Washington State Parks: Sno-Park Fees To Increase This Season

Press release from Washington State Parks:

October 5, 2021

2021-22 prices will ensure Sno-Parks continue to operate

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:

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 visitationDuring 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.

News media contact(s):Meryl Lassen, Communications Office media@parks.wa.govPamela McConkey, Winter Recreation Program Manager, (360) 790-9239 

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About the State Parks Winter Recreation ProgramThe Winter Recreation Program manages more than 3,000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, 811 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails and more than 120 Sno-Parks (plowed parking areas near snowmobile and cross-country ski trails) on public and private lands in Washington. The Winter Recreation Program is supported entirely by user fees, snowmobile registrations and a percentage of the state fuel tax. Follow the Winter Recreation Program on Twitter at @WaStatePks_WNTR.

About Washington State Parks

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages more than 100 state parks and properties totaling approximately 120,000 acres. The Commission provides a variety of recreation opportunities for citizens and provides stewardship protection for a diverse array of natural, cultural and historic resources. State Parks’ statewide programs include long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation. 

News release number: 21-059

This press release was produced by Washington State Parks. The views expressed here are the author’s own.