• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Kikkan Randall Official Website

Olympic Cross Country Skier

  • Work with Kikkan
    • Keynote Speaker
    • Brand Ambassador
  • About
    • Athlete
    • Community Involvement
    • IOC Member
    • Active Mom
    • Cancer Fighter
  • Blog/Media
  • Partnerships
  • Shop
  • Contact

My Ski Vacation Bucket List – Part One: Galena Lodge

April 11, 2016

People often ask me, “What’s your favorite place to ski?” As a professional ski racer for the past 16 years, I’ve seen some of the most beautiful ski destinations in the world – so I have a hard time picking just one. (What a good problem to have!) So I thought I would share a few of my favorites right here. I’d encourage all the skiers out there to try and get to these places at least once in your lifetime.

One of my favorite USA ski destinations is the Galena Lodge Ski Area in Sun Valley, Idaho. Every time I’ve been there it’s been sunny, and the tracks have been impeccably groomed. While you’re gliding along at 7,500 feet, the terrain is smartly designed to allow for a really nice flow. There are more mellow loops that let you just enjoy the scenery, and there’s plenty of really challenging terrain – including a downhill called “Psycho” that sent my stomach into my throat my first time down!

15Q4ACTV_000393.NEF

Gliding along in the sun to epic scenery!  Photo by L.L. Bean 

The Galena Lodge itself is a really nice treat. They operate a pro shop where you can get all the necessary gear and last-minute supplies (like when you forget your wax cork), as well as get a fresh layer of wax on your skis before you hit the snow. I love that you can change in the lodge and leave your gear at the lodge while out training. After you come in from a great cruise around the 50km+ of trails, they have a wonderful deck on which to bask in the sun, and full-service bar and restaurant that serve excellent food and beverages to refuel from your workout. My favorites are the Grown-up Grilled Cheese and the Ginger Sesame Bowl. I really like being able to come to one place and have everything you need for a great all-around ski experience.

15Q4ACTV_000753.NEF

Awesome grooming!  Photo by L.L. Bean

The Galena Lodge is about a 30-minute drive from Sun Valley. I would recommend flying into the Friedman Airport in Hailey, which adds about another 15 minutes. Another option is to fly into Boise and make the 3-hour drive up. I’ve had a wonderful time staying at the Sun Valley Lodge. They have cozy mountain-authentic rooms and a fun little village right on site with a deli and an outdoor pool among other things. It’s also fun to be able to walk to the main street of Sun Valley to enjoy all the town has to offer. There are great restaurants and coffee shops and a nice friendly demeanor from the local folks. The Elephant’s Perch is a great outdoor shop if you need any equipment or suggestions on local adventures.

I highly encourage you to check out this great USA ski destination!! In my next blog, I’ll share one of my Canadian favorites.

A great deck for hosting a Fast and Female event too!

A great deck for hosting a Fast and Female event too!

 

Footer

Amazing first day joining my fellow #llbeanambassa Amazing first day joining my fellow #llbeanambassador friends for a tour of the new @llbean HQ!  This has been years in the making and it’s been so wonderful to meet all these amazing creators (and awesome humans) and to see the new digs for one of my favorite brands. 

We also enjoyed a scenic tour by kayak with the Outdoor Discovery Program team, an experience I would highly recommend! 

#beanteam #beanoutsider #feelslikefamily
Moms night out to see Hamilton in Anchorage! Moms night out to see Hamilton in Anchorage!
Kicking into fall with new kicks! Loving this fun Kicking into fall with new kicks! Loving this fun collaboration with @llbean and @blundstoneusa to bring the Buffalo check to life.  Limited quantities available to grab yours today at LLBean.com!

#llbeanambassador #buffalocheck #fallkicks
Flashback to our fun adventures on our friends’ Flashback to our fun adventures on our friends’ boat last weekend.  Breck reminded me, “It’s so good to be in nature 🌿.” The combo of the green and the blue definitely has a fulfilling effect!! 

#llbeanambassador #beanoutsider #princewilliamsound
And the next adventure of 2nd grade is underway! And the next adventure of 2nd grade is underway!  Feels like a blink since he started kindergarten.  So fun to see all the kids and families descend on the school grounds today like bees to the honey 🍯! It’s going to be a great year.

#llbeanambassador #schoollife #2ndgrade
Taking advantage of some sunshine, friends and fam Taking advantage of some sunshine, friends and family, and a little slower pace of life to recharge mid summer. 

