SUN VALLEY IDAHO ATTRACTIONS

Alpine Skiing
Whether an expert skier or taking a first ski lesson, Sun Valley has the best of both worlds. Bald Mountain has long, consistently sloped runs combined with expert terrain. The mountain is serviced by seven high-speed quad chairs, a first-rate grooming operation and the world's largest computer-controlled snowmaking system that guarantees fresh powder each morning and virtually no lift lines. Additionally, Dollar Mountain has broad, treeless, well-groomed slopes offering excellent conditions for beginning skiers and snowboarders. Four chair lifts service 13 runs of gentle terrain mixed with more challenging slopes to allow skiers to master their techniques before graduating to Bald Mountain. Guests can ski-in and ski-out to Dollar Mountain from Elkhorn Resort or take the free KART bus to River Run and ski Bald Mountain. Rental equipment is available through Sun Valley Outfitters on Elkhorn Plaza at 208-622-3400.

Arts & Crafts Festivals
Ongoing through summer, Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Trail Creek Concert, July 4, 11 & 18.
Sun Valley Wine Auction, July 22-24 at Sun Valley Center, 208-726-9491.
Sun Valley Arts & Crafts Fair, August 13 - 15 at Sun Valley Soccer Field, call 208-726-9491.
Hailey Arts and Crafts Fair, September 3 - 5 at Roberta McKercher Park, call 208-788-2700.
Bellevue Labor Day Arts and Crafts Fair, September 7, 10am - 6pm, call 208-788-7060.
Trailing of the Sheep, October 11 - 13.

Antique Fairs
Antique Peddler's Fair, July 4 at Picabo St., Warm Springs, 10am - 5pm, call 208-345-0755.

Back -Country Hut Skiing
The grandeur of the Sawtooth Mountains and other surrounding mountain ranges, and remote alpine reaches are accessible to alpine and nordic skiers through guided tours. Enjoy the solitude and relatively unskied portions of the five mountain ranges that surround Sun Valley. Alpine skiers will find remote mountain shoulders to ski down and cross country skiers can enjoy the pine and aspen forests that line the hills and valleys. Mongolian yurts dot the wilderness where skiers are welcomed for dinner or an evening's rest before tackling another day in the back country. Guided tours are available through Sawtooth Mountain Guides, 208-774-3324; Sun Valley Trekking, 208-788-9585; and Venture Outdoors, 208-788-5049. Rates range from $125 - $200 per person per day for guided tours and $25 per person per night for hut rental only.

Biking
A 34-mile paved trail system ideal for biking is kept clear year-round. Mountain Bikes, Cruisers, Kid's Bikes and Burley Kid's Trailers can be rented at Sun Valley Outfitters on Elkhorn Plaza, 208-622-3400.

Bird Watching
Guided tours available through Tour De Jour, 208-788-3903. Permits can be had to bird watch in Sun Valley area, however, guided tours are held primarily in Silver Creek near Fairfield.

Chair Lift Rides
Visitors can take a chair lift ride from the base of River Run and enjoy refreshments and the spectacular view from atop Bald Mountain in the summer time. Mountain bikes are allowed up for a challenging ride down. Open 9am - 3:45pm. The last round-trip leaves at 3:15pm. Call 208-622-2231.

Day Spas
Day spas offer a respite from the rigors of outdoor activities or an added bonus to a day of relaxation. Rejuvenate after a long day on the slopes with a massage and hydro- therapy session, or pamper yourself with a full day of body and beauty treatments like seaweed wraps, spa facials, exfoliation and aromatherapy. There are many ways to release stress and balance the mind and body. Solavie Day Spa offers everything from a deep relaxation hydrotherapy session and herbal heat wrap to a one- and a half-hour deep spa massage, and every combination in between. Call 208-726-7211 for more information. There is a 10% discount on all spa and salon services for Elkhorn Resort guests with free transportation.

Dining
Sun Valley has over 80 restaurants for dining pleasure. From espresso cafes to fine dining establishments, experience regional American Cuisine, Asian, Italian, and Mexican in many unique dining atmospheres.

Dog Sledding
For thrills off the slope, experience the excitement of riding behind a powerful team of dogs, just like the miners and Indians did, starting back in the 1830s. Sled dogs used to haul supplies in for the gold miners. Later, when the area became an exclusive destination ski resort, celebrities traded their skis for the wooden sled, with Inuit guides as the sled drivers. There are several packages to choose from should mushing prove appealing. One- and a half-hour rides, half-day, full-day, and overnight excursions are available for $85 - $350 per person. Call Sun Valley Sled Dog Adventures at 208-788-3522.

