Guide to Sun Valley
Centrally located in the mountains of Idaho, Sun Valley is a top vacation destination for visitors from near and far. As the name suggests, the area boasts over 250 days of sunshine each year. Ketchum is the main town and is home to a large selection of restaurants, shops, activities and Alpine Lodging vacation rentals.
We are very lucky to have four distinct seasons in Sun Valley, all with their own draws. Sun Valley Ski Resort provides skiing and snowboarding on both “The Big Mountain”, Bald Mountain and “The Beginner Mountain”, Dollar Mountain, where ski school is located. The area also has expansive snowshoeing and Nordic skiing trails, snowmobiling and even Heli-skiing for back-country access.
In summer, the Sun Valley area has miles of hiking trails, horseback riding routes and wildflower-filled meadows. Visitors can go fishing, rock climbing, river rafting or golfing as well. Spring and fall also have their own pros including beautiful blooming flowers, golden leaves and less crowds.
Sun Valley is the perfect outdoor vacation destination no matter the season. Apart from all the recreational activities, there are events, festivals and concert series to attend year-round. Plan your adventure-filled Sun Valley vacation and experience everything the area has to offer.
Things To Do
With over 250 days of sunshine each year, Sun Valley is an outdoor-lover’s paradise. The area boasts and endless list of adventures, activities and sightseeing during all months of the year. Between the skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, fishing, rafting and swimming there will never be a dull moment on your Sun Valley vacation.
After all of the action, spend the night out on the town in Ketchum where you will find an assortment of restaurants, bars and shops to explore. Spend a day relaxing at one of the many spas in the area or meandering through the Sawtooth Botanical Garden Center if you need a day to rest.
Browse our events calendar to plan your visit around one of the area’s many festivals, farmers markets, concert series and more! Whether you are traveling with friends or family, we can guarantee you will never struggle to find things to do in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Area Services
We want our guests to have a fabulous experience while in Sun Valley, which is why we have partnered with the best outdoor activity companies in the area. You won’t go wrong with any of these companies and may even be eligible for exclusive discounts as well! Browse local options for equipment rentals and guides, book a babysitter for an adults-only night out on the town or find local grocery stores and other area services. With locals on staff 7 days a week during peak times, we are always available to help answer any other questions you may have or services you can’t find.
Events
No matter the season, you are sure to find a fun event to attend during your Sun Valley vacation. The festival calendar is filled with everything from Nordic Skiing Festivals to Film Festivals to Beer Festivals. Wagon Days, a celebration of Sun Valley’s past, takes place over Labor Day weekend each year and is filled with fun family activities and the largest non-motorized parade in the Pacific Northwest! The Sun Valley Summer Symphony is the largest, free-admission symphony in the U.S. and the Sun Valley Jazz Festival in October is not to be missed. Check our Sun Valley events calendar before planning your next trip to plan your stay around your favorite event.
Map and Directions
Planning a Sun Valley vacation? We can help! Sun Valley is centrally located in Idaho, which makes it easily accessible from many nearby cities. The area is about a three hour drive away from Boise, Idaho and less than five hours away from Salt Lake City, Utah. Visitors coming from afar can fly into Boise and rent a car or take the Sun Valley Express shuttle to the area. View directions and transportation information to help plan your travel logistics. Browse things to do, where to eat, where to shop and area services on our interactive map of Sun Valley.