Snow-laden trees. Mountain vistas. Backcountry silence. That's Nordic skiing across southwest and south-central Idaho, where trails offer skiers a lifetime of winter workouts and scenery.

The snowy routes at ski areas from McCall to Ketchum offer a variety of groomed thoroughfares to trail-breaking backcountry adventures.

The trails criss-cross mountains and meadows in the Boise, Salmon, Sawtooth, Smoky and Boulder mountains. It never gets boring.

Grab your skis and go Nordic skiing, and discover unmatched winter scenery for many winters to come.

BOGUS BASIN

The Bogus Basin Recreation Area has 37 kilometers (about 23 miles) of groomed Nordic trails with 5 kilometers (about 3 miles) open at night.

Coolest things: Ski along solar-lighted trails after dark. The lodge and trails stay open until 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for a midweek getaway. Relax and warm up in front of the gas fireplace on the second floor of the Frontier Point Lodge. Try Full Moon Friday Nights on Jan. 12, Feb. 6 and March 6. They include family fun with live music, lesson/rental discounts and food catered by Kanack Attack. Check the Nordic event calendar for details.

Trail fees: Adults (ages 12-69) $12 all day, $10 half day and $8 after 4 p.m. Children (ages 7-11) $7 all day, $5 half day and $3 after 4 p.m. Six and younger and 70 and older are free (stop at the Nordic center to pick up your trail pass). Snowshoeing is $5 all day and $3 half day.

Rentals: Available at the Nordic Center. Classic and skate skis, snowshoes and child chariots are available. Check prices on the Web site.

Getting there: Drive 16 miles up Bogus Basin Road, drive past the Simplot Lodge on your right and the tubing hill on your left. Keep going to the Nordic lodge.

Information: Nordic trails grooming report at www.bogusbasin.org/grooming-report.aspx?type=nordic.

CASCADE AREA

Lake Cascade State Park

Crown Point Trail Railroad Grade offers a 2.5-mile groomed cross-country ski trail along the lake.

Trail fee: None

Dogs: Yes

Getting there: Drive north on Idaho 55 for about 70 miles to Cascade. Go north of Cascade to the Catholic church on the left and turn left on Vista Point Boulevard. The road takes you to the Crown Point campground parking lot at the trailhead.

Information: (208) 382-4258.

Hasbrouck Ranch

The Hasbrouck Ranch cross-country ski trails south of Cascade wind though rolling country covered with aspens and pines. The 5.2 miles of trails are mostly intermediate. A porta-potty is available.

Trail fee: None

Dogs: Yes, on leashes

Getting there: Drive north from Treasure Valley on Idaho 55 past Smiths Ferry and into Round Valley. Continue to the Cabarton Road (Clear Creek Station is on the right) and turn left. Go 1.5 miles to the parking lot on the left.

Information: ( 208) 382-5136

IDAHO CITY AREA

Idaho City Park 'N Ski Areas

This is a premier backcountry, cross-country ski trail system on the mountain divide between Idaho City and Lowman in the Boise National Forest.

Idaho Parks and Recreation has approximately 55 total miles of marked trails northeast of Idaho City; about 28 miles of those are marked and groomed.

The trail systems are Banner Ridge, Gold Fork and Whoop-Um-Up in the Park 'N Ski Program.

Coolest things: The area has so much variety that skiers can't figure out whether to take their touring skis, skate skis or Telemark skis. The area's five yurts are hard to beat for a night in snow country.

Trail fee: An annual Idaho Park 'N Ski permit from the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation costs $25. A $7.50 three-day pass is available, but get it either before you head out of town or in Idaho City; you can't buy it at trailheads.

Dogs: No dogs on groomed ski trails, but they are allowed on ungroomed trails. The best place for dogs is at Whoop-Um-Up.

Getting there: Drive on Idaho 21 northeast of Boise about 23 miles past Idaho City (about 60 miles from Boise).

Information: 514-2423; www.idahoparks.org.

MCCALL AREA

Activity Barn

The Activity Barn has about 10 kilometers (about 6 miles) of groomed trails on rolling terrain southwest of McCall. Trails range from beginner to expert. Snowshoeing also is allowed, but check the signs.

Coolest thing: Skiing with your dog and the great views of Jughandle Mountain, mountains to the west and the North Fork of the Payette River.

Trail fee: $5 per person

Dogs: Yes

Rentals: No

Getting there: After entering McCall city limits on Idaho 55, turn left at the stoplight on Deinhard Lane. Continue on Deinhard a half-mile to Mission Street. Take a left (go south) on Mission. Continue south for 1.6 miles until you reach Moonridge Road. Take a right on Moonridge and continue .6 miles. The Activity Barn is on your left.

Information: (208) 634-2222; www.activitybarn.com

Jug Mountain Ranch

Jug Mountain Ranch offers more than 25 kilometers of groomed trails on beginner, intermediate and advanced terrain near McCall.

