Besides offering world class alpine skiing, Sun Valley is home to some of the most extensive and beautifully maintained Nordic ski trails in the nation. This is where the Boulder Mountain Tour, one of the nation’s pre-eminent cross country ski races is staged, and where top athletes from around the world come to train on our more than 200km of immaculately groomed trails.
The hub of the Nordic skiing scene in the Sun Valley area is Galena Lodge, an historic day lodge located 24 miles north of Ketchum. From Galena skiers can access over 56km of scenic trails in the heart of the North Valley Trail System, which comprises a total of over 120km of groomed Nordic ski trails and 30km of snowshoe trails. Silhouetted by the majestic Boulder Mountains, the scenery is spectacular and there are trails to suit every ability level and interest, from gentle sloping paths across alpine meadows and through thick pine forests to challenging climbs and speedy downhills. The cross-country ski trails at Galena and the North Valley are so vast and diverse that some experts describe them as the best in the U.S.
From Galena you can also ski along the renowned 30km Harriman Trail which parallels the Big Wood River and which comprises the majority of the course for the Boulder Mountain Tour. Galena Lodge is a destination ski center in itself and offers experienced guides, full moon dinner and ski events and Mongolian-style yurts for overnight guests.
Right in Sun Valley’s own backyard is the Sun Valley Nordic and Snowshoe Center which offers 40km of groomed and marked cross-country ski trails. They range from easy two-way trails on the golf course to isolated forest escapes.
Nordic ski trails in the Sun Valley area are open from mid-November to late April, depending on snowfall. To facilitate point-to-point skiing along the trail network, a free shuttle operates between the Sun Valley Resort and Galena Lodge with stops en route along the Harriman Trail. Ski rentals, instruction, guided tours and other activities and services are offered by both Galena and the Nordic Center.
Whether you’re an experienced Nordic skier, a world class athlete looking for the perfect training area or are simply interested in trying the sport for the first time, you can’t choose a better place than Sun Valley, where you’ll be greeted every morning by freshly groomed trails, crystal clear air and unlimited possibilities to explore.
For listings of Nordic ski rentals and skiing instruction, please click here.
The Sun Valley / Ketchum Idaho Chamber and Visitors Bureau is your local source for Idaho travel and vacation information including Sun Valley and Ketchum hotels and ski resorts, summer and winter recreation, arts and culture, shopping, dining & nightlife and more. For immediate help booking a hotel in Sun Valley or Ketchum, please click our hotel package link. To request a Sun Valley / Ketchum Official Travel Guide, click here.
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