Sun Valley Idaho

Heli Hansen explored the heli skiing scene in Sun Valley, Idaho with Sun Valley Heli Ski. “It’s unlikely that another human is within 10 miles of our picnic. The afternoon will be filled with more powder and helicopter wizardry, but it is in this moment that I find contentment, totally removed from society, and surrounded by steep untouched faces, finally enjoying a hot meal. In this moment it hits me that this “buffet” of beautiful scenery and steep lines that we are consuming is way better than any breakfast buffet, anyway. And it’s not even close.” Read the full article here: https://www.hellyhansen.com/news/heli-skiing-with-jim-ryan-tales-of-a-sun-valley-weekend/ 

Teton Gravity Research begged the question, “why do they call this place Sun Valley?” “That’s the question I’m still asking myself on day three of the storm cycle. We haven’t seen anything remotely like the sun since Sunday, with inches of snow piling up as we looked on. The town is absolutely buried – cars are unrecognizable, roofs are sliding, and every skier in Ketchum is frothing to finally get after it after a particularly dry start to the season. One skier in particular – Karl Fostvedt – is beyond excited for the fresh coat of paint in order to show us around his stomping grounds.” Read the full article here: https://www.tetongravity.com/feature/ski/feature-playgrounds-sun-valley 

SKI Magazine graced Sun Valley Resort with the #1 ski resort ranking for the 2020/2021 season. “After so many years of falling just shy of the top spot, Sun Valley finally claims No. 1 this year. Maybe partnering with the Epic Pass did the trick, luring more skiers than ever to this somewhat remote yet idyllic pocket of central Idaho, where the “skiing is legit,” “the locals don’t look down their noses at you,” and “there’s so much to do off the slopes, too.” What seems to capture the hearts of most visitors right off the bat is the authentic Western town of Ketchum that anchors the ski resort. Whether you stay down in town or over at the resort, make it a priority to explore Ketchum, where the dining (No. 2), après (No. 7), nightlife (No. 7), and lodging (No. 3) rival that of much larger urban hotspots but the backdrop and warm welcome are decidedly Idaho.” Read the full article here: https://www.skimag.com/ski-resort-life/sun-valley-idaho-2/   

Travel + Leisure dives in to the arts & culture scene that Sun Valley, Idaho has to offer in the summer.  “With a literary pedigree, star-studded ballet, breathtaking symphony, and spirited visual arts scene, Sun Valley, Idaho, is much more than a premier winter ski destination. It’s also a hip summer hot spot that every serious culture lover should visit. Nearly as busy in summer as it is in winter, Sun Valley satisfies both mind and body during the warmer months when the town welcomes those in search of outdoor activities—horseback riding, golfing, fishing, shooting, biking—and offers cerebral delights that include a writers’ conference, gallery exhibitions, classical and contemporary concerts, lectures, and more.” Read the full write-up here: Dive Deep Into The Arts And Culture In Sun Valley, Idaho This Summer  

The New York Times recently dug in to 5 places that you should check out in Ketchum, Idaho. Ther article taps local professional skier, Lexi Du Pont for a bit of insight to her favorite places in town.  “The city, in the shadow of Sun Valley resort, has a rich history of mining and sheep ranching, but it’s also “Wild West Idaho,” says professional skier, Lexi du Pont, a local who shares some of her favorite places.” – Lexi Dupont For the list of their top spots, hit the link below. Ready the Full Story Here

Sunset Magazine laid out the perfect touchpoints for planning and unforgettable trip to Sun Valley, Idaho “Many alpine destinations in the West will hook you up with demo skis, a stylish hotel room, and a crackling fire, but few do it with the panache of Sun Valley, Idaho. The idyllic valley in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains has been welcoming the rich and famous (along with plenty of regular folks) since Sun Valley Resort opened in 1936. The area’s towns have earned a reputation for being low-key celebrity hideouts (at one time for Ernest Hemingway and Gary Cooper, and, more recently, for Bruce Springsteen, Jodie Foster, and Tom Hanks). But it’s getting ever more enticing for the sort of person who doesn’t have a personal chef (or their own private slope). The most recent hotel arrivals are smart without feeling exclusive, and new breweries, design shops, and performance venues are adding lively places to hang with the crowd. Mostly here for the powder? There’s exciting news on that front too.” – Sunset Magazine Catch the full write-up via the link below: Plan the Perfect Sun Valley Winter Adventure

Ski Magazine profiled The Fire That Saved Sun Valley video project that was coordinated by Visit Sun Valley. “The Fire That Saved Sun Valley, produced and directed by Jeff Thomas and featuring professional mountain guide Joe St. Onge plus professional skiers Tyler Ceccanti, Anna Segal and Collin Collins, chronicles the aftermath of two of Central Idaho’s most destructive wildfires in recent years, and details how destruction inevitably results in change.” Catch the full film along with the rest of the write up below: The Fire That Saved Sun Valley

Freeskier Magazine dove in to what in means to a skier through the eyes of three local pros who call Sun Valley home. “Spend a night out on the town, chasing your friends around Bald Mountain and Dollar Mountain or a week exploring the vast, skiable backcountry terrain accessible from Sun Valley, including aesthetic lines in the surrounding Boulder, Pioneer and Smoky Mountains, and there’s also a good chance you’ll run into a few professional athletes that call the place home, too.” Read the full story here: The Skier’s Guide to Sun Valley

The New York Times runs through the a few things you might not have known about winter in Sun Valley, Idaho.

Central Idaho Earns Designation as the Nation’s First Dark Sky Reserve KETCHUM / SUN VALLEY, IDAHO – An organization dedicated to protecting and preserving dark skies across the globe has designated an area spanning more than 1,400 square miles in central Idaho as the nation’s first dark sky reserve. The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) announced on Dec. 18 formal approval of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, the first of its kind in the United States and one of just 12 such reserves worldwide. The reserve stretches from Ketchum / Sun Valley to Stanley, includes area in Blaine, Boise, Custer and Elmore counties and the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The total area of the reserve is 1,416 square miles, making it the third largest in the world. “The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve was created not just for locals, but for all Idahoans and visitors from across the world who can come here and experience the primeval wonder of the starry night sky,” said Steve Botti, the mayor of Stanley and longtime advocate of the reserve. The decision by IDA culminates nearly two decades of work and policy decisions by local leaders, residents and business leaders to manage and reduce …