"Sun Valley - Because Felix Was Right!"

In 1935 Averell Harriman, then Chairman of the Board for Union Pacific Railroad and an experienced skier, decided upon a plan to construct a grand resort which would attract winter passenger traffic to the west. He commissioned Austrian Count Felix Schaffgotsch to search along the western rail-line for an ideal location where he could create America's first destination ski resort. After visiting many mountain locations, the Count was particularly enthralled by the Idaho Rocky Mountains near the mining town of Ketchum, Idaho. Discovering dry snow and countless days of continual sunshine, he wrote to Harriman, "It contains more delightful features for a winter sports resort than any other place I have seen in the United States, Switzerland or Austria."

Harriman's vision for the resort he named "Sun Valley," included a level of elegance designed to attract a clientele of East Coast elite and Hollywood stars. What began as a glamorous winter resort has become a year-round meeting destination, with superb recreational opportunities. In summer the sun shines on a wide variety of activities including golf, tennis, hiking, horseback riding, river-rafting, biking on thirty paved miles of trails and some of the finest fly-fishing anywhere in the west.

Cultural events and activities abound, featuring concerts and gallery walks. Annual events include Trailing of the Sheep, the Swing 'n' Dixie Jazz Jamboree, Arts Festival and the Wine Auction. Sun Valley's famed Ice Shows, featuring international ice-skating stars from around the world, are scheduled Saturday nights during the summer months.

To complement the area's exquisite accommodations, quality meeting and function facilities are combined with excellent services.

Remember, "It happened in Sun Valley." Let Summit Events DMC share the Sun Valley experience with you.