Ernest Hemingway looms large in the small mountain town of Sun Valley, Idaho. Hemingway was lured to Sun Valley for the first time in 1939 by the publicists of the Union Pacific Railroad, who hoped to use his likeness to promote their newly opened ski resort.
From hiking to waterfalls, swinging in a hammock under snow-laden trees, and trekking to hidden hot springs - these Idaho adventures are the memories that will last a lifetime. Here are twelve epic Idaho photos that will redefine how you vacation.
Tara Morgan worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. Pop. Fizz. Clink. It’s bubble season. Whether you prefer to sip a crisp Italian prosecco, savor a bright Spanish cava or keep it classy with a vintage French champagne, it’s the time of year to fill your flute with sparkling wine.
Scott Marchant worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. Sometimes the difference between embracing and loathing the cold temperatures of winter is nothing more than learning how to play in winter’s snow.
Each year hundreds of stunning bald eagles soar above and dip into the waters of Lake Coeur d'Alene in northern Idaho in search of winter sustenance. On any given day, from November to February, visitors to Wolf Lodge Bay may spot 20, 30 or even 300 of the magnificent birds.
Kristen Pope worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. Go on a hard-charging adventure and see the beauty of Idaho from a snowmobile. While some people prefer to rent snowmobiles and embark on a DIY adventure, many would rather go along with a knowledgeable guide to get the inside scoop on some of the best snowmobiling in the world.
For those with a sense of adventure, a winter road trip to Idaho is a great option. It’s a chance to bring out your pioneer spirit and satisfy your wanderlust. From haunted mansions to top-notch hot springs and a waterfall taller than Niagara, Idaho truly is a land of hidden treasures.
Steve Graepel worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. I’m an outdoorsy, woodsy kinda guy. I like my flannel plaid, my coffee black and my mornings crisp. But I gotta share a little secret: I haven’t had a real Christmas tree in my house for over a decade.
A drive through Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains is always stunning—craggy peaks heaped in stacks above emerald rivers that parallel the highway. Aromatic Ponderosa pines speckled across tawny hillsides.
Elisabeth Brentano worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. After spending several weeks camping and backpacking in central Idaho last summer, a friend suggested that I return in January.
If you’ve seen the Teach Me To Wonder mini film and you’re wondering where that spectacular snow-packed adventure was in Idaho, then look no further! We’ve outlined the locations from the short film and given you the original poem to inspire you to make your winter vacation wonder-ful.
Tara Morgan worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. Cheese plates are for sharing—a snack between friends while you debate dinner or prolong the post happy hour slog home through a snarl of traffic.
Local Freshies worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. In this day and age, there’s a clear focus on statistics. Snowfall, acreage, lift capacity... so what's the problem? Numbers lie.
Rolling Van Creative worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. During our 1.5 + years of living on the road, we’ve consumed a decent amount of fine quality beer in bustling cities scattered across the USA and Canada.
[embed]https://vimeo.com/749688352[/embed] Just because snow is falling doesn’t mean you and the kids have to stay cooped up inside all winter. Some of the best views in Idaho are found in the glow of a winter sunset.
[embed]https://player.vimeo.com/video/749710978[/embed] It's the perfect time of year to grab a pair of poles, click in, and master the mountain. These eight Idaho ski destinations are just what you and the kids are looking for.
Sun Valley’s iconic aspen trees are a canvas for the town’s seasons. In the winter months, they shiver in snowy embankments as skiers glide past them on groomed trails. In the summer they shimmer green, providing a leafy canopy for hikers and mountain bikers who need a shady repose.
[embed]https://player.vimeo.com/video/749332764[/embed] This year, when you sit down to plan your winter travels in Idaho, don’t stress if you’re not the slope-carving kind. Here are five non-skiing activities that are guaranteed to make your winter vacation one to remember.
Melynda Harrison worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. The Camas National Wildlife Refuge is one of those places you see signs for along I-15 in eastern Idaho and always wonder what it's about, at least I did.
Scott Marchant worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. Impressive colors. No bugs. Mild temperatures. Falling leaves. Empty trails. What’s not to like about fall hiking? Many people associate Labor Day with the end of mountain play, but veteran hikers know this is the most spectacular time of the year to enjoy nature.
Soaring peaks, picturesque lakes, and hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding—does it get any better than the Sawtooth Valley? Many visit the Stanley, Idaho, area in the beauty of the summer, but savvy travelers know that fall in the Sawtooth Valley is for dreamers, lovers, adventurers, and everyone in-between.
Kristin Luna worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. There are few things in life more satisfying than exploring destinations with a mix of urban adventures and outdoor recreation during the balmy days of early fall.
Nick Lake worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. The Snake River has a special place in Western lore, running like a belt across Idaho’s southern half, its main course entering the state by Grand Teton National Park and departing only after carving North America’s deepest canyon along the borders with Oregon and Washington roughly 600 miles later.
Kita Roberts worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. Part of any wild adventure is discovering amazing eats along the way. From local gems to over the top creative menus, exploring the vibrant food culture in any area is always a highlight of my trips and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho has a lot of choices.
Sara Sheehy worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip. A hush falls over the dense crowd lining the sidewalks as 1,500 sheep tentatively round the corner onto the straight drag of Main Street in Ketchum.