Sno-Park fees to increase this season

OLYMPIA – Oct. 5, 2021 – When Washington Sno-Park permits go on sale Nov. 1, winter recreationists will see a fee increase for the first time since 2009.

Washington state Sno-Park users enjoy a high-level of service, including cleared parking lots, groomed ski, skate-ski and snowmobile trails, regularly sanitized bathrooms and avalanche beacon check stations in some backcountry areas. The new prices reflect the rising cost of these operations, as well as replacement of aging equipment, including grooming machines.

During the last 12 years, this self-funded program, has opened several new permanent Sno-Parks around the state and created temporary Sno-Parks to meet customer demand.

The Sno-Park permit fees for the 2021-22 season are:

• Seasonal permit: $50 (up from $40)

• Annual snowmobile permit: $50 (up from $40)

• Special Groomed Trail Sticker: $70 (up from $40)

• Daily Sno Park permit: $25 (up from $20)

The Discover Pass is not needed for parking at Sno-Parks.

In 2019, the Winter Recreation Advisory Committee, which oversees non-motorized Sno-Parks, appointed a subcommittee to review permit fees. The subcommittee surveyed and compared Washington’s fees to those of other private and public entities, some of which charge several hundred dollars a season for one family to access one location.

The subcommittee requested feedback from stakeholders, including ski and dogsled clubs, and the majority supported the increase.

Rising visitation

During the 2020-21 season, Sno-Park use reached an all-time high. Winter Recreation staff and partners responded to customer demand by opening a new Sno-Park near Winthrop, three temporary play areas near Cle Elum and a groomed sledding hill in Southwest Washington. This quick response helped to ease traffic, parking congestion and safety hazards, particularly along the I-90 corridor. The Winter Recreation Program anticipates a similar level of usage this season.