Things to do....

The Wood River Valley makes it the perfect spot for outdoor lovers with year round activities and events. Summer activities include: horseback riding, tennis, river rafting, and canoeing, waterskiing, parasailing, rollerblading, backpacking, hiking, biking, golfing and fishing. Winter activities include: ice skating, hunting, skiing, snowmobiling, back country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing.

Hiking

The breathtaking views Sun Valley and the Hailey area have to offer are a hikers paradise. From Quigley Canyon to Carbonate Ridge, hikers and trail runners can enjoy mountain vistas or serene paths along the Big Wood River. A myriad of wonderful hiking trails can be discovered up most of the canyons extending from the Wood River Valley core from Hailey to the Sawtooth National Recreational Area and beyond. Walking trails are also available in the Nature Conservancys Silver Creek Preserve south of Hailey. Whether one seeks an all day epic to Pioneer Cabin at the base of the Pioneer peaks, or a quick and rolling charmer with the dog out Greenhorn Gulch, a Sweetwater home base provides countless options.

Biking

Residents can enjoy the convenience of having direct access to a 22 mile long bike path running the length of the Wood River Valley. Converted through the "Rails to Trails" program, the bike path used to be the bed of the old train track which carried skiers to the Sun Valley Resort in the ?30s and ?40s.  This system of paved recreational trails that parallels Highway 75 is excellent for bike commuters, road bike enthusiasts or mountain bikers working their way to dirt trails.  Mountain bikers of all abilities enjoy trails that radiate from the central valley axis.  Favorites include Greenhorn/Mahoney Butte, Democrat Gulch, Quigley to Muldoon Canyons and Colorado Gulch.  With its history of mining, there are hundreds of trails converted from old mining roads creating a mountain bike haven.

Hunting & Fishing

Residents who are outdoor sportsmen have the luxury of being within a 10 minute drive of spectacular hunting and fishing.  Whether fly fishing on Silver Creek or the Big Wood River, convenience, seclusion and an abundance of fish are trademarks of the area.  Game and bird hunters find ample habitat and opportunity as well. 

Golfing

Nearby courses include the Sun Valley Golf Course, Bigwood, The Valley Club and Elkhorn.

Skiing

The Hailey area offers both world class downhill/alpine skiing and cross-country skiing. Hailey is located 10 miles from the lifts at Sun Valley on Baldy, 11 miles to Dollar Mountain and 2 miles from the Rotarun Ski Hill which all offer Alpine skiing and snowboarding. Besides offering world class alpine skiing, the Wood River Valley is home to some of the most extensive and beautifully maintained Nordic ski trails in the nation. The free-access 22 mile long bike path is groomed each winter, and there are an additional 200 km of groomed trails within 30 minutes of Sweetwater.

Yearly Events

Ski the Rails:  Free Nordic ski event - Late January

Wells Fargo Boulder Mountain Tour:  30 km Nordic race attracting 900+ entrants - 1^st

Weekend in February

Sun Valley Wellness Festival:  Multiple venues, classes and events - Memorial Day

Weekend

Hailey Springfest:  Craft fair, music and food - Memorial Day Weekend

Hailey Days of the Old West:  Parade, rodeo and events - 4th of July Weekend

Sun Valley Center Wine Auction:  Picnic, tasting and dinners plus $1,000,000 fund raising auction - Mid-July

Ketchum Arts Festival:  Arts and crafts fair with music and food - Weekend after 4th of

July

Free Sun Valley Summer Symphony Series:  Series of 12 free concerts - Late July and Early August

Sun Valley Writers' Conference:  Nationally recognized and well-attended event - Mid-August

Sun Valley Shakespeare Festival:  Performed outdoors in the Forest Service Park - Late August

Sun Valley Renaissance Faire:  Drama, jousting, feasting, dancing, and music. August

Trailing of the Sheep Festival:  Celebrating the sheepherder history of the area. 

Early October

Sun Valley Swing 'n Dixie Jazz Jamboree:  5-day Jazz extravaganza ? Mid-October

Octoberfest:  Bike races, beer and brats at River Run Lodge - Late October

Ski Season opens on Bald Mountain and Galena Lodge:  Late November

Papoose Club Holiday Bazaar:  Home made holiday gifts and food - 1st Weekend in

December

Tree Lighting Ceremonies in Hailey and Ketchum:  Late November and Early December

Christmas Eve in Sun Valley:  Torchlight parade, fireworks and Santa - Christmas Eve