FREESKIER visits America’s first ski destination to experience the skiing of the Central Idaho Mountains
There’s no place quite like Sun Valley, Idaho. Sprawling mountains—check. A historic town with modern amenities—double check. And if it’s good enough for pros like Karl Fostvedt, Banks Gilberti and Lucy Sackbauer, it’s good enough for you. To get the inside scoop what America’s first ski destination has to offer, the FREESKIER team cruised up to Idaho in late January with athletes Julian Carr and Amy David. What we found was a resort with something to offer for everyone and a “choose your own adventure” style of terrain. Wide open bowls, tight trees and near-endless groomers make Sun Valley an ideal place for your next ski trip. Whether you’re looking to arch turns and catch a tasty mountaintop lunch or dive deeper and explore the vast backcountry right out of the resort, Sun Valley has everything to make your trip come to life.
If you’re keen on planning a trip to Sun Valley this season, here are a few things to keep in mind…
Do yourself a favor and fly nonstop. Sun Valley’s regional airport has daily flights from many major airports, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Denver and Chicago. You’ll land just a 20-minute drive from the resort—leaving plenty of time to take some turns the same day you make your trip. Click here to learn more about finding your way to Sun Valley.
Create your own ski experience. With over 2,000 acres of skiable terrain, Sun Valley offers lift access to a bounty of lines. Rolling groomers, tight trees, sprawling high-mountain bowls and backcountry terrain are all at your fingertips, and it’s up to you where you want to ride.
Stop and admire the views. Sun Valley was put on the map by Count Felix Schaffgotsch, an Austrian commissioned by the Union Pacific Railroad to search for the perfect North American ski destination. Stumbling upon the expansive Pioneer, Boulder and Smoky Mountains on his cross-country journey, he knew he’d found the home for the first ski resort in the United States. Standing atop Sun Valley’s Bald Mountain, it won’t take long for you to understand why he chose this place to set up shop.
Book a room at the Limelight Hotel. With locations in some of the finest mountain towns in the West, the Limelight is one of the best places to rest your head after a long day of skiing. The oversized hot tub and full bar with happy hour deals and live music will keep you entertained every night of your stay—and it’s just a five-minute shuttle ride to the resort.
Grab a bite at Apples. Just a two-minute walk from the Warm Springs base area, Apples Bar & Grill serves up delicious wraps, local brews and is decorated with timeless ski memorabilia—the perfect place to stop for a bite before you head back out to the hill.
Sun Valley is Epic. Part of the slew of international ski destinations on the Epic Pass, skiing and riding at Sun Valley comes easy. With up to seven days of skiing standard on your Epic Pass, take a trip and don’t worry about lift tickets. All you need to to do get there.
