Whether this is your first visit to Sun Valley or an annual tradition, this summer at the Resort is lining up to be filled with activities, entertainment, and dining that will WOW the entire family! Lift-service access to Bald Mountain hiking and biking trails, Sun Valley On Ice, lunches at the Roundhouse, and numerous concerts at the Sun Valley Pavilion and River Run are just some of the highlights guests can look forward to this summer. This insider's guide to a perfect day in Sun Valley, whether you are a mountain stoke-seeker, in need of some R & R, on a family adventure with the kids, or some combo of all of these!
For the stoke-seekers and adventure hunters
Bald Mountain, or Baldy as it’s known to the locals, is a great place to get your adrenaline pumping and partake in some solid Idaho fun. Head down to River Run Plaza, rent a full-suspension downhill-specific mountain bike from Pete Lane’s and then hop on the Roundhouse Gondola and Christmas Chair lift to catch a ride to the top of the world, or at least Ketchum, at 9,150 feet. Choose from five different downhill-only trails including the longest purpose-built downhill mountain biking trail in the U.S. and get ready for 3,100 feet of flow-trail jumps, berms, and rollers. When you feel your energy dip, it’s time to stop mid-mountain at the Roundhouse and indulge with a hearty meal on the deck at 7,700 feet overlooking the valley. America’s original on-mountain dining experience makes for a perfect mid-day break from the epic downhill biking adventure you’ve been on. This summer, Sun Valley Resort is introducing its first ever River Run Summer Series, every Wednesday afternoon from July 20 through August 17, 4pm to 7pm. Lifts will be open extended hours, along with food, drinks, party games and live music all at the base of River Run.
When you've had your fill of scenic views and adrenaline-soaked adventure, savor a well-deserved apres sesh over at the Village Station serving ice cold $5 beers, wines, and margaritas, $9 all-American burgers, and 1/2 off appetizers every day from 3 - 5 pm. Rested and refueled, you are ready to rock out at any number of awesome live summer concerts like three-time Grammy Award Nominees the Avett Brothers in the open-air Sun Valley Pavilion. Exhausted in the best possible way, saunter back to your affordable room at the Sun Valley Inn to catch some ZZZs so you are ready for what Idaho has in store for you tomorrow!
For fun-loving families looking to impress even the littlest of adventurers
Traveling with family can be a balancing act of adventures, nap times, and hunger pains, but in Sun Valley the scales are tipped heavily toward success. This well-balanced day starts off by filling everyone's bucket with the kiddos exploring at our half-day Adventure Camp from 9 am - 1 pm while mom and dad sneak in a round of golf at one of our award-winning golf courses.
In the afternoon, treat the family to a true Idaho adventure - horseback riding through stunning mountain landscapes on the trails surrounding the Sun Valley Stables! If your family is better suited toward a wheeled steed, rent bikes from Pete Lane’s in the Village and hop on the paved bike path for a short ride through town with the Farmer’s Market at River Run as a mid-way destination. Who knows what you will discover along the way, perhaps even an ice cream shop!
As evening approaches and energy wanes, sit down at your reserved table on the back terrace of the Lodge at Gretchen’s, and enjoy a delicious buffet while you await the magical Sun Valley On Ice show. Under a blanket of stars, the world’s best skaters light up the night and dazzle your whole family. Depending on what evening you choose, you will be treated to ice-skating royalty like Olympic Champion and three-time World Champion Nathan Chen, or two-time US Gold Medalist Alysa Lui. After a day like today, everyone will sleep well snug in your home away from home at the newly renovated Sun Valley Lodge Apartments.
Let yourself unplug and unwind, the Sun Valley way
This little mountain town in Idaho has a way of making the world stop for a moment if you let it and that’s what today is all about. Grab a fancy coffee from the Konditorei and head out to one of Sun Valley’s many outdoor morning yoga classes. Depending on the day, you may find yourself breathing deep at complimentary yoga at River Run plaza or on the Pavilion lawn. But today, splurge on a lift ticket to whisk you to the top of Bald Mountain and soak in the scenery while flowing through instructor-led all-levels yoga. After a beautiful savasana to set your intentions for the day, hike down one of six high-alpine trails taking in the 360-degree mountain views or just hop a scenic ride back down the mountain on the lifts.
After all that exercise and fresh air, head straight to the Sun Valley Spa for the afternoon and indulge in a facial, pedicure, or massage - or heck, maybe all three! After your treatments, take a dip in the refreshing outdoor pool while drinking a cocktail before heading over to the Ram restaurant for a culinary experience from our Heritage menu like pork tenderloin schnitzel or Hungarian goulash.
You are in luck because this evening is one of 14 admission-free symphony concerts this summer hosted at the open-air Sun Valley Pavilion. This year, the Sun Valley Music Festival's massive orchestral repertoire is as vast as Sun Valley's mountainous setting, ranging from Strauss's "Alpine Symphony" and familiar works by Beethoven, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky. You can decide if you'd like to be comfortably seated within the Pavilion or lounge and listen more informally on the Pavilion lawn. After a perfect evening experiencing classical music, you head back to your luxurious suite in the Sun Valley Lodge to drift off in a relaxed state of bliss.
