SVWC Winter

What to Expect (The Format)

SVWC Winter is a new one-day gathering at The Argyros theater in downtown Ketchum, Idaho. On Saturday, March 6, 2027, we will take a single urgent topic and hold it up to the light—turned and interrogated by six leading writers, thinkers, and experts—to bring today’s biggest ideas and questions into sharp focus.

Unlike our expansive summer conference, SVWC Winter takes a different approach. Built around one day and one topic, explored from every angle, this smaller format creates space for a more concentrated kind of thinking—designed to go deep rather than wide.

This year, we’ll explore our theme, “The Age of Uncertainty: Humanity, Creativity, and Artificial Intelligence,” through a full day of individual talks, panels, and conversations. Talks will start in the morning and we’ll break for 90 minutes midday, giving attendees time to grab lunch or step out into downtown Ketchum before returning for the afternoon program. The day will conclude with a cocktail reception with fellow attendees.

Writers & Presenters

SVWC Winter will bring together an extraordinary group of writers whose work spans politics, economics, neuroscience, literature, and poetry. Zanny Minton Beddoes, editor-in-chief of The Economist, is one of the world’s most influential voices on the global economy. She will join former Obama deputy national security advisor and bestselling author Ben Rhodes; Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and playwright Ayad Akhtar; Stanford neuroscientist David Eagleman; technology and finance journalist Sebastian Mallaby; and Pulitzer Prize-winning former U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith. Together, they will bring six sharply different perspectives to our theme, “The Age of Uncertainty: Humanity, Creativity, and Artificial Intelligence.”

The Venue

The Argyros in downtown Ketchum, Idaho, is a 25,000-square-foot performing arts center with a year-round lineup of live theater, music, dance, film, speakers, and educational programs. With flexible theater seating, a state-of-the-art sound system, and world-class production technology, it is both a cozy and highly sophisticated setting for our winter event.

The Argyros is designed to accommodate guests with accessibility needs. For questions about accessible seating or other accommodations, please contact [email protected].

Address:
120 South Main Street
Ketchum, Idaho 83340

Passes go on sale Tuesday, November 10 at 9:00am MST, with prices ranging from $295 – $495 based on seat selection. A seating chart with pricing will be available at time of purchase. Passes will be sold online only through The Argyros, with a purchase link posted on this page.

Each pass includes:

• A reserved seat for the full day of individual talks, panels, and conversations
• Admission to a closing cocktail reception

Pass prices do not include meals. There is a limit of four passes per person. Passes may be canceled for a refund through January 1, 2027 minus a $20 processing fee per pass. After that date, refunds will not be available.

A full day of programming will unfold through a mix of individual talks, panels, and conversations, with a 90 minute-midday lunch break and closing cocktail reception. 

The full schedule and program will be announced soon.

Read, Watch & Listen

READING LIST

“The Radiance” by Ayad Akhtar

“Livewired: The Inside Story of the Ever-Changing Brain” by David Eagleman

“The Infinity Machine: Demis Hassabis, DeepMind, and the Quest for Superintelligence” by Sebastian Mallaby

Zanny Minton Beddoes is the editor-in-chief of “The Economist”

“All We Say: The Battle for American Identity: A History in 15 Speeches” by Ben Rhodes

“Fear Less: Poetry in Perilous Times” by Tracy K. Smith

COMING SOON

“The Forest” (March 2, 2027) by Tracy K. Smith

WHAT TO WATCH

Ayad Akhtar Blurs Fiction and Reality in The Radiance

PBS NewsHour • September 2026 (6 min.)
A quick introduction to Akhtar’s new novel and his fascination with reality, perception, and the stories we tell ourselves.
Watch on PBS NewsHour

David Eagleman on Brain Science

Best Case Scenarios with Kevin Kelly • February 2026 (~60 min.)
A wide-ranging conversation about AI, consciousness, creativity, brain interfaces, and the future of human cognition.
Watch on YouTube

Elon Musk: The Full-Length Interview with Zanny Minton Beddoes

Zanny Minton Beddoes • Video Interview / The Economist • July 2026 (85 min.)
Minton Beddoes presses Musk on AI, regulation, the future of work, China, geopolitics, and the growing power of technology.
Watch on YouTube

Yuval Noah Harari: The Full-Length Interview with Zanny Minton Beddoes

The Economist • August 2026 (67 min.)
A strikingly on-theme conversation about AI, consciousness, trust, intimacy, and what it may mean to be human in an AI-shaped world.
Watch on YouTube

