The states of California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington have established a program called "Sno-park".  For a small annual fee ($15 for Oregon), you are able to ski on groomed trails.  These trails are not groomed as often as a ski area and do not have the amenities of a typical Nordic center or the number of trails.  However, they do provide an interim step between bushwhacking and a full service Nordic center. 

Passes purchased in one of these four states are honored in all four states.

Fees from the sale of these passes are used to plow the roads and parking areas as well as for grooming the trails.

In Oregon, a Sno-park pass is required for parking even in some ski resort areas.  This includes Anthony Lakes.  Other states have different laws.  

When skiing in Washington and Oregon watch out for the volcanoes!  Not only is Mt St Helens active, but there has been magma movement associated with a bulge forming on the Three Sisters (Bend, Oregon) this year.

Idaho's "Park N'Ski" pass costs $25 for the year (a less expensive 3 day pass is also available).  This pass allows access to 11 backcountry sites.  An additional $25 is required for the premium pass which allows access to Ponderosa and Harriman State Parks.  These parks have fairly extensive trail systems and are groomed on a frequent basis.  In past years Ponderosa had lighted trails for night skiing.  Due to technical problems, the trails were not lighted last year.  I do not know what the status is for this year.

Ponderosa State Park has 11 miles of trails and is located on a peninsula that juts out into Payette Lake.  McCall, Idaho is approximately two miles from the park. 

Harriman State Park is located near Ashton, Idaho.  There are 21 miles of trails here of which 10 are groomed.

These passes may be purchased at a variety of sporting goods stores.  Click here for a list.  More information and the location of the Park N'Ski areas is given here.

In addition to the Park N'Ski program, Blaine County (Ketchum, Idaho) maintains 200 kilometers of groomed trails.  Unlike Park N'Ski a trail pass is required which can be purchased at a variety of locations in the Sun Valley area.  Click here for more information.

Oregon's "Sno Park" pass costs $15 for the season (a less expensive 3-day pass is also available).  These passes are available at any DMV office or at the ski resorts.  Different activities occur at each individual site.

For more information on Oregon's program click here.

Washington maintains 40 non-motorized "Sno Parks".  Some of these areas are frequently groomed (three times a week). 

A seasonal permit costs $20.  An additional $20 is required for the special or frequently groomed areas.  In addition, a daily pass is available for $8.

Passes may be purchased at 125 retailers, state park offices and online. 

Click here for more information.