The Ski Resort of Sun Valley

Sun Valley

Stay at Sun Valley and you'll feel echoes of a pre-war, ‘high society’ era in a resort that still boasts very chi-chi lodges today. Sprinkle some balmy weather, absence of crowds, plus a mountain that claims the most consistent pitch in the U.S. and you have a dream for intermediate skiiers.

Our Rating:

Advanced		**
Intermediate		***
Beginner		*

Step into Sun Valley, America’s oldest purpose-built ski resort, and you can feel the echoes of an era when Hollywood stars, writers, socialites, and European nobility were lured here to ski and play. On December 23, 1936, the Sun Valley Lodge opened for its first winter season, complete with the world’s first chairlift. Railroad tycoon Averell Harriman wanted to develop America’s first grand destination ski resort to promote his Union Pacific Railroad, and Sun Valley was selected for its balmy weather, mostly treeless and wind-sheltered slopes, and pure snow quality. A gracious mock-alpine resort was built to lure the likes of Errol Flynn and Ernest Hemingway and put Sun Valley on the map—which they did. Sixty years on those skiing enticements are still evident and stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger still have hideaways here.

Sun Valley, ID at a glance

On the mountain

Ski area

Skiing is split over two mountains: Bald Mountain (known as “Baldy” to the locals) and Dollar/Elkhorn. more...

Lift system

The two mountains combined have a total of 19 lift’s—seven high-speed quads (including one rising 3,144 vertical feet/958 m in 10 minutes), four triples, five doubles, three surface lifts—together a capacity of 26,780 skiers per hour. more...

Ski schools & guiding

The Sun Valley Ski and Snowboarding School has some 240 experienced instructors. more...

Beginner

Dollar Mountain is all treeless and great for novices and beginners, with plenty of practice slopes (as well as Sun Valley Ski School), and the New Bowl providing a good straight trail. more...

Intermediate

You can choose between 42 percent of blue (“more difficult”) trails including the longest trail at three miles (4.8 km) and any blues on River Run side, Upper and Lower College, Seattle Ridge, and Flying Squirrel are recommended. more...

Advanced

There are no double black diamonds but enough black diamond (“most difficult”) trails to give you long and demanding tests. more...

Boarding & freestyle

There are no special areas for boarders and freestyle skiers, but Baldy’s long trails are perfectly pitched for turning perfect arcs. more...

Mountain restaurants

The day lodges at Seattle Ridge, River Run, and Warm Springs have excellent restaurants in ritzy surroundings with a plethora of fireplaces, cozy seating, fine dining, and welcoming staff. more...

Ski Map

: open Sun Valley Ski map

Navigation

Quick access

Resort shortcuts

Sun Valley facts

Ski Area

Base	5,750 ft 1,753 m
Summit	9,150 ft 2,789 m
Elevation	3,400 ft 1,036 m
Area size	2,054 a 831 ha

Trails/runs

Number of trails	75
Advanced	22 %
Intermediate	42 %
Beginner	36 %

Lifts

Surface lifts

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