Trail Creek Golf Course at Sun Valley Resort

Trail Creek Golf Course at Sun Valley Resort, featuring the White Clouds nine, occupies mountain terrain in central Idaho's Wood River Valley. Donald Knott designed the course to work with the area's natural elevation changes and high-desert landscape. Sun Valley Resort, established in the 1930s as one of America's first destination ski resorts, added golf facilities to extend its seasonal appeal beyond winter sports. The White Clouds nine takes its name from the nearby White Cloud Mountains, part of the Sawtooth Range that defines this region's dramatic topography. The routing navigates terrain typical of mountain valley golf, with holes playing across rolling ground and incorporating views of the surrounding peaks. Knott's design accounts for the elevation, which sits above 6,000 feet, where the thinner air affects ball flight and playing strategy. The course serves the resort's diverse clientele, from destination visitors combining golf with other mountain activities to local players drawn to the area's recreational opportunities. Sun Valley's broader reputation as a historic resort community—known for its skiing heritage and as a gathering place for outdoor enthusiasts—shapes the golf experience here. The facility operates within the constraints of a short high-altitude growing season, with conditions varying significantly between early summer and fall. Trail Creek functions as a resort amenity rather than a tournament venue, designed to accommodate players of varying abilities while showcasing the distinctive character of Idaho mountain golf.