The Ely Nordic Ski Club is a 501(c3) non-profit organization run by volunteers.
We focus our efforts towards the Hidden Valley Recreation Area (HVRA) located on the east end of Ely, Minnesota. As a club, we are responsible for the building & maintaining the HVRA trail system for year round use as well as maintaining and managing the Hidden Valley Chalet/facilities. While open to the public, this trail system is most heavily used in the winter in particular by youth ski programs such as, the Minnesota Youth Ski League and the Ely Nordic Wolves ski team.
The Hidden Valley Recreation Area trails are for non-motorized use and are part of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) Grant-In-Aid program. As such, you are required to have a the Minnesota Ski Pass when using the trails in the winter.
Your membership dues represent support for our thriving northern community which embraces life sports that enhance the health and well being of individuals and families. Our operating expenses depend on your membership dues. Please become a member of the Ely Nordic Ski Club!
Mailing Address
Ely Nordic Ski Club
PO Box 346
Ely, MN 55731
For several years, a group of local mountain bike enthusiasts have known that Ely, has held a unique opportunity to be a mountain bike destination.
The varied topography and geology, combined with mostly well drained soil, is an exceptional combination in the region. This combination along with the natural beauty of the northern landscape, sets the stage for a phenomenal mountain biking system.
Hidden Valley, already a hub for recreational activities year round, is an excellent site to develop a mountain bike trail system. In addition to the aforementioned physical terrain attributes; infrastructure such as parking area, chalet, and restrooms are key pieces for a successful venue that are all ready in place.
The overall project consists of approximately 9.1 miles of trails. The proposed trail system would be designed and purpose built for mountain biking and fat tire biking in the winter. All trails will be single track and directional. Single track trails are defined as low impact, sustainable trails having a finished tread width between 24 and 48″ and a corridor clearing no greater than 6′.
The completed trail system will consist of 6 loops ranging from beginner to advanced, one of which is a progressive skills loop for riders to practice and hone bike handling skills. The loops will be constructed in a “snowman” formation, with easier loops closer to the trailhead and more difficult loops further away.
The 9.1 mile system contains 6 individual loops for summer mountain biking and winter fat biking. The progressive skills loop is loop #1 located on the far left side of the map. Note: All intersections generally coincide with ski trail intersections on hilltops to avoid high speed collisions between fat bikers and skiers during the winter.
