By Hayden Seder
Thanksgiving is a special time of year in Sun Valley. Baldy opens on Thanksgiving Day marking the changing of the seasons from beloved fall to the even more beloved winter. For those visiting the Valley for this holiday, we’ve rounded up the best Ketchum has to offer for what to eat, where to stay, and things to do for Thanksgiving weekend.
Where to Eat
Going Out
For those that might not have had the time to whip up their own Thanksgiving feast, several options are open for a traditional Thanksgiving meal in town:
- Galena Lodge’s annual thanksgiving dinner: $50/person, 5:30pm
- Gretchen’s in Sun Valley will serve Thanksgiving specials all day with turkey, potatoes, and all your favorites
- The Konditorei in Sun Valley will have Thanksgiving specials as well as their regular menu
- The Sawtooth Club will host a set menu with different entrée options from 2-7pm
- CK’s Real Food in Hailey will be doing a pre-fixe Thanksgiving menu
- Sun Valley Club in Sun Valley will offer Thanksgiving menu items as well as their regular menu
- Gretchen’s in Sun Valley will serve Thanksgiving specials all day with turkey, potatoes, and all your favorites
- The Konditorei in Sun Valley will have Thanksgiving specials as well as their regular menu
- A Thanksgiving buffet will be available at the Limelight Room in Sun Valley from 2-8pm
- The Grill at Knob Hill we serve a special Thanksgiving menu starting at 3pm
- If looking for something a little non-traditional, La Cabanita Mexican restaurant will be open until 4pm.
Take Out
Be sure to plan a head if getting food to-go as many restaurants will be closed on actual Thanksgiving. The Haven will be open for takeout and catering the day before Thanksgiving and Rasberry’s will be available for catering leading up to Thanksgiving and only open for catering pickups on the day of. Cristina’s will be available for takeout and catering leading up to Thanksgiving but closed the day of.
Make Your Own
If you’re looking to make your own dinner, stock up at one of the local grocery stores. Turkeys are available for pre-order and several grocery stores will be open the day of:
- Village Market: 7am-6pm
- Atkinsons: 7am-4pm
- Albertsons in Hailey: 6am-9pm
Where to Stay
Numerous spots are available to make your Thanksgiving holiday feel like home. Sun Valley offers an Opening Day weekend package that includes lodging at the Sun Valley Lodgeor the Sun Valley Inn, lift tickets, and their Thanksgiving buffet.
Hotel Ketchum
This the hottest new spot in town with modern rooms, outdoor heated pool and hot tub, and The Hangout downstairs complete with bar, snacks, and games.
The Limelight Hotel
A modern, classic hotel experience complete with downstairs bar, lounge, and restaurant and prime location on Main Street.
The Knob Hill Inn
Located on the north end of Ketchum, has beautiful rooms and a world-class restaurant and bar downstairs.
Best Western Tyrolean
For those on a tighter budget, the Best Western Tyrolean is a great spot located on Main Street just a short walk from the River Run lift area.
The Hot Water Inn
Ketchum’s newest addition to the lodging scene of Ketchum and also its only hostel. Rooms are cheap but the experience can’t be beat with nightly concerts and events taking place at the bar and event space downstairs.
If the lodging scene isn’t on par with you and your families needs, there are plenty of vacation rentalsavailable through VRBO, Airbnb, and more.
What to Do
Ski the Opener
The biggest activity of Thanksgiving weekend is, of course, skiing and snowboarding to celebrate the opening weekend of Bald Mountain. Live après ski music will play at River Run from 2:30-5:30.
Run in the Turkey Trot!
This annual 5k brings roughly 600 people out every year Thanksgiving morning to trot through downtown Hailey along the Big Wood River through the Wood River Land Trust’s Draper Wood River Preserve. Race starts at 10am at Sturtevant’s in Hailey.
Take in Some Art
The Giving Walk Gallery Walk will take place the Friday after Thanksgiving from 4-6pm. Explore Ketchum’s many galleries and enjoy a free glass of wine!
Get Outside
There’s plenty to do whether the snow has hit or not. If the ground is still dry, take a day hike up Adam’s Gulch or Proctor in Ketchum or Carbonate in Hailey. If the snow has dumped, rent some snowshoes and hike to the top anyway!
Head Up North
A drive up north from Ketchum is beautiful no matter what time of year. Head to Galena Lodge for a Nordic ski or snowshoe if snow allows or simply walk around and enjoy a lunch in the lodge. Continue north to Stanley for a day in the Sawtooths and take a dip in the local hot springs.
Get Some Exercise
Head to one of the local gyms like the YMCA or Zenergy to take in a workout class to work off that Thanksgiving meal! If the weather is nice, a nice walk on the bike path will take you through some beautiful parts of town.
Play at Sun Valley Resort
The Resort offers plenty of year-round amenities like bowling, visiting their day spa, ice skating, bowling, or swimming in their heated pool in addition to fun Thanksgiving activities for kids like scavengers hunts, music/story hour, building snow turkeys, wagon rides, and cookie decorating.
Watch Some Sports
Though most places will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, head on down to one of our local pubs to soak in the holiday spirit and enjoy a beer. The Limelight Lounge, Whiskey Jacques, River Run Lodge, Cellar Pub, Lefty’s, and Grumpy’s are all certified local establishments sure to make you feel like a local.
Go Shopping
Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season and that means holiday shopping! Ketchum has tons of great shopping to offer whether it’s clothes from Elle Rose, Silver Creek Outfitters, or Sway to outdoor gear from Sturtevant’s and Elephant’s Perch to skis and snowboards from the Board Bin and PK’s to stocking stuffers and goods from Girl Friday and Independent Goods.
Reposted from Visit Sun Valley.
