It started in the middle of a wind fest.

Blaine County Recreation District Director Jim Keating and Morgan Buckert chased the starting tent across snow-blown fields that looked like something you’d be more apt to see near Fargo, N.D.

But those who dared to turn out for the 2020 Ski the Rails held this past week left the wind behind in the first hundred yards, enjoying a tail wind—if anything—the remainder of the ski from Ketchum to Hailey.

Volunteers for Galena Lodge and other organizations plied the skiers with schnapps, Don Bars and homemade cookies. And many skiers took the time to read a StoryWalk book about creatures that cavort over and under the snow.

As they concluded the story, Hailey Library representative Kristin Fletcher told how the library hopes to stage future StoryWalks on the year-old walking trail around Quigley Canyon. The stories would be rotated periodically, she said.

If you missed the blizzardy start and the camaraderie along the way, join Eye on Sun Valley’s Karen Bossick as she takes you down the trail.