Visiting Washington’s Sno-Parks will cost more this fall, winter

For the first time since 2009, visitors to Washington Sno-Parks will have to pay a little more.

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)

Visitors do not need a Discover Pass for parking at Sno-Parks.

The new prices are aimed at helping to cover rising costs in replacing equipment, including grooming machines. The money also goes to clearing parking lots, grooming ski and snowmobile trailers, cleaning and sanitizing bathrooms and avalanche beacon check stations.

A Winter Recreation Advisory Committee appointed a subcommittee to review a fee increase. That subcommittee determined the rate increase was feasible, with majority support from ski and dogsled clubs.

Washington State Parks reports an all-time high in visitors to Sno-Parks during the 2020-21 season. Parks responded by opening a new Sno-Park near Winthrop, three temporary play areas new Cle Elum, and a groomed sledding hill in Southwest Washington.

Washington opens 5 more snow parks to prevent crowding

The new recreation areas helped to ease parking, traffic, and eliminate safety hazards along the I-90 corridor. Large crowds are expected again this fall and winter.

The Winter Recreation Program says it manages more than 3,000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, 811 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails, and more than 120 Sno-Parks on public and private lands in Washington.

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