About Sun Valley | Things to Do

Click here for the official Sun Valley Website

About Sun Valley

Sun Valley is tucked within the mountains of Idaho. The closest airport, called Sun Valley Airport, is in Hailey about 10 miles from Sun Valley. There is a reliable shuttle service from Hailey to Sun Valley that meets every incoming flight. In addition to the airport in Hailey, there are other several travel options. Many people prefer to fly to either Boise, Idaho or Salt Lake City Utah and drive to Sun Valley. Each option has advantages and disadvantages. When making travel reservations, please keep the following in mind: 

Flying to Sun Valley (Hailey) – Flights to Hailey originate in Salt Lake City. The flight from SLC to Hailey takes about one hour. Hailey is a small mountain airport so you can expect to fly on a smaller turboprop airplane. All flights into Hailey are met by the Sun Valley shuttle, which will take you to the resort (about 15 miles) at no charge. Flying to Hailey is the most direct way to travel to Sun Valley but there are some drawbacks. The turboprop service between SLC and Hailey tends to be a bumpy ride and in hot weather, some luggage may have to be removed from the plane to allow enough lift for take off. The luggage typically will arrive on a later flight, but you run the risk of being without your luggage for a day. This risk is not great but travelers should recognize that luggage delays can occur in late July and early August.

Another option is to fly to Boise Idaho and then drive to Sun Valley. There is also a Sun Valley Shuttle service from Boise to Sun Valley for approximately $50 one way. The drive to Sun Valley from Boise takes about 2 ½ hours. There is also an option to take a scenic drive along highway 21 through Stanley, which takes about 4 hours. Be sure to check whether it is less expensive to fly to Sun Valley or rent a car and drive. Of course, if you rent a car, you will have one at your disposal for local touring.

A third option is to fly into Salt Lake City, Utah and drive to Sun Valley with one of the Salt Lake participants or someone else who wishes to do the same. It is approximately a 6-hour drive and could plan on driving back Thursday. For hotel arrangements in Salt Lake City, I recommend either the Shilo Hotel [(801) 521-9500, approximately $95 per night (double), high speed internet access and includes breakfast] or the America’s Best Inn & Suites [(801) 355-4567, approximately $59 per night (double), free wireless internet access, includes continental breakfast]. When making reservations, please tell them you are with the University of Utah and would like the corporate rate. Or another option is the University of Utah Guest House [(801) 587-1000 and $72 per night (double), free wireless internet access with a continental breakfast].  If you decide to stay at the Guest House, tell them you are visiting Dr. Webster Jee, Radiobiology Division.

Things to Do and See During Your Visit to Sun Valley
(suggestions by Sun Valley Staff)

BOWLING:   Six lanes, video games, a pool table and a ‘50’s juke box all add to the atmosphere of one of the oldest bowling alleys in the Pacific Northwest.  Located in the basement of the Sun Valley Lodge.  Open evenings from 4 to 10pm. 

FISHING:  Sun Valley is a fisherman’s paradise. Many streams, creeks and lakes, all within a 30 mile radius, including famed Silver Creek offer fabulous fly fishing.  Trail Creek empties into Sun Valley Lake where even the youngest fisherman can try their luck.  Licenses and rental equipment are available at Bill Mason outfitters, located in the Sun Valley Mall. 

GOLF:  Sun Valley Golf Course is nestled along Trail Creek, which comes into play on seven holes on the front 9 and two holes on the back 9.  Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., there are 46 bunkers, 3 lakes, and numerous lateral water hazards. Within easy walking distance of the resort.  Doyle Corbett, P.G.A. Professional.

HORSEMAN CENTER:  Located on Sun Valley Road, an easy walk or bike ride from Ketchum or the Sun Valley Resort.  Guided 1 hour, 1 1/2 and 3 hour horseback rides on picturesque Dollar, Rudd and Diamondback Mountains and surrounding areas are available for all level riders age 8 and above.  Scenic hay wagon rides to historic Trail Creek Cabin are available for group reservation.

ICE SKATING:  Built in 1937, the sun Valley outdoor year ­round rink has been described as "ice skating in an outdoor setting of green lawns and blossoming flower beds…the summertime equivalent of wintertime swimming in a glass enclosed pool".  Stroll through the lobby of the sun Valley Lodge to the terrace and watch the skaters twirl around the rink.  Rent a pair of skates and rub elbows with Olympic Gold Medalists perfecting their routines for the Sun Valley Ice Show.  Private and group lessons available.

