Near Ketchum in Blaine County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

Ski Lifts

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 25, 2017

1. Ski Lifts Marker

Inscription.
When Sun Valley Lodge was built in 1936, Union Pacific engineers developed chair lifts to transport skiers uphill.

Starting with two modest ski slopes on Dollar Mountain and Proctor Mountain, chair lifts were used for all Sun Valley ski runs. Far superior to tow ropes and similar devices employed before 1936, they quickly became popular at ski resorts everywhere. New designs were adopted for additional Sun Valley ski runs, but one 1936 style chair lift still is preserved 4 mile up Trail Creek from here.

Erected by Idaho Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 329.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Idaho State Historical Society series list.

Location. 43° 42.822′ N, 114° 22.518′ W. Marker is near Ketchum, Idaho, in Blaine County. Marker is on State Highway 75 at milepost 131 near West Sage Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ketchum ID 83340, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Congregational Church (approx. 2.2 miles away); The Lewis Ore Wagons (approx. 2.2 miles away); Ketchum

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(approx. 2.3 miles away); W.H. Watt Building (approx. 13.7 miles away); Bullion Block Site/Werthheimer Building (approx. 13.8 miles away); J.J. Tracy Building (approx. 13.8 miles away); J.C. Fox Building (approx. 13.8 miles away); Rialto Hotel (approx. 13.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ketchum.

Also see . . . First U.S. Chair Lift -- Sun Valley Resort. Jim Curran thought that skiers could be transported above the ground, much like bunches of bananas that are moved along by hooks on a conveyor belts when they were being loaded onto a cargo ship. (Submitted on November 14, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 25, 2017

2. Ski Lifts Marker

Skier Riding the Chair Lift at Sun Valley Ski Resort, March 8, 1937 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Life magazine

3. Skier Riding the Chair Lift at Sun Valley Ski Resort, March 8, 1937

Credits. This page was last revised on August 24, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 389 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 14, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.