Sun Valley

About Sun Valley

With more than 75 years of experience, a top-notch reputation and 250 days of sunshine a year, a Sun Valley ski resort vacation is bound to dazzle just about every preference. It started as a playground for European nobility and Hollywood stars in 1936, when it opened the world’s first chairlift. The modern American ski resort was truly born and bred in Sun Valley, Idaho.

Bright, sunny days with comfortable temperatures combined with wide-open groomed runs and awesome scenery are a few of the reasons Sun Valley retains appeal among the world’s skiing elite. But don’t let the prestige mislead you—this is Idaho after all. Expect a low-key atmosphere with the highest standards of service and comfort. Sun Valley Ski Resort offers over 70 runs, a 3,400-foot vertical drop and more uphill capacity, per skier, than any other ski area. Beyond the slopes, Sun Valley’s charm shines in its historic village, echoing its legacy as America’s first destination ski resort.

Here, you can enjoy delicious dining options, boutique shopping, and a lively après-ski scene. From gourmet dining at over 50 restaurants to winter sports like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, Sun Valley offers a complete mountain experience. Getting here is easy with flights directly into Friedman Memorial Airport, just a short drive away, or nearby Boise Airport.

How to get to Sun Valley

Sun Valley is located just 14 miles from Hailey, Idaho’s Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN), making it a great option for anyone seeking convenience and minimal travel time. Sun Valley is easily accessible from Seattle, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City.

Once you’ve arrived at Friedman Memorial Airport, and have opted for no rental car, you can hop on one of Sun Valley Resort’s complimentary shuttles. If you fly into Boise Airport, which is about two and half hours from Sun Valley, you can schedule a shuttle via Sun Valley Express.

Mountain Rides is a complimentary bus service that runs throughout the Wood River Valley. This bus is a great option for budget-savvy travelers that stay in Ketchum for more affordable lodging. The village at the base of the mountain is self-contained and you’ll find everything you need within walking distance.

Skiing in Sun Valley

Sun Valley Resort is the ultimate intermediate skier’s haven. Boasting over 2,000 skiable acres, with 44 percent of the terrain designated as intermediate, Sun Valley truly has some of the best groomers in North America. This Idaho ski resort certainly lives up to its namesake and is a top-of-mind choice for fair-weather skiers. Sun Valley Resort skiing is divided by two mountains: Bald Mountain and Dollar Mountain.

Bald Mountain (or “Baldy” as the locals call it), which earned its name after several forest fires, offers expert skiers and snowboarders more challenging terrain, including perfectly spaced glades and wide-open bowl skiing. Dollar Mountain is more suited for beginners and early intermediates, thanks to its gentle, meandering groomers.

With nearly an entire mountain to themselves, and 36 percent of the terrain designated as beginner runs, the Sun Valley beginner skiing is hard to beat. First timers generally want to stick to Dollar Mountain, but once they’ve picked up the skills need to stop and make wedge turns, they have a ton of options on Sun Valley’s larger Bald Mountain.

Beginner Skiing at Sun Valley

Dollar Mountain is located one-third of mile from the Sun Valley base village and just across the valley from Ketchum. This zone features nearly entirely green and blue runs, so you won’t find throngs of expert skiers ripping past you. However, Dollar Mountain host to some of the best terrain parks in the Pacific Northwest, so the area does see some crowds. Beginner families will also be pleased because the famed ski school is located at the base of Dollar Mountain.

The great thing about Bald Mountain is that beginners can experience Bald Mountain’s 9,000-plus foot summit thanks to the Broadway Face run which snakes along the ridgeline and drops skiers off at the base of Seattle Ridge lift. After a couple of days of skiing and you’re legs are warmed up be sure to head to the Lookout Restaurant for a spectacular lunch and then cruise down green run U. College all the way to the Sun Valley base village, which is nearly 3,000 feet.

Expert Skiing at Sun Valley

If cruising down steep terrain with perfectly groomed conditions, or perhaps making expansive turns in a powder bowl sounds like your idea of the perfect ski vacation, then the Sun Valley expert skiing will not disappoint. Expert skiers and snowboarders can enjoy an array of challenging conditions from Sun Valley’s many steep mogul runs to picture-perfect glades and iconic bowl skiing.

The most iconic—and brag-worthy—terrain is found from the top of Bald Mountain. Take the Mayday chairlift up and then head right along the ridgeline and drop into some of Sun Valley’s most challenging terrain: Lookout Bowl, Easter Bowl and Little Easter Bowl. From the top of the River Run chairlift be sure to take a run down Limelight for some wide-open steep skiing. There’s also a nice pocket of short, black diamonds scattered around the Roundhouse Restaurant, perfect for lapping around lunchtime.

Family vacations in Sun Valley

A Sun Valley family ski vacation is an ideal choice for a slew of reasons. First and foremost, Sun Valley boasts perfect family ski terrain, and a world-class ski school. The Sun Valley village provides families with a safe, well-contained area for children to play, explore and experience the many off-mountain activities, including the Sun Valley PlaySchool and Day Camp.

Families will love catching a movie together at Sun Valley’s historic—and charming— 1937 Opera House. Kids of all ages will love hanging out at Sun Valley’s six-lane bowling alley and game room. The many vacation condos and townhomes in Ketchum provide all the comforts of home, and make for a relaxing and comfortable family ski vacation.