The USA’s very first destination resort, Idaho's Sun Valley has been popular since the 1930s, when it was built by the Union Pacific Railroad. Now an adventure sports hub in both the summer and winter months, this is a superb spot for a holiday as a couple, or with family and friends. Accommodation options range from simple modern hotels to expansive lodges with heaps of facilities, fit for a whole host of tastes and budgets. Many of the best places to stay in Sun Valley are clustered in the friendly town of Ketchum, but one of our favourite is hidden higher on the slopes, perfect for keen explorers.
Offering two Northern Rockies mountains criss-crossed with 2,000 acres of slopes suited to everyone from eager beginners to experienced thrill-seekers, Sun Valley is a fabulous place to ski and snowboard. Winter visitors can also try snowmobiling, heli-skiing, Nordic skiing, ice-skating and snowshoeing. Families will find reputable ski schools for little ones, beautiful sleigh rides and a friendly après-ski vibe.
Come in the summer months for excellent hiking, mountain biking and horse riding along hundreds of miles of trails. Play a round of golf at Trail Creek, White Clouds or the Sawtooth Putting Course, go wildlife-spotting in the forests, or fish for rainbows, browns, brooks, cutthroats and steelheads. Water sports enthusiasts can also enjoy rafting, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and waterskiing on the Sun Valley Lake and nearby.
Join fellow adventurers at the bars and eateries of Ketchum for sociable evenings out, or catch a show at the charming, 1937-built Opera House, before retreating to one of the best places to stay in Sun Valley. Tomorrow’s excitement awaits!