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Quick. What’s your idea of the perfect spring vacation? Is it sipping cocktails while cozied up by the fire? Skiing on snow-white powder with the sun bouncing off your back? Listening to live music in the lodge as you savor fresh-made pizza? If that sounds like the perfect break to you, then Sun Valley Resort in Idaho should be the center of your next getaway.

And, yeah, we said Idaho. Amazing mountain slopes, stunning landscapes and down-home charm are what make the Gem State a destination you can’t miss. Plus, springtime in Sun Valley is one of the best times of year to enjoy the mountains, take in cultural events and/or spend time with the whole family. And Sun Valley Resort is ready to be at the center of your vacation memories.

Start your Sun Valley vacation

What’s In This Guide

 

Plan Your Trip

Flights & Hotels

Check out personalized insights from your home airport to Sun Valley, Idaho, such as median airfare, when to book a flight and what qualifies as a good deal. Direct flights from San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, Denver and Salt Lake City leave daily for Sun Valley’s slopes.

Book your stay at one Sun Valley Resort’s charming cottages, modern condos and historic lodges.  

Sun Valley Lodging

 

When to visit

Late-winter and early-spring are some of the best times to enjoy Sun Valley. Average temperature ranges from the mid-30s to low-40s, so be sure to pack your parka. But it’s during February and March when not only can you get in plenty of runs on the slopes, but also it’s a great time to enjoy a back-to-back lineup of world-class film festivals and events. The Family of Woman Film Festival runs from February 26 to March 3 and features cinematic stories highlighting women’s issues from around the world. After that, the Sun Valley Film Festival (March 13-17) brings cine-buffs from all over to enjoy a week of storytelling and cinema, including some of Hollywood’s biggest names. There’s also the Sun Valley Opera Winter Festival and Fly Fishing Film Tour. Not to mention plenty of live music, comedy shows and entertainment throughout the season. See what’s happening during your stay on Sun Valley Resort’s Events Calendar. Or you can explore more of what Sun Valley village has to offer with their weekly happenings.

How to get to the resort from the airport

Hailey’s Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN) is the most convenient entry point for visitors to Sun Valley and is located about 14 miles from the resort. Visitors can also get to the area from Boise Airport, a 3-hour drive from the resort by car or the Sun Valley Express shuttle. To get around Sun Valley, the Mountain Rides Transportation Authority provides a free service to take travelers from the Village to many of the surrounding slopes and towns. Find out more about air and ground transportation here.

Good to know

  • At the Sun Valley Lodge, the elevation is 5,920 feet above sea level. Be sure to stay hydrated and rest when you’re at that altitude. (Even more reason to relax with some hot cocoa and a European pastry at Konditorei.)
  • Sun Valley experiences 250 days of sunshine each year. Making the name entirely appropriate.
  • Bald Mountain is the resort’s major attraction, with challenging trails and awesome vistas. Roughly 3,500 skiers and snowboarders use its trails every day.
  • Dollar Mountain provides family-friendly runs and is where many of the SnowSports school’s kid/beginner classes are held.

Price

$$-$$$$

Visiting Sun Valley Resort is comparable in price to many other major ski resorts. Lift tickets can be bought up to 7 days in advance of your trip for a rate that’s 20% lower than if you bought day-of. Dining options range from casual slope-side snacks to formal dinners. And accommodations go from cozy hotel rooms in the lodge to glamourous townhomes with hot tubs and modern amenities.


Local Lingo

  • Baldy: Nickname for Bald Mountain, one of Sun Valley Resorts top trails.
  • Fat Biking: Biking on snow — oversized tires and minimal tire pressure make it an awesome Sun Valley activity
  • Fry Sauce: A combo of mayonnaise and ketchup, it’s a must-have condiment.
  • Crick: A stream, brook or creek.
  • Whistle pig: A groundhog or squirrel.
  • Pop: Don’t call it soda.
  • Rendezvous: A historic reenactment of the pioneer days.

 


Where to Go & What to Do

Note: Check out Sun Valley Resort trail maps and more to explore the resort.

