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Pacific Northwest State Sno-Parks
If you are in hot pursuit
of a powder filled, winter snow adventure, then a Pacific
Northwest sno-park is just the place to begin. Whether
it is a family outing, or a solo, thrill seeking excursion,
you are bound to find the terrain and conditions to
cure your winter sweet tooth at a sno-park.
So what are sno-parks?
State sno-parks are state maintained
parking areas which have been set aside for recreation
purposes. They are open only during the winter season
- usually beginning in November and running until April.
Most sno-parks will be marked with signs stating they
are WINTER RECREATION AREAS. You can find sno-parks
in most mountain passes, and also at lots of ski and
snow play areas.
Most Pacific Northwest state sno-parks
are open for multiple use activities. Which means that
sledding, cross country skiing, inner tubing, snowshoeing,
dog sledding, snow play, and sometimes even snowmobiling
are allowed. Roughly half of the state sno-parks in
the Pacific Northwest are reserved for un-motorized
sporting. And even the parks allowing snowmobiles, or
any other motorized vehicles, will still have plenty
of open, under exploited areas to explore.
Rules about snowmobiles and snowmobile
sno-parks are different than non-motorized parks, so
be sure to check out the different regulations.
Permits are necessary to park and use
the sno-parks. There is a fine for parking in a sno-park
area without a permit, so be sure you grab one. The
permits pay to help keep the areas clean, well groomed,
and maintained, and also help keep up signs, patrol
the parks, and to upgrade education and maps.
You can usually get permits for one
day, a few days, or for the entire season. You can get
permits at U.S. Forest Service ranger stations, some
DMV offices, various resort permit agents, outdoor recreation
retailers, a few other retail outlets, or online at
Washington or Oregon State Park's websites.
http://www.oregonstateparks.org
http://egov.oregon.gov/OPRD/
http://www.parks.wa.gov/
Some permit agents can charge a service
fee for permits they sell.
Idaho's state park program is called
the Idaho Park-n-Ski permit. And even California sno-park
passes are honored in some Pacific Northwest states.
Check your state's rules to be sure.
One final point to keep in mind...
Chains or tires with traction devices might be required
(by local authorities) to get to sno-parks during the
winter months. Driving a vehicle without them, during
these times, will be a traffic infraction. So come prepared.
And now that you are armed with basic
sno-park information, it is time to hit your favorite
Pacific Northwest powder for some fun and festivities.
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