Sun Valley is a stunning mountain town that is known for its awesome resort. The town is near the Bald (affectionately known as “Baldy” locally) and Dollar mountains and embraces the fun and relaxing activities of the region regardless of the season. There are plenty of fascinating and heart-pounding winter activities that thrill visitors from dawn to dusk. Here are nine fun winter activities for those who wonder what living in Sun Valley can offer, whether you’re athletic at heart, seeking winter festivities, or aiming for relaxation.

 

Anglers who enjoy fishing all year round can have the itch scratched by making a trip to the Big Wood River. Select areas are open to catch and release, and local outfitters can guide the fishing trip. The Big Wood River is 137 miles long and is home to rainbow, brown, and brook trout. Serious fishermen shouldn’t let the snow keep them from the thrill of casting a line.

Snowshoeing is a winter staple in Sun Valley, so there are lots of places to experience the frosty beauty of the mountains and canyons. The local outfitters and lodges offer show shoes for rent, but explorers wanting the snowshoe experience need to give a heads up on the rental if they plan to take advantage of a lodge’s program.

 

Local resorts, like Galena Lodge, offer snow romping activities, like snowshoeing tours. Sawtooth National Recreation Area is gorgeous during the winter months and is the perfect spot to explore. The expedition is given by a local ranger. So, there is no worry about losing track of time. The Galena Lodges snowshoeing tour lasts about two hours and covers a mile and a half of the incredible terrain.

 

For those powder hounds who love the speed and roar of an engine, snowmobiling is the adrenaline rush they are craving. Smiley Creek Lodge offers both self-guided and guided snowmobile excursions that will add some punch to a winter day and turn the winter snow and ice into a wild playground.  Smiley Creek has five recent models of snowmobiles to slice through the wintry landscape. Visitors may hire a guide, but it isn’t required to rent the machines. However, the lodge highly suggests that a guide shows the riders how to operate and get the most out of their time on the snowmobile. A snowmobile rental at Smiley Creek is available for a full day or a half day.

 

For some, the idea of maneuvering in bulky snowshoes or troubleshooting a piece of equipment like a snowmobile sounds overly complicated. Sometimes, putting one foot in front of the other is just more appealing. No problem! Wood River Trail is an all-season trail that will be an epic trek once the cold settles in the region. Visitors can still take the well-manicured path with just a good pair of winter boots. The trail is 20 miles long and connects Bellevue, Hailey, Ketchum, and Sun Valley.

 

Christmas time would not be complete without the rhythm of horses, hooves, and the pleasant ring of bells. Sleigh rides are available at the Sun Valley Resort during the daytime hours. The rides last about 30 minutes and show visitors the beauty of the Bald and Proctor mountains. The sleighs accommodate up to 15 passengers, but private bookings are another great option.

 

Fly Sun Valley offers tandem paragliding flights for visitors wanting a more exciting view of Bald Mountain. Of course, the whole experience is with a licensed and experienced instructor, who will record the flight for you. That way, you can always cherish this wild and unique memory and one heck of a bucket list checkmark. Anyone can plow through the snow, so why not soar above the slopes?

Mountain biking isn't just a warm weather thing. As a matter of fact, riders looking to tackle Sun Valley’s winter snow will have a better time on a fat bike. Fat bikes are off-road bikes that offer larger tires meant for gripping tricky terrains. A fat bike normally has about four-inch tires and around three-inch rims. The design is intended to make riding on soft surfaces, like mud, sand, and (of course) snow, much more manageable. Local sport rental places offer bike rentals all around the Sun Valley area.

Idaho has a number of natural hot springs if you’re looking for a relaxing escape from the chilly air. Frenchman’s Bend is a popular spring in the Sun Valley region. The location is for day use only and can be hard to reach during the winter because of the rural roads that must be cleared off before visitors can get there. The spring has strict rules of conduct to keep the natural wonder clean and safe, but those looking for a wintertime dip won’t be disappointed.

In every group, there is a person who could care less about thrill-seeking. They might go along for the ride so they have a remarkable story, but they would be just as happy to hang back and enjoy a good book. Sun Valley has winter activities for them, too. Sun Valley Village is modeled after the quaint Austrian Alps and is part of the Sun Valley Resort experience. Visitors can shop specialty shops and enjoy top-notch cuisine.

 

If visitors are looking for winter playtime, then Sun Valley offers plenty of winter fun. Even if a visitor isn’t interested in the twists and turns and adrenaline rushes a mountain community offers, there are still quiet activities that make a cozy winter day even cozier.

If you’re considering Sun Valley real estate, work with only the best. Reach out to Katherine Schroder and Martha Hausmann for the guidance you can count on. This expert team of Sun Valley Realtors® has 40 years of combined experience helping clients find their perfect new homes. As part of a full-service real estate team, Martha and Katherine brings their top marketing skills to the table for those moving to Sun Valley. You could be next!

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