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Ketchum, Idaho – a luxury winter getaway

Ketchum is a cozy lodge-style town beside Idaho’s beloved Sun Valley, which only sees grey skies about 20 percent of the year. Ernest Hemingway found refuge here, as do a list of other celebrities; artisanal cuisine, luxurious lodging and world class skiing reside in this heavenly slice of Idaho. Luxurious lodging Right within downtown Ketchum – steps from great restaurants and shopping – is a brand new, modern lodge; Hotel Ketchum. Sleek yet cozy decor pays homage to the area’s sheep herding roots, with a striking exterior mural, and other design accents. Suites are fixated with luxurious walk in showers and massive picture windows which face the mountains. It’s certainly the stand out place to stay in the area. World class skiing “This combines more delightful features than any place I have ever seen in Switzerland, Austria or the U.S. for a winter resort ” stated Count Felix Schaffgotsch of Austria in 1935, after discovering Sun Valley. The following year, Sun Valley Resort was up and running, and it stands out as a top winter sports destination that even some Olympians call home. Bald Mountain, aka “Baldy”, offers exhilarating downhill runs for the adrenaline enthusiast, while Dollar Mountain is great for beginners. Dollar’s landscape is open, nearly treeless, and has more gradual slopes–the world’s first chairlift began operating here. Four day lodges–River Run, Warm Springs, Seattle Ridge and Carol’s Dollar–are situated throughout Sun Valley Resort, and feature superb relaxation spots, amazing food and rental shops. Terrain diversity offers something for everyone, and the crowds are minimal. Artisanal food scene No meal in Ketchum is average; from country breakfasts to dinner in town, everything has a unique edge. Warfield serves masterpieces like the Things on Sticks board with perfected pairings of shrimp, quail, pork belly, chicken, lamb, sauces and veggies. Rickshaw boasts a simple setting, yet flavorful Asian creations like the Yakisoba bowl with spiraled cucumber, greens, and a velvety peanut sauce. The Kneadery’s country feel is so welcoming—organic house breads are their trademark, while the Eggs Benedict with “made from scratch” hollandaise sauce is famous in town. Drinks Warfield distills their own gin, and it goes perfectly in a tonic or any other house cocktail. Hotel Ketchum’s Gingerita has gained popularity among locals shortly after its debut—Sun Valley Resort employees sing its praises. An extensive regional wine and beer list is available at Enoteca, as is incredible homemade pizza. Endless adventure You’ll never run out of things to do during the winter, or any season for that matter–fishing, hiking, biking and  wildlife spotting are always great escapes. Consider driving up to the scenic Galena Lodge—it will take about 20 minutes to get there from Ketchum. The historic, rustic cabin serves as a starting and ending point for snowshoeing and cross country skiing, and also has fantastic food and warm beverages. Sun Valley Resort’s outdoor ice skating rink is a good place to wind down from a day of extreme sports, but a scenic sleigh ride to Trail Creek Cabin is the ultimate way to recoup.

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