Ketchum offers mountain adventure and Old West vibes
As part of Idaho’s Sun Valley, Ketchum is a scenic town that combines resort luxury with rustic mountain vibes. “A lot of times people move here because of the lifestyle,” says Jamie Coulter, the broker and owner of Sun Valley Life Real Estate and Ketchum resident. “It’s a unique community with a small-town feel and lots of charm. That’s what drew me here.” Outdoor activities like hiking, skiing and rafting are abundant in the community. Locally owned businesses fill downtown in buildings reminiscent of the Old West. The mix of mountain adventure and resort amenities has appealed to celebrities for years, from Ernest Hemingway to Jamie Lee Curtis and Tom Hanks. Whether escaping the buzz of Hollywood or looking to get in touch with nature, Ketchum serves a broad mix of homebuyers.
Contemporary mountain homes dot the landscape
Ketchum has a mix of housing styles, but the most common fit into what Coulter calls the mountain modern style. These homes incorporate features of cabins and Craftsman houses, such as wood and stone exteriors. They come with more contemporary features, including large windows throughout the home and sleek designs with sharp edges. There are plenty of cabins and Craftsman houses from the 1970s through the 1990s as well. Many properties are set on winding roads lined with tall pines, offering a secluded wilderness feel within the community. Downtown Ketchum features condos and townhouses tucked among the businesses. The median sale price for a single-family home is around $3.97 million, while the median for townhouses is $3.4 million.
Skiing, hiking and fishing in the Sawtooth Mountains
The rugged Sawtooth Mountains have long been a source of recreation and adventure around Ketchum and continue to be one of the biggest draws to the area. “We’ve got it all. We go hunting, fishing, skiing, river rafting. I just went rafting yesterday,” Coulter says. “We’ve got hiking, golf – the whole bit.” The Sun Valley resort is a top destination for skiing. The resort has 12 chair lifts and over 120 runs across 2,500 acres. When the snow melts each summer, the slopes become a go-to spot for hiking up Bald Mountain or Dollar Mountain. Avid hikers can venture further away from town for more difficult hikes through the mountains, like Baker Lake, or head downtown for a quick walk up Knob Hill. The Big Wood River flows through the area, offering fishing opportunities for rainbow and brook trout.
Locally owned shops and restaurants with a Wild West spin
Restaurants in downtown Ketchum offer a variety of options. “If you want a classic steak and potatoes experience, you can go to Pioneer Saloon. They serve giant potatoes and huge steaks,” Coulter says. “Grumpy’s is a little burger joint where you could be sitting next to a construction worker or a millionaire, and you’d never know.” Pioneer Saloon has a Wild West setting and features décor, including Western posters and deer mounts. Other spots include Whiskey’s on Main, known for its live music and friendly neighborhood bar atmosphere. Residents can browse shops ranging from clothing boutiques to bookstores and sporting goods shops. Groceries are available at Village Market or Atkinsons’ Market, which has served the community since 1956.
Celebrating Old West culture with annual events
Ketchum’s Old West heritage is on display every year during Wagon Days. This festival takes place on Labor Day weekend and has been held each year since 1958. The main event is a parade of covered wagons that commemorate the city’s mining heritage. Other events during the festival include museum exhibits, a pancake breakfast and cowboy poetry.
A strong focus on science and engineering at Blaine County schools
Ernest Hemingway STEAM School serves kindergarten through eighth grade and earns an A-minus from Niche. The school has a strong emphasis on science, technology, engineering, arts and math. Wood River High School in nearby Hailey receives a B-plus from Niche. The school offers career and technical education courses in industries like business, cabinetry making, construction and pre-engineering.
Highways and buses offer commutes around the Sun Valley
State Highway 75 passes through Ketchum and offers a north-south route. Hailey is about 12 miles south and is home to Friedman Memorial Airport. The airport receives direct flights from Seattle, Denver and Los Angeles. The city of Twin Falls is about 82 miles south via state Highway 75 and U.S. Highway 93. The Mountain Rides bus system has several routes, connecting Ketchum to nearby cities and offering rides to the ski resort.
Preparing for flood and wildfire risks in Blaine County
The Big Wood River and Trail Creek each pose a significant flood risk to the community. Wildfires are also a hazard that buyers should prepare for. Blaine County’s website offers several tips on what to do before, during and after a fire. The county has also launched a new software that will allow homeowners to assess risks to their property using an app.
Written By
Matthew Atkins
