Photo by David N. Seelig 

Sun Valley essentials

Angling

Idaho is a mecca for the art of fly-fishing. Through the season, anglers hurry to favorite spots along the Big Wood and Little Wood rivers for catch-and-release action. Warm Springs Creek, Penny Lake and Trail Creek are ideal for kids; they’re allowed to keep a limit of fish. The Silver Creek Preserve in the south county offers fabulous fishing coupled with wildlife watching. Hire a guide for the really secret spots.

Ice Shows

A stay in Sun Valley is not complete without an outing to the Sun Valley Ice Shows. Held at dusk on Saturday evenings all summer, the shows feature some of the world’s best skaters. Past shows have featured Katarina Witt, Tara Lipinski, Jamie Salé and David Pelletier, Scott Hamilton and Brian Boitano.

Go just for the skating or enjoy a rink-side dinner prepared by the chefs of the Sun Valley Lodge.

Music

One of the great family-friendly events of the summer is the Northern Rockies Folk Festival, held Aug. 5 and 6 at Hop Porter Park in Hailey. Some of the best folk musicians in the country make the journey to this outdoor concert.

Classical music lovers should not miss the world class Sun Valley Summer Symphony. The three-week, free concert series will be under the open-air tent on the Sun Valley Esplanade July 31 through Aug. 15. The Edgar M. Bronfman Chamber Music Series will be held July 25, 27 and 29.

Whitewater

Idaho is indeed the whitewater state, and the Wood River Valley is an easy drive from many of the rivers famous the world over. The Main and Middle Fork sections of the Salmon and the Payette river system offer varying levels of whitewater action—from Class II to Class V. A range of trips, from day adventures to weeklong vacations, can be arranged through commercial outfitters or by obtaining private permits from the U.S. Forest Service.

Golf

Take your pick of several outstanding golf courses and enjoy the long summer days that allow almost endless tee times. The challenging Sun Valley Golf Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., meanders through meadows along scenic Trail Creek. The pro shop number is 622-2251.

The Elkhorn Golf Course, after a two-year redesigning and rebuilding project, opens this summer. Operated by Troon Golf, the course is expected to be a classic. Call the golf shop at 622-3300.

Bigwood Golf Club at Thunder Spring has a nine-hole course designed by Robert Graves with the recreational golfer in mind. The pro shop number is 726-4024.

Hiking & Biking

This is the hiker and biker’s nirvana. The Wood River Valley is riddled with hiking trails and bike paths for on- and off-road cycling pursuits. Trail Creek, Adams Gulch, Fox Creek, Bald Mountain and Warm Springs areas offer popular trails close to town.

The Wood River Trails System, a paved trail on the old railway right of way, stretches between Bellevue and Ketchum and then into Elkhorn and Sun Valley. The picture-perfect summer commute winds along the Big Wood River and is a popular place for walkers, inline skaters and young cyclists on outings with their families.

The more serious road biker might consider riding over Galena Summit for lunch at Smiley Creek, or stopping at Galena Lodge on the way back.