Posts Tagged ‘ski’

Idaho City Park N’ Ski Area Special Event Ski / Snowshoe For Free: Saturday, January 9, 2010

Idaho City, ID – Come enjoy the winter season at the Idaho City Park N’ Ski area on Saturday, January 9th. Nordic ski and snowshoe clinics will be offered onsite. Classes are limited. Registration is required for snowshoe clinics.

The Park N’ Ski parking permit fee will be waived that day, to encourage participants to test out their new skis and snowshoes, or perfect their skills.

The Southern Idaho Regional (SIR) Nordic Ski Patrol will offer free ski tips from 11:00 am. to 2:00 pm., at the Gold Fork Park N’ Ski parking lot for beginners. For those anxious to learn new snowshoe skills, the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) will be offering free snowshoe clinics (registration required).
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Winter Driving on Forest Service Roads (Oregon)

Media Contact: Jennifer O’Leary (503) 854-4210; Cell (503) 298-8190

Springfield, OR – Visitors to the Willamette National Forest will encounter a wide range of driving conditions over the next few months. An important reminder at this time of year is that Forest Service roads are not maintained for winter travel. Many roads, especially those in higher elevations, become impassable due to ice and snow.

The following tips can help you prepare for a safe visit:

• Plan for the unexpected
• Check the latest road and weather conditions
• Let someone know where you’re going
• Carry an emergency kit in your vehicle

“Winter is a wonderful time to explore the forest, especially if you like to snowmobile, ski, or snowshoe. We want to ensure that visitors are aware of the important safety tips that will help them enjoy their visit,” says Stacey Forson, Assistant Recreation Staff Officer for the Willamette National Forest.

Weather can change quickly, particularly in high elevations. Good snow tires, a 4-wheel drive vehicle, and chains are advised when driving in winter conditions. Don’t forget to fuel up at the beginning of the trip.

Travelers should be prepared to spend long periods of time in the car. Blankets or sleeping bags, warm clothes, a snow shovel, water, food and other necessities are recommended as part of a complete vehicle emergency kit.

Many Forest Service roads are single-lane, winding, gravel roads with limited visibility. These and popular double-lane, paved roads such as Forest Road 19, Forest Road 21, and Forest Road 46 are not plowed for winter travel. Even a few inches of snow can obscure ice and soft shoulders; always adjust your speed to the current conditions. As a general rule, drive at speeds that allow you to stop in half the visible road distance ahead of you.

Although GPS systems are useful tools for navigating forest roads, they cannot always be relied on to provide the safest routes based on current conditions. Keep in mind that cell phones and GPS systems may not work in remote areas.

Visit or call your local Ranger District office for the latest updates regarding weather, including snow levels, and road conditions. Current conditions are also provided on the Willamette National Forest website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette/general/conditions/index.html.

For regular updates regarding road and weather conditions on state highways that serve as mountain passes visit Tripcheck, offered by Oregon Department of Transportation, at www.tripcheck.com.

For more information please contact the closest Ranger District office.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette/newsandevents/news/2009newsarchives/091120winter-driving.html

Tracer Paint Will Help Nab Winter Shelter Firewood Thieves

Date: October 21, 2009
Media Contact: Judith McHugh 541.915.5372
Willamette National Forest

Oakridge, OR – A warm refuge on a cold winter’s day can make all the difference. Ski enthusiasts who visit any of the High Cascades huts eagerly anticipate a warm shelter, a bit of rest, and perhaps a hot drink to refresh them before continuing on.

Unfortunately, some folks have been persistently removing firewood that is placed in the shelters. Each autumn, teams of volunteers spend hours cutting and hauling firewood in anticipation of making a winter day more enjoyable. Over the last few years, some have started another tradition: taking that very wood for their own purposes.

Recreation managers at the Middle Fork RD are taking a new approach to this problem: all warming hut firewood will now be marked with orange tracer paint, and law enforcement officers will cite violators who take the wood off-site.

Citizens who see firewood thefts from the warming huts are encouraged to call the Middle Fork RD at 541.782.2283 with a description of the individuals and vehicle as soon as possible.

“We appreciate the community helping us as we strive to provide a great winter recreation experience. Let’s join together and keep this small minority of folks from ruining everyone’s good time,” commented District Ranger, Chip Weber.