Winter Playground

Take a Break at Snowy Sun Valley

In search of a magical, winter wonderland? A place where icicles hang like palace chandeliers and the snow is as fluffy and light as goose down? If so, point your skis toward Idaho’s Sun Valley, because your outdoor paradise is only a state line away.

Located in South Central Idaho, Sun Valley is 4,300 acres of snow, sun and fun surrounded by two key mountains, Bald Mountain, or “Baldy,” and Dollar Mountain. It’s a historically-rich locale, because the resort site was handpicked by an Austrian count for Union Pacific Railroad chairman Averell Harriman who wanted to create a premier European-style ski haven.
 
It was the first North American destination resort of its kind and a hit with international royalty and celebrities. Today the Valley continues to maintain its status as a premier getaway destination. All powder-lovers should plan at least one visit, but for many skiers in the Eastside area, it’s a regular stay-and-play destination.
 
Bellevue novelist Jane Porter of “Mrs. Perfect” fame travels to Sun Valley just like the lead character in one of her books. “I go sporadically. I’m like my character, Mrs. Taylor Young. … I go when I can get an invitation. It’s so much fun when you go with someone who has a home in Sun Valley.”
 
And that friend is often Lisa Johnson, co-owner of Ooba Mexican Grill restaurants of Bellevue, Redmond and Woodinville, who travels with her husband Craig and their three children, to Sun Valley a few times each year to their vacation home.
 
“What’s not to love about the Valley?” Johnson said. “The minute you enter the Valley driving north and the crisp, clean mountain air hits your face you know why you are back — the jagged Sawtooth Mountains, the aspens, the blue sky. Then there is skiing in the winter and the fantastic sunshine in the summer.”
 
 “(As a family) we love to skate in the outdoor skating rink at the Sun Valley Lodge. Bowling at the Lodge’s old-time bowling alley is fun,” said Johnson. “Bring your dogs, because they will love the Valley just as much as you will.”
 
Johnson’s husband, Craig, notes that while Sun Valley is a single guy’s paradise, anyone who has adventure at heart loves the place. ... whether it’s hiking, skiing, fishing, white water rafting, rugby, soccer or lacrosse tournaments.
 
Lisa Johnson has a lot of advice for newcomers. “How lucky they are to be going for the first time! They have to hit the Pioneer for the best prime rib ever! Plan on waiting in the bar because it’s first come, first serve. Ketchum Grill is tried and true and a local favorite. Grumpy’s is a local’s spot for a hamburger and schooners of beer,” she said. “The Duchin Lounge in the Lodge is an institution for drinks and jazz. Hit the the Kneadery for breakfast. There is a fabulous French bakery in the industrial park area that is worth the search. I think it’s called the Bigwood Bread Company.
 
“I love to hit the art galleries while I am there. The Kneeland Gallery and Gail Severn Galleries are my favorites.”
 
And for Porter, whose books feature exotic locales such as Dubai, Monte Carlo and Cannes, there’s a draw for repeat visits to Sun Valley.
 
“Because Sun Valley draws people from L.A., the Pacific Northwest and the East Coast, you end up rubbing elbows with celebrities, the new techie millionaires and the original Ketchum families who’ve had homes in the area for generations,” Porter said. “Although there’s plenty of money in the area, no one really flaunts it, and the celebrities are pretty much left alone.”
 
“But I love the casual, laid-back style, as well as the subtle glamour that appeals to Bellevue families as much as Hollywood celebrities.”

Katy Khakpour is a freelance writer who lives in Seattle, works in Bellevue and loves snow.

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