FAQS

HOW DO I BOOK A TRIP WITH YOU?

Booking is easy! Just contact our Head Quarters (Email: info@svguides.com; Call: 208-721-0290) and we’ll get you dialed. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Need custom dates or want to discuss custom arrangements? – Great! We’re here for you.


HOW DO I BOOK A GUIDED YURT TRIP?

Give us a call at SVG HQ (208-721-0290) and we’ll make your trip happen!

I’M AN INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED SKIER, BUT HAVE LITTLE TO NO BACKCOUNTRY EXPERIENCE. CAN I STILL ENJOY A SUN VALLEY GUIDES TRIP?

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.


I WANT TO GO ON A GUIDED TRIP, BUT I DON’T SEE QUITE WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR. CAN I STILL BOOK A TRIP WITH YOU?

You bet! Sun Valley guides specialized in building custom guided adventures that fit your needs, skill level, and availability. We want to build the best backcountry experience for you – winter or summer! Give HQ a call (208-721-0290) to get started on building an adventure you won’t soon forget.


WHAT LOCAL AREAS ARE YOU PERMITTED FOR?

Sun Valley Guides offers exclusive access, winter and summer, to the Sawtooth Wilderness, the Hemingway Boulders Wilderness and the White Clouds Wilderness, in addition to the Pioneer Mountains and the Smokey Mountains.


IS PAYMENT DUE IN FULL FOR A GUIDED TRIP?

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


WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?

Cancellations can happen from the operator and from the guest side, please read through our cancelation policy carefully.


DO I NEED TO SIGN A WAIVER?

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.


WHAT DO I NEED TO FOR A WINTER GUIDED TRIP?

Every great trip start with the right gear! Please check our Packing Essentials List prior to joining us on your next trip. As a general rule, it is best to remember that ski touring (unlike mechanized and downhill skiing) is a highly aerobic activity that generates a lot of body heat. We recommend you dress in light layers that can be easily added or taken away, depending on the temperature and your energy output, to provide good climate control.


DO I NEED MY OWN AVALANCHE SAFETY GEAR?

Yes! Sun Valley Guides does not provide safety gear for its guests. All guests of winter trips should be equipped with an avalanche transceiver (please test batteries prior to arrival), avalanche shovel, and avalanche probe.

WHAT IS AN IOGLB OR AMGA GUIDE?

Safety is our priority at Sun Valley Guides. 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, allowing us to take you to the best skiing on any given day. 

 

I’D LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT AVALANCHE SAFETY, CAN YOU HELP?

You bet! We love to help anyone interested in knowing more about our wintery mountain terrain. We offer a variety of avalanche safety courses and programs. Check out our offering here and join us for our next session!


I’M TRAVELING AND DIDN’T BRING MY GEAR, DO YOU HAVE A RENTAL FLEET?

We’ve got some good friends in the neighborhood who specialize in all the gear. We have a solution for everything. Just give us a call and we’ll get you dialed (Call: 208-721-0290).

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO SKI INTO A HUT?

Travel times will vary depending on fitness, group ability and weather/snow conditions. A general rule of thumb is to estimate one mile per hour and an additional hour for every thousand feet of vertical gain. On clear days when the trail is set, most groups will travel faster, but in low visibility or if there is no set trail, it can take longer. Below are some estimates for travel time to each hut:

  • Bench Hut - 3-5 hours

  • Boulder Yurt - 45 minutes - 2 hours (can snowshoe to this yurt)

  • Coyote Yurt - 4-7 hours

  • Fishhook Hut - 3-5 hours

  • Pioneer Yurt - 3-6 hours

  • Tornak Hut - 3-5 hours

CAN I SKI HUT TO HUT?

Yes! Groups are able to ski hut to hut between Coyote/Tornak and Bench/Fishhook.

IS IT CUSTOMARY TO TIP MY GUIDE? WHAT WOULD BE THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT?

As Mountain Guiding is part of the service industry, where guides and chefs work hard to meet your personal goals and objectives, it is customary to tip your guide if you are happy with their service. Gratuities are not required and should reflect a level of excellence in the service. If you choose to tip, 10-20% of the total trip fee is standard, similar to other services like eating out at restaurants. If you are a member of a group, you may choose to pool tips with other group members or tip individually. Gratuities are best paid in cash at the end of your tour or Venmo them. We can, at times, accept credit card tip payment but the preferred method is cash/Venmo.