Snowy Sports
You can’t come to Sun Valley and not explore the many outdoor activities that Sun Valley have to offer. The area is a mecca for outdoor adventures and activities. Sun Valley is the ultimate vacation wonderland for winter sports and recreation. There is downhill skiing, ice skating, natural hot springs, Heli skiing, snowmobiling, and horse drawn sleigh rides. If that was not enough, there is also back country skiing, cross-country skiing, skate-skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. There are many local area guides and ski instructors if you are would like to take a lesson for one of our many local outdoor activities. There is absolutely no shortage of outdoor activities in Sun Valley!
Skiing & Snowboarding
A skier’s paradise, the original destination ski resort known to enthusiasts as Sun Valley, Idaho boasts 3,400 vertical feet coupled with world-class snowmaking capability. Add access to over 2,000 acres of groomed and varied terrain, and themed Adventure Trails for kids, and your winter wonderland dreams for the whole family have come true!
Sun Valley Sleigh Rides
Can you hear those sleigh bells ringing? On your next trip to Sun Valley, plan a horse drawn sleigh ride, one of the quintessential winter activities! From dinner sleigh rides to Trail Creek Cabin to scenic sleigh tours to intimate private rides, Sun Valley offers a variety of tours with different lengths and destinations to suit your taste.
Nordic Skiing & Snowshoeing
Welcome to Nordic Town USA! With its heart in Sun Valley, Idaho, embrace more than 200 KM of networked Nordic trails linking the south and north valleys. Sun Valley Nordic & Snowshoe Center offers training programs, clinics, rentals and a state-of-the-art clubhouse for skiers of all ages. These perfectly groomed trails are one of the most expansive trail systems in the country.
Heli Skiing
Since its founding in 1966, Sun Valley Heli Ski has guided thousands of satisfied guest into the spectacular terrain surrounding Sun Valley, Id. The current team of guides is unsurpassed in offering over 100 years of collective experience; a testimony to the level of dedication and professionalism that distinguish SVHS as the U.S preeminent heli-ski operation. Personal service is the trademark of SVHS. Groups are small with a guest to guide ratio of 4:1. Contact Sun Valley Heli Ski HERE.
Backcountry Access
Sun Valley offers limitless backcountry ski terrain. The surrounding mountain area offers a network of Mongolian-style yurts and well-equipped huts that are the perfect ending to great day of skiing. The yurts and huts are placed at the foot of some of the best powder stashes in all of Idaho. Tour hut to hut, or use one as a basecamp for adventure.
For more information, please contact one of the locally operated guiding companies:
Sawtooth Mountain Guides: 208.774.3324
Sun Valley Trekking: 208.788.1966
Sun Valley Heli Ski: 208-622-3108
Snowmobiling
Hundreds of miles of groomed trails are all within an hour drive of Sun Valley.
Looking for the groomed stuff? Head to Smiley Creek and the Stanley area for over 170 miles of groomed trail. Or, let loose and watch the powder fly with some off trail riding. Smiley Creek Lodge is a great resource for all things snowmobile- learn about the trails, rentals and guided tours.
The Fairfield region is another great place to ride, with open fields and an additional 200 miles of trails to play!
** Please know where it is acceptable to ride your snowmobile before embarking on your next adventure. You can do so by looking at the United States Forest Service Snowmobile Regulations here.
Dollar Mountain Terrain Park
Sun Valley has been called the “Original Mountain Playground” and the terrain park at dollar mountain certaintly adds to fun factor of this playground. Known as the “beginner mountain”, Dollar mountain is home to ski school and is a great place for kids and adults alike to learn how to ski. However, Dollar is not just for beginner level skiers.
The full-feature terrain park on Dollar Mountain has 76 rails, jumps, boxes, moguls, and tunnels. The features of the park change often throughout the season to stay fresh and fun. Some features are great for beginners and kids and teach basic ski skills like how to turn. Some features are for more advanced skiers like the jumps and rails. Nate Sheehan, the terrain park manager, says “I try to make our parks have a progression from the very beginner, first time user of the parks all the way up to the Ski Education Foundation (SVSEF) kids who are training to be professionals.”
Bald Mountain lift tickets include access to both Bald Mountain and Dollar Mountain lifts, so if you are skiing “the big mountain”, take the short drive to Dollar Mountain to practice a few jumps at the terrain park.
Rotarun
Located three miles east of Hailey, Rotarun has been a community hub for local skiers and snowboarders since 1948. The ski area is operated by the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation and provides public skiing and low-cost, entry level ski and snowboard education programs for youths. Rotarun is a smallish hill with a t-bar lift and one main run, but the community and the excitement of the kids skiing there makes this well worth the trip south of town for a day (or night) at Hailey’s own ski area! Kids under 10 always ski free, ages 11-18 are only $5, and adults ski for $10. Buy a day pass for the whole family for just $25.
2021 Public Skiing & Riding
Thursdays – Night Skiing 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Fridays – Night Skiing 5:30 – 8:30 pm – FREE!
Saturdays – Public Skiing 11 am – 3 pm
More events are added during school breaks and holidays. Check the calendar here.