July 2025
First Destination Ski Resort a Winter Mountain Paradise
Set among the stunning Sawtooth Mountains, Sun Valley offers opportunities for an incredible getaway.
American Airlines recently announced new nonstop service between Phoenix and Sun Valley, Idaho starting in December. The seasonal service will run through April. Sun Valley and the nearby town of Ketchum are a wonderful destination to enjoy all of the fun activities winter has to offer.
Haven’t heard of Sun Valley before? The area has an interesting history. In the 1880s, Ketchum was a booming mining town and also famous for its hot springs. But by the 1900s, the population had dwindled, and the area was no longer as busy as it used to be. Count Felix Schaffgosch was hired by Union Pacific to scout an area for a ski resort out west. He arrived in January 1936 and declared Sun Valley to be the place. From that point on, it became known as “America’s First Destination Ski Resort.” Celebrities regularly visited the area including Clark Gable and Ingrid Bergman, and it became home to the world’s first chairlift. Today, it continues to be a known winter destination.
So, what’s there to do in Sun Valley? Well, skiers and snowboarders will find ample activities to hit the slopes. Bald Mountain also known as “Baldy” offers runs for all levels and 13 lifts while Dollar Mountain is perfect for all ages. Both offer ski schools with group and private lessons. More of an adrenaline junkie? Try heli-skiing or take a guided backcountry ski tour. And what would be a day skiing without Après-ski? Warm Springs lodges and Ketchum offer many opportunities for that after-activity cocktail.
If skiing isn’t your thing, that’s OK. There are plenty of exciting opportunities in Sun Valley and Ketchum. You could take a horse-drawn sleigh ride to Trail Creek Cabin for dinner. You could go ice skating outdoors at the notable Sun Valley Lodge ice rink. This world-famous rink is known for hosting skating legends, especially during their summer ice shows. Other activities include snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. The groomed trails throughout the area are gorgeous and offer a peaceful adventure into the wilderness. Visitors can also ride the Baldy gondola for fantastic views of the area.
Need to warm up after all the outdoor activities? Visit Ketchum’s local art galleries or stop by one of the local spas. Sun Valley also has the Ski and Heritage Museum which gives a great overview of the history of the area, and the Blaine County Historical Museum is a nice visit too.
Did you know Ernest Hemingway lived in the area and wrote part of “For Whom the Bell Tolls?” He spent a lot of time at the Sun Valley Lodge, and his final resting place is in the Ketchum Cemetery.
There’s also numerous restaurants, bars, and cafés in the area as well as movie theatres, bowling, and live theaters. During clear nights, be sure to go outside to stargaze as Sun Valley is in the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve.
The area is also a paradise year-round. In the summer, you can find great hiking, mountain biking and fly fishing. The area also hosts a number of events from the Sun Valley Jazz and Music Festival to Arts Festivals and even the annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival where 1,500 plus sheep move through the pastures and trails down through Main Street in Ketchum. It’s a true sight to see.
For more travel inspiration as you plan your Sun Valley getaway, visit https://visitsunvalley.com/