Leader Spotlight Series: Francie St. Onge, Recent Owner, Operator, and Guide at Sun Valley Mountain Huts

Jacinta Gordon | February 10, 2026.

This month, we’re honored to spotlight Francie St. Onge (she/her), recent Owner, Operator, and Guide at Sun Valley Mountain Huts, where she has spent decades bringing people into the heart of Idaho’s backcountry to connect with wild places, community, and themselves. Francie has been a foundational part of Wild Gift for over 20 years, guiding cohorts through some of the most formative landscapes, and lessons, of their lives. Her commitment to accessible adventure, values-driven leadership, and joyful challenge makes her a treasured part of our community.

Wild Gift: What is Sun Valley Mountain Huts’ mission, and what kind of impact are you hoping to have?

Francie:

Our mission is: To inspire the human spirit through adventure and exploration.

Our purpose: SVMH provides exceptional backcountry hut experiences to those who enjoy the climb, savor pristine snow, and embrace wild landscapes. We empower our community to experience the joys, challenges, and rewards of journeying into the mountains.

WG: What are you currently working on or excited about? Any recent accomplishments we can celebrate with you?

Francie:

We recently transferred ownership of the Sun Valley Huts to a local non-profit: The Environmental Resource Center!

After 25 years, Joe and I have found the perfect local organization to take over the stewardship of the backcountry hut system. This is a dream come true for us. As we reached this natural transition point in our lives—to transfer the huts into new ownership—we had three primary goals: to obtain non-profit status for the huts, to broaden and diversify the audience using the huts, and to integrate the huts into the local community.

Specifically, we wanted to see more school-aged children using the huts, especially lower-income kids who would not otherwise have the opportunity.

The Environmental Resource Center has been an icon in our community for over 35 years, providing environmental education in the school district, noxious weed control and trail maintenance on the Sawtooth National Forest, and now… out at the backcountry huts!

We are so happy to know that the huts will have a secure, long-term legacy, and that folks from all walks of life will be making their own memories and traditions out there for generations to come.

WG: How has the Wild Gift Fellowship helped you in your journey as an entrepreneur?

Francie:

Working on the Wild Gift Fellowship for approximately 20 years has been a cornerstone of my career. Leading the new cohorts through the wild lands of Idaho and Utah consistently inspires me to examine my life and my values, and to push myself to show up in the best way I can for the group and my venture.

Most importantly, the Wild Gift Fellowship has connected me with the most amazing network of inspired and kind humans, for which I am incredibly grateful.

WG: What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned being on the Fellowship?

Francie:

As a guide, learning to meet people where they are and start from there has been the most valuable lesson. Accepting that I make mistakes doesn't mean I'm a failure has also been a lifelong lesson. I’ve learned I have the capability to do whatever I want.

WG: What’s next for you and your organization in the coming year?

Francie:

I’m looking forward to helping the Environmental Resource Center steward the huts into the next phase. I’d like to work with our local school district to get more kids out to the huts and yurts.

We believe the backcountry hut experience should be accessible to all people, so we hope to work within our community to help break down economic and social barriers so more people can enjoy and benefit from spending time with friends and family in our beautiful local mountains.

WG: Can you share any metrics or milestones you’ve hit?

Francie:

The Sun Valley Mountain Huts has grown to be able to serve over 2,000 people every year, with ages ranging from 3 months to 89 years old! Endless smiles, laughs, and memories generated.

WG: How can the Wild Gift community follow and support your work?

Francie:

Folks can certainly follow our socials on Instagram and Facebook: @svtrek and Sun Valley Trekking, as well as sign up for our newsletters via our website: www.svtrek.com. Posting your own pictures of the yurts from your own treks and tagging us would be awesome!

We’re incredibly grateful for Francie’s years of guiding and grounding Wild Gift in wild places. Whether through stewardship, mentorship, or time spent deep in the mountains, she continues to build community that is both strong and tender, and she’s always up for an adventure.

Thanks for reading the Leader Spotlight segment of the Wild Gift Blog! If you are a Wild Gift Alumni and want to be featured, please email jacinta@wildgift.org.