Blog

The After-Party of a Lifetime

The excitement in town is palpable and the countdown to the Great American Eclipse has begun in earnest. Everyone is buzzing about the solar eclipse that will take place on the morning of August 21 with Sun Valley in the path of totality. The actual eclipse will be brief, but the party is going to go on for days.

Sun Valley recently announced that while much of the action on eclipse day will take place on Bald Mountain, there will be plenty of fun to be had at the Sun Valley Village, as well. Beginning at 9 a.m. on the 21st, grab your space on the lawn of the Sun Valley Pavilion, sip your coffee and perhaps nibble on a delicious Austrian-inspired pastry from the Konditorei, and watch the wonder of the eclipse in a really relaxing setting. Put on your protective eclipse glasses (if you don’t have any, a special commemorative Sun Valley  version will be for sale) and delight in this once-in-a-lifetime event while is it also broadcast on the huge lawn jumbotron. To add to the merriment, beginning at 9 a.m., there will be a no-host bar on the lawn offering food and beverage specials that will run throughout the day.

Once the eclipse has passed and daylight returns, the party is far from over. From noon to 4 p.m., head to, or stick around, the Village for fun for the whole family. To celebrate this celestial marvel, Sun Valley will rock with live entertainment, a delicious barbecue near the Pavilion lawn, the popular Spider Jump, and family-friendly activities including face painting, lawn games, a bouncy house, and the famous kids’ train. The day will wind down with Cosmic bowling in the retro Sun Valley Bowling Alley from 6 - 10 p.m.

The 2017 Great American Eclipse marks when the moon completely blocks the sun – an event that hasn’t been visible in the Lower 48 since 1979. The U.S. will be the only country in the world to experience the entire solar eclipse. And only a tiny swath of the country lies in the path of totality; a swath in which Sun Valley squarely sits. The partial eclipse will begin at 10:12:37 a.m. and the total eclipse will begin at 11:29:38 a.m.

If you didn’t get your tickets to watch the eclipse via lift access on Baldy, no worries! The eclipse will be visible from everywhere you can see the sky in Sun Valley – there really is no bad seat. The Sun Valley Village will be a terrific place to gather with friends or family and there are many ways to enjoy this whole historic day.

Sun Valley is also offering limited spots for RV camping in the lower parking lot of River Run with a minimum 3-night stay. For more information, please click HERE.

Sun Valley just added another once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for eclipse viewing – this one, from the saddle. You and your family can be among the select few who travel by horseback to the top of Dollar Mountain in time to witness this celestial marvel from an amazing (and decidedly ‘out west’) vantage point. Not only will you see the full solar eclipse, as Dollar is in the path of totality, you will also see the shadow of darkness race across the jagged Pioneer mountains to the east and the high peaks north of the Wood River Valley. This is an experience that will make all your friends jealous!

The professionals from Sun Valley Stables will take two lucky groups of riders up Dollar, with the first departing at 9:00 a.m. and the second at 9:15 a.m. Your majestic horse will take you on gentle trails to the top of Dollar where a picnic lunch, including wine and water, awaits. All riders will reach the summit by 10 a.m. to make the most of the eclipse experience, and can linger for two hours. This experience is limited to 16 participants so be sure to make your reservation now by calling 208.622.2887 or email svstables@sunvalley.com. All riders must be eight years old, 52” tall and those under 18 years old must wear provided helmets.  The price is $300 per person including lunch.

In addition to eclipse-day events, Sun Valley is hopping with other activities the week of the eclipse. On Saturday, August 19, enjoy Yoga on the Mountain at River Run Plaza at both 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. These are free classes and participants are encouraged to bring their own mats to either the Sunrise Flow offering, or the Gentle Flow class. Also on 19th, don’t miss the one-and-only Huey Lewis and the News performing live at the Pavilion. Prepare to bring back the 80’s and beyond with hits like “It’s Hip to be Square,” “I Want a New Drug,” and “The Power of Love.” Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 - $250 and are on sale at the Sun Valley Guest Center or HERE.

On the 19th and 20th, local artist Nancy Liston will host a trunk show at the Signatures Store in the Sun Valley Village.  On both days, from 1 – 6 p.m., she will showcase her Sun Valley designs and special limited-edition releases commemorating the Solar Eclipse with demonstrations and personalization. Also on the 19th and 20th, stop in the Brass Ranch Village to browse some beautiful handmade jewelry by designer Natalie Morgan. View a preview of her line here.

Also on the 20th  from 2 – 3 p.m. children of all ages are invited to fly a kite on the Sun Valley Pavilion lawn. Bring a kite and fly with the experts from Pete Lane’s. More family fun is available later in the day at the popular Bowling Alley. Cosmic Bowling will be offered from 6 – 10 p.m. for $60 per hour for one lane for up to six people, shoes included.

For those interested in the science of the eclipse, and who isn’t, Bryan Brewer, author of Eclipse, will give a talk in the Lodge’s Sun Room at 6 p.m. on August 20th. Registration is limited to 30 guests and there will be a book signing following the lecture. Books will be available to purchase at the Sun Valley gift shop.

Then, to get in the mood for the big event the next morning, be sure to catch Darol Anger’s “Eclipse-o-rama” concert with the Furies. This high energy production will take place at the Sun Valley Opera House with doors opening at 7:30 p.m. and the show beginning at 8 p.m. This is fiddling at its finest featuring American string music that weaves in a good dose of bluegrass, jazz, and music from across the globe. Advance tickets are $40 and may be purchased at the Sun Valley Guest Center or online. Day-of tickets are $46.50 (plus taxes and fees on both…).

RES