When to visit Sun Valley without the crowds
Sun Valley (Idaho, United States) is calmest in April, May, September and October: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in January, February, July and December. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals. Careful with April and May: the calm has a reason (see the seasonal heads-ups).
Best months
Sep & Apr–May
When everyone heads home
The first week of January.
Tip
It is the oldest ski resort in the US and lift lines are rare.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4/5 · busy ✦ | -1 °C (31 °F) | New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
| February | 4/5 · busy ✦ | 1 °C (33 °F) | Presidents Day |
| March | 3/5 · moderate ✦ | 4 °C (40 °F) | |
| April | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 9 °C (47 °F) | |
| May | 1/5 · calm ⚠ | 14 °C (57 °F) | Memorial Day |
| June | 3/5 · moderate | 21 °C (71 °F) | Juneteenth National Independence Day |
| July | 5/5 · busy | 28 °C (82 °F) | Independence Day |
| August | 3/5 · moderate | 26 °C (80 °F) | |
| September | 2/5 · calm | 21 °C (70 °F) | Labour Day |
| October | 1/5 · calm | 12 °C (54 °F) | Trailing of the Sheep Festival (October) |
| November | 3/5 · moderate ⚠ | 5 °C (41 °F) | Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day |
| December | 4/5 · busy ✦ | 0 °C (32 °F) | Christmas Day |
⚠ = seasonal heads-up. ✦ = something special to see.
Before you go: seasonal heads-ups
- Mud season (Apr–May and Nov): between ski season and summer many hotels, restaurants and lifts close.
What to see, and when
- Ski season (Dec–Mar).
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Sun Valley without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually May and October (crowds 1/5). In May the average high is 14 °C (57 °F). All the calm months: April, May, September and October.
When is Sun Valley most crowded?
The busiest season is January, February, July and December. The first week of January.
What is the weather like in Sun Valley?
Average highs range from -1 °C (31 °F) in January to 28 °C (82 °F) in July, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025).
What should I know before going to Sun Valley?
Mud season (Apr–May and Nov): between ski season and summer many hotels, restaurants and lifts close.
What is there to see in Sun Valley by season?
Ski season (Dec–Mar).
What festivals are there in Sun Valley?
The main ones: Trailing of the Sheep Festival (October) (October).