Sun Valley Gravel Escape
From epic climbs to riverside descents, enjoy the ultimate high country summer playground.
Join us in Sun Valley for a midsummer adventure, with endless daylight, mild mountain air, and gravel roads that stretch toward snow-capped horizons. This 4-day Otter adventure blends the thrill of world-class riding with the ease and elegance of luxury travel. Every route is handpicked to showcase the area’s varied landscapes, from sagebrush valleys to alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers.
Different ride preferences can be accommodated with two route options offered each day, ranging from 25-35 miles and 1,000 to 1,500 feet of elevation gain for the day's shorter ride to 40-50 miles and 3,000 to 4,000 feet of elevation gain for the day's longer ride. With premium gravel bikes, expert guides, and a support vehicle always nearby, you’re free to focus on the ride, the scenery, and the sense of escape.
Between rides, you’ll explore the charm of Ketchum’s art galleries and boutiques, relax in natural hot springs, or enjoy additional activities like paddleboarding on Sun Valley Lake or indulging in a spa treatment. Each day strikes the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation, so you return home recharged, not depleted.
Evenings are a celebration of Idaho’s culinary bounty, with chef-prepared meals featuring locally sourced ingredients and paired with regional wines and craft beers. Lodging is in a private luxury mountain home, where refined comfort meets alpine character.
From private airport transfers to luggage handling, ride support, and curated dining, every detail is managed by Otter’s expert team. This is gravel riding at its best - challenging routes, breathtaking scenery, authentic local experiences, and the kind of seamless service that turns a great trip into a once-in-a-lifetime escape. And this unforgettable trip becomes more meaningful, knowing your journey fuels Adventure Cycling’s mission to inspire, empower, and connect people to travel by bicycle.
DESTINATION
Sun Valley, Idaho
Sun Valley summers offer a vibrant alpine playground of wildflowers, long days, and endless adventure. In addition to miles of remote and scenic gravel roads for riding, the area also offers myriad options for the time between rides. Its rivers and lakes invite kayaking, fly fishing, swimming, and paddleboarding, and hiking opportunities abound in every direction. The town of Ketchum buzzes with open-air markets, art festivals, and live music under starry skies, creating a lively yet laid-back mountain vibe. With sunshine-filled days, cool evenings, and breathtaking views in every direction, Sun Valley in summer offers the perfect blend of outdoor adventure and relaxed mountain charm.
DETAILS
ACCOMMODATIONS
Your home base is a beautifully appointed private estate in the middle of Sun Valley's summer hub. With ample indoor and outdoor spaces to enjoy, you'll be rewarded with creature comforts in your time off the bike.
Highlights:
Private luxury estate with spacious social spaces plus quiet nooks for private downtime
Ensuite bathrooms in every bedroom, stocked with premium bath products and bathrobes
Fast, reliable WiFi throughout the property
For solo travelers choosing double occupancy, privacy screens and sound machines are provided for added comfort.
The Farm Stand, Otter's term for a self-serve table of coffee, refreshments, and snacks, is available at all hours throughout your stay and is replenished frequently with fruits, fresh baked goods, chips, bars, and drinks.
INCLUDED IN YOUR TRIP
We believe your trip should feel effortless and free from distracting logistics and the hassle of constantly opening your wallet. That’s why we include more. With Otter, every detail is handled and every experience is designed so that your energy stays focused on adventure, connection, and relaxation.
Accommodations
Thoughtfully selected accommodations that embody the true character of the region
Luggage and bike transfers, as needed
Transportation
Airport transfers in a luxury van
A support vehicle that follows the day’s route, distributes refreshments, assists with mechanical issues, and offers lifts
Transportation to and from daily activities
Ad hoc local transportation to explore your surroundings, subject to availability. If unavailable, we are always happy to help you arrange transportation.
