STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

The Blaine County Recreation District is offering free fries, hot chocolate and beer at Galena Lodge as part of its Ski Free Day on Saturday, Feb. 21.

The event is the first of several events BCRD has planned throughout 2026 as the recreation district celebrates its 50th anniversary.

This coming Saturday Wood River Valley residents and visitors will be invited to enjoy free snowshoeing and cross country skiing on BCRD’s groomed trails north of Ketchum. The BCRD will serve up complimentary fries, hot chocolate and beer from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Galena Lodge.

Mountain Humane held its Paw n’ Pole on the trails around Galena Lodge one year when there was not enough snow at Sun Valley’s Gun Club.

There is ample snow on the trails north of Ketchum and the skiing has been great despite the dearth of snow south of Ketchum.

“This milestone belongs to the community,” said Mark Davidson, Executive Director of BCRD. “BCRD exists because of our passionate community. They participated, volunteered, coached and believed that recreation strengthens quality of life. Our 50th anniversary is about honoring that shared legacy and continuing to build it together.”

The BCRD is offering children a chance to take part in a scavenger hunt at Galena Lodge, checking off such things as a snowman and skull on the cabin in exchange for a sticker. Go to https://bcrd.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Scavenger-Hunts-2026.pdf to take part.

BCRD is also inviting community members to share a story from the past, reflecting on the impact of the BCRD since its founding in 1976 by going to https://bcrd.org/about-us/50th/.

That legacy has included the opening of the Aquatic Center in 1985, the construction of the Wood River Trail bike path beginning in 1989, the completion of the Harriman Trail in 2001 the opening of Quigley Trails Park in 2018 and, of course, the all-important purchase of Galena Lodge in 1994.