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Cross-Country Skiing and
Snowshoeing on the North Valley
Trails and at Galena Lodge in Idaho - 1050 Fox Acres, Hailey, ID 83333
The
Blaine County Recreation District (BCRD) Nordic Trails offer spectacular scenery and professionally groomed trails for xc skiers of all abilities and interest levels. The BCRD, a non-profit organization, manages and grooms more than 160 km of ski and snowshoe terrain including more than 50 km of trails around Galena Lodge in the heart of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The operational costs of grooming are offset by season & day pass sales as well as donations. The BCRD Nordic Trails are part of “Nordic Town USA”, with more than 200 km of groomed terrain in the Sun Valley region from Bellevue to Galena Lodge to the Sawtooth Valley.
The BCRD North Valley Trails (208-578-BCRD or 2273, www.BCRD.org), cover almost 115 km of terrain north of Ketchum and Sun Valley, ID. The main systems include 15 km at the Lake Creek Trails, 4 km at Billy's Bridge, 4 km at North Fork Loop, 32 km at the Harriman Trail, 8 km at the Praire Creek Loop, and 50 km at the Galena Lodge Trails
Snow Country Magazine reported that these trails, which span the Boulder Mountain Range are "arguably the best xc ski trails in the United States."
There are also 22 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
rustic and historic Galena Lodge (208-726-4010; www.galenalodge.com,
grooming report:208-578-xski 9754) sits in the center with more than 50 km of trails. Located at the northern terminus of the North Valley trails, Galena is a step back in time. Enjoy delicious hand crafted lunches and dinners, gourmet hot coco, beer, wine, and cocktails in the warmth of this Idaho treasure. XC ski rental equipment and lessons,
custom snowshoe tours and guided snowshoe walks are also available. Galena hosts 3 overnight yurts just a short ski or snowshoe from the lodge. Yurt adventures can be as rustic or luxurious as you want - you can bring your own food (the yurts are outfitted for cooking) or get dinner delivered right to the door. Make reservations for dinner or overnight yurt stays on www.galenalodge.com.
Galena has certified ski 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 snowshoe with a ranger and learn about natural history and wildlife. These
tours are free with a trail pass. 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 Whirl Trail.
Quigley Nordic is made possible by the generosity of local owners of Quigley Canyon. The BCRD operate this part of the trail network in the heart of Hailey, ID. With nearly 13 km of ski trails, a warming yurt, stadium area, and sledding, this xc ski destination is convenient with ski in and out access from Hailey. Lessons are available from the BCRD and programs are offered through the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation. The Wood River Trail is a paved multi-use trail (for non-motorized trail enthusiasts), which is an easy route groomed for xc skiing in the winter and also available for snowshoeing, walking, and dogs. No trail pass is required on this former railroad bed that extends from Bellevue north to Ketchum.
Lake Creek is 2 miles north of Ketchum and it has 15 km of trails. These trails are really designed for the Sun Valley Ski Educational Nordic Ski Team and they include some challenging hills. The public is welcome to ski these trails as long as they have a valid trail pass and respect the racers in training.
The region, which includes Sun Valley, Ketchum, and Hailey is one of the prime destinations for skiers. Warm days, sunny skies and cold snow make Sun Valley a xc skier's paradise with an average winter daily temperature is 23 degree. The Norwegian Nordic Ski Team comes to train here and that must tell you something about this mecca of xc skiing. 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. To explore conditions, maps, and elevations in Nordic Town USA see WinterTrailink.bcrd.org CCSAA member