The Blaine County Recreation District announced last week its 2006-2007 winter operating plan for the North Valley Trails. The plan calls for a new snowcat grooming machine, more skier-focused grooming, a joint pass with Sun Valley Co. and an increase in pass prices.
"As always, we are determined to provide world-class cross-country skiing on the North Valley Trails. We want to lay down the best-conditioned trails day-in and day-out," said Wally Morgus, Recreation District executive director.
The North Valley Trails encompass the Harriman Trail, Prairie Creek Loop, Billy's Bridge Loop and Galena Lodge trails, as well as Lake Creek Nordic Center and the Hailey-based Quigley Nordic Center. Snow conditions permitting, the North Valley Trails will open in November and operate through early April.
This year, the Recreation District and Sun Valley Co. are collaborating to offer a Wood River Valley Nordic Pass, a combined pass for skiing on the North Valley Trails and at Sun Valley Nordic Center. The pass should go on sale in early October with other North Valley Trails ski passes.
The district is also adding a new Pisten Bully grooming machine to its fleet, for a total of six. To improve skiing, the district will match its grooming to skier use. Trail conditions will be available on the skier hotline, 726-6662, and online at bcrd.org, updated by 8 a.m. every day.
To maintain the quality of the trails, pass prices will increase for the North Valley Trails.
"To sustain the trails, we need pass revenue to cover expenses. The alternative—dipping into donations to cover revenue shortfalls—is risky, especially when we need those donations for big items like buying snowcats and caring for Galena Lodge," Morgus said.
Before Dec. 1, a season pass will cost $140. After Dec. 1, the price will go to $160, compared to $95 last year. Youth and dog season passes cost $25 each. The Friends of the Trails pin program, a season pass with a donation included, will continue this season. The gold pin cost is $190 and a platinum pin is $390. A gold doggie tag is $75. A day pass is $15. A price for the combined Sun Valley Co. and Rec District pass has not yet been established.