Meals
We design all of our meals to cater to active athletes with discerning palettes. Food will be plentiful and there will be options to satisfy a wide range of tastes and dietary needs, such as vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and high protein options at every meal. We source food locally and seek organic ingredients where possible. Travelers will also have the opportunity to inform us of any needs or special requests before the trip.
Daily (5) hearty breakfasts with diverse offerings, but always including premium rich coffee or made-to-order espresso, fresh fruits, an egg dish, breakfast meats, pastries and baked goods, yogurt and homemade granola.
Daily (4) picnic lunches and snacks, served mid-ride and designed for efficient energy transfer, including ice cold water and sports drinks
Daily (5) après bike gatherings, including varied offerings of satisfying appetizers and signature cocktails, craft beers, and local wines
2 dinners at our favorite local restaurants
2 dinners prepared in-house
“The Farm Stand,” Otter's signature self-serve table of coffee, refreshments, and snacks, is available at all hours throughout your stay and is replenished frequently with fruits, fresh baked goods, chips, bars, and drinks.
Gear
Premium bicycles and bike accessories, optimized for the riding conditions and your preferences. For guests who choose to bring their own bike, Otter will receive (if shipped), assemble, and tune it prior to your arrival, and will dissemble and package it for its return home.
Daily bike cleaning and tuning, to ensure optimal performance
A swag bag including an Otter jersey, local treats, and items to make your trip more enjoyable
GPS
Activities
Guided and fully supported daily rides
Morning yoga
1 massage
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival & Welcome
Private pick-up from Sun Valley's Airport and transfer to our private residence and homebase for the weekend
Bike fittings and time to explore the grounds and settle in
Short evening ride in the local hills to get excited about what's to come
Welcome reception on the patio with local craft beers and wines, followed by a chef-prepared dinner featuring Idaho-sourced ingredients.
Days 2 & 3 – Mountain Rides & Ski Town Delights
Hearty breakfast followed by outdoor morning yoga
Supported gravel rides through sagebrush foothills, aspen groves, and remote alpine forests with big views of the Pioneer and Boulder Mountains
Mid-ride gourmet lunch, snacks, and ice cold drinks to reward and refuel
Afternoon excursions to soak in a nearby natural hot spring, have a massage, browse Ketchum’s art galleries and shops, or hit the courts for a game of pickleball
Casual dinner at a celebrated local restaurant and a night to explore the local cuisine and culture on your own
Day 4 – Final Adventures and Farewell
Grab and go breakfast of smoothies, breakfast sandwiches, and pastries to fuel, followed by a memorable sunrise ride
Farewell patio brunch and goodbyes
Private transfer to Sun Valley's Airport for your flight home
Our Nonprofit Beneficiary
Adventure Cycling, a nonprofit that inspires, empowers, and connects people to travel by bicycle
The Mission:
"We believe that adventure, whether small or large, can be transformative. To live a life of discovery, we must unplug, break from our routines, feel the wind on our brows, and welcome opportunities to feel awe and wonder. A bike is simply the mechanism to get you there. Through inspiration, empowerment, and connection, we open the door to adventure for everyone."
TRIP FUNDRAISING ESTIMATE
$5,600+
Guests will receive a donation receipt documenting their tax deductible contribution within one week of the trip conclusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
We believe your trip should feel effortless and free from distracting logistics and the hassle of constantly opening your wallet. That’s why we include more. With Otter, every detail is handled and every experience is designed so that your energy stays focused on adventure, connection, and relaxation.
Accommodations
-
Thoughtfully selected accommodations that embody the true character of the region
-
Luggage and gear transfers, as needed
Transportation
-
Airport transfers in a luxury AWD SUV or Sprinter van
-
For bike tours, a support vehicle that follows the day’s route, distributes refreshments, assists with mechanical issues, and offers lifts
-
Transportation to and from daily activities
-
Ad hoc local transportation to explore your surroundings, subject to availability. If unavailable, we are always happy to help you arrange transportation.
