What to do when the moon lights up SunValley

By Mike McKenna

Each month, a full moon reigns over the sky, lighting up Sun Valley in a whole new way. To make the most of out these bright nights—including the nearly as bright waxing and waning days surrounding the full moon—here’s a rundown of some fun stuff to do in Sun Valley when the moonlight is aglow.

Full Moon Nordic & Moonlight Dinner 

Departing from the Sun Valley Club & Nordic Center and offering spectacular views of Sun Valley and the surrounding mountains, these cross country ski tours and moonlight dinners beginning at 6 pm. For more information about the skiing or the dinners, please call 208.622.2135.

Full Moon Dinners Galena Lodge 


Take a moonlit ride up to Galena Lodge nor of Ketchum for a fabulous and unforgettable five-course meal. The dinners do not include any group excursions on the snow, but visitors are welcome to go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing under the moonlight before or after dinner. Reservations are required, so give them a call (208.726.4010) to assure your seat and hear the menu for the month.

Sleigh Rides


For a magical and memorable moonlit dinner for the whole family, take a horse-drawn sleigh ride to Trail Creek Cabin. Sleigh rides begin December 17, and run three times a night, Tuesdays through Saturdays, throughout the season. Bundle up, grab a hot toddy from the bar at the Inn and enjoy the ride. Due to the wild popularity of the sleigh ride dinners, reservations are required.
 PLease call 208.622.2135.

 Snowshoeing, Cross Country Skiing, Sledding, Ice Skating and Snowmobiling

If scheduling a full moon outing ahead of time is too much work, don’t be afraid to find a moonlit adventure of your own. There are plenty of reasons why USA Today named Sun Valley one of the Top 10 ski resorts in the world for non-alpine skiers.

 The Wood River Trail System offers 30 miles of free, groomed trails for snowshoeing or cross country skiing. Snowmobiliers can ride the 500 miles of groomed trails north of Ketchum, or head over Galena Summit to ride some of the 170 miles of trails in the Smiley Creek/Stanley area, or head a little southeast to the 200 miles of trails near Fairfield.

You could skate on the same surface Olympian champions like Sasha Cohen and Brian Boitano do at Sun Valley Lodge’s ice rink. Rentals are available and skating is open until 8 p.m. nightly. There are also “natural” rinks at Atkinson Park in Ketchum or Roberta McKercher Park in Hailey.

Tubing at Dollar Mountain

Rubber meets the snow in three 600-ft. lanes at Dollar Mountain’s Snow Tubing Park. Fun for the whole family, the tubing park is open daily. For more details, check here

Or, you could simply find a well-lit spot just outside your own neighborhood to go snowshoeing or sledding. If you do go on a trip of your own, please make sure you take all the proper safety precautions and always be sure to let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be returning.

Wednesdays & Thursdays through September 8

photo credit: Cydney Conger

Sun Valley Resort Trailing of the Sheep Festival events:
Lamb Dinner Dine-Around:
Trail Creek Cabin- Friday & Saturday, October 8 & 9 / 6pm / Reservations 622-2019
Grilled Lava Lake Lamb rack, pistachio crusted and drizzled with Idaho huckleberries. Served over a scallion potato pancake and accompanied with autumn squash puree. Special price: $24.95

The Ram Restaurant- Friday & Saturday, October 8 & 9 / 5pm / Reservations 622-2225
Lamb Loin with organic flageolet beans, melted leeks and lucques olive relish. Special price: $

Pete Lane’s Mountain Sports- Sun Valley Village
“Wooly Weekend” – Friday – Sunday, October 8, 9 & 10
Pete Lane’s will be highlighting their wool lines including Patagonia, Ibex, Smart Wool, with apparel line representative appearances, trunk shows and raffle prizes.

Final Days Sale at the Sun Valley Signatures Store & Sun Valley Gift Shop
Friday – Sunday, October 8, 9 & 10. Grand re-opening in November.

River Bar at Trail Creek Cabin

Constructed in 1937, Trail Creek Cabin offers a unique dining experience all year long.
The menu includes a western fare of delicious steaks, chops, Idaho Mountain Trout and Baby-Back Ribs as well as a full-service bar outside on the Deck above Trail Creek all summer. Trail Creek Cabin is located about 1.5 miles east of the Sun Valley Lodge.

Cool off this summer at Trail Creek Cabin on the River Bar Deck!
Open Tuesday – Saturday from 5-10pm
Happy Hour from 5-6pm

For dinner reservations call 622-2800 (no reservations necessary for River Bar)
You can also take a wagon ride from Sun Valley Resort to Trail Creek Cabin for dinner on Tuesdays and Fridays at 6pm. Cost is $20 per person round-trip. For wagon reservations call 622-2391

Trail Creek Cabin’s Baldy View Terrace.

Join us Wed. – Sat. night for dinner on the terrace or come out for a drink at our new River Bar! For reservations call 208-622-2800. We’ll see you soon!

River Bar @ Trail Creek Cabin

Bike, Hike or Drive out to Trail Creek Cabin tonight and enjoy a drink at The River Bar! $2 Draught Beer and $10 bottles of white and red wine, an unbeatable deal! See you there!

Join us at Trail Creek Cabin’s River Bar, Wednesday Night July 1st, $1 Champagne, $2 Draught Beer, $3 Strawberry Mojitos & Half-Price Appetizers.