STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Galena Lodge is opening for the 2019-20 winter ski season today—snow or no snow!
It will stay open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Thanksgiving weekend. After that it will be open weekends until the snow flies.
The snow is expected to start flying Tuesday night, with one to three inches stacking up in the valley and more up high by Wednesday morning. Another one to three inches is expected Wednesday and Thursday in the valley so that could set the snow groomers in motion.
And—good news!—Lodge Co-Manager Erin Zell said that workers just finished a four-week project building a new septic field after the old one under the lodge lawn maxed out.
Sadly, Dog Zeke will not be around to greet skiers and snowshoers this year from his loft above the dining room. He moved on to the Rainbow Bridge after an incredible life of 13-plus years—four of them on three legs.
But the Full Moon dinners will be back, and the VAMPS and DONS will hold refresher courses on the ski trails around the lodge in December (Contact Vomen and Muffy’s ProgramS or the Dudes on Nordic Skis at info@galenalodge.com or 208—726-4010.)
- You can ease into the season with Ski Free Day and Nordic Demo Day.
- Ski Free Day is Sunday, Dec. 1 on all Blaine County Recreation District trails throughout the Wood River Valley—at least, those that have snow by then.
Galena Lodge will be offering 30-minute Learn to Ski clinics on the hour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day. Complimentary equipment will be available for the lessons.
- Nordic Demo Day will take place the following week on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Galena Lodge. Representatives from The Elephant’s Perch and Backwoods Mountain Sports will be on site with ski demos to try out free of charge from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day.
They will be joined by representatives hawking equipment from Alpine, Fischer, Rossignol, Salomon and Swix.
- Buy a new pair of skis and you can try it out at the Winter Start Race at Galena on Dec. 8.
- Mountain Rides Ride n’ Glide bus will ferry skiers from Ketchum for free on Dec. 7 and 8. You can also purchase a season pass good for Galena Lodge, SNRA, Baker Creek and Prairie Creek for $19.
- Meanwhile, tickets are selling fast for the 24th annual Galena & the Trails Winter Benefit on Saturday, Jan. 25.
The benefit will be held at 5:30 p.m. that day at the Sun Valley Inn. There’ll be drinks, dinner, an auction, paddle raise and dancing to the popular High Street Band, which plays familiar covers from the 1960s and ‘70s.
Tickets are $100, available at www.bcrd.org. The money will raise a significant portion of annual maintenance costs for the lodge and the trails.
Got a gift certificate you’d be willing to donate? Gift certificates will be put in hats that will be for sale the night of the benefit.
“We are so fortunate to have this treasure so close to home where our children can discover the outdoors and be inspired by nature,” said Jenny Busdon, who has chaired the benefit for all of its two dozen years. “These experiences create lifelong memories, inspire stewardship and promote a healthy, active lifestyle.”
Questions? Call Megan Stevenson at 208-578-5459.
GOT YOUR SEASON NORDIC SKI PASS?
You can receive a $50 discount on your adult pass through Sunday, Nov. 24. The regular price goes into effect on Monday, Nov. 25. Purchase at www.bcrd.org.