Sun Valley Idaho
Sun Valley, Idaho
Sun Valley is an affluent resort community in central Idaho adjacent to the city of Ketchum in Blaine County. Tourists from around the world enjoy its skiing, hiking, ice skating, trail riding, tennis, and more. The population was 1,427 at the 2000 census. Very few of its residents stay there year-round, with many having primary homes in Boise, Twin Falls, or out-of-state (with many from California and Washington). The elevation of Sun Valley (at the Lodge) is 5920 feet (1804 m) above sea level.
The term, "Sun Valley," among skiers, refers to the alpine ski area, which consists of Bald Mountain, the main ski mountain, and Dollar Mountain, which is geared toward novice and lower intermediate skiers. Bald Mountain, or "Baldy," has a summit of 9150 feet (2789 m) and a vertical drop of 3400 feet (1036 m). With its abundance of constant-pitch terrain, at varying degrees of difficulty, coupled with its substantial vertical drop and absence of wind, Baldy has often been referred to as the best single ski mountain in the world. The treeless "Dollar" at 6638 feet (2023 m) has a vertical drop of only 628 feet (191 m).
The term "Sun Valley" is also used more generally to speak of the region surrounding the city, including the neighboring city of Ketchum and the valley area winding south to Hailey. The region has been home to the rich, famous, and powerful, including Mats Wilander, Walter Annenberg, Ernest Hemingway, Teresa Heinz Kerry, Demi Moore, Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Sun Valley
Information below obtained from www.inidaho.com
About Sun Valley: Winter Recreation in Sun Valley/Ketchum
The majestic peaks of the Central Idaho Rockies captured the imagination of America's skiing public in the '30s. And these spectacular vistas and seemingly endless runs have kept skiers and snowboarders talking ever since. In fact, the readers of Ski Magazine, Condé Nast Traveler, and Gourmet magazines all recently voted Sun Valley the #1 ski resort in the country.
Skiers can also cut loose on their own in the backcountry powder, or experience a guided tour via snow cat or helicopter.
Not every Sun Valley winter activity requires a lift ticket. The surrounding area supplies visitors with an endless variety of spectacular scenery and sporting diversions. Spend a day mushing a pack of huskies, turn a few circles at the famed Sun Valley ice rink, cuddle up in a cozy yurt or hop a horse-drawn sleigh for a hearty dinner at the legendary Trail Creek Cabin. With so much to occupy your time, a return trip to Sun Valley will definitely be in order.
Summer Recreation in Sun Valley/Ketchum
The Sun Valley area boasts nearly one million acres of surrounding wilderness and just about as many summer activities. Guests are invited to enjoy the many natural wonders -- fly fishing in beautiful Silver Creek, hiking through teeming fields of wildflowers on Bald Mountain, or riding the rapids of the Salmon River. Thirty paved miles of bike trails, award-winning golf courses, a skateboard park and chairlift rides add a multitude of man-made marvels to Sun Valley's stunning backdrop.
Arts & Recreation in Sun Valley/Ketchum
Sun Valley's thriving art scene offers a variety of different and exciting mediums. In 1999 the Sun Valley area was listed 18th in the recently published book The 100 Best Small Art Towns in America "a great small art town with a nice balance between the visual arts, theater, and music." Art galleries and craft shows showcase local talent, theatre groups perform professional pieces in various local venues, and the sounds of symphony and jazz fill the summer's crisp night air and cozy winter nights.
