(Boise) – To celebrate the start of winter and share the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation experience, select Idaho State Parks and Park N’ Ski Areas are hosting the annual Free Winter Access Day January 4. Winter recreationists can park and use the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Park N’ Ski areas without a Park N’ Ski Pass and enjoy special activities at some Idaho State Parks.
The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) Free Winter Access Day Experience: IDPR maintains a non-motorized winter trail system for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at the Idaho City Park N’ Ski Area. About 30 miles of trails are groomed. There are trail signs and maps and several of the trails are perfect for beginners. For the latest information on IDPR’s non-motorized trails program visit https://www.facebook.com/IdahoNonMotorizedTrailsProgram.
Free Winter Access Day Events
Idaho City Park N’ Ski Area
IDPR staff will be at Gold Fork and Whoop Um Up parking lots with trail maps and hot chocolate for the public. Rocky Ridge Yurt, out of Whoop Um Up Parking Lot, will be open for visitors.
Priest Lake State Park – Coolin
Free cross-country ski lessons, a guided snowshoe hike, and coffee.
Farragut State Park – Athol
Free cross-country ski rentals, fat tire bike demos, a guided snowshoe hike, local coffee, hot chocolate, and fun activities for children. Fire pits will be set up and Park Rangers will be available for questions.
Harriman State Park – Island Park
Nordic ski lessons, winter gear demos, a guided snowshoe hike, snowman building, hot chocolate.
Palouse Divide Free Winter Access Day is January 11
Free ski rentals with free ski lessons, hot soups and drinks, free parking with no passes required. Free snowshoe rentals.
For event details and media inquiries: Contact Robbie Johnson, Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Communications Manager at [email protected] or 208-631-7536.
More about the Idaho City Park N’ Ski Area: There are about 29 miles of groomed trails and 31 miles of ungroomed trails out of Whoop Um Up, Gold Fork, Banner Ridge, and Beaver Creek Summit Parking Lots. Usually, the trails are groomed two times per week, on Monday nights and Thursday nights. Tucked into the trail system are 6 backcountry yurts, which are reservable 9 months in advance. To park in any Park N’ Ski parking lot from November 15 through April 30, users are required to have a Park N’ Ski permit. Park N’ Ski permits can be purchased online, by phone, or at select vendors across the state. Users can purchase an annual permit for $25 or a three-day permit for $7.50.
Park N’ Ski Webpage: https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/activities/xc-skiing/park-n-ski-in-idaho/
Park N’ Ski Map: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/5905e736b8ab4910a8ae9eb36d470ccd/page/Map-Page/
Purchase a Park N’ Ski Pass: https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/Vendor_List.pdf
