Activities from yoga with a view to lecturers’ points of view
By Hayden Seder
Summer in Sun Valley brings many of the traditional activities the Sun Valley Resort is known for, along with new events, concerts, and activities added each year to keep things interesting for both locals and visitors who enjoy the area.
The Mountain
One of the biggest attractions of the Sun Valley Resort is Bald Mountain, home to winter activities but also a host of great summer activities, as well. The first day of mountain operations for the Roundhouse Express gondola, The Roundhouse, River Run Day Lodge, and lift-served mountain biking on the front side of Bald Mountain is Friday, June 21. The Cold Springs and Warm Springs perimeter trails open July 1 after the elk calving season restriction ends.
For mountain bikers, there’s plenty of singletrack to ride on Baldy and several events, as well. For the first time, Sun Valley will be one of the stops for Outerbike, a premier bike demo event that brings vendors and participants together for three days from June 21-23. The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) summit will also be in town at the same time.
The Discrete Cirque Series, a tough mountain bike race on a 9.6-mile, 3,820-foot vertical course over Bald Mountain, is coming to Sun Valley for a second year on Aug. 24. The Full-Tilt Enduro race will take place on Baldy, as well, on Sept. 7.
In addition to biking and hiking on Bald Mountain, Sun Valley hosts several yoga events, as well. Enjoy Yoga on the Mountain, free sessions of yoga held at River Run Plaza taught by local yoga instructors on June 22 and 29; July 6, 20, 27; Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; and Sept. 7. On July 14, July 28 and Aug. 11, sessions of mountain yoga will take place at the top of Baldy at Lookout Lodge. Enjoy beautiful views at your 10 a.m. session. Tickets are $35 and include a lift ticket.
Concerts
Sun Valley brings great musicians to town every summer and this season is no exception. Check out legendary music icons Three Dog Night on June 25, Granger Smith with McKenna Faith on June 29, Killer Queen (a Queen tribute band) on July 2, former lead vocalist for Journey Steve Augeri on Aug. 17, and Ryan Bingham of the Social Animals on Sept. 1, all at the Pavilion.
Events at the Pavilion
Sun Valley Resort plays host to numerous events happening at the Pavilion in the summer. The Sun Valley Music Festival (formerly known as the Sun Valley Summer Symphony)—a series of free, privately funded summer orchestra concerts—takes place July 29 to Aug. 22. Enjoy free seating on the lawn or ticketed seating in the Pavilion.
The annual Sun Valley Writers’ Conference, July 20 to 23, features some of the country’s best writers. Learn from the best as you enjoy lectures and workshops around the Sun Valley Village, on the Pavilion lawn, and inside the Pavilion.
Once again, Ballet Sun Valley brings world-class ballerinas to perform at the Sun Valley Pavilion, this time the San Francisco Ballet. Performances take place July 5 and July 7 at the Pavilion.
Sun Valley on Ice
Sun Valley on Ice returns to the resort with a summer lineup full of world-class headlines and cast of Sun Valley ice skaters. The season starts July 4 with the double bill of Alysa Liu and Ryan Bradley, with fireworks as the finale. The shows run most Saturdays through Labor Day weekend. Buffet and general admission tickets are on sale now.
Other Activities
There are so many things to do at the Sun Valley Resort, it’s impossible to name them all. Try golfing at one of their three championship golf courses, bowling at the Sun Valley Lodge, the spa at Sun Valley, paddleboating and volleyball at Sun Valley Lake, movies at the Sun Valley Opera House and occasionally on the Pavilion lawn, horseback riding, sport shooting at the Sun Valley Gun Club, tennis, swimming, and more.
For more information, visit sunvalley.com.