BY KAREN BOSSICK

It’s named the Billy Goat Loppet but you no longer have to drive 17 miles north of Ketchum to take part.

Instead, the popular January Nordic race will be held on Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Sun Valley Nordic Center.

The familiar 10-kilometer freestyle skate race will take place on the beautiful Trail Creek and Proctor loops. And new this year will be a 5-kilometer race around the Trail Creek Loop.

There’ll be prizes at the end of the event, thanks to Backwoods Mountain Sports, with everyone having the opportunity to win.

Organizer Jenny Busdon said the race was moved to the Nordic Center because of low snow in past years and limited parking at the Billy’s Bridge trailhead, which boasts a goat viewing platform for people to check out the mountain goats residing in the Boulder Mountains across the snow.

Skiing has been fabulous at the Sun Valley Nordic Center this year with ex-groomers from Bald Mountain manicuring the courses.

“We didn’t have it last year due to lack of snow, but conditions are fabulous this year and we want to have a good turnout,” said Busdon. “The race in the past has held up to 90 competitors so we’re hoping to have a good attendance with this year’s event, especially with it being two weeks before the Boulder Tour.”

The race can be viewed as a fun low-key event for those wanting to test their racing skills and a tune-up for those getting ready for the Boulder Mountain Tour or Half-Boulder on Feb. 2.

Registration will be held inside the Sun Valley Club Nordic Center between 9 and 10 a.m. The race will start at 10:30 a.m.

Registration is $10; members of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation may ski for free.

Questions? Call Jenny Busdon at 208-720-2540 or Ted Angle at 208-788-9458.