There are certain places that feel woven into the fabric of this valley, and for me, Galena Lodge is one of them.
Nordic skiing up at Galena is certainly a treat…The drive north, the quiet, the scale of it all. Every time I’m out there, I’m reminded what a privilege it is to have access to a place like this; Scott and I were married at Galena about 25 years ago, which makes it even more special to me.
Galena began as a mining town in 1879 and, for a brief moment, was the largest community in the Wood River Valley. Like many towns of that era, it faded just as quickly, but it never fully disappeared. It evolved. From a remote outpost for hunters and fishermen to one of the earliest places people came to ski (with a rope tow powered by an old Ford engine, no less), Galena has always found a way to remain relevant to how people experience this valley.
And then, in the late 1980s, it almost didn’t make it.
The lodge closed. It sat empty. There were real conversations about tearing it down.
But this community had a different idea.
In 1994, the Help Save Galena Campaign brought people together in a meaningful way and the community raised over $500,000 in just a few months to purchase and preserve it. The property was then entrusted to the Blaine County Recreation District, who continue to steward it today.
That’s what makes Galena what it is. It’s not just a place to ski, it’s something this community chose to protect.
As we head into the final stretch of the season, give them a great Spring send off:
Closing Day at Galena Lodge - Sunday, April 5
9:30 - 10:30am
Gladiator Trailhead (corner of the parking lot)
They host a simple Easter egg hunt for kids under 10. Bring a basket and enjoy one last morning out there. It’s low-key, it’s fun, and it feels exactly like Galena should.
Corey
Image credit: CCL Votpuske
