Elevation
Sun Valley elevation and altitude
Sun Valley, Idaho is 5,945 feet (1,812 meters) above sea level — more than a mile high. Elevation and altitude mean the same thing here: the height of the city above the sea.
What 5,945 feet means in Sun Valley
Among the 689 cities on this site, Sun Valley is one of the highest. At 5,945 ft the air holds noticeably less oxygen per breath than at the coast. Most people adapt within a few days; exercise feels harder at first.
Air pressure. Air pressure falls as you climb, about 1 inHg for every 1,000 ft near the ground. In Sun Valley a barometer that is not corrected to sea level reads around 24.03 inHg on an average day, while the weather forecast still quotes a sea-level number near 29.92 inHg.
Cooking. Water boils at about 201 °F (93.9 °C) here, so boiled foods cook more slowly and baking recipes often need small high-altitude adjustments. Boiling point at altitude
Where the number comes from. The elevation is for the city center point in the GeoNames gazetteer, taken from a digital elevation model. To check the exact height where you are standing, use What is my elevation? or What is my altitude?
Elevation of places near Sun Valley
| Place | Elevation (ft) | Elevation (m) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ketchum, ID | 5,853 | 1,784 | 1 mi |
| Twin Falls, ID | 3,734 | 1,138 | 79 mi |
| Boise, ID | 2,700 | 823 | 93 mi |
| Pocatello, ID | 4,462 | 1,360 | 112 mi |
| Idaho Falls, ID | 4,705 | 1,434 | 117 mi |
| McCall, ID | 5,013 | 1,528 | 120 mi |
| West Yellowstone, MT | 6,663 | 2,031 | 174 mi |
| Jackson, WY | 6,237 | 1,901 | 180 mi |
Frequently asked questions
What is the elevation or altitude of Sun Valley?
Sun Valley, Idaho is about 5,945 feet (1,812 meters) above sea level, measured at the city center. Neighborhoods higher or lower in the city can differ by a few hundred feet.
What is the air pressure in Sun Valley because of its elevation?
On a standard day the air pressure at 5,945 ft is about 24.03 inHg (814 hPa), 80% of sea-level pressure. Each breath holds about 80% as much oxygen as at sea level.
At what temperature does water boil in Sun Valley?
About 201 °F (93.9 °C), compared with 212 °F (100 °C) at sea level, so pasta, eggs and beans take a little longer to cook.