Sun Valley ski guide
United States · Editorial review: 13 November 2026.
Early answers
Sun Valley is a ski resort in Idaho's Wood River Valley, near Ketchum, with a published vertical drop of 3,400 ft (about 1,036 m) on Bald Mountain, from 5,750 ft to a 9,150 ft summit. OnTheSnow describes it as America's first destination ski resort. OnTheSnow: Sun Valley — checked 2026-11-13 (Europe/Stockholm)
Key takeaways
- OnTheSnow lists a 3,400 ft vertical drop, 124 trails, 17 lifts and a longest run of 3.6 miles, across Bald Mountain and Dollar Mountain.
- The run split is 36% beginner, 42% intermediate, 20% advanced and 2% expert, so it suits beginners and intermediates best; Dollar Mountain is the learning area.
- Third-party snowfall averages 167 inches (about 424 cm) a year, with seasons from 68 to 359 inches; the overview text says 172 inches.
- Average base depth reaches about 55 inches (140 cm) in February; the season is projected from 26 November 2026 to 11 April 2027.
- OnTheSnow lists 645 acres of snowmaking, which supports early-season coverage.
| Who it suits | Idaho's historic resort for beginners and intermediates, with 3,400 ft of vertical on Bald Mountain and a learning area on Dollar Mountain. Read the assessment |
|---|---|
| Daily budget | No resort prices are published here; use your own amounts. |
| Pass | not verified yet |
| Weekday / weekend / holiday waits | not verified yet / not verified yet / not verified yet |
| Monthly snow evidence | Third-party averaged monthly snowfall and base depth, see the snow section; the overview text gives a slightly higher annual figure. |
Verified photo not available yet
No generic mountain is presented as Sun Valley.
Snow statistics
Historical published figures for Sun Valley. These are not a forecast, live report or guarantee of open terrain.
third-party aggregated average monthly snowfall and average base depth. Measured at: Not stated by the publisher (OnTheSnow Sun Valley page). OnTheSnow historical snowfall page, seasons 2012–13 to 2025–26 to date; monthly values shown for November to April. Converted to centimetres from inches (converted to centimetres at 2.54 cm per inch, rounded to 0.1).
Line chart of typical snow depth in centimetres. Each point is labelled with its cm value. The line breaks across months with no data. Hatched marks mean no data, not zero.
- Verified monthly value
- No data (not zero)
Scroll sideways to see every month. Hatched slots are no data, not zero snow.
Bar chart of monthly snowfall in centimetres. Each bar is labelled with its cm value. Hatched slots mean no verified data, not zero. Full cm and inch values are in the table.
- Verified monthly value
- No data (not zero)
Scroll sideways to see every month. Hatched slots are no data, not zero snow.
Monthly snow statistics for Sun Valley (centimetres, with inches in parentheses). No data means not verified — it is not zero snowfall.
Swipe or scroll sideways to see every month.
| Metric | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly snowfall | 25.4 cm (10 in) | 129.5 cm (51 in) | 78.7 cm (31 in) | 104.1 cm (41 in) | 71.1 cm (28 in) | 25.4 cm (10 in) |
| Typical snow depth | 45.7 cm (18 in) | 71.1 cm (28 in) | 109.2 cm (43 in) | 139.7 cm (55 in) | 134.6 cm (53 in) | 111.8 cm (44 in) |
Months without published figures are left out of the charts and the table.
Season length
Typical season: late November (projected 26 November 2026) to April (projected 11 April 2027). Confirm the current operating calendar with the operator before you travel.
Snow reliability
Good mid-winter snowfall and base depth on third-party averages, with large differences between winters
Based on: OnTheSnow multi-season averages (annual average 167 inches; seasons from 68 to 359 inches) and its published 645 acres of snowmaking; the overview text separately states 172 inches, and the two are not reconciled
Sources for these snow figures
- OnTheSnow — Sun Valley historical snowfall — retrieved 2026-11-13 (Europe/Stockholm). Period: Seasons 2012–13 to 2025–26 to date; elevation not stated.
- OnTheSnow — Sun Valley overview (projected season dates) — retrieved 2026-11-13 (Europe/Stockholm). Period: Projected opening 26 Nov 2026, closing 11 Apr 2027.
