With so many challenging places to practice winter sports in the WoodRiverValley, families and beginners are often on the look out for more friendly spots.
The Blaine County Recreation District oversees some 160 kilometers of groomed nordic trails, including the area north of Ketchum at Galena Lodge. This winter the district rolled out its newly expanded eight-year-old Quigley Nordic Winter Park in east Hailey.
“We now have 13 kilometers of groomed trails, a sledding hill and a terrain park that makes a loop-di-loo,” said Kris Stoffer, the district’s director of development. “It’s a great place for kids to play or chill out. If you’re just starting to ski it’s a great place to learn, and it’s affordable.”
As well as the hill and terrain area, there are snowshoe trails and a nordic ski lesson area with gentle terrain. Instructors include noted skiers E.J. Harpham, Katharine Sheldon, Pam Street, Sarah Walker-McLaughlin, Sean McLaughlin, Tessa Westbrook, Muffy Ritz and Liza Wilson. Classes in classic or skate technique will be held Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays beginning Monday, Jan. 5.
Located near the entrance to Quigley is a new warming yurt, open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a ramp, deck, accessible port-a-potty, comfortable furnishings and complimentary hot cocoa, apple cider and tea. The yurt meets Americans with Disability Act accessibility requirements, which is one reason Marc Mast and his nonprofit Wood River Ability Program train there.
“It’s been really busy,” Stoffer said. “Nordic is really accessible to all ages, sizes and abilities, and it’s a great sports opportunity. This year that’s what we’re talking about. We’re really trying to help that beginning skier get onboard. We want to bring that skier into the experience. Once you pick up nordic, you’re going to do it forever.”
A day ($10) or season pass ($99) is required to use the groomed ski trails, but is not required for the sledding hill or yurt. Children 12 and under ski free.
Quigley nordic passes are available at the rec district’s office at the Community Campus in Hailey and at Sturtevants Mountain Outfitters in Hailey, Backwoods Mountain Sports and the Elephant’s Perch in Ketchum, Galena Lodge and the Sawtooth National Recreation Area headquarters.
There are also little boxes at certain trailheads where a skier may deposit fee money for the day. Except for on the snowshoe trails, dogs also require a pass.
Even getting to Quigley can be part of the fun, Stoffer said. The city of Hailey has allowed the district to groom the bike path along Fox Acres Road leading to QuigleyCanyon. So hop on the skis and slide over.
For more information call 788-2117, or see bcrd.org to download a registration form. Nordic ski lessons are also available at Galena Lodge. Call 726-4010 for more information.
The new Quigley Nordic yurt beckons on a winter day. Photo by
