Sun Valley Hosts Sleigh Rides, Concerts, Shows

Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort knows how to celebrate the holidays. You can add yuletide spice to your family ski vacation with sleigh rides and special events.

Sleigh rides at Sun Valley run mid-December through March, but they seem particularly appropriate to the holidays. They usually run Tuesdays through Saturdays, but during the Christmas holidays, sleigh rides are scheduled every night. The 30-minute horse-drawn sleigh rides head to Trail Creek Cabin for dinner. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 208-622-2135.

Sleigh rides run nightly during the Christmas holidays for dinner at Trail Creek. Photo courtesy of Sun Valley Resort.

This year, the holidays will see a special anniversary event. Sun Valley Resort celebrates its 75th anniversary with the Silver and Gold Ice Show on Dec. 21. The show features Evan Lysacek, 2010 Olympic gold medalist; Sasha Cohen, Olympic silver medalist; Nathan Chen, 2010 U.S. novice gold medalist, and Kim Navarro and Brent Bommentre, two-time U.S. bronze medalists, and Irina Grigorian, American Open professional champion. The evening also features a torchlight parade, fireworks, and book launch party. Author Van Gordon Sauter will be autographing the commemorative book, “The Sun Valley Story,” at a launching party in the Sun Valley Inn Limelight Room. Tickets are available by calling 208-622-2135.


Sun Valley Opera House hosts the fourth annual Classical Christmas Concert on Dec. 23. The concert brings back soprano Celena Shafer. She will be joined by tenor John Mauldin, soprano Leslie Mauldin, and baritone and pianist Jed Moss. Tickets, which cost $35, are available by calling 208-622-2135 or 888-622-2108.

The annual Sun Valley Christmas Eve Celebration starts at 5 p.m on Dec. 24. The Nutcracker On Ice show comes to the outdoor ice rink followed by a torchlight parade and fireworks.

Sun Valley Lodge hosts the annual Christmas Brunch from 9 a.m to 1:30 p.m on Dec. 25. The brunch costs $33 for adults and $22 for children. The annual Christmas dinner at the lodge runs 5-10 p.m with an a la carte menu. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 208-622-2800.

Kids and teens can have their own holiday fun on Dec. 29 and Dec. 31 at the Sun Valley Inn Limelight Room. The room packs with video games, fast track auto racing, guitar hero, hose hockey, giant twister, speed pitch, calf roping lessons, and electronic putting challenge. Prizes are given away, too. On Dec. 29, the room opens 6-10 p.m, and entry at the door costs $10 per person. Reservations are needed for New Year’s Eve. The party, which runs 7:30 p.m to 1 a.m, includes food and beverages. Tickets, available by reservation at 208-622-2135 cost $75 per person.

The Roundhouse hosts a New Year's Eve four-course dinner. Photo courtesy of Sun Valley Resort.

Adults get their own fun New Year’s Eve. The Roundhouse features a special hors d’oeuvres and champagne reception beginning at 6 p.m followed by a four-course dinner for $150 per person. Starting at 9 p.m, the Bubbly Bash, which benefits the Sun Valley Center for the Arts’ Junior Patrons Circle, includes dancing and music at River Run for $40 in advance, $45 at the door, or free for those who dined at the Roundhouse. A no-host bar and food are available, too. Reservations for the Roundhouse dinner are limited. Dinner reservations and the advance ticket purchase for the Bubbly Bash are available by calling 208-622-2800.

Find more information here: sleigh rides, events.