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| The Sun Valley Guide is distributed free twice yearly to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area communities. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will receive the Sun Valley Guide inserted into the paid edition of the newspaper. |
The
North Valley Trails
Skiing and
snowshoeing
in Idaho’s winter wonderland
by Greg Stahl
The Wood River Valley’s manicured network of cross-country ski and skate trails is among the finest in the United States.
A web of groomed paths, known as the North Valley Trails, stretches for 22 miles between Ketchum and Galena Lodge and offers 130 kilometers of skiable terrain, not to mention breathtaking views of the rugged Boulder Mountains.
The Harriman Trail
The backbone of the North Valley Trails, this year-round 30-kilometer trail starts at the Sawtooth National Recreation Area headquarters, eight miles north of Ketchum, and gains a little over 1,000 feet in elevation as it climbs through snow-covered meadows and thick pine forests to Galena Lodge.
Other cross-country trails
Several popular trails loop from the Harriman Trail. These are North Fork, a short loop that allows dogs and also features a snowshoe trail; Billy’s Bridge, a figure-eight loop directly beneath the Boulder Mountains, which also allows dogs; and Prairie Creek, a loop that follows the creek. All trails are groomed for traditional and skate skiing, and parking is available at SNRA headquarters or in turnouts along State Highway 75.
Galena trails
Galena Lodge is a destination ski center in itself, offering rental equipment, lessons, special events, as well as a restaurant that serves food and beverages.
Galena Lodge is 24 miles north of Ketchum and is the hub of a 50-kilometer network of groomed trails spread out in all directions and for all ability levels. Dogs are allowed on nine kilometers of Galena’s trails.
Fees and phone numbers
The Blaine County Recreation District grooms, patrols and manages the North Valley Trails for quite nominal fees, making this one of the best values in the country. This year, a season’s pass costs $80 per person, $130 per couple, $140 for a family of four and $15 for dogs. Day passes cost $9 per person and $2 for kids and dogs; weekly passes cost $30 per person. Children under 6 ski free. Before you go, check the Grooming Hotline 788-2117 and Sun Valley’s Avalanche Center’s Hotline 788-1200, ext. 8027. For more information, call 788-2117. •
