North Valley Trails pass sales are up

The majority of the North Valley cross-country ski trails are currently open, with more terrain opening daily.

The trail system is grooming out beautifully, according to the Blaine County Recreation District.

Pass sales are up over this time last year, according to the rec district. Staff worked overtime to process the deluge of passes purchased before the price increase hit yesterday.

Season pass prices are now $75 for a single, $125 per couple and $135 for a family of four. And don’t forget the dog. His pass remains at $10.

Folks skiing without a season pass need to pay $7 per day to ski any of the groomed trails from Lake Creek north to Galena Lodge. Children and dogs cost $2 per day. A seven-day pass is available for $30.

The money raised from pass sales is plowed directly back into maintenance of the trails and grooming. When the money runs out, the grooming stops, so every user needs to do his fair share by buying a pass.

Passes are available at the Elephant’s Perch, Backwoods Mountain Sports, Galena Lodge and the Sawtooth National Recreation Area headquarters.

Free cross-country skiing on groomed trails is offered by the rec district along the bike path, which travels from Hulen Meadows north of Ketchum to Bellevue down the spine of the valley.