Sun Valley Resort is located just outside of Ketchum, Idaho, an idyllic mountain village. Sun Valley is made up of two main mountains: Bald “Baldy” Mountain and Dollar Mountain. And as any skier worth their boots knows, Sun Valley is the site of the world’s first chairlift. But don’t let that bit of history distract you from what is a thoroughly modern snow experience.

*Note: In the interest of time, this is only a snapshot of all the amazing things to do in Sun Valley. Check out this page to see what else is in store for your visit.

Springtime Skiing & Celebrations

As any avid skier knows, springtime is a great time to enjoy the slopes. Both Bald Mountain and Dollar Mountain have trails open in March and April (check here to see what’s open when you go). And thanks to the weather, it’s also when the mountains can host their infamous parties. The last day on Dollar Mountain (April) brings Dollar Dayz Cold Bowl Pond Skim, a family event where brave participants attempt to ski across a man-made pond. With prizes, live music and a BBQ, it’s a great event that brings the family together in celebration of another epic season. On Bald Mountain, the end of the season is marked by Baldy Bash, a nonstop party that has become a rite of passage for many snow-lovers.

Going Off-Mountain

Looking for outdoor fun off the mountain? Fat biking kicks off its main event on February 23 with the Snowball Special Fat Bike Race. Go get into the competitive spirit and put the pedal to the medal. For cross-country skiers, the Sun Valley Nordic & Snowshoe Center offers 40 km of trails to enjoy.

Stay in Style

Sun Valley Resort’s lodging options have every experience in mind. Book a charming cottage for a quiet storybook getaway — from the 2-bedroom Guest Cottage to the luxurious Symphony cottage. Or spend your stay in the sleek, tricked-out rooms of a slopeside townhouse. Families will enjoy the coziness and classic ski-town atmosphere of the centrally-located Sun Valley Lodge. No matter what ambiance or amenities you’re looking for, find it at Sun Valley.

Take Some Me Time

Whether you’re hoping for a pre-ski facial or an apres-ski massage, Sun Valley Resort’s spa and wellness options have got you covered. Book a manicure for a quick bit of indulgence or take the day for a full-body ritual. Make Sun Valley your oasis.

Fine Dining Every Day of the Week

Let’s talk about the food at Sun Valley. Beyond the amazing events that pepper the mountain are incredible dining experiences for every taste and every budget. Share Fondue for Two or prix fixe fare at The Roundhouse sitting 7,700 feet up on Bald Mountain. Grab a casual breakfast at Gretchen’s, before getting in a few games at the nearby bowling alley. Or go for classic American dishes and tasty cocktails at Village Station. If you’re looking to indulge your sweet tooth — and who can blame you after shredding all day — then a sundae at a la Mode or decadent chocolate treat from The Chocolate Foundry are in order.


Top 10 Most Instagrammable Places in Sun Valley

  1. Red Sun Valley Barn on Sun Valley Road, across from horse stables
  2. Sun Valley Lodge outdoor heated pool
  3. Averell’s Bar inside Roundhouse lodge on Bald Mountain (with fondue)
  4. Seattle Ridge Lodge on Bald Mountain
  5. Warm Springs Lodge inside bar on Bald Mountain (in front of the picture window with apres band)
  6. Sun Valley sun snow sculpture in front of Sun Valley Lodge (with swans from pond)
  7. Top of Dollar Mountain with Baldy in the background
  8. Top of White Clouds (snowshoe trail) with Baldy in the background
  9. From Lookout chairlift on Bald Mountain
  10. Sun Valley Village, in front of Village Station, lit up at night with Christmas lights


Set the Mood

Sun Valley is the backdrop of some of cinema’s great films. Get a taste for the mountains before you experience the real thing by watching these films.

  1. I Met Him in Paris (1937)
  2. Sun Valley Serenade (1939)
  3. How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)
  4. The Tall Men (1956)
  5. Bus Stop (1956)
  6. Ski Party (1965)
  7. Pale Rider (1985)
  8. Town and Country (2001)

 

This guide was written in partnership with Sun Valley Resort.