STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Ski for free beer and donuts on Sunday when Galena Lodge hosts its annual Galena Loppet.

Nordic skiers are invited to ski the 25 kilometers around the Galena Lodge perimeter. Beer and powdered, cinnamon sugar and chocolate doughnuts made by the staff at the lodge will pop up at random along the course.

The fun starts at 10 a.m. Sunday, March 15, and costumes are encouraged. And, no, you don’t have to ski the entire 15 miles on the perimeter trails to join in the fun.

Galena Lodge servers created the real thing—not cocoa from a mix.

Galena Lodge has been hopping this year as it’s had a bountiful amount of snow when Nordic trails in Washington, Oregon, and Utah have not.

The Lodge served more than 300 lunches last Saturday. And Nordic skiers turned out in droves for free fries and beverages that the Blaine County Recreation District served up in to celebrate its 25th anniversary a couple weeks ago.

Each skier got a large basket of perfectly seasoned fries and their choice of one of the lodge’s beers on tap or large cups of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and a French cookie.

BCRD Director Mark Davidson says BCRD will hold additional celebrations on May Day Play Day, Bike to School Day and during a Pool Party at its Aquatic Center.

The perfectly manicured Titus Ridge trail boasted plenty of snow and a view of the peaks surrounding Galena Lodge.

“This is about celebrating community and the places and events that the BCRD maintains,” he said. “Activity, healthy recreation—all that stuff.”

Rocio Paucar recalled her son attending summer camp at Galena Lodge when he was 6.

“He was enjoying biking and swimming, which is so healthy, while Mom worked,” she said. “It’s these kinds of things that make it incredible to live here.”