Photo: Greg L. Wright - SnapJag / CC BY-SA 3.0About Sun Valley
Sun Valley is a ski resort in Idaho. It offers 3,400 feet of vertical drop, 2,533 skiable acres, 120 marked runs, served by 12 lifts. Sun Valley Lodge opened in December 1936 as America's first destination ski resort. The resort pioneered the modern chairlift; Bald Mountain opened for alpine skiing in December 1939. Bald Mountain publishes a sustained 3,400-foot vertical and a 1.8-mile Warm Springs descent. Official history documents snowmaking beginning in 1975 and later expansion.
Why Visit Sun Valley?
- 120 runs with 3,399ft of vertical drop
- Average annual snowfall of 200"
- 2,533 skiable acres with terrain for all ability levels
- 12 lifts including gondola, chairlift
Where to Stay
Live prices for hotels, condos and homes near Sun Valley, plus places we’ve researched.
Live prices & availability
Live prices and availability from Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo — hotels, condos and private homes. You book on their site. These are affiliate links: Everything Ski may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
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Photos
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Mountain Statistics
9,150ft
Summit Elevation
2,789m
5,751ft
Base Elevation
1,753m
3,399ft
Vertical Drop
1,036m
2,533 acres
Skiable Area
1,025.07 ha
120
Total Runs
1.8mi
Longest Run
2.9km
12
Lifts
200"
Avg. Snowfall
508cm annually
How Sun Valley compares
Terrain Breakdown
36%
42%
22%
●Beginner
36% of trails
■Intermediate
42% of trails
◆Advanced / Expert
22% of trails
Trail Map
Open the current Sun Valley trail map:
Season & Operating Hours
Last season (2025–26)
Opening DayNovember 26, 2025
Closing DayApril 19, 2026
Status Closed for the season
This season’s dates are set by the resort — check its official site for opening day.
Getting to Sun Valley
By Car
Sun Valley is in Idaho, USA. Tap the button below for turn-by-turn directions from where you are.
Get DirectionsGPS Coordinates
Latitude43.6977
Longitude-114.3511
RegionIdaho, USA
Lift Tickets
The rest of your Sun Valley trip — for lodging, see Where to Stay above.
Nearby Resorts
Frequently Asked Questions
Opening and closing dates are set by the resort each season, so check its official site for this year's dates. Sun Valley averages 200" of snowfall a year.
Sun Valley rates 36% of its terrain as beginner, across 120 marked runs. Check the resort's site for its ski school and learning areas.
Sun Valley averages 200" of snowfall a season, with a summit elevation of 9,150 ft.
Sun Valley is located in Idaho, USA. Use the "Get Directions" button at the top of this page for turn-by-turn directions from where you are. GPS coordinates: 43.6977, -114.3511.
The Where to Stay section near the top of this page shows live prices for hotels, condos and vacation rentals around Sun Valley, plus any places we've researched.
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