Nestled in the heart of the snow-clad Rocky Mountain peaks, Sun Valley is a truly iconic ski destination that captivates the heart of every visitor, skiers and non-skiers alike!
Sun Valley Resort is the first destination ski town in America and delivers everything you’d expect from an authentic ski town, and so much more! Ranking #1 Ski Resort in the US for 2023, Sun Valley Resort is home to two ski hills, Baldy and Dollar Mountain, with over 2,000 acres of diverse terrain, epic terrain parks, on-mountain restaurants, and luxurious ski lodges with vibey aprés ski. But, Sun Valley Resort isn’t just for skiers and snowboarders and the fun doesn’t end on the slopes!
The Sun Valley Resort area and charming mountain town of Ketchum (dubbed one of the coolest towns in America!) offer the perfect balance of laid-back relaxation and action-packed adventures that beckon you away from the world-famous ski slopes. Aside from the upmarket boutiques, trendy restaurants, and old-school pubs and saloons adorned with twinkling lights, there’s a wide range of outdoor winter activities to add to your vacation itinerary, like snowshoeing in Sun Valley!
Strap on a pair of snowshoes and take a winter hike through the snowy secluded landscapes for a peaceful adventure and a great winter workout. First timer? No worries, it’s easy! As they say, “If you can walk, you can snowshoe!”
Sun Valley is a perfect paradise for winter snowshoeing, with endless opportunities to explore the snowy landscapes in the remote backcountry, or close to town. With over 200 km of immaculately groomed Nordic trails and a Nordic Olympic Training Center, Sun Valley Idaho ranks as one of the best ski destinations in the nation for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, young or old, you’ll love the freedom and solitude that comes with strapping on a pair of snowshoes and exploring Sun Valley and the scenic Sawtooth National Forest on a self-guided or guided snowshoe hike. Please note that passes are required on all maintained snowshoe trails, aside from the public Wood River Trail.
The Wood River Trail, known locally as the bike path, is an easily accessible 32 km flat groomed multi-use path connecting the towns of Sun Valley, Ketchum, Elkhorn, and Hailey. The trail is dog-friendly and is groomed every other day for cross-country skiers, fat-bikers, and snowshoers to enjoy for free! Many of our vacation rentals have direct access to the Wood River Trail making it easy to head out for a quick snowshoe adventure right from home!
Sun Valley Club, Sun Valley Road
Phone: (208) 622-2250
Snowshoe Trail Pass Required
Snowshoe Trail Pass Required
The Sun Valley Nordic Center is situated a mile from the legendary Sun Valley Lodge and offers 40+ km of family-friendly trails with three scenic snowshoe trails winding along the banks of Trail Creek with breathtaking views of Baldy. The Hemingway Snowshoe Trail (2 km out and back), Glenn’s Loop (1.7 km loop), and the Bridges Trail (3.5 km) are dedicated to snowshoeing, with an additional 37 km of groomed cross-country ski trails and 16 km of trails for fat biking. Passes and rental gear are available onsite.
State Hwy 75, Ketchum
Phone: (208) 727-5000
BRCD Pass Required
The SNRA Headquarters is located 8 miles from downtown Ketchum along the Sawtooth Scenic Byway (Hwy 75) and is home to the North Fork Trails and Durrance Loop Trail. The Durrance Loop trail (7 km) is open to skiers and fat bikes only, however, the North Fork Trail (4 km) has a trail that runs alongside the Nordic ski trail for snowshoers. Register here at the SNRA Headquarters for Sun Valley’s epic Snowshoe with a Ranger tour departing Galena Lodge every Thursday at 11 AM during the winter season.
State Hwy 75, Ketchum
BRCD Pass Required
Continue along Sawtooth Scenic Byway for another 10 miles to Billy’s Bridge, a beautiful snowshoe and cross-country trail system nestled at the base of the Boulder Mountains. The 8 km loop trail starts out at the Big Wood River, crosses Billy’s Bridge, and heads through open fields of snow and stands of wintery Aspens towards Boulder’s dramatic mountain peaks before looping back to the highway. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife!
State Hwy 75, Ketchum
Phone: (208) 726-4010
BRCD Pass Required
A trip to Sun Valley is not complete without visiting Galena Lodge! Situated 25 miles from downtown Ketchum (and a short drive north from Billy’s Bridge), the Galena Lodge trail system boasts some of the best Nordic trails in America! Visitors have easy access to 50 km of groomed Nordic trails, 27 km of designated snowshoe trails, and a classic cozy log cabin with the best comfort food in the valley (and loaner dogs to take on the trails!). Reserve your snowshoe rentals at least 12 hours in advance or book a bucket-list snowshoe tour with a guide.
Sun Valley Club, Sun Valley Road
Phone: (208) 622-2250
711 N Main Street, Ketchum
Phone: (208) 726-8818
Sun Valley Road & East Avenue, Ketchum
Phone: (208) 726-3497
340 N Main Street, Ketchum
Phone: (208) 726-4501
Carbonate & Main Street, Hailey
Phone: (208) 788-7847
So don’t wait – pack your bags and head to Sun Valley for a winter adventure that you’ll never forget. Trust us, this is one ski town that’s definitely worth crossing off your bucket list. After days spent snowshoeing through a winter wonderland, there’s nothing quite like snuggling up by the fire, getting cozy at home, and warming up for a round (or two) of aprés ski, classic ski town dining, and a night out in Sun Valley Village or downtown Ketchum with live music, friendly locals, and fellow travelers.
Our collection of Sun Valley vacation rentals has something for every type of traveler! From affordable studio condos for two to luxurious Elkhorn Estates with a rich Sun Valley ski history, you’re guaranteed to find a place to stay in Sun Valley with Michaels Vacation Rentals.
Your hosts are a family team of local ski instructors who know the best spots to adventure year-round in the area and love to share insider tips with our guests. Locally-owned, locally-operated, and true Sun Valley locals at heart!
We look forward to welcoming you to the Wood River Valley and the epic trails in and around Sun Valley Resort.
