Sun Valley, city, Blaine county, south-central Idaho, U.S. Sun Valley is a famous year-round recreation area and winter sports resort along the Big Wood River in Sawtooth National Forest, just east of Ketchum. Because of its fine snowpack and calm weather, it was developed by the Union Pacific Railroad, which built Sun Valley Lodge in 1936. From 1943 to 1946 the lodge served as a convalescent centre for the U.S. Navy. In 1964 Union Pacific sold it to private investors who developed the surrounding valley into one of the world’s preeminent ski areas. The skiing slopes of Dollar and Baldy mountains are protected from north winds by the Sawtooth Range. Elevation ranges from 6,000 feet (1,830 metres) at the valley floor to 9,200 feet (2,800 metres) atop Mount Baldy. Pop. (2000) 1,427; (2010) 1,406.