, sophisticated rooms and suites. They also have an airport shuttle to make your lives just that much easier. Pro Tip: Head to the Sun Valley Wine Company for an extensive selection of vino from around the globe. https://visitsunvalley.com/to-do/sunvalley-contemporary-gallery/Once you’re settled in, ease into the weekend by checking out the vibrant art scene in downtown Ketchum. Don’t worry about needing a car, Ketchum is an entirely walkable town. Stop by Gail Severn, where you’ll find pieces by a mix of young, mid-career, and established artists working in …
Unique Winter Experiences in Sun Valley
It’s so easy to fall in love with Sun Valley in the winter. The stoke starts to build right before the opening day of Bald Mountain in November, and lasts right through the final chair ride in the spring. While it’s tempting to think of ski town life as one endless loop of ski runs, followed by après drinks, and back to the ski runs with brief stops for sleep and food, locals know that even in the winter it’s good to mix up the routine. Whether you’re in town for a month or weekend, check out these unique winter experiences that showcase some of the magic of a Sun Valley winter. Test Your Aim with Get Your Shoot On Idaho Firearm sports may seem like a far cry from the ski slopes, but here in Sun Valley, they are closer than you think. For a memorable experience book a shoot with Jeff Kreyssig, owner of Get Your Shoot On Idaho. Jeff is a National Rifle Association certified instructor and range safety officer who offers shooting packages for individuals, families, and groups at the Hurtig Shooting Center in Hailey. Whether you’re interested in firing a cowboy-action Colt Cattleman or an AK-47, Jeff’s thoughtful instruction, …
24hrs with a Local: Sun Valley Resort’s Mike Fitzpatrick, November
In this series, we profile a local every month to get the down-low on what their perfect day in Sun Valley looks like. With the opening of Baldy just weeks away, I reached out to Mike Fitzpatrick, the Manager of Guest Services at Sun Valley Resort, to hear how he would spend a perfect 24 hours in Sun Valley this November. Mike is in charge of all aspects of a guest’s experience on the mountain at Sun Valley, so he knows a thing or two about how to make the most of a day on and off the slopes! What would you do first thing? A perfect day would start with going out to breakfast at the Konditorei. They have my favorite breakfast, the Baked Swiss Eggs Rösti. It has these special potatoes, almost like hashbrowns mixed with a lot of bacon, and they crack eggs over the top and bake it in the oven. And I’d get a triple mocha, too. How would you spend your morning? I’d go on an “early-ups” with a ski instructor on Baldy and get there for sunrise. When the sun hits the snow on the mountains, there is this golden hue — there’s nothing quite …
How to Fit-In Like a Local this Winter
When on vacation anywhere, the best advice anyone can give or take is to live like the locals do; they know the best food and drink spots, the best ways to navigate town, and by living like they do, you’re sure to get the best experience of that place. Ketchum is no different and while the tourist economy is how this town survives, it’s the locals that make it thrive. Take a few tips from us and by the time you leave, fellow locals will be asking you, “Don’t I know you from somewhere?…” Ditch the Attitude People enjoy small towns for a reason and it’s that small-town-charm. Give yourself a dose of it and you’ll find that a little goes a long way in Ketchum. Slow down, be nice, ditch the attitude. Be humble, polite, tip your bartenders, servers, and baristas, have some patience, don’t honk your horn, be aware of your surroundings when using the crosswalk, smile. And don’t park like an idiot, otherwise you might end up on Ketchum’s Facebook group “Ketchum Elite” that makes fun of those who think they can park on sidewalks and going against traffic. Keep it Ketchum Casual There’s no need for …
24hrs with a Local: Christina Giordani, October
