Travel

An Adventurous Winter Escape for Skiers and Non-Skiers Alike

Go fat-tire biking in the snow, visit a classic ski lodge and enjoy holiday fa-la-la.

By Danny Sullivan December 11, 2017

SunValley_Torchlight-Parade

This article originally appeared in the December 2017 issue of Seattle magazine.

Ketchum and Sun Valley, Idaho, are decked out for the holidays and wrapped in special events during December. Visitors can enjoy the light display in the Sun Valley Village throughout the month; find gifts at the Papoose Club’s annual Holiday Bazaar; and watch the Christmas Eve Ice Show and subsequent torchlight parade of skiers snaking down the mountain on nearby Dollar Face.

Get Outside
Though known as a skiing destination (with 2,000 acres of terrain on Baldy and Dollar mountains), this area offers plenty of fun for the non-skier. Hop on a fat-tire bike and head to Bigwood Fat Bike Park (Ketchum, 115 Thunder Trail; 208.726.4024trail pass, bike and helmet rental, $30) or the ski area’s Nordic trails (some open to fat-tire biking), where you can also snowshoe. 


Photograph Courtesy of Sun Valley Resort; outdoor attractions non-skiers can enjoy activies like fat-tire biking.

Hunt For Treasure
Locals and visitors alike make a point of combing through the goods at The Gold Mine (Ketchum, 331 Walnut Ave. N; 208.726.3465;), a thrift store with an eclectic mix of high-quality clothing and outdoor gear. Find new gear at sporting goods favorite Sturtevants of Sun Valley (Ketchum, 340 N Main St.; 208.726.4501). 

Take a Walk
Browse for Native American antiquities at Broschofsky Galleries (Ketchum, 360 East Ave.; 208.726.4950) and work from 20th-century masters, such as Picasso, Matisse and Magritte, at Frederic Boloix Fine Arts (Ketchum, 351 Leadville Ave. N; 208.726.8810). All of the town’s art galleries are open during the Sun Valley Gallery Association art walk on December 29 (208.726.5512; svgalleries.org). 

Sleep Well
The classic Sun Valley Lodge (Sun Valley, 1 Sun Valley Road; 800.786.8259; from $309/night), opened in 1936, looks the same from the outside, but underwent a complete renovation last year, adding a full-service spa. Book a spacious room or suite with fireplace, or opt for a room in town at the modern Limelight Hotel (Ketchum, 151 Main St. S; 855.565.0985; from $300/night), which opened last year. 


Courtesy of Sun Valley Resort; The recently-renovated Sun Valley Lodge is the backdrop for the popular skating rink.

A Meal and Music
Fortify yourself at Jewish deli Esta at Club 511 (Ketchum, 511 Leadville Ave.; 208.726.0841), where some of the breakfast dishes, such as the Yiddish Cowboy Style huevos rancheros, have a Southwest flavor. Visit Austrian-inspired café Konditorei (Sun Valley, 1 Sun Valley Road; 208.622.2235) for schnitzel or midafternoon tea and strudel.

Wood-fired pizza and wine are on the menu a Enoteca (Ketchum, 300 N Main St.; 208.928.6280), the newest restaurant from the owners of longtime local favorite Ketchum Grill (Ketchum, 520 East Ave.; 208.726.4660). Cap off the day at live-music venue Whiskey Jacques  (Ketchum, 251 N Main St.; 208.726.5297), or enjoy a pint of cask-aged Miner’s Canary stout at Warfield Distillery and Brewery (Ketchum, 280 N Main St.; 208.726.2739).

Follow Us

Ruby Beach Recognized as One of the World's Best  

Ruby Beach Recognized as One of the World’s Best  

Sparkling red and strewn with sea stacks, Washington's rugged shoreline stands out

Situated on the Olympic Peninsula, a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Seattle, Ruby Beach is known for its towering sea stacks sculpted by centuries of wind and waves, and its thriving tide pools.

Whale Watching is Extremely Popular

Whale Watching is Extremely Popular

New study pinpoints visitors, dollars in Washington state

A study for the Pacific Whale Watch Association by Martin Associates finds that whale watching expeditions in Washington state create $119.1 million in economic value and support 1,125 jobs...

You Better Belize It

You Better Belize It

Fly nonstop from Seattle and enjoy the jungle, the sea, and everything else the country has to offer

With its colonial past as British Honduras, Belize is the only English-speaking country in the region. But the blend of European, Central American, Mexican, Spanish, and Caribbean influences doesn’t even begin to describe Belize’s unique potpourri of cultures. The landscape is dotted with numerous Mayan temples, both ready to visit and still under excavation. The

Direct, Connect, Reflect

Direct, Connect, Reflect

It’s easier than ever to reach these sun-splashed sensations from Seattle

Need to escape Seattle this winter? Need some inspiration to pack a carry-on and cash in those miles? Here are four nonstop flights for nonstop escape. In June, Alaska Airlines announced new nonstop service to Nassau, Bahamas, beginning Dec. 15. Board one of these flights at 9 a.m. and land just six hours later. Even…