Sun Valley is Hemmingway country. He wrote most of For Whom the Bell Tolls there and enjoyed the village and beautiful Bald Mountain.
If you get a chance to watch the movie, Sun Valley Serenade, while you're vacationing, do. It's great fun to try and find all the filming locations while your on the mountain or in the village. The first ski
If you like room to stretch out, renting a condo or home for your stay in Sun Valley is the best choice. Enjoying the luxury of a beautiful house is like a home away from home only better. With the choice to eat in or choose between numerous types of fine cuisine you'll enjoy the best of both worlds. Many homes have hot tubs in private backyard settings and laundry facilities in the house. Your dog is welcome in many homes and will enjoy having a backyard to run and play in.
Many homes are decorated in mountain lodge style with stone fireplaces and large expansive windows to enjoy mountain views. Renting a home during your stay at Sun Valley is a great way to enjoy additional family members, coming from different areas. What a great family reunion to ski or snowboard during the day and enjoy hot chocolate by the fireplace in the evening while catching up on each other's lives.
On the other hand, a condo can be a great choice for many of the reasons listed above plus more. You'll have access to a pool and tennis court, sauna, playground equipment for the kids and a clubhouse. There are condo's in Sun Valley Village or mountain side condos with beautiful views.
For just a room or suite, there are numerous lodges, motels and hotels to choose from. Don't want to be in the thick of things, but want to be closer to the mountain, take a look at Ketchum or Warm Springs. There are plenty of lodging opportunities at River Run, the eastern base of the mountain. You will still find great nightlife and plenty of great restaurants. Best of all, you can take the free bus, KART, back and forth to the Village.
Getting to Sun Valley and Getting Around
Direct, daily non stop flights are offered into Sun Valley's Friedman Memorial Airport from Salt Lake, Oakland, Seattle and Los Angels. You can rent a car at the airport, but there is plenty of public transportation, KART bus, taxis, rapid transit and a shuttle service if you are staying at the resort.
If you decide to drive, Sun Valley is about 150 miles from Boise and there are two routes. Interstate 84 to Highway 20 to Highway 75 with takes you into Ketchum and on to Sun Valley Village. The second route from Interstate 84 is to take Highway 26 to Highway 75.
Entertainment and Dining
You can find every kind of food imaginable, from a western steak house to sushi and hamburger drive thoughs.
I can never get enough skiing and snowboarding on Bald Mountain (or Dollar Mountain if you're a beginner). But, if you need a break, there are plenty of entertainment opportunities. Take a horse drawn sleigh through the woods for a delightful evening and a gourmet dinner. There are workshops and festivals as well as stage performances and concerts. There is ice skating and figure skating ice shows with top Olympic performers.
There are movies and an opera house as well as a symphony pavilion. Don't miss the Winter Carnival at the end of Janurary or Swing'n Dixie Jass Jamboree in mid October.
Sun Valley is not just a winter vacation designation, there's plenty to enjoy year round. Take a chair lift ride for the best site-seeing you've ever done. Hike or horseback ride Bald Mountain, spread a picnic lunch in the wildflower fields before returning. You can ride the rapids on the Salmon River or enjoy the numerous music festivals in the summer months with include jazz and classical music. If you're into golfing, you won't be disappointed with all of the courses to choose from.