SATURDAY SOCIALS

Yes! Sun Valley Guides guided programs do not require backcountry experience. You do need to be an intermediate to advanced skier with good fitness. If you’re joining a yurt trip, make sure to check the details of the climb into the yurt as distances and difficulty vary with each location.

Yes! Sun Valley Guides does not provide safety gear for its guests.To ensure the safety of both guests and guides, we require that all guests to carry reliable avalanche gear that meets our criteria. This includes an 3 antenna avalanche transceiver, a metal avalanche shovel, and a click-lock mechanism avalanche probe.

For more details, please see our equipment list.

 All of our guides are licensed by the IOGLB and are highly-trained avalanche professionals and/or AMGA trained or certified. Our guides have an intimate knowledge of the vast mountains surrounding Sun Valley as well as the current snow and avalanche conditions.

IOGLB stands for Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board. Guides that have been certified by IOGLB are licensed and held to standards set in place by  the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association, recognized as one of the most comprehensive licensing programs in the nation. For more information, please visit IOGLB’s website.

AMGA stands for American Mountain Guides Association, an internationally recognized organization that offers rigorous training courses for guides in the alpine, rock, and ski mountaineering industry. Guides endorsed by AMGA are verified to operate at a high level of professionalism and with a deep knowledge of their sport. Learn more about AMGA here.

Yes, your safety is always our top priority. Our highly trained guides closely monitor avalanche conditions and warnings, adjusting routes or plans as necessary to ensure the safest possible experience. While it’s important to understand that backcountry skiing carries inherent risks, we take every precaution to manage these. We’re committed to making your trip as safe and enjoyable as possible.

Yes. Sun Valley Guides is committed to providing safe and enjoyable adventures in the backcountry. All guests must read and sign a Release of Liability and Waiver of Claims Agreement prior to embarking on any guided trip. Be sure to read and sign the waiver prior to joining us in the mountains.  You can find your waiver in your reservation confirmation.  If you did not make the reservation, please ask whoever did to invite you to sign through their reservation confirmation email they received or email us at info@svguides.com 

We require payment in full for any guided single day or half day trip (Winter or Summer). For guided overnight trips we require a 50% non-refundable deposit upon booking. The remaining 50% is due 30 days prior to your scheduled trip. Payments can be made with any major credit card.

If you must pay by a check, please mail checks to our mailing address:
Sun Valley Guides
PO Box 6967
Ketchum, ID 83340

Gratuity is not included in the trip fee. As with other service industries, it is customary to tip your guide(s) if you are satisfied with their service. A gratuity of 10-20% of the total trip fee is standard, reflecting the quality and excellence of your experience. Cash or Venmo is preferred.

We require payment in full to secure a day trip reservation. Cancellations made less than 48 hours prior to scheduled trip are 100% non-refundable.  If a guest cancels outside of 48 hours, 50% of total trip cost will be refunded to the guest. 

Please keep in mind that these policies vary by service. See our full cancellation policy for details.