Dogs on snow

"Skis were created to make earth a little more like heaven." And click here if you have any doubts about dogs loving snow.  We now have a dog-friendly groomed ski trail at Wanoga. The trail is only a couple miles long, but it's a start -- and we're working on options for a permanent and longer trail.

If you want to walk -- rather than snowshoe or ski -- please use the Skyliner area (info below).

Support

The Wanoga trail is entirely a volunteer effort, with no funding from sno-park permits or the Forest Service. Please use the PayPal link at the bottom of our homepage to help us provide this great opportunity -- the only dog-friendly groomed trail in Oregon.  DogPAC is a non-profit organization, 501(c)(3) pending.

Note: You can also donate via the donation box on the trail (rust colored on post) or send a check to DogPAC at PO Box 2091, Bend, OR  97709.

Wanoga Sno-park

We created a dog-friendly trail at Wanoga, groomed for skiing and snowshoeing. Weather and volunteer schedules permitting, we groom every Friday afternoon or Saturday morning (for the weekend) and on other days after new snow. Email us if you'd like to receive email grooming updates.

Most recent grooming: Friday afternoon (April 3).

Next planned grooming: Sorry, folks -- we're through grooming for the season.  But we'll get occasional new snow, and there's still some base for spring skiers...

Trail details: The trail is one-way, follows a curvy double loop in a clockwise direction, and is 3.5 km (2 miles) long -- check out the map. Blue diamonds and bamboo poles mark the left side of the trail. We've cleared approximately 12 feet to the right of these markers. Skiers (skate and classic) and snowshoers are welcome.  Please do not walk on the trail.  Be aware that dogs may posthole on and off the trail.

Getting there: Drive west on Century Drive toward Mt. Bachelor. Wanoga is on your left, past milepost 14 and Meissner Sno-Park. The groomed dog-friendly ski trail is in the sno-play area, to the left (east) of the main Wanoga Sno-Park. The trailhead is on the opposite side of the parking lot from the sledding hill.

Wanoga FAQs

Check out the following, and email us if your question isn't covered here.

What about grooming quality? The grooming is done by two volunteers with full-time jobs, and we groom with a snowmobile -- so trail quality won't be up to the levels of Bachelor or Meissner. Many people ski in those areas for distance and views, then stop at Wanoga to give their dog some exercise and play time. We make multiple passes to help pack snow, but conditions may be soft (especially after heavy snows). The first section tends to drift and thus is often uneven; that's a downhill stretch, so we don't worry too much about it.

Why not track-set for classic? Ran out of money after buying the snowmobile, trailer, and groomer. If you know anyone who wants to donate $800 to buy a tracksetter, send them our way.

Who pays for the grooming? All the grooming and trail maintenance is done on a volunteer basis by local dog guardians -- the Forest Service provided permission (thanks, USFS colleagues!), but it does not provide funding. A DogPAC member donates the use of a snowmobile and groomer. Donations for fuel, the storage shed, and other items are sought.

How can I support this effort? Donate via PayPal or credit card by clicking on the Donate link above, donate via the box on the trail, or send a check to DogPAC at PO Box 2091, Bend, OR  97709.

What about poop? There is a bag of poop bags and a trash can near the start of the trail. Please do your part to keep the trail clean -- pick up your dog's poop and place it in the can. An alternative is to flick it off the trail with your ski. Many dogs poop at the beginning of the trail, so pay particular attention there.

The black bags are biodegradable and easy to carry. Turn the bag inside out, pick up the poop, wrap over, and tie off. You’ll end up with the strap on the outside. You can use this strap to attach the bag to the outside of your butt pack or backpack – in order to bring the bag out and deposit in this trash can as you leave.

Skyliner

Pros: Close to town and very popular. Great place for social dogs. The road is wide and easy to ski. Take the trail from OMSI (Tumalo Creek Trail) if you want more privacy and a more challenging route.

Cons: Low elevation and used by walkers in addition to skiers -- so the snow is not always of great quality for skiing. It improves as you ski in (fewer walkers, and the uphill and westerly direction leads to better snow).

Getting there: Drive west on Galveston until the end of the road. There are a few parking spaces across the bridge, but otherwise park in the OMSI lot.

Edison Sno-park

This sno-park is shared by skiers, snowshoers, and snowmobilers, though motorized and non-motorized trails are mostly separated.

Pros: Close to Sunriver. Some nice stands of old-growth Ponderosa.

Cons: Low elevation and lava terrain (so good snow cover is important).

Getting there: drive west on Century Drive, take a left at the Sunriver Cutoff (Route 45). It's a few miles in on your right.