Meals
We design all of our meals to cater to active athletes with discerning palettes. Food will be plentiful and there will be options to satisfy a wide range of tastes and dietary needs, such as vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and high protein options at every meal. We source food locally and seek organic ingredients where possible. Travelers will also have the opportunity to inform us of any needs or special requests before the trip.
-
Daily hearty breakfasts with diverse offerings, but always including premium rich coffee or made-to-order espresso, fresh fruits, an egg dish, breakfast meats, pastries and baked goods, yogurt and homemade granola.
-
Daily lunches (unless noted, as in ski days) and nutritious snacks
-
Après festivities, including varied offerings of satisfying appetizers and signature cocktails, craft beers, and local wines
-
Gourmet dinners at our favorite local restaurants, renowned culinary establishments, or prepared in-house at private estates (unless noted as free nights)
-
“The Farm Stand,” Otter's signature self-serve table of coffee, refreshments, and snacks, is available at all hours throughout your stay and is replenished frequently with fruits, fresh baked goods, chips, bars, and drinks.
Gear (activity dependent)
-
Premium bicycles and bike accessories, optimized for the riding conditions and your preferences. For guests who choose to bring their own bike, Otter will receive (if shipped), assemble, and tune it prior to your arrival.
-
Premium trekking/mountaineering gear
-
Complimentary Otter gear and a swag bag
-
Daily gear cleaning, maintenance, and storage of gear to ensure optimal performance
-
GPS for rides
Activities
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All activities as outlined in the trip itinerary, except those noted as “Additional Activities”
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Entrance fees to historic sites, museums, parks, and all other exclusive events
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Gratuities for baggage, porters, and service related to accommodations
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Expert bilingual guides with extensive local knowledge, where applicable
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Airfare (unless noted, as in Private Charter trips)
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Dinner on free night(s)
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Lunch when noted (as in ski days, to accommodate on-mountain flexibility)
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Spa services and other additional activities not specifically mentioned in “What’s Included.”
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Excursions and activities not outlined in the itinerary or referred to as “additional activities.”
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Gratuities for Otter guides
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Travel protection
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Ski gear (available on request)
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Ski lift tickets (since many guests will have passes)
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Otter partners with nonprofits to provide them with risk-free and effortless fundraising. We commit to guaranteeing 10% of the trip's proceeds will go to donations, with the possibility of additional funds raised through activities (such as trunk shows where the vendor donates a portion of the sales) and in-kind donations. There will be no active fundraising or "hard sells" on the trip, but you will receive more information about the nonprofit you are supporting, and guests will always have the option to donate more if moved to do so.
Guests will receive a donation receipt from the nonprofit within one week of the trip's conclusion, along with "total funds raised" for the trip.
A $750 per person no-risk deposit is required to confirm your reservation. This deposit is fully refundable until the final payment due date.
Final payment is due 75 days prior to departure. At that time, any unpaid balance will be charged, and the deposit becomes non-refundable. Reservations made within 75 days of departure require full payment at the time of booking.
Guests will receive an email reminder of the upcoming payment one week before it is processed, and will have the opportunity to change the payment method on file.
Up to 75 days before departure: Your deposit and any payments made are fully refundable.
45–74 days before departure: You will receive a 50% refund of the total trip cost.
15–44 days before departure: You may apply 50% of the total trip cost as a credit toward any future Otter & Co. trip, valid for 12 months from the date of cancellation.
Within 14 days of departure: All payments are non-refundable.Certainly. It's important to share the fun with friends and loved ones, even for those not interested in the primary activity. On most trips, such as ski trips, non-participating partners will have endless options to fill their days. On others, such as point-to-point cycling tours, they may need to be comfortable with some van rides (and time by the pool). If you'd like to hear more about what a "day in the life" would be like for a non-participating guest on a specific trip, please reach out and we can get into more detail about the logistics and the experience.
Absolutely. We're happy to accommodate and offer e-bikes for all trips, unless specifically noted. Batteries will be charged each night and spares will be carried in the support vehicle to ensure you always have power.