Nothing sums up Idaho in the winter quite like a skijoring event, and the Wood River Extreme Skijoring event in Sun Valley is one of the best events in the state. Whether you come to Sun Valley in search of mountain slopes and tasty food, or you come specifically for the skijoring, this travel tip should shed some light on the great places to check out.
The Skijoring Event
If you are unfamiliar with skijoring, let me give you a quick overview. Athletes (and I do mean athletes) strap on their favorite winter gear, typically skis, and proceed to have a horse pull them at blistering speeds down a snow course designed with jumps and obstacles in hopes of finishing with a record time. It’s truly a spectacle of the senses and great fun to cheer your favorite athlete across the finish line.
The Wood River Extreme Skijoring event is hosted in the Sun Valley area, Bellevue to be specific. Typically held in the middle of February, follow them on social media to get the most up to date information. The event has plenty of spectator space and parking, keep in mind it is a ticketed event, and the proceeds go to the nonprofit organizers. There are a few food truck vendors selling tasty treats and warm drinks, and heaters placed around the spectator area. I recommend bringing plenty of warm layers and a nice pair of sunglasses or goggles, they don’t call it Sun Valley for nothing!
Places to Eat
There’s plenty of amazing restaurants and eateries in the Sun Valley area. Ketchum has the most offerings, but you won’t be disappointed heading down to Hailey or Bellevue either! These are just a few spots to enjoy while attending the skijoring event, but there’s so many fantastic places to check out.
Enoteca
Located in the heart of Ketchum, this restaurant takes Italian-influenced comfort food to the next tier. Their wood-fired pizzas are spectacular and pair great with glass of wine from their extensive wine list. I recommend grabbing a reservation a few days ahead of time, it definitely gets busy around dinner time.
Sawtooth Brewery and Taproom
This Hailey brewery has a fantastic lineup of local beers on tap and they also provide canned options to take back to your hotel room. Try their Lost River Lager for a refreshing easy drinking option or their 3 Wolf Porter to transport you to those cozy dark beer winter vibes. All of these pair great with the delicious hand battered fish and chips, don’t sleep on the waffle fries!
Cutthroat Club
Interested in an elevated dining experience steeped in Idaho history? The Cutthroat Club in Bellevue is right up your alley and can’t be missed. Their menu is seasonal in nature and brings the highest quality ingredients, mainly sourced from local producers, and will leave your tastebuds stunned and longing for another reservation. Try their Bourbon Butterscotch Bread Pudding and satisfy that sweet tooth.
Places to Stay
Sun Valley area has a large variety of accommodations and often last minute reservations are hard to come by so it’s always wise to plan ahead. Depending on what you are looking for in a hotel, these options should cover most of the needs you and your family might have.
Sun Valley Resort
The famed Sun Valley Resort has a number of different lodging options, but I always recommend staying at the main lodge if you can. Idaho history can be seen on every wall in this resort. Founded in the 1930’s, this lodge is not lacking in any modern amenity you could dream of. Relax in the world class spa, then enjoy a delectable cocktail in the lounge.
Wood River Inn and Suites
It doesn’t get more centrally located than Hailey when it comes to finding a place to stay in the Sun Valley area. The Wood River Inn and Suites have everything you need to make this vacation comfortable and affordable. With an indoor pool and upgraded fitness center, you can relax and unwind regardless of the weather outside. They also have an excellent breakfast waiting for you in the morning, or you can hit a local coffee shop and explore the historic downtown.
Silver Creek Hotel
Located in Bellevue, this property is right by the skijoring event and provides you with a great budget friendly accommodation without sacrificing comfort. They have a fantastic heated pool and hot tub area, great for families or anyone wishing to relax after a long day. The rooms have all been recently upgraded are large and comfortable with plenty of room for any ski gear you might have.
There is never a bad time to visit the Sun Valley area, but being able to attend an event as epic and exciting as skijoring is a must visit reason to book your trip. With so many winter activities to keep you busy, there’s never a dull moment in Sun Valley.
Published on February 12, 2025
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