While it may have rained in town...

It may have rained in town but we've been getting snow. White, fluffy, fast snow! Check out this photo from Tuesday morning. The trails are in great shape, Jed was able to groom pretty much every trail at Galena last night. We've been seeing a lot of familiar faces up here since it did rain in town. A lot of people have been getting out on the snow shoe trails as well. The backcountry skiing might take a few days to set up a little more. Chris Lundy has some good avy footage and advice on the avalanche center site.

Erin, Kurt and I were able to sneak out for some skiing in the Castle Rock Burn area on Monday for some heavy powder turns. Skiing through the burned out forest was a unique experience, reminding you to look at the spaces, which were bright white in stark contrast to the charred trees. Returning to the car (and then the hot springs) with soot all over my pack and clothes was certainly unusual for a backcountry tour.

Erin slicing up heavy powder in charred trees!!

Many an adventure begins at Galena

Whether it is your first time on skis or snowshoes, you have friends visiting or you are just looking for a new adventure, Galena Lodge is a great place to start.  The Galena Lodge trail system boasts over 50 km of Nordic ski trails and 25 km of snowshoe trails designed for all levels of adventure. If you are looking to try out Nordic skiing we recommend taking a lesson from our PSIA certified instructor Dorothy Wallace-Senft. With over 20 years of Nordic skiing experience and a resume that covers numerous countries, Dorothy can get you skiing with correct skills and techniques from day one. 

If you are looking for an adventure for the night, the Galena Lodge yurts are a great idea. We have 3 yurts that are about a 20 minute snowshoe from the lodge and sleep anywhere from 4-8 people. The yurts are fully outfitted with sleeping bunks, wood stoves, lanterns, propane stoves, pots and pans and pretty much everything you need to have a great evening (except food-which can be ordered and delivered from our restaurant). Now doesn't that sound great. 

As winter starts to turn into spring it is a great time to bring the kids up to Galena to experience sledding, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing or just hot cocoas and fries by the fire! As the days get longer and warmer Galena is a great place to spend some time. Soaking up the sun, filling up the stomach and refreshing the soul. It's what Galena is about.  

So what ever your adventure might be, Galena Lodge is a great place to start.

Idaho's Bounty Dinner at Galena Lodge

This Thursday night February 18 Galena Lodge and Idaho's Bounty are joining forces to create a spectacular locally produced dinner. Join us to celebrate Idaho's Bounty in its finest with local food, local producers, local chef and lots of local charm. Dinner is at 6:30pm and is $40 per person not including alcohol, tax and gratuity. Reservation are required.

Idaho’s Bounty Dinner Menu

Appetizer

Mini Potato Knish with greens and a mustard cream sauce

M&M Heath Farms

Cloverleaf Creamery

Soup

A Three bean Soup

M&M Heath Farms

Entrée Choices

From the Soil: A “Shepler’s” Pie with potatoes winter squash, greens and garlicy goodness baked in a ceramic dish

King’s Crown Organics

From the Field: Roasted Elk Tri-Tip with a rosemary jus, roasted potatoes and spagetti squash

C a Bull

King’s Crown Organics

M&M Heath Farms

From the River: Seared Idaho Trout with a lemon 

and herb aioli, wild rice pilaf and spagetti squash

Idaho Fish Breeders

Dessert

Bread Pudding

Bigwood Bread

Cloverleaf Cremery

President's Weekend at Galena

As winter rolls on we are busy grooming trails, packing out snowshoe trails and making delicious food. If you haven't made it up to Galena in a while now is the time. With a slight inversion in the valley you can find warmer temperatures up here, perfectly groomed trails and some great deals on apparel in the Nordic shop, oh and some of the best food in the valley. Galena is hosting winter dinners this Friday and Sunday nights featuring Wild King Salmon and New York Strip Steak. Galena is also working with Idaho's Bounty to feature a great dinner on Thursday February 19 at 6:30pm. This menu will feature wonderful local foods from Elk to Trout to soups and veggies all grown and prepared with love. Cost for this dinner is $40 per person and reservations are required. 

Galena Lodge is also offering our 2nd Women's Only Skate Clinic on Sunday March 15 from 11-4.  If you're a woman looking to improve your cross-country skate skiing skills, then the Women's Nordic Ski Clinic at Galena Lodge is for you! Geared for people with basic knowledge of Nordic skiing, these clinics will get you gliding over the snow like you never thought possible. Instruction, lunch, wine and cheese are all included in this fun filled day. Cost is $55 per person or $60 with rentals.

So grab your skis, family and friends and head up to Galena Lodge. We'll see you up here.

Boulder Mania!!!!!

Under beautiful Idaho skies and perfectly groomed trails the Boulder Mountain Tour Ski Race was underway today at Galena Lodge and on the Harriman Trail. There were about 750 racers this year and fast snow that made for some incredible times (though no records set this year). Sometimes you might think that Nordic skiing with 749 other people is intimidating or too much to handle, but I have to say after witnessing my 3rd Boulder Mountain Tour start this year, it looks like fun. The energy and camaraderie is incredible. Most people that enter know that there chances of winning are pretty close to zero and therefore are just out there to have fun, do their best and finish! What better comfort than knowing that you have 749 other people out there to help you along. With aid stations and a huge cheering squad along the way it is hard not to feel proud of yourself as you cross that finish line. From 1:10 to 5:00 hours there are people of all abilities out there getting their Nordic on! This year I even watched a 9 year old and a recent stroke victim participate in the Boulder Mountain Tour. So if you are wondering if you should or could ever do the BMT I say do it! I will be out there next year for my first one and I am already looking forward to it.

Galena Lodge is hosting Full Moon Dinners this Weekend! Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 6:30pm. Head up to the lodge and enjoy a delicious dinner in the lodge. Save up enough energy because the skiing after dinner is great. A Full Moon and good friends make for a night to remember. Call to make your reservations now!

Winter Dinners at Galena Lodge are Friday February 13 and Sunday February 15. Of course there is a Valentine's Day dinner on the 14th but that is sold out already!

Don't forget about our yurts, free snowshoe walks, Nordic ski lessons, guided snowshoe trips, and great food!

Get on up here and enjoy Galena Lodge!