Is Polarization a Language Problem? A Tedx Talk with Tracy K. Smith

TEDx NewEngland • May 2026 (~19 min.)
Smith considers whether language can deepen division—and how poetry might help us listen, imagine, and recognize complexity.
Watch on YouTube

CBS Interview with Ben Rhodes

CBS News • May 2026 (~38 min.)
Rhodes discusses current foreign policy, American identity, and the historical ideas behind his latest book, All We Say.
Watch on CBS News

LISTEN IN

What Is the Meaning of Mystical Experience? Ayad Akhtar with David Brooks 

The Permanent Questions with David Brooks, The Atlantic • September 2026 (65 min.)
Akhtar and Brooks explore attention, perception, inner life, the soul, and what contemporary culture may be missing.
Listen via The Atlantic

What Is Claude Thinking But Not Saying? A Podcast with David Eagleman

Inner Cosmos • August 2026 (81 min.)
Eagleman talks with an AI interpretability researcher about machine “thought,” consciousness, and whether AI could have anything like subjective experience.
Listen to the episode

The AI Race Nobody Can Win: Sebastian Mallaby

Foreign Affairs • July 2026 (55 min.)
Mallaby examines the geopolitical stakes of the AI race, from U.S.–China competition and economic growth to the tensions between innovation and safety.
Listen at Foreign Affairs

Sebastian Mallaby on The Tim Ferriss Podcast

The Tim Ferriss Show • June 2026 (1 hr. 46 min.)
An accessible deep dive into DeepMind, Demis Hassabis, the race toward superintelligence, and what Mallaby learned from more than 100 AI insiders.
Listen on Apple Podcasts

Fear Less: Tracy K. Smith on Poetry in Perilous Times

Shakespeare and Company Podcast • June 2026 (57 min.)
Smith discusses poetry as a tool for clearer thinking, deeper living, and human connection in uncertain times.
Listen at Shakespeare and Company

Getting to Sun Valley

There are several airport options for reaching Ketchum and Sun Valley. The closest is Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN) in Hailey, approximately 12–13 miles south of Ketchum, with seasonal and year-round service from a number of major cities. 

• Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN) – Hailey, Idaho | approx. 13 miles from Ketchum
• Magic Valley Regional Airport (TWF) – Twin Falls, Idaho | approx. 87 miles from Ketchum
• Boise Airport (BOI) – Boise, Idaho | approx. 152 miles from Ketchum  
• Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) – Idaho Falls, Idaho | approx. 151 miles from Ketchum

Driving is another option for reaching the area, but visitors should be prepared for the possibility of snow-covered or icy roads in March.

Visit Sun Valley has more information on getting here, and Fly Sun Valley Alliance has helpful winter travel tips for flying to the area.

Parking & Transportation

Both short-term and all-day public parking are available in downtown Ketchum. Many downtown spaces have a two-hour limit, while longer-term parking is available in designated areas, including the Washington Avenue & 1st Street lot and the Leadville Avenue & 6th Street lot, both within a few blocks of The Argyros. During winter, parking is prohibited from 2–7am in non-designated areas, so be sure to check posted signs if leaving a vehicle overnight. For more parking information, visit the City of Ketchum website.

For getting around, Mountain Rides offers free public bus service connecting Ketchum, Sun Valley, Hailey, and Bellevue, with seasonal routes throughout the area and airport service from Friedman Memorial Airport. Car rentals are available at the airport—advance reservations are recommended. Uber, Lyft, and local taxi services are also available, though supply can be limited.

Lodging

There are many lodging options in downtown Ketchum. A few options are listed below, in order of proximity to the event venue.

• Best Western Plus Kentwood (next-door)
• Limelight Hotel (across Main Street)
• The Observatory (.1 miles)
• Tamarack Lodge (.2 miles)
• Hotel Ketchum (.3 miles)
• Knob Hill Inn (.6 miles)
• Sun Valley Lodge (1.4 miles)

See more lodging options from Visit Sun Valley.

Dining Nearby

Downtown Ketchum is full of dining options all throughout the day. A few of our favorite options near the event venue are listed below.

• Coffee: Java on 4th, Maude’s
• Breakfast: The Kneadery, Wildflour Cafe
• Lunch (grab ‘n go): Village Market, Wrapcity, Nourish Me, Dark Sky Deli
• Lunch (sit-down): The Warfield, Catalina’s, Rasberrys
• Dinner: The Sawtooth Club, Pioneer Saloon, Enoteca, Fiamma

See a more complete list of dining options from Visit Sun Valley.

