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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.
A single $15 trail pass gains access to all of the North Valley Trails. Now kids that are aged 12 and under ski free on the North Valley Trails. A $5 dog pass is required to bring Fido on the trails.
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
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 8 and the Senate View Yurt is the closest to
the lodge and sleeps 8 people. At $145 a night for the larger yurts,
it works out to $18 per person. 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.
Heading down valley from Galena, the Harriman Trail travels 30 scenic kilometers in the Sawtooth National Forest before ending at the Sawtooth National Rec Area Headquarters and Visitor Center. Multiple access points and a parking area for the Harriman Trail are available along Highway 75 north of Ketchum. The Sun Valley Nordic Festival is held in February and these trails are the home of the Boulder Mountain Tour, an achoring event at the festival.
Lake Creek is two miles north of Ketchum and it has 15 km of trails. These trails are really designed for the Sun Valley Nordic Ski Team including a team building biathlon range and 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. Just south of Lake Creek but not connected is the northern terminus of the Wood River Trail, which is a rail trail providing a flat and easyroute for more than 30 km of trails stretching north of Ketchum to Hailey and Bellevue.
The newest area is the Quigley Family Park directly east of Hailey with a separate 14 km trail system geared for families and kids. This area includes snowshoe and dog trails, too. New in the 2008-09 season is a three-day and season pass good at Sun Valley and BCRD trails.
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