STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Sun Valley’s Nordic season jumped off to the stuff of corduroy dreams Friday.

The Blaine County Recreation District groomed all of its trails north of SNRA headquarters on Friday with the exception of Billy’s Bridge and the North Fork Loop behind SNRA headquarters.

Durrance and everything north was groomed for classic and skate skiing, and skiers reported good conditions for each.

In fact, the conditions along the Harriman Trail from SNRA headquarters to Murphy’s Bridge were better than they were in mid-January last year. Grooming did not start, if you recall, until Dec. 15 in 2023.

On Friday, Pisten Bullys—not snowmobiles--laid down wide swaths of corduroy. There was no sinking and precious little showing above the snow, save for a few stray grasses. Snow groomer tracks could be seen in a couple places, and the snowplows on the highway threw snowballs onto the trail in a couple places. But, other than that….

The Lake Creek Trails have yet to be groomed. And, unfortunately, Quigley Nordic took a hit, losing snow to Thursday’s rain. But those wishing to stay in the south valley and recreate can, at least hike the new Golden Hour trail above the pump park in Quigley Canyon, which officially opened Friday.

If you’re wanting to get in on the skinny ski fun this year, you have two more days—until Sunday, Nov. 24--to purchase season passes at a discount. Go to https://bcrd.org.