There’s a reason the world’s most powerful tech and entertainment moguls make an annual visit to Sun Valley, Idaho, where the trails are endless, the views are spectacular, and the vibe is super-chill: to recharge. OK, not just to recharge. They also go for Allen & Co., an exclusive, secretive conference where the groundwork for big M&A deals is laid. But what puts these power players in that buying and selling spirit? What helps forge relationships and inspire the vision that, say, Amazon should throw down $8.45 billion for MGM? What’s the one thing that’s provided endless inspo to tech titans over nearly 40 years of evolving media strategy? Sun Valley.
Whether you need a slight recalibration or a total overhaul, this laid-back mountain town holds the secret to your restoration—and perhaps your next partner, sale, or Big Idea. The key to reaping max benefits is disconnecting digitally upon arrival and plugging in to your surroundings. Below, you’ll find a menu of activities sure to get your grey matter humming along. There’s more to do than could possibly fit into three days, so pick the things that excite and intrigue you for the best boost.
Get There
Sun Valley is smack in the middle of Idaho and a quick (two-hour, tops) direct flight from several major cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Denver, and Seattle. A long weekend is eminently doable, but if you’ve got more time, book it.
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Get Outside
“The hiking, the skiing, the boating, the fishing’s all fantastic,” says Christian Nickum, CEO of Sun Valley-based Rocky Mountain Hardware, makers of handcrafted bronze hardware, including smart locks. “Whatever activities people enjoy, there are a gazillion different opportunities.”
Focus on fun and minimize stress by leaving the planning to experienced guides, available for every activity you can dream up. Like hiking to an alpine lake, fly fishing in Silver Creek Preserve, or paragliding over the Valley. All you need is the right gear to stay comfy. No worries if you’re missing a few pieces; you could come nearly naked and get expertly kitted on-site. Brands including Scott Sports, Smith Optics, and First Lite were all founded in Sun Valley and continue to be area favorites.
Of course, you don’t have to get your heart rate up to enjoy the resort town’s outdoors. Its acclaimed summer Wellness Festival features sunrise meditation and yoga in the restorative Sawtooth Botanical Garden. Melophile? Come for the Sun Valley Summer Music Festival, one of the country’s preeminent classical music fêtes, held annually in the late summer. Bonus: You can set up on the back lawn to catch the performances for free! Double Bonus: Listening to classical music can increase dopamine secretion, nixing stress and making you a better learner.
Get Inside
Theater and art bestow big brain benefits, from improving mood, perspective, and memory to enhancing problem-solving capabilities. So head to one of more than a dozen art galleries, catch a ballet at The Sun Valley Pavilion, or attend a play at the Argyros Performing Art Center. For even bigger brain gains, get creative yourself; The Sun Valley Museum of Arts hosts world-class visual and performing arts classes for adults.
Get Friendly
There’s a saying in Sun Valley that it’s a place where a billionaire, a ski bum, a rancher, and a teacher can all sit at the same bar in unassuming clothes, buy a round for each other, and talk. In other words, you’re always going to meet someone interesting who’s chill and down to swap stories. And that’s a mega-plus for your brain; as little as 10 minutes of getting-to-know-you conversing can improve executive functioning, which includes your ability to focus and self-monitor. So put a beverage fund in your travel budget and go clink cups.
Go Dark
Sun Valley is one of only 18 places in the world (and the only one in the U.S.) designated as a Dark Sky Reserve. That makes it tops for stargazing—and for night-sky photography. So bring your best DSLR and prepare to be wowed. Alpine lakes make for fantastic nighttime reflections, while the Milky Way rising from the mountains delivers peak inspiration.
Move In
It’s happened before: visitors who couldn’t bring themselves to leave. Earnest Hemingway came in 1939 to hang with fellow celebs at the Sun Valley Lodge, where he finished For Whom the Bell Tolls in Suite 206. He bought a house in the late ‘50s and remains forever in the valley, his grave in the Ketchum Cemetery.
For those who aren’t world-renown novelists or perma-remote, there are still great work opportunities. “We’re always striving for innovation,” says Nickum. “Bring your technology and help us out!”
Ready to reclaim your brain? Sun Valley is calling. But not on your phone, because you turned it off. Your digital detox starts now.
This story was produced by WIRED Brand Lab for Advertiser.
