STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Will ski for beer and fries.

That’s the new motto behind this coming weekend’s Ski the Rails.

The Blaine County Recreation District will hold its free family-friendly cross-country ski tour on the Wood River Trail, aka the bike path, on Saturday, Feb. 8.

Skiers will be energized by aid stations along the route, providing snacks and beverages between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. After skiing the rails, skiers are invited to retreat to the Sawtooth Brewery at 110 N. River St. for free beer and fries courtesy of BCRD.

The event, named for the railroad line that used to lie where the bike path is now, starts at 10 a.m. at Serenade Lane in Ketchum. Skiers do not need to start here; they can start anywhere along the Wood River Trail between Ketchum and Hailey.

The trail will be groomed for skate skiing and classic. Skiers are invited to take note on historical signs along the path that tell about the area’s early rail history and more.

Free shuttle buses will leave the Sawtooth Brewery in Hailey beginning at 9:30 a.m. to take Bellevue and Hailey skiers to the starting line. The last bus north taking Ketchum skiers back to the start will leave at 2:45 p.m.

A shuttle bus will be available to take skiers from the finish line at Myrtle Street in Hailey to the Sawtooth Brewery beginning at 11 a.m.

Well-behaved, leashed dogs are allowed on the bus.

Aid stations sponsors are BCRD, Galena Lodge, Backwoods Mountain Sports, Higher Ground and The Elephant’s Perch. They add to the festivity as everyone from serious skiers to families with four-year-old skiers plodding along revel in the fun.

The Wood River Trail is groomed during the winter using tax dollars. It’s open to walkers, snowshoers, skiers and fat bikes.