The first, and still among the most famous, destination ski resorts in the United States, Sun Valley was developed by Union Pacific railroad tycoon Averill Harriman in the 1930s. Harriman built a large mock-Tyrolean chalet, the Sun Valley Lodge ($150 and up; 208/622-4111 or 800/635-8261), at 1 Sun Valley Road, and began to cultivate Sun Valley’s exclusive reputation—reinforced by high prices for lift tickets rapidly approaching $100 a day, and five-star facilities, including golf courses, tennis courts, and gourmet restaurants. Though Colorado’s Vail and other resorts now compete for the top-dollar trade, Sun Valley still attracts well-heeled clientele, if the private jets parked at the local airport are any indication.

  While the resort itself isn’t huge, Sun Valley has come to stand for the larger area, including the towns of Ketchum and Hailey and much of the nearby wilderness. Somewhat surprisingly, the Sun Valley area is quite barren and treeless—ideal for skiing, perhaps, though not particularly beautiful. Besides skiers in winter, Sun Valley also draws golfers in summer and fall, not to mention anglers, who rate the Wood River as one of the nation’s best.

  Sun Valley isn’t all about money, however; for details on hiking, camping, or mountain biking in the nearby forests, stop by the Sawtooth National Forest ranger station (208/622-5371), a mile east of Ketchum on Sun Valley Road.