Sun Valley Resort
Skiing on Bald Mountain, and summer ice shows.
Sun Valley and the Sawtooths
America's first destination ski resort, where Hemingway lived, and the wild Sawtooth Range nearby.
Union Pacific opened Sun Valley in 1936 and installed the world's first chairlift. Hemingway finished For Whom the Bell Tolls here and is buried in Ketchum. Just north, Redfish Lake and the jagged Sawtooths are among the finest in the West.
- Best Time
- January–March and July–September
- Time Needed
- 2–4 days
- Cost Level
- $$$$
- Open
- Check before you go; hours vary by season
- Getting There
- About three hours by car east of Boise.
What to See
2 of 3 are freeKetchum and Hemingway's Grave
A real mountain town, with a small memorial.
Redfish Lake and Sawtooths
A beautiful alpine lake with boat shuttles.
Know Before You Go
- It's remote, and winters are severe.
Where to Stay
Stay in Ketchum.
Where to Eat
Our picks are on the way.
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Traveler Reviews
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Go Next
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Idaho
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If You're NearbyCraters of the Moon
Idaho
A huge black lava sea with cinder cones and caves in Idaho. Apollo astronauts trained here.
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Last checked 2026-11-02. Part of the Rocky Mountains list.