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Free Traveling Guides » States » Idaho » DestinationsSun Valley
Sun Valley, situated in the central part of Idaho, is an affluent resort community. The city is nestled adjacent to the city of Ketchum in the Blaine County, at an elevation of 5920 ft (1800 m) above sea level. It attracts tourists from around the globe and is well known for its recreational activities such as skiing, hiking, trail riding, ice skating, and tennis. The term “Sun Valley” is generally used to speak of the region around the city, including the valley area winding south to Hailey and the neighboring city of Ketchum. This is because this region has been the home of several rich and famous people like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ernest Hemmingway, John Kerry, Steve Wynn, Demi Moore, and Bruce Willis.
However, for the skiers, the term “Sun Valley” refers only to the vast alpine ski area that consists of the Bald Mountain and the Dollar Mountain. The former is the best ski mountain in the world and is suitable for experienced skiers. The Dollar Mountain, on the other hand, is appropriate for novice and lower intermediate skiers. It is treeless and has a vertical drop of 628 ft (191 m). Bald Mountain, popularly known as “Baldy”, has a vertical drop of 3400 ft (1030 m) and a summit of 9150 ft (2789 m).
Besides, this beautiful resort community is also known for its culture and art. A major tourist attraction here is the Sun Valley Center for the Arts and Humanities, a non-profit organization established by Glenn and Bill Janss in 1971. It offers studios, workshops, lectures, and exhibitions that emphasize mainly on photography by Sheri Heiser and Peter de Lory, fine arts by David W. Wharton, and Ceramics by J Romberg. Other main attraction is the Sun Valley Art Center, which presents an impressive list of venues in visual and performing arts.
The Sun Valley is split into two sections by a small mountain saddle. The northern portion, simply referred to as “Sun Valley”, comprises of the famous Sun Valley Lodge, Sun Valley Inn, condominiums, the village complex of shops, and an 18-hole golf course. The southern section, known as Elkhorn, is situated near the Dollar Mountain and has its own shopping/hotel/condo complex. Sun Valley, a quaint walking village surrounded by the panoramic Northern Rockies, is a real paradise and the best holiday destination.
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