Summer in Sun Valley
Sun Valley, Idaho—where the first destination ski resort in North America was established in 1936—may have its roots in winter. But visit during the warmer months and you’ll understand the cliché that resides at the heart of every mountain town: People may come for the snow, but they stay for the summers. Here are a few ways to enjoy the region, which receives some 200 sunny days each year.
While travelers flock to the ski town during the winter months, this mountain locale has just as much to offer when the weather’s warm. Founded in 1936, the Sun Valley Lodge stood as the centerpiece of the resort and it’s a must-visit to appreciate the storied history of this mountain town. Black-and-white photographs of generations of celebrities and winter-sport athletes—Ernest Hemingway, the Kennedys, Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, Errol Flynn, Warren Miller, Picabo Street, Arnold Schwarzenegger—adorn every wall of the 108-room accommodation, which recently underwent a full face-lift, including the introduction of a 20,000-square-foot day spa. The property also boasts an on-site bowling alley, the iconic Duchin Lounge (complete with live piano music during après-ski), and a year-round ice-skating rink that hosts weekly shows from July through August. The lodge also sits close to the resort’s wide pedestrian walkway, offering access to shopping, fireside coffee, and sweets at the Austrian-infused Konditorei, and the Ram, a modern steak house with some serious pedigree.
If you want more information on Sun Valley in the summer and some things to do, check out this National Geographic article: