Discovered!: Winter Sports Under a Summer Sun, The Railroad and Sun Valley

Sun Valley, America’s first winter destination resort, appeared near the end of the Great Depression. As the number of vacationers increased, railroads hoped to boost declining ticket sales by encouraging travel to exotic locations accessible only by rail. Discovered!: Winter Sports Under a Summer Sun, The Railroad and Sun Valley highlights the impact of the first winter destination resort on American culture and the railroad.

This exhibit was produced by the Union Pacific Railroad Museum.

Discovered!: Winter Sports Under a Summer Sun, The Railroad and Sun Valley will be on display from January 7- February 6, 2026 at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in collaboration with the St. Louis County Historical Society.