Summer in Sun Valley

Waiting for the parade to begin.

Sunny takes a break from sips at the wine tasting.

Jonny Lang's got soul.

Maggie takes a rest on the picnic table in Adam's Gulch.

Dancing with a hula hoop at Ketch'em Alive.

No doubt, people come to Sun Valley for the skiing, but the reason people stay (and often never leave) is the summer. The sun is warm. The air is cool. The days are long. And, there is always something to do whether it’s a hike, an outdoor concert or a day on the river. In other words, there is nothing quite like the summer in Sun Valley.

Festivals and Events: 2008

Summer in Sun Valley starts early and with a bang. In May, Sun Valley hosts its annual Wellness Festival (May 22-25) where health gurus give lectures and workshops to help you cultivate a sound mind and body. Then in June, wine and dine with some of the best local and international chefs at the 2nd annual Food & Wine Festival (June 6-8), featuring amazing local and national chefs including Cat Cora and John Tesar of the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas.
July is when the heat really turns up starting with the annual 4th of July Parade down Hailey’s Main Street complete with rodeo queens, state senators and local bands. Then, you can spend your evening under the stars and with the bulls at the Hailey's Days of the Old West Rodeo. Then, in mid-July, get ready to party for the arts with the Sun Valley Center for the Arts Wine Auction (July 12-13). For three days, you can attend fabulous vintner dinners, taste magnificent wines and attend the best live auction in town.
The end of July brings the beginning of the sensational Sun Valley Summer Symphony, which can only get better as this year we have a new venue with a state of the art, beautifully crafted tent. Grab a bottle of wine (or two), some cheese, a picnic blanket and head to the lawn for two weeks of some of the best classical music performances in the country.
The end of summer, of course, does not let up thanks to the 50th anniversary celebration of Wagon Days (August 29 - September 1). This wild west event is the perfect way to celebrate Labor Day, the end of summer and Blaine County’s heritage. See wagons roll down Main Street, enjoy fabulous music and party until the sun goes down.

As always, the summer is also filled with awesome live music. There are weekly concerts at the Wicked Spud in Hailey every Wednesday, live bands at the Forest Service Park in Ketchum every Thursday (also known as Ketch’em Alive), and Sun Valley Center for the Arts also presents a series of summer concerts all over the Wood River Valley.

Hiking

The beauty of the Wood River Valley is that you can hike just about anywhere: on Bald Mountain, up north in the Sawtooth Mountains, or in your own backyard. A must for all visitors is getting to the top of Bald Mountain. You can hike all the way to the top, or pay a small fee to ride up in the chairlift. You’ll enjoy breathtaking views, a nice cool breeze and a place to picnic if you wish. We also recommend hiking Adam’s Gulch, Fox Creek Loop or Carbonate in Hailey. They are mild hikes, but still rewarding and absolutely stunning. For more trail ideas visit Blaine County Recreation District.

Biking

Whether you are a seasoned mountain biker or just someone who likes to cruise, Sun Valley has plenty of options. For long, hard mountain rides we suggest hitting one of the previously mentioned trials like Fox Creek Loop or Adam’s Gulch. Or, head down Highway 75 to the light at East Fork & Greenhorn. Both roads will lead you to an endless collection of dirt trails. For the road biker, try out the Wood River Valley's famous bike path. The path runs from Bellevue all the way through Ketchum and has an intense series of loops in Elkhorn with lots of hills for those who want a serious workout. For a long bike trip, ride the bike path north until it runs into Highway 75. From there bike further north to Galena Lodge or summit Galena Pass for beautiful, panoramic views of the Sawtooth Mountains.

Fly Fishing

The great part about fly fishing in Sun Valley is that you can do it
almost anywhere. Fishing in the Big Wood River, which runs north to
south throughout the Wood River Valley, is a fabulous experience for all
fishers, new and old. You can also make a day of fly fishing by heading
towards Bellevue to the Silver Creek Preserve. This precious
piece of land is truly spectacular, and the fishing is some of the best
around. For more information, visit Silver Creek Outfitters.

Camping

Get earthy. Get in touch with nature. Get your camping on. There are
designated campgrounds just north of town as well as over Trail Creek
Pass (off of Sun Valley Road.) You can drive out or hike in, whichever
your nature loving self prefers. Our favorite is camping up north near one of the alpine lakes (Redfish, Petit). Park the car and
hike in for a secluded, quiet and stunning stay with nature. Any
local sporting goods store will have a number of tips and maps to help
you pick the right trip.

Rafting

Fly-fishing a river in Idaho is awesome, but floating down a river
in Idaho is nothing short of paradise. For the lazy sunbathers, we
suggest driving renting an inflatable kayak in Stanley, Idaho. You can paddle or just sit, relax and
take in the beauty of the white-capped Sawtooths and rolling green cow
pastures. For the more ambitious types, try white-water rafting the Salmon River.
Just an hour north of Sun Valley on the Salmon River you’ll find whatever
your river rafting heart desires: a family trip, a fishing float, or a
class four rapid challenge.

Golfing

There is something about the green of the golf course that just yells summer. The Wood River Valley hosts a number of courses, all with fabulous designs and stunning views. There is the Bigwood Golf Course, which boasts beer girls and delicious cocktails. There is also the Elkhorn Valley Golf Course that wanders throughout the Elkhorn community, and mid-Valley there is the private course at the Valley Club. Last but not least, Sun Valley Resort boasts two courses. There is one by the Gun Club featuring 9-holes as well as an 18-hole course. Golf Digest ranked this 18-hole 72-par challenge #1 in Idaho. Not too shabby.