Dogs on snow

"Skis were created to make earth a little more like heaven." Fortunately, we now have a dog-friendly groomed ski trail at Wanoga. This is a temporary location, and 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.

Wanoga Sno-park

There is dog-friendly snowshoeing and ungroomed skiing at Skyliner and Edison (see info below). But now we have a dog-friendly trail at Wanoga that we groom for skiing and snowshoeing. The plan is to groom every Friday (for the weekend) and as time allows on other days after new snow. Email us if you'd like to receive email grooming updates.

Most recent grooming: Back in the spring...

Next planned grooming: As soon as we get a couple feet of snow -- mid-November if we're lucky.

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, though in a few places we have markers on both the left and right because of obstacles (go between the markers in those places).

It's groomed for skate skiing, but classic skiers and snowshoers are welcome. The elevation is approximately 5,400 feet, so we like snow levels at 4,000 ft or lower.

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; in 2008-09, we'll be using the "Nordeen entrance" rather than the original entrance from 2007-08.

Wanoga FAQs

This is a new trail, and many questions have arisen. 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 when grooming, but the snowmobile and its weight tends to be in the middle of the trail -- so that will be firmer than the edges. Be prepared for soft conditions and be aware that dogs may posthole in places.

Why not track-set for classic? Lack of funds. If anyone wants to donate $800 to buy a tracksetter, we'll gladly set classic tracks.

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, but donations for fuel and other items are sought.

How can I support this effort? To donate, click the Visa/Mastercard link at the top of this page (to be updated for 2008-09 season).

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, but taking it to the trash can is best. 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.