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Idaho · the United States
The Big Wood River valley in Idaho, home to the world’s first chairlift ski resort, the town of Ketchum where Ernest Hemingway lived, and the Sawtooth Mountains to the north.
In the photo: Mountain landscape in the Sun Valley region, Idaho
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
Sun Valley is in central Idaho, in the Big Wood River valley, among Rocky Mountain ranges. It was created in 1936 by a railroad entrepreneur who was looking for a location for an Alpine-style ski resort. Starting that year, the world’s first chairlifts operated there, invented by railroad engineers.
The resort attracted film actors and writers. Ernest Hemingway wrote part of For Whom the Bell Tolls in the valley and spent his final years in Ketchum, the neighboring town where he is buried. Ketchum has a downtown with restaurants, galleries and shops and sits at the foot of Bald Mountain, the main ski mountain.
To the north, the Sawtooth National Recreation Area protects a granite-peaked range with hundreds of high mountain lakes and the headwaters of the Salmon River. In summer, the valley offers hiking trails, mountain biking, fishing and an outdoor music festival.
This destination brings together 1 city: Ketchum.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau / geoBoundaries (public domain). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.
✈ Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN), in Hailey · 20 km to Ketchum
✈ Boise Airport (BOI), in Boise · 250 km to Ketchum
Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN) in Hailey, about 20 km from Ketchum, receives flights from some western cities, with more flights in winter. Boise Airport (BOI) is about 250 km away. Shuttle buses and local transport operate in the valley.
The local experience
Sun Valley’s ski mountain, with more than 1,000 meters of vertical drop between the base in Ketchum and the summit, chairlifts and long runs; in summer, hiking and mountain biking.
A protected area in the Sawtooth Mountains north of Ketchum, with granite peaks, hundreds of mountain lakes, the headwaters of the Salmon River and Redfish Lake.
A memorial to writer Ernest Hemingway beside Trail Creek, between Ketchum and Sun Valley, at a spot where he used to hunt and walk.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
From December to March for skiing; snow usually lasts into April. From July to September the days are typically sunny and dry, good for trails and lakes. In spring and autumn the ski season is closed and many services reduce hours.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Three days allows time to ski or hike and to see Ketchum. With four or five days, add a day in the Sawtooth area.
Ketchum offers the most options, close to the ski areas and downtown. Sun Valley, 2 km away, concentrates resort lodging. Hailey, to the south, usually has more economical options.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
Three days to ski or hike and to see Ketchum. With four or five days, include the Sawtooth Mountains.
In winter, not necessarily: local buses connect Ketchum, Sun Valley and the ski areas. For Sawtooth and the summer trails, a car is very helpful.
December to March for skiing, and July to September for trails, lakes and mountain biking.
By plane to Hailey (SUN), about 20 km away, or to Boise (BOI), about 250 km away, then continue by car.
