Our Story
|
Galena Lodge is owned by the Blaine County Recreation District and operated by a concession agreement with Kyle and Chelan Oldemeyer under a permit with the Sawtooth National Forest.
What that really means is that we are a hands on small business focused on elevating our guests' recreational and outdoor experiences with quality food, service and rental equipment. Kyle first came to Galena as a seasonal employee in 2013 and met Chelan at Galena in 2016. We became Galena managers together in 2020, got married at the lodge in 2022 and became the operators of Galena Lodge in 2023. Kyle is an Idaho native, born and raised in Boise while Chelan originally hails from Wenatchee, Washington. Both of us now consider the Wood River Valley and Galena Lodge to be our home. Our backgrounds in recreation and teaching as well as our passion for all things outdoors have been a natural, if unlikely fit, to operating a business in the middle of an expansive National Forest. We look forward to offering satisfying outdoor experiences to our new and returning customers from near and far! Our loaner dog Rio will be happy to join you on a hike or snowshoe or just some extra pets and love on the lawn. His sister Fly stays in the office but sends her love. We have occasional guest appearances from other staff dogs too so keep your eyes peeled the next time you are at the lodge! |
|
Our Team
The magic of Galena stems from our incredible staff, we couldn't do it without them so take a moment to meet the Galena family
Winter 24/25 Staff
Connor: I am from Maine and moved out to Idaho this last winter to work in the Galena ski shop teaching nordic lessons. I also got to enjoy a summer teaching kids camp and exploring the summer. I am also an avid birder, and will happily identify any mystery bird photos you may have
Alice: I grew up in Oregon and spent every summer visiting my family in Idaho, so I’m thrilled to make the Sawtooths my home. I enjoy backpacking, trail running, and reading with my cats. I am looking forward to baking delicious treats and skiing up hills at Galena.
Chloe - Hi y’all! My name is Chloe, I’m originally from the east coast, living in mostly in Maine. This will be my first season working in the kitchen at Galena lodge, and because I love all things food, I’m sure it will be a great fit! During my time off you can find me on long walks in the woods, rock climbing, skiing or anything outdoor adventure.
Ed: I’m a newbie on the Galena staff but have worked and skiied in UT, MT, and AZ. From Virginia, raised two kids in Ohio, spent years in the Southwest and Southeast, and have been traveling backroads for two years trying to fill in any places missed. I flatwater paddle, bike, and hike wherever I can!
Matt - I'm originally from Idaho and have spent much of my life skiing and hiking the peaks and trails around Galena, but this is my first season working at the lodge! I'm a commercial photographer and have worked all around the globe on ad campaigns and various personal projects. When I’m not playing in the mountains or behind a camera, I enjoy reading, geeking out on math & physics, and building things (or, nearly as often, fixing things I’ve broken). I’m often on the move but generally spend winters here in Idaho and summers in coastal Alaska where I’m building a small, off-grid cabin.
|
Kate: first came to Galena in 2019 after several years on the road and feels grateful every day to live in a yurt at the headwaters of the Wood River. She loves cooking, backpacking, skiing, reading, and playing music.
Clint: This’ll be my second season at Galena.
I love camping and being outdoors. Looking forward to petting more dogs and making great food and memories. How many more people can I get hooked on Kimchi!?! Let it snow, let’s go!!!! 
Jackson - I was born and raised in the Wood River Valley and according to legend took my first steps at Galena Lodge circa January 1995. Excited to fulfill young Jackson's dream of living in a hut at Galena for the winter with my dog Ansel and sharing my passion for skiing and good food! When I'm not coaching you can usually find me breathing hard in the skin track, baking sourdough bread, or nerding out about sports nutrition and endurance training.
Nardina: This will be my first season at Galena and I am super excited to join the team & play in the snow. I grew up in the NYC area, but have been living out west for 12 years between CA, OR and WA. I thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 2023 ,and have since become obsessed with long distance hiking. I hope to complete my Triple Crown in the next few years by hiking the Appalachian & Continental Divide trails. I do also dabble in other activities such as mountain biking , SUP boarding, reading , cooking and baking.
|
Sarah: works in the restaurant and this is her fourth season at Galena Lodge. Sarah typically spends her summer backpacking. In her free time she enjoys playing the guitar!
Emma: Born on a Tuesday and proud mom of a Honda Fit, Emma was raised in the Appalachian Mountains and found Galena six years ago. She has worked here every winter since, and spends her summers hiking and building trails. A devout crossword puzzler, she will yell and cover her ears if you try to google an answer.
Owen: I'm a proud Wisconsin native and am excited to venture out to the other side of the Mississippi for my first season at Galena this summer! I love learning about the environment(specifically forests) and have one semester left at the University of Minnesota studying forestry and environmental science. In my free time, I enjoy running, biking, skiing, hiking, and whatever other outdoor activities you could think of.
Cindy: I’m originally from Seattle and got my degree in Parks and Recreation and Environmental Studies at Western Washington University. I moved to Ketchum in 1974 when I discovered you could be outside year round and see the sun shine even in winter. My husband and I met at the Boulder Mountain tour in 1980 and raised our three sons here in the valley.. Galena is my Happy Place! I worked at the lodge in 1978/79 when living in my little log cabin at Boulder View Summer home area. So many great memories were and continue to be created here. For the past 30 years you might have seen me on the nordic trails, packing snow shoe trails or greeting trail users as the supervisor or our nordic courtesy patrol and trail head manager. My passion is meeting new people, traveling, hiking, skiing and enjoying the great outdoors. This is an amazing place we call home and I’m so looking forward to once again being a part of the Galena crew!
|
Trey: Originally from CT, and having graduated from Dartmouth College in the spring of ‘23, Trey began working at Galena lodge in the winter of 23/24. He is an avid skier and runner, having spent many days exploring the greater Galena area, frolicking around in the thin mountain air. Cormier is also the fun uncle of Loaner dogs Rio and his sister Fly.