In this new monthly series, we’re asking locals to share how they would spend 24 perfect hours in Sun Valley. For this first installment, we interviewed Christina Giordani, a local food and beverage entrepreneur, to discover what her ideal October day looks like. I’d eat breakfast at: Hank & Sylvie’s, where I’d have a cold brew coffee with house-made vanilla bean syrup and local, raw milk from Old Almo Creamery, paired with a delicious croissant. In the morning I’d: Practice throwing at Boulder Mountain Clayworks. I’m working on making my own cups and plates. I’d eat lunch at: The Farmers Market. I’d grab a local Hangar Bread baguette (they are made with locally milled flour from Hillside Grain), local goat cheese, and the last of the summer peaches and tomatoes for a picnic. In the afternoon I’d: Hike Proctor Mountain to get a look back at the town, leaf peep, and enjoy my picnic lunch from the Farmers Market. Before dinner, I’d: Go to the Boho Lounge and drink a specialty cocktail featuring Roadbars’ shrubs or syrups. I’d eat dinner at: The Covey. I’d drink whatever Pét-Nat wine is on the menu or an Aperol spritz and eat one of their handmade pasta dishes. Buon …
The Community Library’s “Hemingway in Idaho’s High Desert” Audio Walking Tour
The presence of author Ernest Hemingway can be felt all through the Sun Valley area. During his time here, he was a regular at many of Ketchum’s dining and drinking institutions, penned novels and short stories in its hotels, and enjoyed visiting many places that are still in existence today, albeit as new businesses. To emphasize just how much Hemingway was a part of so many places in this town, The Community Library is now offering a free 12-stop Hemingway audio walking tour through Ketchum and Sun Valley, Idaho
Test Your Aim: Sport Shooting in Sun Valley
“3, 2, 1, pull,” I say, keeping a keen eye down the barrel of the shotgun. A bright-orange clay disc sails through the early-morning sky, and I gently squeeze the trigger. “You nicked that one!” says Mark Gillespie, a shooting instructor at the Sun Valley Gun Club, after I safely lower the gun. “You’re doing great for a beginner.” His encouragement is welcome, as it’s my first time holding—and shooting—a shotgun. I’ve only been working with Mark for five minutes, and not only am I feeling more comfortable by the second, but I’ve already nicked a target. “Can we try again?” I ask. Since the early days of Sun Valley Resort, sport shooting has been a part of the recreational attractions of the Sun Valley area. Ernest Hemingway reportedly shot clays off the deck of his Ketchum home, and a sport shooting range was one the original amenities offered when the resort opened in 1936. Sport shooting tests the shooters meddle in metrics such as accuracy, precision, and speed. Lessons and ranges are available for all types of firearms—from shotguns to pistols to rifles—and the sport welcomes experienced and newbie shooters alike. It’s also a popular activity for groups! Ready …
Mountain Humane: Not Your Average Animal Shelter
Mountain Humane in Sun Valley, Idaho is not your average animal shelter. This no kill shelter goes well above and beyond merely helping lost and abandoned animals. See what this leader in animal care brings to the community.
Cozy Up By the Fire: The Best Outdoor Fire Places in Town
No matter the time of year, there’s nothing better than cozying up to an outdoor fire. In a contained environment, there’s something magical about the mesmerizing, heat-providing flames dancing around. While campsites are often the best places to take-in this original caveman television, there are alternative ways to get your fix. There are plenty of Ketchum and Sun Valley establishments with their own outdoor fireplaces for patrons to gather around while enjoying a drink, waiting for a table, or after a long day on the mountain. We’ve compiled a list of the best outdoor fireplaces in town enjoy. The Warfield This restaurant, distillery, and brewery serves up elevated pub fare in its two-story establishment. The first floor is indoor dining (with its own cozy indoor fireplace section) but the second floor is dedicated to its rooftop dining, complete with its own bar and three outdoor fireplaces to gather around pre, during, or after-dinner. Outside Magazineeven described the rooftop bar as “the best spot in town to catch sunsets, especially while enjoying a Toothy Grin British Bitter.” The rooftop operates from roughly May through September, making it a go-to spot for long summer days! Rickshaw A funky neighborhood spot serving Asian fusion, Rickshaw …