Coolest thing: A mixture of flat, open stretches, gentle gradients and occasional short hills are scattered throughout forested areas .

Trail fees: Skiing is $9 for adults; $5 (7 to 17); 6 and younger free; snowshoeing, $5

Dogs: Yes

Rentals: Snowshoes are available to rent, but Nordic skis are not. Snowshoes rent for $10.

Getting there: From Boise, drive about 100 miles north on Idaho 55 and turn right at the Lake Fork Merc and Sinclair gas station onto East Lake Fork Road. Drive 1.5 miles, crossing Farm to Market Road, and then straight into the entrance to Jug Mountain Ranch.

For more information: www.jugmountainranch.com, or call Patrick Harper at (208) 634-5072

Little Bear Basin

Little Bear Basin, operated by the Payette Lake Ski Club, offers about 25 kilometers of groomed trails, 10 kilometers of dog trails and 8 kilometers of snowshoe trails.

Coolest thing: The scenic mountain terrain and the warm, cozy yurt.

Trail fee: $10 adult; $5 kids; and $2 for dogs.

Dogs: Yes

Rentals: Nordic ski rentals are available.

Getting there: Drive north on Idaho 55 about 102 miles to McCall. Continue about 3 miles west of McCall on Idaho 55.

Information: (208) 634-5691;www.littleskihill.org

Ponderosa State Park

Skiing along the shore of Payette Lake in this state park at McCall is unforgettable. The park has 18 kilometers (about 11 miles) of trails and is known for its beginner terrain.

Coolest thing: The terrain is forested, with rolling hills and some ridgetops that offer spectacular views of Payette Lake.

Trail fee: To ski, there is a $2 track fee in addition to the $4 fee to enter the park. If you have a state parks pass, you still will need to pay the track fee.

Dogs: Leashed dogs allowed on one trail.

Getting there: Drive 102 miles north of Boise on Idaho 55 to McCall. Turn right on Railroad Avenue. Look for signs.

Information: (208) 634-2164

Tamarack Resort

Tamarack offers up to 30 kilometers (about 19 miles) of groomed trails and features a variety of terrain, scenic viewpoints, open meadows and forests.

Coolest thing: The scenery and skiing with your dog.

Trail fee: $15 adults; $7 youth (7 to 14); children 6 and younger are free; $10 seniors 65 and older. Same prices for snowshoers.

Dogs: Yes, $3

Rentals: Full-day, classic skis, $17; skate skis, $22; performance skis, $25. Youth rentals, $12. Snowshoes, $15. Sled to pull kids, $15 per hour.

Getting there: Drive 90 miles from Boise to Donnelly; follow signs to the resort.

Information: Call (208) 325-1000 or log on to www.tamarackidaho.com

STANLEY AREA

What: Cross-country ski trails at Alturas Lake and Park Creek near Stanley offer some of the best views in Idaho. You can't beat theSawtooths in the winter. Trails are groomed at both areas and offer easy to expert skiing. The backcountry experience is incredible.

Trail fee: No

Dogs: Yes

Getting there: If Idaho 21 is open, that's the best way to go. Drive 125 miles northeast on Idaho 21 to Stanley. Just 7 miles before reaching Stanley, you'll see the turnoff for Park Creek. If you want to go to Alturas Lake, continue into Stanley and then take Idaho 75 about 26 miles south to the trailhead. If Idaho 21 is closed, you have to take I-84 east from Boise to the second Mountain Home exit. Then take U.S. 20 to Idaho 75 and head north to Sun Valley. Sun Valley is 150 miles from Boise and the Alturas Lake trail system is 34 miles north of Sun Valley on Idaho 75.

Information: For an update on trail conditions, call (208) 578-9754 and listen for the menu for Sawtooth Valley trails.

SUN VALLEY AREA

Galena Lodge/Wood River Trails

Galena Lodge has 50 kilometers (about 30 miles) of groomed trails at the northwest end of the Boulder Mountains in the shadow of mountaintops like 11,170-foot Galena Peak. The North Valley Trail System, which includes Galena, has about 120 kilometers of trails.

Coolest thing: Trails cut through meadows and timbered country with views of the Boulder and Smoky mountains. Galena Lodge is a perfect place to warm up and enjoy your favorite lunch and beverage. Try the homemade soup and bread or one of the microbrews.

Trail fee: Adults $15; kids (13 to 17) $5; free for 12 and younger. Snowshoe for $5. Three-day pass, $40.

Dogs: Yes, on some trails with a $5 pass.

Rentals: Available at Galena Lodge and shops in Ketchum and Sun Valley.

Getting there: Drive 24 miles north of Ketchum on Idaho 75 to Galena Lodge. Other trails start just north of Ketchum.

Information: Blaine County Recreation District: Web site with winter trails information, www.bcrd.org; Galena Lodge: www.galenalodge.com; trail grooming report for trails around Sun Valley, (208) 578-9754

Pete Zimowsky: 377-6445