STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Nordic season passes go on sale today, and they will be discounted through Nov. 19.

Adult passes good for the 2023-24 winter season on Blaine County Recreation District Nordic trails are $255 plus tax. A BCRD/Sun Valley Nordic Combo adult season pass costs $510 plus tax.

Snowshoe-only season passes are available for $72 plus tax, and season passes for dogs to use on approved Nordic trails are available for $56 plus tax. Children 17 and under ski and snowshoe free with a complimentary season pass.

Adult passes go up to $309 on Nov. 20 and BCRD/Sun Valley Combo passes go up to $618. All passes are available at https://bcrd.org.

The local Nordic trail system is one of the largest in the United States, typically offering skiing from Thanksgiving to mid-April. Last year the season started in early November and ran to the first week of May.

BCRD maintains 160 kilometers of Nordic ski trails and 36 kilometers snowshoe trails ranging from the Quigley loops in Hailey to more than 40 kilometers of trails surrounding Galena Lodge. It also grooms the 22-mile Wood River Trail bike path that runs from Bellevue to Hulen Meadows north of Ketchum. That path can be accessed free of charge.

Sun Valley Nordic maintains another 40 kilometers of ski trails, in addition to snowshoe trails.

BCRD day passes will cost $20 for adults on the North Valley trails and $10 for the Quigley Nordic tails. One-day dog passes will cost $5 to access ski trails—snowshoe trails are free. And one-day snowshoe passes will cost $10.

The BCRD uses no tax dollars for grooming, except for the Wood River Trail. The rest is groomed with  revenue from pass sales and donations. Those making a tax-deductible donation of $1,000 will receive a Diamond pin; $500, a Platinum pin; $250, a Gold pin, and $100, a Bronze pin.

Questions? Call the BCRD at 208-578-2273.