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Sun Valley Resort is pairing alpine adventures with some of America’s darkest skies, offering travelers unforgettable stargazing year-round.
Idaho’s Sun Valley Resort became the first ski mountain to be named a DarkSky-certified resort this week, combining responsible outdoor lighting with alpine scenery.
The mountain, located east of Boise, was certified through the DarkSky Approved Lodging Program on July 13, according to DarkSky International. The ski area sits on the edge of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, the first International Dark Sky Reserve in the United States. The reserve has been awarded “Gold Tier” status for the quality of the night sky, which has very little light pollution.
“At Sun Valley, the outdoors has always been at the center of the guest experience,” Pete Sonntag, the COO at Sun Valley Resort, said in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure. “Preserving the natural beauty of this place, including the night sky, is an important part of protecting what makes the experience here so special for future generations. We hope this certification raises awareness and positions Sun Valley as a model for how resorts can do right by the environment and their guests.”
The certification from DarkSky International follows Sun Valley Resort’s focus on limiting artificial light on the mountain and growing public awareness around light pollution.
“Their work demonstrates how resorts can protect the night through responsible lighting practices, enhancing not only the experience of guests seeking star-filled skies, but also the health of the surrounding nocturnal environment,” James Brigagliano, the lighting program manager at DarkSky International, said in the statement. “We hope their leadership serves as a model for destinations around the world.”
Sun Valley Resort will celebrate its newly certified dark skies during the upcoming Perseid meteor shower, which is expected to peak on the evening of Aug. 12 and morning of Aug. 13. The resort’s “Stars Over Sun Valley” event includes a gondola ride to mid-mountain followed by expert-led astronomy programming and access to telescopes and viewing equipment as the meteor shower ramps up. Tickets cost $125 per person and space is limited.
In the winter, the resort also hosts occasional after-dark ski events on Dollar Mountain, a beginner-friendly ski area home to the world’s first chairlift.
Travelers can experience year-round stargazing both at and around the Sun Valley Resort at several area dark-sky viewing sites.
The Roundhouse
Take the Roundhouse Express Gondola midway up the resort’s Bald Mountain to the Roundhouse restaurant, which is set at 7,700 feet above sea level complete with a massive outdoor deck, perfect for viewing the night skies.
Trail Creek
The Trail Creek area is known for its open meadows and minimal light pollution, two things that make it a top choice for stargazers. Travelers can hike or bike along the waterway while enjoying the inky black skies above.
Carol’s Dollar Mountain Lodge
Carol’s Dollar Mountain Lodge is another great on-resort stargazing spot. It acts as the base camp for the resort’s occasional night ski offerings.
Galena Summit
Just over 30 minutes Northeast of Sun Valley Resort is Galena Summit, an 8,700-foot mountain pass considered one of the darkest spots in the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve.
Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
