Snow's Here. Here's Your Winter To-Do List.
After one of the driest winters on record, Mother Nature seems ready to make it up to us. Early snow is sticking up high, and Baldy opens Thursday, Nov 26, Thanksgiving Day. That leaves about two weeks to get organized, so here's our checklist:
- Nordic passes: buy by Sunday, Nov 22. The BCRD preseason price is $285 for adults ($340 after). The BCRD/Sun Valley combo pass is $615 ($740 after). Youth passes are free but still required. Dog passes are $62. BCRD passes
- Alpine passes: pick what fits your season. Sun Valley's full Challenger pass starts at $3,464. Freedom Found starts at $2,464 for 15 days (blackouts apply), and the 15 Day Plus starts at $2,054. The Ikon Pass includes 7 Baldy days (from $1,529), and Mountain Collective includes 2 days plus 50% off after ($729). Compare pass options
- Skis tuned before first chair. Drop them at Sturtevants, Backwoods, PK's, or Pete Lane's now, before the opening-week rush. Our local ski shop guide
- Shop last year's gear. Prior-season skis and boots are often marked down this time of year.
- Book the huts early. The Environmental Resource Center now owns the six former Sun Valley Trekking huts ([email protected]). Sawtooth Mountain Guides runs trips to the Williams Peak yurt. Prime weekends fill fast.
- Reserve the special dinners. Roundhouse winter and holiday reservations are open on OpenTable, and dinner includes the gondola ride. Galena Lodge's Full Moon Dinners have waitlists, so book as soon as dates post.
- Watch the forecast. Our go-to sources: Weather.gov, NOAA for the long-range outlook, Central Idaho Weather on YouTube, and, if you head into the backcountry, the Sawtooth Avalanche Center.
October 2026 Market Report
View the full October market report
Two markets in one. The market is closing in on $1B in sold volume for the 5th time in 7 years, after never crossing that mark before 2020. We hit $1.02B last year, and we're pacing ahead of that with two months to go. Year to date, sales across all property types total $973M (+16%). Homes, condos and townhomes make up about $828M of that (+15%). The North Valley median price is $1.86M (+28%) and the South Valley median is $772K (+8%).
The bigger story is what's happening by price point (2026 sales so far, change from last year, and months of supply):
- Under $1M: 197 sales (−7%), 4.1 months
- $1–2M: 100 sales (+8%), 3.2 months
- $2–4M: 85 sales (+47%), 4.5 months
- $4–6M: 25 sales (−7%), 9.5 months
- $6M+: 25 sales (+47%), 16.8 months
Under $4M, supply is tight and well-priced homes move. Above $4M, buyers have more choice and more room to negotiate.
Pricing matters. Homes are selling at about 96% of their final list price, but 72% of 2026 sales closed below their original asking price. The median home took 73 days to sell, and homes over $6M took 113.
October was quieter than a year ago: 47 residential sales totaling $90M, roughly 20% fewer sales than last October. November is off to a slow start too, but opening day and early snow should bring buyers back to town. Here's a look at all the residential properties that sold in October.
Thinking of selling? Homes under $4M are in short supply. Let's talk pricing →
Looking to buy? Above $4M, you have leverage, and we often know about homes before they hit the market. Ask about off-market options →
Source: Sun Valley Board of Realtors MLS, residential sales Jan 1–Oct 31, 2026 vs. 2025; Stevenson Real Estate Group analysis. Months of supply = active listings ÷ average monthly sales over the past 12 months.
Inventory Update and Our Listings
Inventory is still tight. Buyers can choose from about 132 homes, condos and townhomes in the North Valley and 77 in the South Valley. Many of the best opportunities never reach the MLS, and finding them is a big part of what we do, so don't let those numbers stop you from reaching out.
Here are our current listings, recent pendings and recent closings.
460 N Main St #201 — Luxury Condo in Ketchum — $6,200,000 — 3 BD · 3.5 BA · 2,921 SF
201 Blue Bell St — Elkhorn in Sun Valley — $2,500,000 — 4 BD · 3 BA · 3,316 SF
160 Sunbeam St — New Home in Hailey — $2,175,000 — 5 BD · 3.5 BA · 2,896 SF
PENDING – 321 Georginia Rd — Warm Springs
PENDING – 910 CD Olena Dr — Old Cutters in Hailey
PENDING – 1005 Warm Springs — Warm Springs
CLOSED – 160 San Badger — Sunbeam in Hailey
CLOSED – 400 S 1st Ave — Old Hailey
CLOSED – 4350 Fairway 9 — Elkhorn in Sun Valley
November Calendar of Events
There's plenty going on in the valley this month. Download the full November calendar. A few highlights:
Recap: Pray for Snow Party
Saturday, Nov 7 at River Run Lodge
A big hit! Our crew went all in at the photo booth. Thanks to everyone who came out to dance up some snow.
Annual Turkey Trot
Thursday, Nov 26 · Town Center W, Hailey
Click for more info
Opening Day on Baldy!
Thursday, Nov 26 · River Run
Click for more info
Sun Valley News & Events
- Two more new chairs. Sun Valley spent the summer and fall replacing Lookout Express (now a high-speed six-pack) and the Christmas lift (now a high-speed quad). Opening dates aren't set, but the goal is early December. That makes six chairs replaced in the last few years. See what's new on the mountain or view the updated Baldy trail map.
- Need a laugh? Read once-local Warren Miller's 10-step guide to getting ready for ski season. It still holds up.
- Easier to get here. For the second winter in a row, Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN) has nonstop flights from Phoenix and San Diego, plus Salt Lake City, Denver, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago. See the winter flight schedule.
Wrapping Up
Don't let all the snow talk fool you. There's plenty to enjoy in the valley before the lifts start turning: fishing on the rivers, trails to hike (Pioneer Cabin is still accessible), and a few pockets of fall color left to admire. It's also the right time for getting your home ready for winter.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, too. This year the Stevenson family is experimenting with more small side dishes alongside the turkey, including a couple we've never tried. Wish us luck!
Thinking about buying, selling, or what your home is worth in this market? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected] or call (650) 387-2414.
Have a great November,
Gayle & Matt
