Welcome to Sun Valley
Sun Valley, created as America’s first destination resort in 1936, has long been the pre-eminent winter playground in the West. From recreation to culture to shopping and dining, this Insider’s Guide is designed to give visitors suggestions for how to maximize your visit to Sun Valley and the Wood River Valley this winter.
“Sun Valley” is the overarching name of the entire valley and all it has to offer, even though the valley has four distinct towns: Ketchum, Sun Valley, Hailey, and Bellevue. Sun Valley also refers directly to the ski area, which is on Bald Mountain. A good place to start is to add the Sun Valley App to your phone.
Regardless of what you end up deciding to do during your stay, we are thrilled that you are here and encourage you to do your best to act like a local. Which essentially means smile a lot, enjoy the slower pace of the valley, and say hello often!
Things to Know About Sun Valley
• The Valley has a population of roughly 30,000, allowing us to maintain a friendly and less hectic pace than many of the other resorts in the West.
• The “Hillside Ordinance,” passed in the 1970s, ensures that we don’t build homes on our surrounding hillsides or mountains, keeping the Western feel and character of a real mountain town.
• In Ketchum, “Sun Valley Road” is also 3rd Street, running east all the way out to the Sun Valley Village. “Main Street” is also Highway 75. It’s also helpful to know that in Ketchum, the “Streets” run east/west, and “Avenues” run north/south.
• “Warm Springs” is not an official city; it is the western side of Ketchum, and has its own base area. Likewise, “Elkhorn” is not an official city, though it sits adjacent to the village of Sun Valley.
• The Mountain Rides bus service offers free bus service all over the valley.
• We have two free local newspapers: The Mountain Express (W and F); the Weekly Sun (W).
Wood River Valley Map
Click here for the online version of this map
Resort Core Map
(Ketchum, Warm Springs Sun Valley, Elkhorn)
Hailey Street Map
South Valley Map
Click here for a downloadable version of the Hailey map
Ski/Ride Maps
Bald Mountain has two base areas: River Run & Warm Springs; click here for map link
Dollar Mountain in Elkhorn, is the best beginner’s mountain in the country, and also has black diamond runs as well as significant terrain parks
BCRD Nordic Sun Valley Nordic Galena Nordic & Snowshoe
Other area alpine options Rotarun Ski Area (Hailey) Soldier Cat Skiing (Fairfield)
Fishing Access Map
Click here to learn more about winter fishing in the WRV
Stanley, Idaho
Sawtooth National Forest
Smiley Creek Lodge & More
Sawtooth Basin Map
Recreation
Alpine & Snowboard
This is where it all started, as the world’s first chairlifts were installed here in 1936. We are indeed “The Cradle of Skiviliaztion.” Ski Patrol is 208.622.6262 (add it to your phone!). Click here for ticketing info.
Nordic Skiing
The Wood River Valley is home to hundreds of miles of world-class Nordic trails. There are two sets of trail systems in the Valley, each with a different pass. Click here for the short-term BCRD/Galena passes, and here for info on the Sun Valley short-term pass options.
Backcountry & Heli-skiing
Even with so much lift-served terrain at our disposal, “earning your turns” has become more and more popular in the last few years. Here’s a look at some of the more traveled routes close to town.
Fishing
Anglers can satisfy their fishing needs virtually all year (with a short break in the spring). The map on page 10 shows many of the fishing access points on the Big Wood River and Silver Creek. Area fishing reports.
• Karl Malone | 208.788.4005
• Ryan’s Rentals | 208.928.6189
• Smiley Creek Lodge | 877.774.3547 •
Other Winter Activities
Sleigh rides, fat tire biking, ice skating, hockey, paragliding, sledding, snowshoeing, yurts and just about anything else you can think of doing.
Snowmobiling/Razors
Central Idaho is littered with canyons and gulches that are on public land and accessible for winter motorized activity. Click here to see a map of areas open to snowmobiling
Diversions
Art Galleries
Ketchum is home to several world-class art galleries. The Sun Valley Gallery Association offers info about the different art offerings and galleries in Ketchum and Sun Valley.
• Wood River Museum | 20.8726.8118
• Ore Wagon Museum | 208.726.7820
• Living with Wolves | 208.928.4991
• Blaine County Museum | 208.788.1801
• Hemingway Memorial | Sun Valley Rd
• Hemingway Display | 208.788.3536
Pamperings
Let’s face it; one of the best things to do on an “active” vacation is be treated to some soothing bodywork. After all, a little attention to the engine will keep the car running (and looking) better and longer!
• The Argyros Theater | 208.726.7872
• Boulder Mtn Clayworks | 208.726.4484
• Community Library | 208.726.3493
• Hailey Public Library | 208.788.2036
• The Liberty Theater | 208.582.8388
• Magic Lantern | 208.726.4274
• Sawtooth Bot. Garden | 208.726.9358
• SV Bowling Alley | 208622.2191
• SV Culinary Institute | 208.913.0494
• Sun Valley Lodge | 800.786.8259
• SV Suns Semipro Hockey
Yoga & Gyms
• SVMOA
• Community Library | 208.726.3493
Museums & Historical Sites
There is so much history in our valley, from ore wagons to skiing history to the historical presence of major writers and celebrities. Literary buffs should make sure to go to the Picabo Angler for the Hemingway display.
