Nonstop to Sun Valley – Idaho’s Winter Playground
Sun Valley, the unpretentious ski town where wilderness and adventure meet community and culture, has something for all visitors in winter
By Visit Sun Valley November 13, 2019
Sponsored by Visit Sun Valley
Sun Valley feels like a world away, but it’s closer than you think. The picturesque Idaho mountain town feels quaint but plays big. It’s an almost impossibly balanced destination that offers some of the best outdoor adventure and culture to be found anywhere in the region, while somehow avoiding the crowds and attitudes that can haunt larger destinations. And with regular nonstop flights on Alaska Airlines from SeaTac, you can escape to this winter oasis in just two hours.
Find Exhilaration Outdoors
Odds are that if you’re headed to the “Alps of America” you’re going to find yourself on a pair of skis or a snowboard at some point, and nobody will fault you for that. With 2,000+ acres of lift access skiing for all levels of experience, one of the most expansive Nordic trail systems anywhere, and a new partnership with the unbridled access of Epic Pass, you almost have to hit the slopes. Or expand your ski-based repertoire by strapping yourself to a dog or horse for some “skijoring.”
Photo by Mike Schirf // Visit Sun Valley
But there’s more. Year-round ice means hockey and ice skating are always in season but especially in winter. If you want to go beyond where the lifts can take you, give paragliding a try. Snowmobiling and fat biking are additional adrenaline-inducing options, while winter fly fishing, snowshoeing, and a number of wellness endeavors will help you slow things down and wash away stress.
Discover Inspiration Indoors
There’s also an inordinately impressive array of pursuits to engage the mind and soul, as well as the body. With a number of museums, a cadre of performing arts options, and galleries galore, Sun Valley is one of America’s best small towns for arts and culture, and winter is no exception.
Don’t sleep on the surprisingly ample shopping options, either. With eclectic outlets specializing in apparel, gifts, jewelry, home furnishings, books, and then some, it’s easy to find ways to increase the weight of your checked baggage.
Photo by Mike Schirf // Visit Sun Valley
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