Liv - I'm a field biologist who studies seabirds and owls. This is my second season working in the kitchen at Galena. I love the the outdoor access, the amazing food, and the top-notch community and camaraderie!
Mindy: I worked at Galena in the kitchen from 2018 - 2020. It was a great place to land but after a couple of seasons at the lodge, I was ready to jump back into my passion, which is growing plants. After 4 years at the Hunger Coalition an opportunity came up to manage a newly forming regenerative farm in Bellevue, ID and to start my dream of a native plant nursery. This also gives me some free time in the winter and of course I wanted to come back to my happy place, Galena Lodge, for some part time work. I'm sure you'll see my trusty sidekick Frankie, peeking her head out of the office window from time to time or skiing with me on the trails.
Matheu: from New York, he is passionate about all things food and loves to tinker with electronics, wood working, and car mechanics as well!
|
Former Staff
|
|
Mike Lincoln: Found Galena 17 years ago and has come back multiple times to add up to seven years working in the restaurant. He loves Galena for the winter backcountry access and summer mountain biking scene. His favorite menu item is the veggie burger with bacon!
Stacey: I'm originally from Alaska but I call home Salt Lake City these days. I love to bike, ski, run, and generally play outside! This is my third summer at Galena and you can find me adventuring during every second of my free time.
Tony: was born and raised in the Wood River valley. He likes to hike and play bluegrass and is studying environmental studies at Whitman College in Walla Walla Washington.
Peter: originally from Vassalboro, Maine, I was drawn to Idaho by the rivers and the snow. My plan is to be on the trails until I’m too tired to ski anymore.
Cooper: I teach at Cal Poly during the school year and am ecstatic to work at Galena this winter. I grew up in Minnesota and spent the last three years missing cross country skiing. I hope that living on the central coast hasn't made me too soft.
|
Katie: This summer is Katie’s second season with Galena Lodge. Katie works the front of the house serving up delicious food, her favorite menu item is the ginger sesame bowl. Katie’s other passion lies in health and wellness practicing acupuncture. When Katie is not working you will find her on the trails with her newly adopted dog Walter.
Holly: After growing up in Washington and attending college in Maine for geology and visual art, I moved to Idaho this past year and immediately fell in love with the landscape and ease of access to ski and bike adventures. My teaching job in Ketchum enabled me to spend afternoons and weekends up at Galena- what a dream to now be working in my favorite place to play, with an awesome community!
Simone: I’m an upstate NY native who will be working in the restaurant for the first time this season. I was a carpenter for a number of years in Jackson, Wyoming. I love all things outdoors, especially skiing and hiking. My favorite all time food is pizza!
|
Haydee: This is Haydee’s third season at Galena Lodge. You”ll find Haydee in the kitchen whipping up hearty meals for guests. Haydee enjoys solo backpacking and is looking forward to learning beekeeping and having hives on her family property in Peru.
Favorite Galena sweet treat: Don Bar with ice cream. 
Celia - I am so excited to spend the winter at Galena during my gap year! I call Salt Lake City home but have spent many summers camping in the area and going to Galena's summer camp. I love outdoor adventuring, music, and fun socks. One of my favorite things is tea, a book, and a fireplace after a good long ski.
Bailey: I was born and raised in Idaho. I absolutely love anything and everything outdoors, especially hiking in the mountains! Running is in my blood and dark chocolate-covered almonds are the best treat.
Aaron: I live in the Adirondacks of upstate NY and this will be my first summer at Galena Lodge! I grew up racing nordic, and graduated from Plattsburgh State with a degree in Adventure Sports and Expeditionary Studies. I love spending as much time as possible outside- you'll usually find me mountain biking, rock climbing, or ski touring.
|
Annalee: Originally from Wisconsin, Anna has lived and worked in Colorado, Washington, Alaska, and California and is excited to be back for her second full summer at Galena. She is passionate about sourdough, baking, teaching, skiing and biking. She loves beans and chocolate.
Lila: With every passing summer of bike camp at Galena, I have fallen more and more in love with the beauty and accessibility of such an awesome place to work and play. When I’m not biking with kiddos, you can find me ski touring, biking (probably slower than I do at camp), boating, serving up hotdogs at Irving’s, sneaking mango sorbet from the shop, or at the University of Tennessee studying Biomolecular Engineering!
Teagan: I like to run, rock climb, hike, read, and take photographs. I enjoy partaking in activities outdoors and I am excited to be leading your child outdoors as well this summer! This is my first season at Galena Lodge and I come all the way from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
|
Tilly: I have grown up in Boise and I enjoy Galena. I am returning for another Summer as a GYAC counselor and I look forward to having fun with campers. I love the mountains. I love streams. I love adventure and I love camp. I look forward to time that allows kids to play outdoors and I am in school studying to be an educator!
Lou: I grew up in the northern panhandle of Idaho! I’m going to school at the University of Idaho for Studio Art & Design with an emphasis on Graphic Design. I have 9+ years of experience with kiddos and I’m excited for my first season at Galena!!
Logan: Recently graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Human Nutrition, Food and Exercise. Her favorite Galena snack and guilty pleasure is a Don Bar!
Charlie: I am from Boulder, CO and have been riding and tinkering with bikes practically since I could walk. I have a passion for all disciplines of cycling, but riding a fast singletrack mountain bike trail is undoubtedly my favorite. I am a graduate of Whitman College with a degree in Politics and Environmental Studies, and this will be my first season at Galena; I can't wait to explore the Big Wood River valley and the Sawtooths!
|