Oregon Public Broadcasting

Sno-Park permits will be required at nearly a hundred Oregon winter recreation areas starting Saturday.  As Pete Springer reports, the permits are required two weeks earlier than in previous years.

The snow hasn’t yet fallen at most Oregon winter recreation areas such as ski resorts or snowshoe trails. 

But a change in state law means that starting November 1st, you’ll need a Sno-Park permit to park in those areas, even if you’re going for a hike along a snow-free trail.

Dave Thompson is a spokesman for the Oregon Department of Transportation, which is responsible for removing snow at the Sno-Parks.

Dave Thompson: “We use the money later on for the usually huge amounts of snow we’re taking out of those Sno-Parks.  So it has nothing to do with the fact that it’s snowing or not, this is a user fee for a parking lot.  And we only charge the fee during that winter season.”

Thompson says record snowfall last year meant ODOT went $7 million over its budget for snow removal on state highways and Sno-Park areas.

Oregon Sno-Park permits are $20 for the season or $3 for a daily permit.  They are also valid in Washington, Idaho, and California.

They’re required at Oregon Sno-Parks until April 30th.