STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Season passes good for Nordic skiing on trails maintained by the Blaine County Recreation District are now on sale.
Pre-season discount prices will be available for 2019/2020 adult passes purchased online through Sunday, Nov. 24.
Adult season passes purchased now cost $215—a $50 discount from the $265 price that will kick in Thanksgiving Week. A BCRD/Sun Valley combo good for skiing both North Valley Trails and trails at Sun Valley Nordic Center currently costs $399—a $200 discount from the $539 regular price.
A snowshoe-only pass costs $65; a dog pass, $49. And a season pass for riding the Galena Shuttle between Ketchum and Galena Lodge costs $19.
Children 17 and under will be allowed to ski and snowshoe for free.
Those who wish to make a tax-deductible donation on behalf of the North Valley Trails can purchase a Platinum Nordic Pin for $250 and a Gold Nordic Pin for $100.
To purchase a pass online, go to www.bcrd.org. Questions? Call 208-578-2273.
The 160-kilometer BCRD Nordic trail system is one of the largest in the United States. Its grooming season typically operates from Thanksgiving or a little before to mid-April, although it has run through the first week of May the past couple seasons.
BCRD has expanded its trail system in Quigley Canyon this year, offering 14 kilometers of groomed terrain. Crews have also reworked trails to avoid the icy spots that occurred along the canal last winter.
No tax dollars are used to support the trail system, with the exception of the 20-mile multi-use Wood River Trail or bike path, which is groomed with skiing and snow biking offered free to the public. Revenue from pass sales and donations pay for the maintenance of the remainder of the trails.