Living and Skiing in Sun Valley, Idaho
The Aurora Villa. Photography by Hangfei Zhang
Sun Valley, Idaho is one of the best-known resort destinations among skiers internationally. It is especially popular with elite individuals, thanks to its easy access from the West Coast. Sparano + Mooney Architecture knows the location well – in fact, we are currently designing a new custom home for a client with roots in Sun Valley and looking to take advantage of all that Sun Valley has to offer in a permanent residence there.
There is much to love about Sun Valley – the surrounding region, its beautiful landscapes, the wonderful people and, of course, its architecture and its history. Needless to say, the Sun Valley of 2021 is significantly different compared to when Sun Valley Lodge first opened in 1936!
THE NATION’S FIRST SKI RESORT
Sun Valley is considered to be the nation's first destination ski resort. It was built by developer and Union Pacific Railroad chairman W. Averill Harriman. Harriman happened upon the idea for a winter ski resort after noticing an increased interest in winter sports following the 1932 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York.
He reasoned that opening a winter resort somewhere in the western mountain region would be a good way to increase ridership of Union Pacific trains running between the West Coast and Midwest. He spent more than a year looking at sites before finally settling on what would eventually become Sun Valley.
What impressed Herriman and his team most was Bald Mountain. The location was ideal due to its lack of dense wood and severe winds. Even better, the region experienced ample snowfall and its fair share of sunshine. Sun Valley Resort was born with the purchase of more than 3800 acres. Some seven months and nearly $2 million later, the resort opened with the promise of providing "winter sports under a summer sun”.
SUN VALLEY ARCHITECTURE
As you might expect, the greater Sun Valley area is home stylistically to the quintessential ski lodge. With three mountains to choose from, homeowners typically look for spacious, comfortable settings that are as centrally located possible. And because the area is very attractive to the glitterati, big tends to be better (and beautiful) in the region.
Modern mountain contemporary is the rule of the day. Architects and builders design here with a keen eye on the natural environment. Wood and stone abound. Interiors tend to be modern and open, mimicking the vastness of the region, with an emphasis on large spaces to entertain friends and family visiting from out of town.
In this part of the world, the views are everything. These ski-in mountain homes are built with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer opportunities for breathtaking scenery night and day. Many of the area’s older vacation homes are purposely rustic yet in no way lack comfort or luxury. A certain elegance and refinement exist here, perhaps rooted in the fact that the resort was not accidental. It was designed to be a vacation destination right from the start.
A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE + SKI
In the 80+ years since W. Averill Harriman first began developing the resort outside of Ketchum, Idaho, the Sun Valley area has grown and matured. It is one of the best places to live and ski in America. The weather is fantastic, the outdoor recreation is outstanding, and the people are warm and friendly.
Sparano + Mooney Architecture would be honored with the opportunity to design your new Sun Valley home. Whether you're looking to move permanently or establish a vacation getaway, our expertise in mountain modern architecture will help you realize your dream of owning a luxurious ski lodge in a renowned resort town.
If Sun Valley is not a convenient locale, then let's talk about Utah, Montana, Colorado or Wyoming! We also work to deliver mountain modern architecture to clients in Park City, Deer Valley, Big Sky and throughout the American West.