Hailey, 10 miles south of Ketchum and linked by a popular rail-trail bike path, was founded originally in the 1880s as a supply center for local silver and lead mines, and is now the home base of all those workers who make the resorts run smoothly and ski in-between shifts. Hailey feels much more friendly and low-key than Ketchum or Sun Valley, and the eating options are much more down-to-earth. For breakfast or lunch, head to diner-style Shorty’s (208/578-1293), at 126 S. Main Street, owned by local mom and movie star Demi Moore. When the sun goes down, you can hang out with the local ski bums and bikers at the venerable Hailey Hotel (208/788-3140), 201 S. Main Street, which has a lively bar downstairs and the region’s cheapest beds—around $40 a night with shared bath.

Shoshone marks the junction of US-93 with our cross-country Oregon Trail route, which runs along US-20/26 between Boise and the Craters of the Moon National Monument.