SUN VALLEY LAKE:  Located within walking distance of the Sun Valley Resort, the lake is equipped with paddle boats.  Enjoy horseshoes, volleyball and the picnic area.

SUN VALLEY DAY CARE:  Conveniently located in the "blue" building in the Sun Valley Mall.  The Sun Valley Day Care offers a complete program for children 6 mo. ­ 6 years.  Emphasis is placed on providing a warm and loving environment for children.  The Center is a licensed day care facility.  Children enjoy swimming, ice skating, hayrides & BBQ, and nature walks to feed the ducks as well as a well-equipped play ground.  Full and half day programs available.  Reservations suggested.

SUN VALLEY DAY CAMP:  A unique youth program which includes a wide variety of Sun Valley experiences for youngsters age 6 ­ 14.  Emphasis is placed on a coordinated weekly program to enhance your child’s awareness of the facilities offered by the Sun Valley Resort and provide a fun filled vacation.  Carefully selected enthusiastic and supportive counselors supervise swimming, ice skating, Mt. Baldy chair lift ride, hayrides and BBQ, paddle boating, fly fishing clinics, tennis, horseback riding and basic rock climbing.  Full and half day programs available.  Reservations suggested.

SUN VALLEY ICE SHOW:  Enjoy a magical evening under the stars at the world class Sun Valley Ice Show.  Ice shows begin at dusk from Mid-June through mid-September on Sun Valley’s beautiful 180’ x 90’ outdoor ice rink.  Built in 1937, the beautiful outdoor year-round ice rink setting combined with the incredible exhibition of World-class and Olympic talent, creative energy and just plain fun makes for an ice show that is unparalleled anywhere.
 Prepare your senses for a magical evening of music, lights, the sound of blades cutting across the ice, gorgeous costumes, sweet smelling mountain air, the stars in the sky and most of all the stars on the ice.  Join us for an unforgettable buffet and ice show experience on the sun Valley lodge terrace.  Reserved bleacher seating also available.  Reservations required.  Ice shows are Saturday evening.  Quite often on Thursday evenings they have a dress rehearsal where you can sometimes see the stars at no charge.

SWIM AND TAN: Sun worshipers soon learn how Sun Valley got its name.  Three outdoor heated swimming pools provide a beautiful setting for relaxing, sunbathing and swimming.  Swimming lessons for infants and youngsters are also available.

TENNIS:  Acclaimed by Tennis Magazine as one of the U.S.’s 50 greatest tennis resorts, the Sun Valley Tennis Center is headed by Pro Kie Foreman.  Eighteen courts and a large staff of excellent instructors await every level of tennis player.  Home of the free "Instant Tennis Player Clinics".  Private lessons available.

TRAP & SKEET SHOOTING:  Located 1 mile from the Sun Valley Resort in one of the most beautiful setting in the U.S.  We operate 1 skeet, 3 trap ranges and a NEW 5-stand!  We offer skeet, American trap, International Wobble Trap, Doubles Trap and a 35’ Duck Tower.  Instruction available by National skeet Shooting Association.  Certified Instructors featuring Beretta shotguns.  Rentals available.
 

Additional info:

There is a free bus that goes from Sun Valley to Elkhorn to Ketchum quite often.  Elkhorn offers quite a few of the same activities that Sun Valley offers.

The town of Ketchum is approximately a one mile easy walk from the Sun Valley resort.  There are many places to eat and shop, including grocery stores, laundromat, etc.

If you have a car available to you, there are sight-seeing trips you can take on your free afternoons ­ Red Fish Lake, town of Stanley, Craters of the Moon National Monument, Ice Caves, Mammoth Cave. 

There are also white-water river trips available from the Sawthooth Adventure Company (Sun Valley Workshop attendees and their families receive a 10% discount!). They have half day trips available that could be taken on one of your free afternoons. For more information, contact Jared Hopkinson, toll free at 1-866-774-4644; or visit the Sawtooth Adventure Company web site: www.sawtoothadventure.com. 

There are also many close places to hike with a lot of beautiful scenery.