Fishing
The Big Wood River, one of the most beautiful and productive streams in the West, runs right through Ketchum. Much of the 25 mile long stretch of river that runs through the valley is catch and release and features native rainbow trout. Local outfitters offer instruction and guided trips, and can give you the inside on where the best places to fish are, either in the summer or winter. At Sun Valley Outfitters (208-622-3400) on the Elkhorn Plaza, guided trip packages start at $185 per group of two and includes all of your equipment and an instructor for a full day of fishing on local rivers. Another option is Silver Creek Outfitters (208-726-5262).

Fitness Center
The fitness center offers complete facilities for daily workout routines. (Sauna, indoor hot tub, two treadmills, two stationary bicycles, Nautilis) Hours: 6am - 10pm.

Gallery Tours
Self-guided tour of over 20 galleries. Open house gallery walks are a must on summer Friday nights.

Ghost/Mining Towns
Back in the hills around Sun Valley stands the rickety evidence of once flourishing little cities that sprang up in the wake of prospectors. Journey back in time with a trip up north of Stanley along the Salmon River to the town of Custer. A museum there details the city's mining past. Beyond Sunbeam at the intersection of State Highway 75 and U.S. Route 93 is the Yankee Fork Interpretive Center, an educational center on the history of mining in the area. It's open seven days a week from 9am to 6pm through the summer. For information call 208-879-5244. The city of Stanley is a "living" ghost town. Its visitor center provides guides to the ghostly parts of town, including original mining cabins that still stand today. Back-country roads accessible only by four-wheel drive vehicles offer a trip back in time to Boulder City where remnants of old buildings and some mining equipment slowly succumb to the elements. Check with Sawtooth National Recreation Area headquarters north of Ketchum before attempting to use the often sketchy roads in the backcountry. The number for SNRA is 208-727-5000.

Glider Rides
How about flying off the top of Baldy? It's a gentle ride down from the peak of Bald Mountain. Sun Valley Paragliding will provide the guide so you can experience the exhilarating sensation of free flight. Or would you prefer to glide down with wings instead of a chute? Pilots from Sun Valley Soaring will take you in their sailplane for a trip around Bald Mountain or neighboring peaks. Offering 30-40 minute glider rides for one or two people. Charges are $140.00 single and $180.00/double glider ride. There is a 360lb weight limit for the double ride. Call Sun Valley Paragliding at 208-726-3332 and Sun Valley Soaring at 208-788-3054.

Golf
Elkhorn Resort's golf course (208-622-6400) is a 7,100 yard par 72 Robert Trent Jones, Jr./Sr. Championship Golf Course with long approaches, well-trapped greens, ample water hazards and incredible views. Rated one of the top three in the state of Idaho, top 25 in the nation by Golf Illustrated and #16 by Golf Digest, the course has a full pro shop with apparel, equipment, and PGA professional instruction. Open May - October, subject to weather. There are three other courses in the Wood River Valley.

Heli-skiing
Adventure into the backcountry & experience untracked powder or corn snow. Half- day rates start at $330. All abilities welcome. Call Sun Valley Helicopter Ski Guides at 208-622-3108.

Hiking/Mountain Biking
Explore the five mountain ranges in the area on trips for all levels and abilities. Rent equipment and do it yourself, or hire a guide to show you the beauty of the backcountry. Maps and information are available at Sun Valley Outfitters (208-622-3400) or the U.S. Forest Service Headquarters in Ketchum.

Historical Tours
Downtown walk features over 30 points of interest. Information and self-guided map available at Chamber of Commerce, 208-726-3423.

Horseback Riding
Ride into the heart of Idaho. Available by the hour, day or multi-day trips at Galena Stage Stop, 208-726-1735; Redfish Corrals, 208-774-3311; or Wild Horse Creek Ranch, 208-588-2575. Hot Springs Natural hot springs to soak in. Call Chamber of Commerce (208-726-3423) or National Forest Service for map.

Hunting
Seasonal hunting for quail, chucker, and pheasant. Guided hunting tours are available through Mystic Saddle Ranch at 208-722-5432.

Ice Skating
The Elkhorn Resort's Plaza has a natural rink in its central courtyard with $5 skate rentals, no fee for use. Atkinson's Park also has a natural rink with no usage fee, and Sun Valley Ice Rink charges $7.50 for adults and $6.50 for children (12 and under). Skate rentals are $3.

