Sun Valley Resort located in the Wood River Valley is a winter heaven! Ski on long runs, snowshoe, ski skate and ice skate all day then enjoy the evening at one of the many excellent restaurants and wine bars.

In the 1870’s gold was discovered in the West and European settlers and prospectors came in search of possible fortunes. By the early 1880s, Ketchum was thriving mining town famous for its healing hot springs. The Guyer Hot Springs near Warm Springs, was popular for its mineral waters while the town of Ketchum was popular for its saloons, restaurants, hotels, and other businesses. Today, its the same style of small town with big world charm.

With the grand opening of Sun Valley Resort, “America’s First Destination Ski Resort,” celebrities flocked to the area to see America’s new grand dame of ski resorts. Ernest Hemingway fell in love with Sun Valley and eventually made it his home; he finished For Whom the Bell Tolls in Suite 206 of the Sun Valley Lodge. Clark Gable, Gary Cooper, Ingrid Bergman and others came to play at the glamorous, new winter wonderland. Their photos (mostly black and white) are still hanging on the hallway of the main lodge. Other historical information about the Valley can be found at one of our three museums and at local libraries.

The Wood River Valley is located in Blaine County, Idaho at the edge of the majestic Sawtooth Wilderness. This valley is almost entirely surrounded by U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands with the Big Wood River running through. With forest mountain ranges to the north, east and west and mountain desert climate to the south. There is about 15 hours of sunshine in the summer with many dry mild 78 degrees days.

The cities of Sun Valley and Ketchum are at an altitude of 5,750 feet with the ski mountain, Baldy, at 9,150 feet. The river valley slopes down to 5,300 feet to the south near Hailey. There are Four large lakes in the Stanley Basin to the north and two large reservoirs to the south which offer a variety of recreational opportunities. Hundreds of streams and alpine lakes can be found in the mountains and valleys surrounding the towns. Sun Valley is truly located in a winter wonderland surrounded by mountains, valleys and river banks.

Make your next winter vacation to Sun Valley by emailing Reservations