STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Ski and snowshoe free of charge on trails managed by Blaine County Recreation District today.
And check out the latest Nordic skis and gear, as well.
The BCRD will hold a Nordic Demo Day today—Saturday, Dec. 8.
All of the skiing and snowshoeing stretching from Galena Lodge to the new Quigley Nordic trails in Hailey will be up for grabs free of charge.
Representatives of The Elephant’s Perch, Backwoods Mountain Sports and Nordic product manufacturers will be at Galena lodge with gear available for people to try out between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
In addition, Galena Lodge will offer free half-hour Learn to Ski clinics from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Complimentary equipment will be available for those taking lessons.
You can even let others do the driving for you. The Mountain Rides Ride n’ Glide bus will offer free shuttles between Ketchum and Galena Lodge with stops at SNRA headquarters, Baker Creek parking lot and the Prairie Creek parking lot both Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9.
The Ride n’Glide bus will run 44 days this season; season passes are available.
Nordic tracks are skiing nicely, thanks in part to the cold temperatures of the past few days. A snowmobile widened the tracks at Quigley on Monday and, while six more inches of snow are needed to cover a few pesky alfalfa, the trails there offering skiers a fun experience.
And the BCRD groomed the bike path as far south as Bellevue on Friday so that the entire path stretching north to Ketchum is packed.
Sun Valley Nordic Center is not involved in the Nordic Demo Day, but it has three trails open and they are being groomed nicely by two groomers who have spent years grooming Baldy. Plus, they’re all in the sun so you don’t have to worry about skiing on cold, slow snow.