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Question: What are some good winter recreational activities on our national forests?
Answer: Well, there’s a huge variety of activities. You could go snowshoeing or sledding.
You could try downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, mushing or skijoring
with your dogs, you could visit a cabin, or a lodge, or a yurt. If you’re a beginner,
you can take a class or a guided tour, and there’s plenty of terrain for experts to
get out there and challenge themselves. Question: Where would you recommend visiting?
Answer: Well, it’s tough to pick, but some things I’d like to try are the guided snowshoe
walks up on the Mount Baker Snoqualmie, I’d like to go see the kite-boarding down in Southern
Oregon, and I always like to get out cross country skiing.
Question: How much does it cost to do these things?
Answer: Well, that varies quite a bit. Oregon and Washington both require snow-park passes.
But, then you could have activities that are free for the family, whether it’s a guided
snowshoe walk, or just a walk in the snow. You could also rent equipment for cross country
or downhill skiing, or go on a guided tour on a snowmobile out to a cabin or lodge.
Question: What are some of the special safety issue in winter?
Answer: Well, you need to be prepared for winter driving. Getting there and back is
a big part of the equation, so make sure you check the road conditions before you go. Travel
with an emergency kit in your vehicle, and remember that you might not have cell phone
reception where you’re headed. Also, be prepared with the equipment and the clothing
that you’ll need to stay safe, warm and dry.
Question: Where can I learn more? Answer: A great start is the website of the
national forest that you’re interested in visiting. There will be lots of general information
on there, as well as more specific contacts so you can call the local ranger district
and find out what local conditions are like.