The impressive beauty of the Sawtooth Mountains has a way of drawing visitors to Sun Valley, Idaho, in every season of the year. When you’re lucky enough to be traveling this way in the wintertime, you’ll find your trip puts you in the perfect place to enjoy the downhill fun that awaits at the Sun Valley Ski Resort!
Home to over 2,000 skiable acres of terrain across two unique mountains, this ski destination is truly one-of-a-kind. Whether it’s your first time on skis, or it’s an activity you add to your list every year when the fresh powder falls, Sun Valley has a run or trail just for you. The following is your ultimate Sun Valley ski guide when you’re looking to make the most of time on the beginner, intermediate, and advanced slopes during your unforgettable stay.
An Overview of Sun Valley for Your Next Ski-Focused Adventure
Before you rush off to maximize your time on the slopes in Sun Valley, it’s a good idea to take time to get the lay of the land. Here, ski enthusiasts are treated to a legendary wintertime experience that takes them across two mountains and the main ski areas.
Bald Mountain, fondly referred to as Baldy, is one of the two ski destinations in Sun Valley to enjoy during your visit. Bald Mountain hosts a vertical drop of around 3,400 feet and is typically pointed to as the best option for skiers heading this way who consider themselves intermediate to expert-level athletes. Here, the terrain is decidedly steep, and there are minimal flat spots across the refreshingly consistent pitch. Seasoned skiers often point to Bald Mountain’s top-rated powder bowls, high-speed lifts, and invitingly long runs as highlights of their time here in the winter.
There’s More to Look Forward to Exploring
The second ski area you’ll have opportunities to explore in Sun Valley is Dollar Mountain. With a vertical drop of just 628 feet, this is the place to be if you’re heading to Idaho as a beginner-level skier or you’re looking to focus more on freestyle rides. Dollar Mountain has earned a reputation for excellence among ski-focused guests for its progression parks, inviting learning areas, gentle slopes, and family-friendly atmosphere.
When you combine the skiable areas at Bald Mountain and Dollar Mountain, you’re left with more than 2,000 acres of terrain that hosts 17 lifts and around 121 runs. The beauty of planning a ski trip this way is that no matter what your skill set may be when you arrive, there’s really something for everyone to enjoy.
Across Bald Mountain and Dollar Mountain, around 36% of all the runs and trails are considered ideal for beginner-level usage. Intermediate-level skiers will find that around 42% of the trails here are great for their needs, while expert skiers have access to 22% of the trails on-site.
Set a Great Foundation and Gain Confidence on the Slopes in Sun Valley
Oftentimes, the key to turning a first ski lesson into a lifelong passion for the sport is to ensure your initial experience is fun and sets a great foundation for success. Beginner-level skiers heading this way can expect exactly that and more this winter!
As previously mentioned, Dollar Mountain is typically the best place to start when you’re new to skiing and looking to learn in Sun Valley for the first time. The ski areas here are thoughtfully designed for learning the basics before progressing up to more difficult trails and runs. The beginner runs across Dollar Mountain are known for showcasing gentle and wide slopes, giving newcomers plenty of room to practice comfortably and at their own preferred pace. Instructors are welcoming and readily available to help make suggestions, give insight, and certainly give you a hand when you fall.
Some of the top beginner runs that you’ll set your sights on first here include Pioneer Park, Quarter Dollar, and Sepp’s Canyon. At Pioneer Park, beginners will find a wonderful and spacious area for working on building speed and perfecting turns they’ll eventually need on more challenging terrain. Quarter Dollar is a great choice when beginners are looking for a smooth descent for their practice, and easy lift access as well. The mellow slope that defines Sepp’s Canyon makes it a fan-favorite for first-timers heading this way.
If you happen to be a quick learner ready to put your newly acquired skills to work in a new capacity, Progression Park is a wonderful terrain park to explore, thanks to its many small boxes, jumps, and rails that can also accommodate snowboarders. From the comprehensive ski school here to the terrain that’s far from intimidating, Dollar Mountain is a beautiful and inviting place to begin your love story with skiing this winter.
Bald Mountain Also Has Options for Beginners
If you’re determined to learn to ski in the company of experts, you’ll be thrilled to find that Bald Mountain also has options for beginner skiers in the area. While this destination is definitely known for its advanced terrain, there are still beginner-friendly spaces to explore when it’s where you prefer to be.
Once you’ve had your lesson at the Sun Valley Ski School, you’ll likely want to check out runs like Sunrise. This is a green run that is known for its gentle pitch and is a good choice for a first-time skier on Bald Mountain. Lower River Run is another acceptable option for those who are new to skiing. It can be accessed from the River Run base and is used by many skiers for gentle warm-ups. Over at Broadway, beginners who have had some time to practice might want to see how they hold up on a longer trail. This is a good choice if you’re looking to build your confidence and stamina on the slopes in tandem.
Elevate Your Skill Set as an Intermediate-Level Skier on Bald Mountain
Baldy is most definitely the place to be when you consider yourself an intermediate-level skier looking to advance your skill set to the next level. This ski destination is known and loved for its scenic beauty and wide variety of challenges that let you customize your day on the slopes with ease.
