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.  Our Wanoga trail is the first and only groomed ski / snowshoe trail in Oregon that allows dogs. The trail is only a couple miles long, but it's a start.  We're working on options for a permanent and longer trail, as well as better backcountry / tele / AT access.

Check out our slideshow for Powder Hound Preview (PDF, 4 MB).

Check out our homepage for Wanoga grooming updates and NOAA for the Wanoga weather forecast. Scroll down for more info on Wanoga and the other sno-parks.

Snow access near Bend

The Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest is by far the most restrictive district we know when it comes to dog owner access to snow. Dogs are not allowed at Mt. Bachelor Nordic, nor the areas shown in the map below -- including all 17,000 acres of  the accessible non-motorized areas off Century Drive. We're working to change that. You can help by joining DogPAC (click Join the Pack at the left or bottom of this page).

Dogs are not allowed on Tumalo Mountain.  Dogs are allowed in the wilderness in winter, but you need to get a permit and skijor with your dog on high-use snowmobile trails to get there (skiers without dogs use non-motorized trails).  Most skiers interested in wilderness experiences aren't interested in getting permits, harnessing their dogs, and traveling on snowmobile trails.  Click for the official rules.

The situation is even worse when you consider parking. Dutchman Sno-Park is frequently full.  Skiers without dogs can park at Bachelor and use the common corridor.  Skiers with dogs cannot.

Call Chris Sabo (383-4795) if you want to get a permit.  We encourage you to also call his boss (Shane Jeffries, 383-4760), tell him that access for dog owning citizens currently is poor, and you'd like to see good options in the future.

Wanoga Sno-park

Volunteer schedules permitting, we groom every Friday afternoon or Saturday morning (for the weekend) and on other days after new snow.

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 15 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.

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).

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, 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 the link on our homepage, 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: Very popular. Great place for social dogs. The road is wide and easy to ski. This is the area for people who want to walk with their dogs in the snow.  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 snow quality is variable. 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.