BACKCOUNTRY DAY TOURS

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.

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.

We know you’re excited about your adventure, but please understand that we don’t give exact details of our routes before booking. As professional guides, we plan each tour based on your fitness, goals, and the ever-changing conditions of the backcountry. We don’t know yet if it’ll be the most perfect bluebird day, a heatwave, or where the wildflowers will be in full bloom on your specific date (each year it changes due to varying conditions)—but we do know that we’ll pick the perfect, uncrowded spot for you, away from the masses.

Our team goes out and does recon to make sure you have a one-of-a-kind experience—which can't be done way in advance. We’re here to guide you to those hidden gems the general public doesn’t know about. So, trust us to plan an unforgettable adventure that will blow your mind!

Book your trip, leave the details to us, and get ready for something incredible.

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.

Safety is our top priority! 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.

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.

An IFMGA guide is a mountain guide who has achieved the highest level of certification in the world. The IFMGA (International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations) sets rigorous global standards for guiding in skiing, climbing, and mountaineering. When you’re with an IFMGA guide, you can trust you’re in the hands of one of the most highly trained and experienced professionals in the industry.

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

Booking is easy! Just contact our headquarters and we’ll get you dialed.

Email: info@svguides.com | Phone: (208) 721-0290

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Need custom dates or want to discuss custom arrangements? Great! We’re here for you.

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.