cross country skiing and snowshoeing in Idaho
Skiing and visiting the Sun Valley, ID area is highly recommended for a great destination experience (an xc skiing mecca). It is a bit more involved to get there but well worth the trip. What other ski town can claim that a movie was made about it? The "Sun Valley Serenade" runs on a special channel at the Sun Valley Lodge all day long. Sun Valley is one of the original ski destinations in the US and other ski trails are operated by the Blaine County Recreation District, Galena Lodge, and the Sun Valley Resort Nordic Center.
The Sun Valley Resort (208-622-2250 or 208-622-2251, www.sunvalley.com), is just a mile from the historica and newly renovated Sun Valley Lodge. The center is known for its trail quality, training programs, clinics, rentals and a state-of-the-art clubhouse for skiers of all levels and it is part of the Sun Valley Resort that also includes the famous alpine ski area, lodging and dining, Beautiful views of the area with 40 km of ski trails and 15 km of snowshoe trails. For a full page of info click Sun Valley Resort.
Galena Lodge located in the Boulder Mountains at the northern terminus of the North Valley trails has 50 km of trails. Galena, originally a mining town around 1879 had hotels, stables, meat market, and a saloon. Now it is operated as a community owned lodge where you can enjoy delicious hand crafted lunches and dinners, gourmet hot coco, beer, wine, and cocktails in the warmth of this Idaho treasure. And overnight lodging is available in semi-backcountry yurts. Galena has certified ski instruction and a full service ski shop. It also has 25 km of snowshoe trails and snowshoe rentals. XC ski rental equipment and lessons, custom snowshoe tours and guided snowshoe walks are also available. For a full page of info click Galena Lodge.
Sun Valley Trekking is the backcountry adventure sports specialist that offer services in the Sun Valley region, Yellowstone National Park, and Alaska. These licensed outfitter guides lead guided backcountry trips for xc skiing, snowshoeing, telemarking, randonnee skiing, snowboarding, and mountaineering. Experience 2-5 day adventures to discover secret powder stashes, spectacular mountain vistas, and a warm, cozy hut. There are trip destinations to six different backcountry huts and yurts in three Idaho mountain ranges.
North Valley and Galena Lodge have 130 km of groomed trails and are connected with 22 km from Galena Lodge to Ketchum, ID. The county has many different trail networks in the region and the Sun Valley Lodge is a grand traditional facility laced with history and a new cross country ski headquarters.
Bogus Basin is only 16.5 miles from Boise, Idaho's capital city at the Bogus Basin Mountain Resort (alpine ski area). There are 32 km of groomed trails, xc ski equipment rentals and lessons available. Snowshoe rentals are also available and there are separate snowshoe trails.The first permanent night lighting operation powered by photovoltaic solar panels illuminates 5 km of xc ski trail loop and a half km trail with flatter terrain for beginners is lighted from the Frontier Point Nordic Lodge. CCSAA member
McCall offers cultural amenities such as restaurants, theater and music. Local parks include Little Ski Hill and Ponderosa State Park with 16 km of groomed trails and 2 km of lighted trails.