• The Spa at Sun Valley | 208.622.2160
• Zenergy | 208.725.0595
• Pure Skin | 208.913.0012
• Spa Beleza | 208.727.7919
• BARE Sun Valley | 208.309.2939
• The Lab | 208.944.9666
• Monarch | 208.309.6868
• Jennifer’s | 208.721.1152
• Valley Nail Salon | 208.720.9018
• Pure Spa | 208.789.2983
• Saigon Nails | 208.928.7385
Indoor Activities
When you tire of all the ski runs and Nordic trails and all the other recreation in our winter playground, you can indulge in less exhausting cultural pursuits. The valley boasts several spots that will help keep your muscles toned and bodies flexible. The Wood River YMCA has “tourist” options available for single-day or multi-day access.
• Gather Yoga | 208.928.7611
• Yoga Center
• idaYoga | 208.309.5780
• Zenergy | 208.725.0595S
• Wood River YMCA | 208.727.9622
• Gravity Fitness | 208.788.7669
• Community Center | 208.578.2273
Dining
Is it a fact that food tastes better in the mountains, and/or that it tastes better after an active day? Questions to debate over breakfast, lunch or dinner at any of these excellent restaurants. (“$” means easy on the wallet; “B&L” means “Breakfast & Lunch.”) For a more thorough list, click here.
Tastes & Treats
North Valley (Ketchum & SV)
• Apples
• Aroma
• Big Wood Bread (B&L)
• Despos
• Enoteca
• Johnny G’s $
• Ketchum Grill
• Kneadery (B&L)
• Knob Hill
• Konditerei
• Limelight
• Michel’s
• Pioneer
• The Ram
• Ramen Cowboy
• Rasberrys (L, Deli)
• Rickshaw
• Roundhouse
• Saffron
• Sawtooth Club
• Scout
• Village Station
• Vintage
• Warfield
• Wiseguy Pizza $
• Wrap City $ (B&L)
Watering Holes
Ok, probably no one needs a guide to where to get good drinks.... In addition to all the restaurants above, here are some other places to whet your whistles - just remember to drink lots of water as we are at an elevation of 5850’ here in the Wood River Valley.
South Valley (Hailey & Bellevue)
• La Cabanita
• Cafe Della
• CK’s
• Cutthroat Club
• Dang’s Thai
• daVinci’s
• Gannett Country Club
• Jhony’s
• KB’s $ (Ketchum location too)
• Lago Azul $
• Lucy’s $ (B&L)
• The Mint
• PowerHouse
• Roots
• Shorty’s $ (B&L)
• South Valley Pizza
• Tundra
• Wicked Spud $
• Wylde Beet
• 2 Talls Pizzeria
• Casino
• The Cellar
• Grumpy’s
• Lefty’s
• Sawtooth Brewery
• SV Brewing Company
• SV Wine Company
• TNT Tap Room
• Whiskey’s on Main
• Black Owl (Hailey)
• Coffee Corner (Bellevue)
• Hailey Coffee Co (H)
• Hank & Sylvie’s
• Java on Fourth
• Konditerei
• Lizzy’s Fresh Coffee
• Maude’s
• 4 Roots
• Starbucks
Coffee & Tea
No matter how you like your coffee or tea, there are plenty of local spots that will satisfy your caffeine needs.
Shopping+
Clothing & Apparel
This guide is to help you find some of the less obvious shops in the valley (in other words, not on Ketchum’s Main St or Sun Valley Rd, or in the Sun Valley Village). Most of the entries on this page have websites you can visit, or click here for more of the valley’s stores.
• Chapter One Books
• Chateau Drug
• The Farmer’s Daughter
• The Gold Mine
• Iconoclast Books (Hailey)
• Independent Goods
• Ketchum Kitchens
• Mountain Images
• Out West Trading
• The Picket Fence
• Sonic Boom Records
• The Toy Store
• Understory
Other Useful Services
• CK Bradley
• The Contemporary Cottage (Hailey)
• Elaine Kim
• Girl Friday
• J Mclaughlin Women’s Clothing
• Ozzie’s Shoes
• Maloja Clothing
• Sister
• Theodore
• Wildflower (Ketchum & Hailey)
Gifts & Hard Goods
If you’re stocking up on things to memorialize your trip to Sun Valley (or if you just can’t help yourself), here are a few stores that will tempt your purse strings. Again,this list focuses on off-the-beaten-track stores. Wood River Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Here’s a grab bag of other services and resources that might come in handy for new-to-town visitors.
Area Inventory Links
As in most Western resorts, real estate has been very active since mid-2020 in Sun Valley. The links to the right will help you see what is currently available in Blaine and Custer Counties. Call on your preferred Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices agent to help you make sense of the current Sun Valley market.
• 2024 Annual Report
• 2024 Luxury Report
• Monthly Market Updates
• Services & Vendors Guide
• Sun Valley Area Guide
• Sun Valley Insiders’ Guides
Real Estate
• Newest Listings
• Search All Area Properties
• Residential Properties
• Vacant Land
• BHHS Brokerage Inventory
Real Estate Resources
Just about every visitor to Sun Valley thinks about real estate, and what it would take to gain a foothold in our winter (and spring and summer and fall!) wonderland. Most current locals “came for the winter and stayed for the summer.” If you have questions or would like to talk to an agent, scan the QR code.
