Highlands SnoPark

Highlands SnoPark features over 30k of groomed Nordic ski trails as well as nearby snowshoe trails for excellent winter recreation opportunities in the Columbia Highlands. SnoPark passes are required from December 1 through March 31 each year, and the Highlands Nordic Club and Colville National Forest provide trail grooming as snow conditions allow. (Note that some of the older signs in the area still indicate this is the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, but the Tonasket Ranger District was transferred to the Colville National Forest in October 2020.)

The first small parking area, the Corral, provides access to some of the easiest Nordic skiing terrain available within the trail system. Beginners may want to consider staying on the lower portion of the trail system, although the trails in this area are on an easement through private land, so visitors will need to stay on the groomed trails.

The best access to the dog trails, snowshoe trails, and main Nordic trails is from the Upper parking area. This lot also has a CXT toilet available. Visitors are asked to sign in on the trailhead kiosk (to collect accurate visitor numbers) before going out on trail.

Dogs are allowed on the east portion of the trail system, including the Antoine Loop, Hello Kitty, Shortcut, Aava's Draw, Ranger's Loop, Ranger's Run, Goshawk, Bobcat, and Ada's Ford. Please pick up after pets.

Dogs are not allowed on the west portion of the trail system. Trails on this side of the system include Whitetail, Windsong, *Telemark, *Stinger, *Chutes and Ladders, Pomme de Pin, Twista Vista, Lichen Alley, Sunshine Loop, Sunshine, Hej Bue, *Woodland Weave, and Straight Edge Loop (* = ungroomed trails). The Highlands Nordic Club has provided a small warming hut with access to a porta-potty a little under a mile from the parking lot on Whitetail.

Snowshoe trails are available in the woods between the east and west sides of the Nordic trails, marked by blue diamond markers placed in the trees. Snowshoers (and walkers) are asked to remain off the groomed Nordic trails.

The trail system has several beginner-friendly trails, and also boasts some challenging groomed runs with plenty of elevation gain and long descents. Once the snow melts, a portion of the Pacific Northwest Trail passes through this location, connecting from Mount Bonaparte on the east side to Hull Mountain to the west. The Nordic trails are located on Forest Service Roads, so this area is best for winter recreation.