A historical average is not a forecast or a guarantee of open terrain.
How should I plan lift tickets at Sun Valley?
Confirm with the operator which ticket type covers the days you plan to ski and what its date rules are, then enter only that access in your own trip plan. Lodging, equipment, food and transfers are separate categories and are not estimated here.
When is Sun Valley quietest, on weekdays, weekends or holidays?
Separate weekday, weekend and holiday waiting times have not been verified for Sun Valley.
| Visit context | Measured waiting time |
|---|---|
| Weekday | not verified yet |
| Weekend | not verified yet |
| Peak holiday | not verified yet |
Who should consider Sun Valley?
- Beginners and families: 36% of runs are beginner level on OnTheSnow, and Dollar Mountain has gentle slopes, surface lifts and learner terrain. One reviewer on the page says Sun Valley's green runs feel harder than at other resorts, so check the beginner terrain with the operator.
- Intermediates: 42% of runs are intermediate, the largest share, on long Bald Mountain groomers.
- Advanced and expert skiers: 20% advanced and 2% expert on OnTheSnow, which also mentions summit chutes and the Christmas Bowl. Check conditions the same day.
- Snowboarders and freestylers: OnTheSnow's text mentions several terrain parks, although it gives seven in one place and ten in another.
What is the terrain like at Sun Valley?
The table records the published wording and figures.
| Published field | Value | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical drop | 3,400 ft, about 1,036 m (base 5,750 ft to summit 9,150 ft) | OnTheSnow overview — checked 2026-11-13 (Europe/Stockholm) |
| Mountains | Bald Mountain and Dollar Mountain | OnTheSnow overview — checked 2026-11-13 (Europe/Stockholm) |
| Lifts | 17 | OnTheSnow overview — checked 2026-11-13 (Europe/Stockholm) |
| Trails | 124 in the figures; the text says 120 | OnTheSnow overview — checked 2026-11-13 (Europe/Stockholm) |
| Run split | 36% beginner, 42% intermediate, 20% advanced, 2% expert | OnTheSnow overview — checked 2026-11-13 (Europe/Stockholm) |
| Longest run | 3.6 miles | OnTheSnow overview — checked 2026-11-13 (Europe/Stockholm) |
| Skiable terrain | 2,829 acres in the figures; the text says 2,457 acres | OnTheSnow overview — checked 2026-11-13 (Europe/Stockholm) |
| Snowmaking | 645 acres | OnTheSnow overview — checked 2026-11-13 (Europe/Stockholm) |
| Projected season | 26 November 2026 to 11 April 2027 (136 days); 149 days open last year | OnTheSnow overview — checked 2026-11-13 (Europe/Stockholm) |
The OnTheSnow overview gives different trail, acreage and terrain-park counts in its figures and its text, so this guide quotes both where they differ.
Frequently asked questions
How much vertical does Sun Valley have?
OnTheSnow lists a vertical drop of 3,400 ft (about 1,036 m), from a base of 5,750 ft to a summit of 9,150 ft.
How much snow does Sun Valley get per year?
OnTheSnow shows an annual average of 167 inches (about 424 cm), while its overview text says 172 inches. Its season totals range from 68 to 359 inches.
When is the Sun Valley ski season?
OnTheSnow projects opening on 26 November 2026 and closing on 11 April 2027, and reports 149 days open last season. Confirm the operating calendar with the operator.
Is there night skiing at Sun Valley?
OnTheSnow's text says night skiing is only available on New Year's Eve and Presidents' Weekend. Confirm dates with the operator.
Sources and limits
- OnTheSnow: Sun Valley historical snowfall — checked 2026-11-13 (Europe/Stockholm). Scope: monthly snowfall and base depth averages in inches, seasons 2012–13 to 2025–26 to date, converted to cm here; measurement elevation not stated.
- OnTheSnow: Sun Valley overview — checked 2026-11-13 (Europe/Stockholm). Scope: projected season dates, elevations, lifts, run split and terrain figures.
Historical averages describe past seasons; they are not a forecast. Published specifications do not establish which terrain or lifts are open today.
Plan the next step
Plan your Sun Valley budget. Compare: Jackson Hole, Big Sky, Park City Mountain.