Idaho · United States
Cycling in Sun Valley
Best season: July–September
Few places pack this much riding into one valley. On Bald Mountain, the Sun Valley Bike Park hauls you 2,000 vertical feet up the Roundhouse gondola in eight minutes, then drops you into what the resort calls America’s longest purpose-built downhill trail — roughly 11 miles of flow from top to bottom, with more than 3,100 vertical feet of lift-served terrain on trails like River Run, Mindbender, and Pale Rider. Lift-assisted biking runs Wednesday through Sunday from early July into September (note that a 2026 lift-replacement project closes the very top of Baldy, so confirm current access).
Downhill is only the headline. The Sun Valley area holds over 400 miles of dirt singletrack plus 30-plus miles of paved path — the Wood River Trail rail-trail links the towns, and networks like Adams Gulch, Greenhorn, and the Harriman Trail could keep you busy for weeks. It’s one of the largest trail systems in the country.
For park bikes, the resort’s Pete Lane’s shop rents full-suspension downhill rigs at the River Run gondola base (walk-ins only); Sturtevants and The Elephant’s Perch in Ketchum rent trail and enduro bikes by the day. The Limelight Ketchum lends guests cruiser and fat bikes and partners with Sturtevants across the lobby, while Tamarack Lodge includes guest bikes free. New to gravity, or new to the trails? Sun Valley Mountain Guides and Sturtevants both run guided rides and skills clinics.
Weather in Sun Valley
Live · NWSLoading current conditions…
Typical by month
avg high/low · 1991–2020 normals · KETCHUM RANGER STATION- Jan 31° 8° 2.3"
- Feb 35° 11° 1.9"
- Mar 43° 19° 1.8"
- Apr 52° 27° 1.2"
- May 62° 35° 1.8"
- Jun 70° 40° 1.3"
- Jul 80° 45° 0.6"
- Aug 79° 44° 0.5"
- Sep 69° 36° 1.0"
- Oct 56° 28° 1.4"
- Nov 41° 17° 1.2"
- Dec 30° 9° 2.6"
Bike-friendly hotels
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Limelight Hotel Ketchum
Downtown Ketchum hotel on the Wood River Trail corridor with a fleet of complimentary cruiser and fat bikes for guests, plus a Sturtevants rental counter across from the lobby for summer mountain-bike rentals.
From $250+/night
Before you book: Confirm the complimentary cruiser/fat-bike fleet and Sturtevants in-lobby counter are running for the 2026 summer season; ask about helmets, waiver and reservations.
Bike program verified via source (2026-07-12)
Sun Valley Lodge
The resort's flagship lodge in Sun Valley Village with on-property access to Pete Lane's Mountain Sports rentals — including full-suspension downhill bikes at the River Run gondola base — and direct bike-haul to the Sun Valley Bike Park.
From $400+/night
Before you book: Confirm whether any complimentary guest bikes are offered vs. paid Pete Lane's rental only, and any guest discount on DH rentals or lift tickets.
Bike program reported via source (2026-07-12)
Tamarack Lodge
Downtown Ketchum lodge that provides complimentary guest bikes in the warmer months at no additional cost, a short pedal from the Wood River Trail and the resort gondola base.
From $180+/night
Before you book: Confirm the guest-bike program is active for 2026, bike types (cruiser vs. trail), helmets/locks, and whether reservable or first-come.
Bike program reported via source (2026-07-12)
Where to rent or borrow a bike
Backwoods Mountain Sports
Rates by phone · waiver required
Ketchum shop (711 N. Main St) offering daily bike rentals from mountain bikes to e-cruisers, plus repair and guided tours.
Call ahead: Full-suspension/DH day rates and protective-gear rental are not published — call (208) 726-8818 to confirm.
Reported via source (2026-07-12)
The Elephant's Perch
From $150/day · waiver required
Ketchum shop (280 East Avenue) renting performance full-suspension mountain bikes ($100 half / $150 full day) and trail bikes ($80/$100) from Specialized, Ibis, Salsa and Revel. First-come, first-served — no reservations.
Call ahead: Full-face helmet/pads not listed — confirm gear by phone (208) 726-3497 if renting for lift-served laps.
Verified via source (2026-07-12)
Pete Lane's Mountain Sports — Sun Valley Resort
Rates by phone · waiver required
The resort's own shop. Full-suspension downhill bikes (Trek, plus ~30 Kona and Norco DH bikes) rent at Pete Lane's at River Run, the gondola base for lift-served biking; other styles at the Sun Valley Village store. Walk-ins only on full-suspension bikes; helmets and locks included.
Call ahead: DH/full-suspension day rates and full-face helmet/armor availability are not published online — call (208) 622-2135.
Verified via source (2026-07-12)
Sturtevants
From $199.99/day · waiver required
Ketchum shop (340 N. Main St, plus a counter in the Limelight Hotel) renting carbon full-suspension mountain bikes ($199.99/day) and full-suspension e-MTBs ($219.99/day); all rentals include a helmet and lock. Online reservations required 48+ hours ahead.
Call ahead: No full-face helmet or body armor mentioned — confirm DH-specific gear by phone (208) 726-4501 if renting for the park.
Verified via source (2026-07-12)
Guided bike tours
Sturtevants Guided Mountain Biking & Skills Instruction
Sturtevants · 3h · from $295
Guided rides and skills instruction around Ketchum and Bald Mountain. Skills sessions (2-3 hr) from $295 for 1-2 riders, half-day from $375 and full-day from $575; reserve by phone.
Sun Valley Mountain Guides — Guided Mountain Biking (Half Day)
Sun Valley Mountain Guides · 4h · from $150
Guided half-day mountain-bike rides on the Sun Valley/Ketchum trail network, 9am-1pm or 1pm-5pm. From $350 for one guest, dropping to $150 per person for larger groups; max 10 riders at a 5:1 ratio.
Where these are on the map Sun Valley
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