How to Go Skiing in Sun Valley, Idaho

The world renowned Sun Valley Resort in Idaho is a winter wonderland where the rich and famous frolic in the plush powder. You'll get to take in world-class skiing on a 3,400-foot vertical drop and two different mountains. With ritzy lodges and an enviable shopping area, Sun Valley, Idaho is the place to see and be seen.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet connection

Know Your Destination

1. Delve into the rich history of the Sun Valley Resort, which winds through the decades all the way back to 1935. Averell Harriman, a former chairman of the Union Pacific Railroad, bought and constructed the present-day Sun Valley and had the vision to see the potential of the breathtaking area.
2. Fill your days with hours of skiing and snowboarding among the close to 100 different runs available on Bald Mountain and Dollar Mountain. Bald Mountain has 19 lifts with an amazing hourly capacity of 26,780 skiers.
3. Enroll in a class at one of the most widely known and respected ski schools, the Sun Valley Ski and Snowboard School. Adult clinics are available daily starting at 10:00 a.m. and prices range from reasonably affordable to quite expensive.
4. Sun Valley's winter season is from mid-December to the end of March. For a one-day ticket on Bald Mountain during the regular season, the cost is quite reasonable. However, a "seven out of ten day" ticket can be expensive.
5. Find out the current conditions by checking the Sun Valley Resort ski report before departing (see Resources below).

Organize Transportation for a Ski Trip to Sun Valley Resort

6. Fly into the local Sun Valley Airport, which receives flights from Horizon Air and Sky West. Horizon Air will fly you in from Los Angeles, Oakland and Seattle while Sky West has numerous flights from Salt Lake City.
7. Drive into Sun Valley or take a scenic route using a chartered service from areas like Boise, Twin Falls, Idaho Falls and Pocatello.

Book Accommodations at Sun Valley Resort

8. Book a luxurious and unique room inside one of the three lodges nestled atop Bald or "Baldy" Mountain. Each of these three lodges--River Run, Warm Springs and Seattle Ridge Lodge-- provide the decadence and comfort expected of a Sun Valley Resort.
9. Reserve rooms at the newest lodge, Dollar Mountain Lodge, which upholds a high standard of excellence but also caters to families and children. The Dollar Mountain Lodge is only a short 1/3 mile jaunt from the Sun Valley Village.
10. Book rooms online through the Sun Valley Resort Web site (see Resources below). After entering your trip dates, you'll be shown which rooms are currently available. You can also call [phone] to make reservations.

Tips & Warnings

• Take your pick of lodge-style accommodations by booking online and previewing the available rooms.