STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
The beans are on their way to the chili pots and the soups are simmering on the stove as the Sawtooth Ski Club prepares for its 20th annual Sawtooth Ski Festival.
- Nordic skiers and snowshoers are invited to head to the Park Creek trails west of Stanley at the foot of McGowan Peak from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday for a Chili Feed and Poker Run.
There’ll be a variety of chilis prepared by townspeople, along with cookies and whatnot. And snowshoers and skiers are invited to head out on the trail to collect cards for a poker hand that could win a prize for one lucky outdoor enthusiast.
Donations given at the site will help pay for the grooming of 30 kilometers of ski trails in the Stanley area. The Ski Club also hopes to purchase new grooming equipment to replace its aging fleet.
- Come Sunday, the Soup Kitchen Social will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Alturas Lake trails just north of Smiley Creek—or 24 miles south of Stanley.
There’ll be homemade soups, focaccia and cookies available for a donation for grooming. And the Pesky Grapeseeds hope to provide background music from 1 to 3, weather permitting.
Lake skiing might not be so hot this year, considering this week’s warm spell. But there’s still Over the Hill and Sheep Thrills trails to be conquered and gorgeous views of McDonald Peak and the Sawtooth Wilderness.
The Sawtooth Ski Festival was cancelled last year because of the pandemic. The annual Saturday night community dinner and silent auction remains on hiatus this year because of the pandemic.
Those who would like to make a donation but cannot attend this weekend’s events may go to www.sawtoothskiclub.com and hit the Membership & Donation button.