In the heart of Idaho, about 150 miles east of Boise, the steep slopes of Bald Mountain tower over a sun-kissed valley. For roughly a century, visitors have flocked to Sun Valley from all over the country for its premiere skiing and snowboarding. But behind these sought-after slopes, there’s an impressive history and one-of-a-kind cultural experiences that make it a unique destination.
Hollywood’s most celebrated stars have traveled to the valley for decades, yet Sun Valley has managed to maintain a laid-back local life and spirit even amid such A-list appeal. That rare blend of low-pretension modernity—coupled with nonstop flights from eight major metropolitan areas, including Chicago, Seattle, and Los Angeles—make Sun Valley a low-stress, culture-packed getaway.
A History of Innovation
Long before the glistening snow and sun-soaked days helped launch Sun Valley into a skier’s dreamland, a sparkle of another sort caught national attention: silver. In the 1870s, the first discoveries of the precious metal attracted prospectors from across the nation.
An anchor of the region, the Sun Valley Resort, with slopes that cater to beginners and seasoned veterans in equal measure, has hosted some of the most iconic stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood.
But it was born in part out of necessity: The Great Depression hit the railroad business hard in the region. In 1936, Averell Harriman, the chairman of the Union Pacific Railroad at the time, had the idea to boost traffic on its lines by building an exclusive European-style destination ski resort. At the time there were virtually no U.S. ski areas that had upscale lodging and dining right at the slopes.
To add to the must-see appeal, the resort unveiled the first-ever chairlift on nearby Proctor Mountain. The brainchild of James Curran, an engineer with the railroad, its inspiration came from a surprising place: bananas. While traveling in tropical regions, Curran had seen bananas hooked in bunches and hauled to the dock by pulley systems. Why not try the same with people?
That December, “Life Magazine” featured the new technology, which helped position the resort as a go-to getaway. The lift, which moved skiers 20 feet off the ground for more than 3,500 feet with a 1,150-foot gain in elevation, opened up the sport to people who might not have otherwise had the stamina for the activity.
Cinema’s elite, including Marilyn Monroe, Ingrid Bergman, Frank Sinatra and Clark Gable, stayed at the resort, and Ernest Hemingway, whose burial site is also in Sun Valley, finished “For Whom the Bell Tolls” in suite 206 of the Sun Valley lodge. More recently, the region has also attracted business elites and tech giants like Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Laid-Back Local Vibe
Today in Sun Valley Village, the walkable heart of the resort, that glamorous essence is anchored by an affable vibe and crowd-pleasing activities. The 1937 opera house now serves as a movie theater, which features films by snow and skiboard filmmaker Warren Miller, among other classics. Ice skating enthusiasts may want to check out the Sun Valley ice rink, a known hangout for Olympic athletes as they prepare for the popular Sun Valley on Ice shows. And additional dining, shopping, and entertainment options abound in nearby Ketchum, located less than two miles down the road (which also has its own free outdoor ice rink, open from late December until mid-February).
Dining in Sun Valley can be as cosmopolitan or low-key as your tastes crave. For a rustic, homestyle pick, The Kneadery in North Ketchum serves up hearty breakfast and lunch dishes and has been a local go-to since 1974. Owners Dillon and Heather Witmer have cultivated an impressive collection of Western art and artifacts for decades, and diners will spot a canoe hanging from the dining room ceiling, while a taxidermied grizzly bear and mounted antlers on wood-paneled walls add to the cozy, lodge-like feel.
For a contemporary option be sure to check out Cookbook, which offers flavor-packed bites ranging from grilled Idaho trout to house-made pesto and inventive pizzas. The restaurant, which was originally located in a 1932 church but has since moved to a larger location, serves up plenty of vegetarian options as well, and is commended by guests for its great service and family friendly atmosphere.
Vibrant Off-Slope Culture
Even if you never hit the slopes, Sun Valley is full of high-quality, even quirky, cultural experiences all year long. The Sun Valley Museum of Art in Ketchum is a regional hub for contemporary and local art, formed in 1971. Each year, the museum hosts resident artists and features exhibitions and events featuring visual arts, film, music, and more.
When the Wood River Valley is blanketed in snow, the region is also host to the Sun Valley Film Festival, an annual, five-day event that has featured legendary filmmakers and Hollywood’s best, including Clint Eastwood, Jodie Foster, and Woody Harrelson, since 2011. Screenings, cocktail and coffee chats, and big-ticket parties honor the greatest names in film and introduce emerging artists. Monthly movies and educational programming are also offered year-round.
Each January, respected culinary masters and rising food stars emerge at the Sun Valley Food & Wine Celebration. The Sun Valley Culinary Institute hosts this popular, five-day event, featuring James Beard Award winners, champions from the Food Network “Chopped” reality show, exclusive chef dinners, cooking classes, and spirited Après Ski events.
The Sun Valley Pavilion buzzes in summer with sound at the Sun Valley Music Festival, a month-long event that offers world-class musicians performing in a relaxed outdoor venue.
Spirited Character
Sun Valley residents take pride in their rich heritage, cause for memorable celebrations. As the trees in downtown Ketchum begin to morph from green to fiery orange and red, over a thousand sheep amble along Main Street for the Trailing of the Sheep Festival. Each fall, Sun Valley honors the annual sheep migration from the summer’s high mountain pastures to the warmer grazing and lambing regions in the south, an event known historically as “trailing.” The festival is packed with wool-making classes, culinary lessons, live music and folklore, and more.
For Labor Day, Sun Valley residents celebrate another part of their heritage at Wagon Days. Founded in 1958, the tradition honors the history and mining heritage of the region, including one of the weekend’s most anticipated events: the Big Hitch Parade, which showcases antique buggies, carriages, carts, and more parading through downtown Ketchum.
Whether you’re an avid skier or just want to soak in sunny days as you experience a culturally rich pocket of American history, surprises await in Sun Valley.
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