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The City
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Both Ketchum and nearby Sun Valley are located in Wood River Valley, a region which is home to the Sun Valley Ski Resort, the Sawtooth National Forest, and the river from which it gets its name, Big Wood River. Originally named Leadville, Ketchum was founded in 1880 and grew around the lead and silver mining operations located there.
Named after David Ketchum, a famous local fur trapper and guide, the city of Ketchum has held onto the wild west spirit David Ketchum embodied. Once a prosperous mining town, Ketchum shifted its economy to sheep ranching and shipping once its mining operations subsided in the 1890s because of the decline in the price of silver.
Sun Valley isn't just for the rich and famous. It is consistently ranked in the top 10 ski resorts in the West by SKI Magazine. Despite its popularity, there are never lift lines because of the resorts' high capacity lifts. In total, Sun Valley is home to 33 mountains summits and peaks. It's central peak is Bald Mountain, which has a base elevation of 5,750 feet and a summit elevation of 9,150 feet. Also popular is Dollar Mountain, which is considered by skiers to be one of the best mountains in the world on which to learn the sport. Perfect winter weather conditions plus the world's largest automated snowmaking system give Sun Valley a long ski season, and its mild summer temperatures create the opportunity for outdoor fun for the family all year long.
Named after David Ketchum, a famous local fur trapper and guide, the city of Ketchum has held onto the wild west spirit David Ketchum embodied. Once a prosperous mining town, Ketchum shifted its economy to sheep ranching and shipping once its mining operations subsided in the 1890s because of the decline in the price of silver.
Sun Valley isn't just for the rich and famous. It is consistently ranked in the top 10 ski resorts in the West by SKI Magazine. Despite its popularity, there are never lift lines because of the resorts' high capacity lifts. In total, Sun Valley is home to 33 mountains summits and peaks. It's central peak is Bald Mountain, which has a base elevation of 5,750 feet and a summit elevation of 9,150 feet. Also popular is Dollar Mountain, which is considered by skiers to be one of the best mountains in the world on which to learn the sport. Perfect winter weather conditions plus the world's largest automated snowmaking system give Sun Valley a long ski season, and its mild summer temperatures create the opportunity for outdoor fun for the family all year long.