Sun Valley

If you’re looking for secret slopes…

Don’t like crowds but love alpine skiing? This is one of the quietest and best ski destinations in North America. Enjoy views of the Rocky Mountains’ pristine Sawtooth Range before pointing your skis down Bald Mountain’s steep slopes and long runs. In 1939, Ernest Hemingway completed his novel, For Whom the Bell

Tolls, while staying at Sun Valley Lodge (hotel.qantas.com.au/sunvalley). The food and accommodation in the small town of Ketchum, at the base of the mountain, is more affordable than many other resort towns in the US, making it an ideal option for families, too.

STAY

Located on Main Street in Ketchum, Limelight Hotel (hotel.qantas.com. au/limelightketchum) is all about chic design, friendly staff and rooms with sweeping mountain views. And there’s a ski-rental shop on site to fit you out. Head up the mountain early for First Tracks (30 minutes on freshly groomed slopes before the resort fully opens) then relax in the heated outdoor pool or enjoy craft cocktails in the lounge.

SKI

Bald Mountain offers many long intermediate and advanced runs, while nearby Dollar Mountain is fit for beginners. The resort’s busiest day of skiing in the 2016-17 season attracted some 9100 people (the daily average is 3500) but the lift capacity is about 29,000 an hour so there are no lines.

APRÈS-SKI

Meet the locals during happy hour (4pm to 6pm daily) at Warfield Distillery & Brewery (warfield distillery.com) then go to Grumpy’s (grumpyssunvalley.com), a quirky watering hole that serves burgers and huge schooners of beer (try a pickled egg from the jar on the bar). Ketchum has great restaurants, too; at The Pioneer Saloon (pioneer saloon.com), order tender prime ribs. On the mountain, try fondue at The Roundhouse and woodfired fare at Seattle Ridge Day Lodge (pictured; sunvalley.com).