Winter Weather / What to Pack

March in Sun Valley can bring some of the best of both seasons—snowy mountains and crisp mornings, along with plenty of bright Idaho sunshine. Average daytime temps are around 35°F, so you’ll want to pack for true winter conditions—a warm coat, scarf, hat and gloves, and boots with good traction. Sunglasses and sunscreen are also useful at our high elevation. Be sure to check the forecast before you travel for changing weather conditions.

Things to Do in Winter

While you’re in Sun Valley, take advantage of everything this world-renowned winter destination has to offer. The area is home to iconic Bald Mountain (“Baldy”), known for its 3,400 vertical feet, sustained pitch, varied terrain, and famously sunny ski days. Nordic skiers can explore more than 120 miles of interconnected trails throughout the Wood River Valley, while outdoor lovers can enjoy everything from snowshoeing and fat biking to ice skating, gondola rides, and scenic winter adventures. For a more relaxing day, take a stroll through the charming Sun Valley Village, with its alpine-inspired architecture, shops, and restaurants, or spend time exploring Ketchum’s galleries, boutiques, spas, and vibrant dining scene just a mile away.

How is this different from the summer Writers’ Conference?

SVWC Winter brings the intellectual curiosity and exceptional voices of our summer Writers’ Conference into a more intimate, focused setting. Rather than exploring a broad range of subjects over several days, we’ll devote an entire day to one urgent topic, examining it through individual talks, panels, and conversations that bring different disciplines and perspectives into dialogue.

Where is it held?

SVWC Winter will be held at The Argyros Performing Arts Center in downtown Ketchum, Idaho.

What is the weather like in March?

March in Sun Valley includes snowy mountains, crisp mornings, and plenty of bright Idaho sunshine. Average daytime temperatures are around 35°F—see Plan Your Trip for more on weather and what to bring.

Is Sun Valley hard to get to in the winter?

Sun Valley is a mountain destination, but as a well-established winter resort, tens of thousands of winter visitors make the trip each season. Our local airport has nonstop service from multiple major cities and, thanks to advanced satellite routing technology, Sun Valley Airport (SUN) now boasts a winter flight completion rate of over 95%. This means fewer than 5% of scheduled flights face winter cancellations or diversions, making it just as reliable as flying into many major hubs.

As in any location, extreme weather can occasionally affect travel, so it is wise to build in some flexibility. See Plan Your Trip for airport distances, transportation options, and winter driving information.

What is there to do in Sun Valley in the winter?

Sun Valley is considered by many to be an outdoor winter paradise, with everything from skiing and snowboarding to snowshoeing, fat biking, ice skating, gondola rides, and Nordic skiing. If you’d rather stay warm and cozy indoors, there are plenty of restaurants, boutique shops, art galleries, and more. See our Plan Your Trip section for more ideas.

Can I choose my seat? What if I want to sit with my friends?

Yes, you will select your reserved seat when purchasing your pass (pricing varies by seat location). If you’d like to sit with friends, we recommend purchasing your passes together—purchases are limited to four passes per person.

Is lunch included? Will there be food or drinks available?

Meals are not included with your pass. However, there will be coffee, snacks, and beverages available for purchase throughout the day, as well as a 90-minute midday break with plenty of time to grab lunch nearby. See Plan Your Trip for nearby dining options.

The cocktail reception at the end of the day includes free beer and wine for passholders. 

Can I bring a guest to the cocktail reception?

No, the cocktail reception is for SVWC Winter passholders only.

Can I leave the venue and re-enter?

Yes, your reserved seat is yours for the day, and passholders may leave and re-enter throughout the program.

What if my plans change and I need to cancel?

Passes may be canceled for a refund through January 1, 2027 minus a $20 processing fee per pass. After that date, refunds will not be available.  

Do donors get priority?

SVWC Winter is meant to serve as a broader, more accessible point of connection for our entire community, so there will not be a separate donor pre-sale—passes will go on sale to everyone at the same time on November 10. Donors are, of course, warmly invited to purchase passes and join us as part of the Writers’ Conference community.

Are there any scholarship options for students or teachers?

Yes, we are developing special opportunities for students and educators and will share details soon.

I have accessibility needs—who can I contact?

We are happy to assist—please contact [email protected].

I have more questions—who can I talk to?

Feel free to reach out! You can call us at 208-726-5454 or email [email protected].