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Cross-Country Skiing and
Snowshoeing on the North Valley
Trails in Idaho
HC 64 Box 8326, Ketchum, ID 83340
The
Blaine County Recreation District grooms the North Valley Trails
(208-788-2117, www.North
Valley Trails), which have more than 130 km of groomed trails
in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area supported by set trail fees
or donations. Snow Country Magazine reported that these trails, which
span the Boulder Mountain Range are "arguably the best xc ski trails
in the United States." And there is bus service along much of the
trails on the North Valley Galena Express, which serves the 22 miles
between Ketchum and the Galena Lodge. The North Valley Trails offer
spectacular scenery and professionally groomed trails for cross country
skiers of all abilities and interest levels.
There are also 20 km of snowshoe trails. The North Valley Trails is the home of the Boulder Mountain Tour, which annually uses the 30 km Harriman Trail from Galena Lodge to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area Headquarters.
The
largest trail center is
at Galena Lodge (208-726-4010; www.galenalodge.com,
grooming report:208-726-6662) with 56 km of trails, a full restaurant
featuring daily hearty lunches 11:30 - 3:30, certified instruction and
a full service ski shop. It also has a 20 km snowshoe trail and snowshoe
rentals. A popular event is the Full Moon Dinner, followed by moonlit
skiing. Rental equipment includes classic, skating, snowshoes, pulk-sleds
and backpacks. Lessons are available in daily sessions or private sessions.
The trails on the west side of the highway are dog friendly.
You
can ski with a ranger and learn about natural history or wildlife. These
tours are free with a trail pass. On Wednesdays there is a Wildlife
Walk and Thursdays you can go snowshoeing with the Ranger. Check the
Galena Lodge Web site for times. Snowshoers can go on an easy walk on
the Cowboy Cabin Trail; wide open meadows on the Pioneer Cemetary Loop;
or a blood pumping workout on the Tilt a Wheel trail.
Yurt accommodations
are available for over night outings, where you can cook your dinner
or have it delivered to your door. The 3 yurts include the Honeymoon
Yurt, which sleeps 4 people and is the farthest from the Galena Lodge;
Star's Perch Yurt sleeps 7 and the Senate View Yurt is the closest to
the lodge and sleeps 8 people. Full Moon Dinners (RSVP)_with 4-course
dinner at 6:30 and evening ski or snowshoe December-March (see Web site
for dates). Wednesdays go on Wildlife Snowshoe Walks (RSVP) 1/3-3/28
and Thursdays go snowshoeing with a ranger at 11 AM. Galena is 24 miles
north of Ketchum on Hwy 75.
The Wood River Trails feature 30 km of trails stretching north of Ketchum to Hailey and Bellevue. Lake Creek has 15.5 km of trails, and three other areas have less than 10 km each. The Boulder Mountain Trail stretches 30 km from the Sawtooth National Recreation Area headquarters 8 miles north of Ketchum to Easley Hot Springs and Galena, and is groomed all winter, snow conditions permitting.
The region, which includes Sun Valley, Ketchum and Hailey is one of the prime destinations for skiers. Shopping, dining and apres ski activities are all first class. Fly into the airport in Hailey or drive Route 84 north from major airport in Salt Lake City. CCSAA member