STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Sun Valley Resort cranked up its Roundhouse Gondola for the summer season on Friday, and it didn’t take long for a crowd to appear at the top of the lift.

Eight dogs, owners in tow, waited patiently for puppy cars marked by paws on the glass to arrive so they could catch a free ride down to River Run Lodge after a hike up Bald Mountain.

Sun Valley Resort will run the gondola and Christmas chair, which takes guests to the top of Bald Mountain, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this year through early September (NOTE: The starting time has changed from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.)

Lift-assisted mountain biking will begin Monday, July 1, with the annual Summer Kick-off Party from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at River Run Plaza. The day will include live music, outdoor BBQ and free bike inspections at Pete Lane’s.

Fit Me SV will offer a free Mat Pilates class from 9 to 10 a.m. with a raffle for prizes from Vuori, Fit Me SV and Sun Valley Resort.

While hikers and dogs on leash can ride the gondola and chair down free of charge, there is a cost to ride the lifts up. Season passes are available, as well. Reservations for lunch at the Roundhouse can be made at https://www.sunvalley.com/dining/the-roundhouse/

SUMMER SERIES AT RIVER RUN

Sun Valley Resort will kick off a series of free concerts, complete with children’s activities and food and drink for purchase at River Run Plaza on July 24. The concerts will run Wednesdays from 5 to 8 p.m. with extended lift service until 7 p.m. on July 24 and 31; Aug. 7, 14, 21 and 28, and Sept. 4.

SUMMER YOGA AT RIVER RUN

The Brass Ranch is presenting free yoga classes on the River Run Plaza from 9 to 10 a.m. most Tuesdays and Saturdays through Sept. 7. Participants are asked to bring their own mat and leave furry friends at home. Yoga sessions will be held June 29; July 6, 20 and 27; Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, and Sept. 7.

CONCERTS AND BALLET

The Sun Valley Music Festival dominates the calendar from July 29 through Aug. 22, with its popular Pops Night squarely in the middle on Aug. 17 when the orchestra performs “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark live in concert.”

There are other events, as well:

June 25—Utah Bankers Present Liverpool Legends, a Beatles Tribute Band https://www.sunvalley.com/events/utah-bankers-presents-liverpool-legends%E2%80%9D/

June 29-30

Joffrey Ballet from Chicago makes its first appearance in Sun Valley at the Sun Valley Pavilion. https://www.sunvalley.com/events/ballet-sun-valley/

July 4-5 Baldy Bluebird Festival brings Midland, Charlie Worsham, Axel Diehl, Grace Potter, JD Clayton and The Pisten Bullys to the Pavilion. https://www.sunvalley.com/events/baldy-bluebird-festival/.

July 6—A 4th of July Weekend Pickleball Tournament will be held at the Sun Valley Tennis and Pickleball Center https://www.sunvalley.com/events/pickleball-tournament/

July 16 Walker & Dunlop will present Mt. Joy. https://www.sunvalley.com/events/walker-dunlop-presents-mt-joy/

July 30—Lake Street Dive—Good Together Tour will be presented by the Sun Valley Museum of Art at the River Run Plaza. https://www.sunvalley.com/events/lake-street-dive%E2%80%94good-together-tour-2024/

Aug. 17—The Rocket Man—An Elton John Tribute will be presented by Concert for a Cure, The concert is part of a multi-day Killebrew-Thompson event to raise funds for cancer research. https://www.sunvalley.com/events/2024-concert-for-a-cure/

Sept. 1—Lukas Nelson, son of Willie, will present his soulful Americana sound at the Pavilion. https://www.sunvalley.com/events/lukas-nelson/

SUN VALLEY ON ICE

Dazzling ice shows under the stars will feature death defying tricks, as well as clown acts and spectacles of beauties. The lineup:

July 3 | Ilia Malinin

July 20 | Amber Glenn 

July 27 | To be announced 

August 10 | Kaitlin Hawayek & Jean Luc Baker 

August 24 | Jason Brown 

August 31 | Ellie Kam & Danny O'Shea

Learn more at https://visitsunvalley.com/to-do/sun-valley-ice-shows/