#llbeanambassador #beanoutsider #sponsored
Fun to be back running some familiar trails in the Fun to be back running some familiar trails in the sun!

@salsagirrl #penticton
Made a little trip from Alaska down south to Canad Made a little trip from Alaska down south to Canada.  4 days of driving but some beautiful views and fun spots to check out along the way! 🌄 🐻 🚙☀️⁣
⁣
#llbeanambassador #roadtrip #newsights #southtocanada #sponsored
Happy Olympic Day! What are you going to do today Happy Olympic Day!  What are you going to do today to get out and move?! It’s 6am here in Alaska and I’m joining friends for a circuit strength class.  Let’s do this!  #olympicday #letsmove
#ad. Cancer affects all of us in some shape or for #ad. Cancer affects all of us in some shape or form so everyone, at any age, can contribute to the @americancancersociety 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 and help to end cancer as we know it, for everyone! ⁣
⁣
➡️ Breck, age 7, sells cookies to his neighbors. 🍪 ⁣
➡️ Kikkan, age 40, collects pledges for push-ups. 🏋️‍♂️ ⁣
➡️ Ronn, age 70, recruits friends to pledge and hike together. 🚶 ⁣
⁣
We can all contribute in our own way and together we can make a difference. I’m excited to see what you will come up with to support the 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲! ⁣
⁣
#americancancersociety #relayforlife #3generations #strongertogether @relayforlife⁣
Looking forward to another weekend to relax in our Looking forward to another weekend to relax in our @llbean hammock and just enjoy the sounds of the outdoors! 🌲☀️⁣
⁣
#llbeanambassador #beanoutsider #relaxing
#ad My Team got me through Cancer. They were there #ad My Team got me through Cancer. They were there every step of the way. Now I walk with my team to celebrate and pay it forward. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is the perfect way to raise funds and have fun with my team. Go to relayforlife.org to find an event near you! @americancancersociety @relayforlife #RelayForLife #MyCancerTeam #Payitforward
Awesome weekend in Bellingham for the Ski 2 Sea re Awesome weekend in Bellingham for the Ski 2 Sea relay race.  The Delicate Flowers took the top spot in our division, a proud accomplishment for a group of working parents!  The race was fun but the time with friends was even better!  The sun was pretty nice too ☀️😎. Already thinking about how to improve for next year!
#ski2sea #delicateflowers #relayrace #friends
A perfect Mother’s Day, spent all outside ☀️ A perfect Mother’s Day, spent all outside ☀️! Being a Mom is the best job I’ve ever had, learned from the best role model a kid could ask for!  Celebrating all the Moms out there and just soaking in the family time ❤️! ⁣
⁣
#mothersday ⁣
#outsidetime ⁣
#familytime ⁣
#llbeanambassador
Time to get your boots wet! 💦⁣. Just because Time to get your boots wet! 💦⁣. Just because it’s looking a little messy out there doesn’t mean there’s not fun to be had… for all ages! Nothing better than an exploratory walk to connect three generations.⁣
⁣
#llbeanambassador #beanoutsider #springslush #beanboots
Probably one of the last snow bike rides of the se Probably one of the last snow bike rides of the season but a fun way to get out and appreciate our great planet on Earth 🌍 Day! ⁣
⁣
This winter has been especially epic snow-wise ❄️ so we’re getting to enjoy 😊 our favorite winter activities a little longer.  I really hope we can all work together and do our part to preserve winter for generations to come! ⁣
⁣
#earthday #protectourwinters #beanoutsider
Because, how can you not have fun brushing your te Because, how can you not have fun brushing your teeth in matching pajamas 😂. Got our day off to the right start!

#llbeanambassador #matchingonesies
Awesome day adventuring in the mountains 🏔️ w Awesome day adventuring in the mountains 🏔️ with several other families.  So fun to take parenting out of the box and bring the kids along for a favorite pastime from life before kids.  The kids got a great ride and the parents got a great workout!! ⁣
⁣
It was a good reminder how energizing it can be to be out in the mountains, entertaining ourselves with snow, sticks and great company!! ⁣
⁣
#llbeanambassador #beanoutsider #adventurewithkids #snowfun
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023. Kikkan Randall Official Website. All Rights Reserved. · Website by Sundog Media, LLC. Privacy Policy