Jazz on the Green
Free outdoor concert series on Elkhorn Plaza, June through August, Thursday evenings 6:30pm - 9pm. Call for current schedule, telephone 208-622-4511.

Live Theater
Comedy, drama, and musicals. Call nexStage Theatre at 208-726-3423, Company of Fools at 208-788-6520, Wood River Arts Alliance at 208-788-7755 or 208-788-4913.

Live Music
Downtown bars feature live bands throughout the year. Check listings in Idaho Mountain Express newspaper.

Llama Trekking
Have a llama carry your lunch to spectacular alpine lakes. Call Dave Markham at Venture Outdoors at 800-528-5262 to arrange this unique trek experience.

Museums
Ketchum/Sun Valley Heritage & Ski Museum is located at 1st and Washington in Ketchum, 208-726-8118. The museum presents seasonal exhibits that include information on Hemingway and his time spent in the Sun Valley/Ketchum area, Olympic memories of the many athletes that call Sun Valley home, and much more. Open daily 1pm - 5pm. Blaine County Museum (no phone) is located on Main Street in nearby Hailey. This museum's focus is on the complete history of Blaine County featuring ranching, farming, railroad and mining as well as Indian history. Located at 5th and East Ave. in Ketchum, the Ore Wagon Museum (no phone) has on exhibit the original Lewis String Ore Wagon, also known as the Big Hitch. Visitors can view it from the outside of the building all year long. Informational plaques are posted with detailed descriptions of Ketchum's old mining days. Come see the Big Hitch in the Wagon Days Parade Labor Day weekend.

Nordic Skiing
Extending from one end of the Big Wood River Valley to the other, over 200 kilometers of regularly groomed track and skate trails is truly a cross country skier's paradise. The trails are embraced by the towering peaks of the Boulder, Smoky, and Sawtooth mountain ranges, providing spectacular views of the neighboring Pioneer and White Cloud Ranges. Sun Valley Nordic Center has gentle terrain at the trailhead that progresses to challenging hills. Rentals for all ages, accessories, wax room and a sunny deck are available. For more information, call 208-622-2250. The North Valley Trails is a community cross country trail system that runs from Bellevue (20 miles south of Sun Valley/Ketchum) up to Galena Summit (25 miles north of Sun Valley/Ketchum). There is a variety of trail difficulty combined with specially marked trails for dogs and their owners. Call the Blaine County Recreation District at 208-788-2117 for more information.

Rock Climbing
Practice climbing skills with a qualified instructor at a climbing gym in the winter or go climb a rock outdoors in the summer. Let a licensed guide show you our beautiful mountain ranges. Guided trips are available for climbers of all levels. Rental equipment available at Sawtooth Mountain Guides, 208-774-3324.

Rollerblading
Rentals: $12 for half-day, $18 full-day at Sun Valley Outfitters on Elkhorn Plaza, 208-622-3400. Thirty-four mile paved path for both beginners and advanced bladers.

Sledding
For all ages, in many locations in the valley including adjacent to Elkhorn Resort.

Sleigh Rides
Warm Spring Sleighs offers a scenic, creekside ride through the Warm Springs area for individuals and groups. Sleighs are pulled by two draft horses and capable of handling groups of 13-16 people. Dinner sleigh rides are also available through other companies. A classic horse drawn sleigh brings visitors to enjoy a full-course dinner at Trail Creek Cabin, an historic hunting lodge tucked in the forest just outside the Sun Valley Resort. Reservations for the Trail Creek Sleigh Ride can be made at 208-622-2135 and are $18 per person (dinner is additional). A Winter's Feast Sleigh Ride brings diners to an authentic Mongolian yurt for a gourmet dinner. This unique dining experience is $60 per person and reservations can be made by calling 208-788-7665.

Snowboarding
Snowboarding is allowed at both Bald Mountain and Dollar Mountain where they have the Half Pipe. Ski school and lockers available at both locations. Board rental available at Bald Mountain.

Snowmobiling
Between Smiley Creek Lodge and Stanley (37 miles north of Ketchum) groomed trails or the back-country are available to the snowmobiler. There are also trails closer to Sun Valley that follow major drainages in the nearby Sawtooth National Recreation Area. For the snowmobile adventurer, there are hundreds of thousands of acres of wide open space to explore. Guides are happy to arrange tours to the level of your expertise and by special arrangement, gourmet lunches are available. A two-hour guided trip begins at $65 per person, and single and double snowmobile rentals are available for $100 and $150 per day respectively, at Smiley Creek Lodge, 208-774-3547.

Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is an ancient sport, but now is the fastest growing outdoor winter activity. North Valley Trail system and the Sun Valley Nordic Center (208-622-2250) are packed with snowshoe trails. Both the Galena Lodge (208-726-4010) and the Sun Valley Snowshoe Center, as well as other local outdoor stores, offer rentals and trail maps to guide snowshoers on their journey. Sun Valley Outfitters, 208-622-3400.

Swimming
Elkhorn Resort has an Olympic-sized heated pool, outside Jacuzzi and sauna. Also three condo complex pools with Jacuzzis. Pools are open May - October, Jacuzzis open year-round. Complimentary to guests of the resort.

Tennis
Seventeen courts, complimentary to guests of the resort. Open May - October, subject to weather.

Trap and Skeet Shooting
Variety of games utilizing the fields and rental guns. Call Sun Valley Gun Club at 208-622-2111.

White Water Rafting
Local outfitters offer single-day or multiple-day river trips on surrounding rivers through magnificent wilderness. Call White Otter Outdoor Adventures, 800-438-4331; The River Company, 800-398-0346; or Far & Away Adventures, 800-232-8588.

Wildflower Walks
Guided walks available through Tour De Jour. Call 208-788-3903 for pricing.

Wine Tasting
Organize a tasting for your group. Call Sun Valley Wine Company at 208-726-2442 for pricing.

Summer Calendar of Events

Elkhorn Resort Golf Course Fact Sheet

WOOD RIVER VALLEY AND
STANLEY BASIN TOWNS

Sun Valley
Sun Valley became America's first destination ski resort area in 1936, replacing mining and sheep herding as its primary focus. The town of Sun Valley has a permanent residential population of 660. In the high season that number can swell to over 5000. Sun Valley is a residential community with a resort atmosphere. While there are only three 18-hole golf courses in the Wood River Valley, Sun Valley is home to two of them, with one located at Elkhorn Resort. Bald Mountain, a legendary downhill mountain where Picabo Street began her skiing career, is part of the Sun Valley area. Dollar Mountain, thought to be one of the best teaching mountains in the country, is available as a ski-in, ski-out option for the Elkhorn Resort guest. Sun Valley also offers the outdoor enthusiast over 34 miles of bike/blade/jog/walking trails which are kept open year-round.

Stanley
Originally a ranching community, Stanley is now considered the "Gateway to the River of No Return." The Salmon River headwaters are located south of Stanley about 30 miles and north of Sun Valley about 40 miles. By the time the river reaches Stanley, it is ready to take you for a ride. Stanley is permanent home to approximately 75 residents. The population can increase to over 2,500 in the summer months with visitors coming to see the world famous Redfish Lake, the most photographed lake in the United States. A summer getaway destination, Stanley offers not only river rafting on the main Salmon, but the Middle Fork of the Salmon River as well. Horseback riding is also a popular activity. In the winter, snowmobiling is the most popular activity in the Stanley Basin.

Ketchum
Founded in 1880, Ketchum was named after David Ketchum, a mountaineer who had made his way into the Wood River Valley via Trail Creek in 1879. Ketchum's founding fathers originally wanted to name the town Leadville, due to the rich ore deposits found here, but were turned down by the government due to the fact that there were already several towns in the West named Leadville. So they chose the name Ketchum. The town has since grown to be one of the most popular destinations in the United States with every imaginable dining and shopping experience. Ketchum is also home to over 20 galleries for the art lover.

Hailey
Home to the valley's only airport, Friedman Airport, and the Blaine County seat, Hailey has a population of just under 4,500. Locals consider the town the perfect place to raise children, with several parks, ball fields, a large public library, a small ski hill, and a community supported recreation center. Hailey's residents are mostly middle income families who work in and around the Sun Valley and Ketchum area. Bellevue Bellevue was the first town founded in Blaine County in the year 1879. Often noted as the "Gateway to the Wood River Valley," Bellevue is located at the south end of the valley. It was the center for the rich mining district in the 1890s. Many original buildings remain standing and a few, including the first church in the valley, are listed on the National Registry of Historic Buildings. With a population of approximately 1,000, Bellevue is truly a charming gateway city.

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