Salt Lake City Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah is about a 5 hour drive from Sun Valley, Idaho. However, with a major international airport, it is easy to fly in and out of Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City provides all the excitement, and hustle and bustle of a metropolitan area, yet provides easy access to magnificent outdoor activities.

Salt Lake City is tucked between two mountain ranges, the Wasatch to the east, and the Oquirrhs to the west, yet it takes its name from the Great Salt Lake which lies northwest of the city. As the capital of Utah, Salt Lake City is the largest city in the state. If you are looking excitement, the city is easy to get around and there are a myriad of shops, restaurants, and cafes. For the history buffs, there is a walking tour of the historic downtown area. For those wanting to relax or play outdoors, Little Cottonwood Canyon provides excellent rock climbing, while Park City yields unparalleled powder skiing.

The city was founded by a group of Latter-day Saints, or Mormons, in 1847 and currently serves as the church's headquarters. Mormon influence is noticeable throughout the city. However, before the city was settled by white people, the area was inhabited by Ute, Shoshone, and Paiute tribes.