One of the most popular intermediate-level runs here is Flying Squirrel, which hosts wide turns and fast descents that will leave you breathless. Over at Upper College, intermediate skiers can tackle long, rolling blue trails that offer up some incredible views, too. Limelight is a must-try when you’re looking to cruise and carve, while Ridge hosts consistent pitch and is a great choice when you want to connect your run to several other blue trails in the area.
If you find yourself in the mood to enjoy time on some lesser-known routes, Warm Springs Side sees fewer crowds and has great snow conditions throughout the winter months as well. Greyhawk is another fantastic choice for intermediate skiers looking for something a bit steeper and off the beaten path.
In the event you do find yourself over at Dollar Mountain as an intermediate skier, time at the terrain park is a great opportunity to elevate your freestyle thanks to the collection of great jumps, rails, and boxes on-site.
Enjoy an Unforgettable Advanced-Level Ski Adventure
Once again, Bald Mountain tops the must-visit list for skiers who are making their way to Sun Valley this winter and looking for trails and runs to challenge the skills they already have in place. Here, expert-level terrain is nothing short of legendary, defined by masterful moguls, steep pitches, and opportunities to build tree skiing into your day. Powder chasers and thrill-seekers alike come here to make the most of nature’s playground and see how they stack up against other ski enthusiasts on the slopes.
If off-piste skiing is your preference, you’ll want to be sure to spend quality time at The Bowls. Whether you hit up Mayday Bowl, Christmas Bowl, or Lookout Bowl, you’ll be tested with deep powder that demands technical excellence.
Those who are in pursuit of time on Double Black Diamonds will want to make sure Firetrail and Upper Limelight aren’t left off the list this winter in Sun Valley. Beyond these trails, some of the top advanced-level runs here include International, Upper Warm Springs, and Exhibition. Tree skiing enthusiasts will very likely find their time at Frenchman’s Gulch to be the highlight of their experience, but Mogul Fields is equally appealing and difficult.
When you’re looking to really take your advanced-level skiing to new heights in Sun Valley, there are options here to book your place on a heli-skiing adventure in the surrounding Sawtooth, Boulder, or Pioneer Ranges.
Tips to Keep in Mind When Sun Valley Is Your Ski Destination of Choice
No matter what level of runs and trails appeal to you during your Sun Valley ski getaway, making the most of the experience requires some planning. For example, because so many of the blue-marked trails here are often more difficult than you might find at other resorts, intermediate-level skiers may want to consider investing in performance skis so they can enjoy more control as they work on advancing their skills.
If you’re skiing here at an advanced level, it’s essential to always check in on avalanche reports and grooming updates. Conditions can change rapidly in this area, and safety should be a top priority at all times.
All skiers heading to Sun Valley will want to combat elevation changes by staying well-hydrated for the duration of their visit. Above all, this is a place where you should respect the mountain, and make it a point to stay within marked boundaries.
When you’re looking to plan your visit to Sun Valley during a time of year that typically has the most fresh powder on the ground, December to March often marks peak snow season in the area. Similarly, if you’re more interested in booking a ski trip this way, when there aren’t as many crowds to contend with, a trip between late January and early February would be best.
Sun Valley Ski Resort is part of the IKON pass system and Mountain Collective, giving skiers convenient options when it comes to day and season passes. Do keep in mind that lift tickets are available to purchase online ahead of your arrival, and can also be acquired through the Sun Valley app if that’s a more convenient route.
Getting to Sun Valley Is Easier Than You Might Imagine
While Bald Mountain and Dollar Mountain both offer skiers access to dynamic terrain in the wintertime, the trip into Sun Valley itself is refreshingly smooth and simple for travelers! The nearest airport to both ski areas is the Friedman Memorial Airport in Hailey. Many visitors are thrilled to discover that this landing point is just 20 minutes away from the resort by car. The airport offers many direct flights from hubs like Seattle, Denver, and Salt Lake City year-round, with options for visitors to book a place on a shuttle when they arrive if they don’t want to rent a car of their own.
When you arrive in Sun Valley, you have options to use the Mountain Ride system, offering daily service between Dollar Mountain, Bald Mountain, Sun Valley Resort, and Ketchum, too. The buses here have ski racks in place as an added convenience, and you can easily summon an Uber or a taxi in town, too.
Book Luxury Accommodations to Top Off Your Winter Stay in Style
We hope you enjoyed our guide to skiing in Sun Valley. The ski experience at Sun Valley provides you with stunning views and unmatched terrain every winter you head this way. At Abode Sun Valley, we’re here to make sure you have luxurious accommodations to match when you’re in town! Whether you’re here for a few days or excited to make it an extended ski-focused journey, we’ll help you find an upscale retreat near the slopes that’s packed with world-class amenities to enjoy.
Reach out today to learn more and to get started turning travel plans into reality soon. We look forward to helping you put together a ski vacation to Idaho that you’re sure to love, and we can’t wait to see you in Sun Valley this year!
