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!
What to know for 20/21: The ski lifts on Bald Mountain are set to open on Thanksgiving Day. There are no reservations needed to ski, but buy your passes early! Sales of day passes will be used to manage peak day access if the mountain exceeds capacity. For season passes and Epic passes, there will be no restrictions on when you can ski. Masks are required inside of all lodges and while waiting in lift lines. Lodges may have to limit the number of people inside at one time and indoor seating has been reduced. Most are offering grab & go food options. Check out these resources from the Sun Valley Resort for more information about the 20/21 ski season: Sun Valley 20/21 Winter Update & Sun Valley Winter 20/21 FAQs
Before you put on your boots and check your bindings, let’s get familiar with how things work. Locals call the two ski mountains Baldy and Dollar. Baldy has two access points: Warm Springs and River Run lodges, while Dollar has just one. If you are new to the area and the sport, you will want to start on Dollar. There, you will have access to a beautiful lodge with kid-friendly meals provided by Sun Valley Resort. Dollar Lodge also contains access to a ski rental shop, lift tickets, as well as information on ski school, lessons and clinics. Dollar features two high-speed quads, a full-featured terrain park with 76 rails and the MAGIC CARPET which is an effortless uphill moving carpet for learners of all ages. Have questions? The local folks in the RED JACKETS are always ready to help.
If you are ready for the big mountain, we are as excited as you are! Baldy offers thirteen chairlifts, 65 runs and access off both sides of the mountain. With endless groomed runs aweing borders and skiers alike, you’ll have short lift lines, open space, ski rental shops, lodges and après ski rituals – Both Warm Springs and River Run Lodges offer Live Music and refreshments.
Between the altitude and the ski runs, working up an appetite is a sure thing! At the base of Bald Mountain, Warm Springs Lodge and River Run Lodge offer Sun Valley Resort fare like soups, salads, pasta, pizzas and their famous chocolate chip cookies. (Make certain to listen for the bell indicating a fresh batch.) Other options include taking the mid-mountain lift over to Seattle Ridge Lodge to enjoy burgers, sandwiches and other Resort specialties. If you take the advice of the locals, you’ll want to hop on the Challenger Lift (on the Warm Springs side) and head straight up to Lookout Lodge. Whether hanging out on the lodge’s sun-kissed deck or warming up inside, Lookout is famous with locals for its affordable taco bar and great coffee.
If you are seeking something different and a bit higher end, make a reservation for lunch or dinner at the historic and elegant Roundhouse Lodge. With its delicious fare and breath-taking panoramic views of the Smoky Mountains and beyond, Roundhouse is a must see when vacationing in Sun Valley, Idaho. Not a skier? Not a problem. You can easily take the gondola from River Run to Roundhouse and walk up the stairs to an ultimate IDAHO experience. Whether a season’s pass or 15 day pass holder, mountain collective pass holder, a Freedom Found pass holder, or prefer pay as you go, a vacation in Sun Valley, Idaho is the real deal.