World class 
nordic skiing

In your backyard

by Greg Stahl

There’s a little secret a lot of local skiers might not want others to know. While Sun Valley visitors spend their days riding lifts, waiting in (albeit short) lines and schussing down Bald Mountain’s famous slopes, local free heelers are waxing their skis and gliding along one of the nation’s finest networks of Nordic ski trails.

The Sun Valley area boasts more than 200 kilometers of carefully manicured trails, including 113 kilometers of corduroy at Galena Lodge and the north valley, and more than 40 kilometers at the Sun Valley Nordic Center. A groomed trail also threads the Wood River Valley from north to south, traveling a historic railroad grade between Bellevue and Ketchum. 

If you’ve been craving an aerobic workout between jogging seasons this winter, Sun Valley’s Nordic trails may be just what the doctor ordered. So wax your skis and start stretching. There’s a world-class Nordic day in your future.

The Harriman Trail

The backbone of the North Valley Trails, this year-round 30-kilometer trail starts at the Sawtooth National Recreation Area headquarters, 8 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. The year-round portion of the Harriman Trail was recently completed, but the trail’s winter route follows what used to be called the Boulder Mountain Trail. The trail will not look any different to skiers who haven’t visited the valley for a while. Only the name has changed.

Galena North Valley Express

A free shuttle bus from Ketchum and Sun Valley to Galena Lodge will be running this winter on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Other loop 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; 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.

Lake Creek

The final piece of the North Valley Trails is Lake Creek, a separate group of trails only 3 miles north of Ketchum with its own trailhead parking area. Lake Creek consists of 15.5 kilometers of trails and boasts Griffin Butte and Bald Mountain views. No dogs or snowshoes are allowed.

Sun Valley

The Sun Valley Nordic and Snowshoe Center consists of a 40-kilometer trail system groomed primarily on Sun Valley’s golf course and gun club, next to the resort. The extensive trail system and center have a separate fee system from the North Valley Trails and offer lessons and rental equipment.

Galena trails

(click here for map of 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, from Gladiator Loop, which meanders along a creek of the same name, to Psycho, a bracing one-way downhill ride. Dogs are allowed on 9 kilometers of Galena’s trails.

Galena also offers experienced guides, full moon dinners and hiking, yurts for overnight guests, a gourmet ski tour in March and other events.

Fees and phone numbers

The Blaine County Recreation District grooms, patrols and manages the North Valley Trails for nominal fees, making this one of the best values in the country. This year, a season’s pass costs $84 per person, $136.50 per couple, $147 for a family of four and $15.75 for dogs. Day passes cost $9.45 per person and $2.10 for kids and dogs; weekly passes cost $31.50 per person (sales taxes included). Children under 6 ski free. Before you go, check the Grooming Hotline 726-6662 and Sun Valley’s Avalanche Center’s Hotline 622-8027. For more information, call 788-2117.•