Get a permit: Sno-Parks are open

The state's Winter Sno-Parks are open for operation. Those planning a trip need to register their snowmobiles and purchase Sno-Park permits and cross-country ski-trail guides.

Permits are available at more than 125 retail dealers statewide; one-day permits may be purchased online at www.parks.wa.gov/winter/. A one-day permit costs $10, seasonal permits are $30 and a special groomed-trails permit is $30.

The groomed-trails permit must be purchased along with a seasonal Sno-park permit for the following Sno-Parks: Cabin Creek, Chiwawa, Crystal Springs, CS Road 54, Hyak, Lake Easton State Park, Lake Wenatchee State Park, Mount Spokane State Park and Nason Ridge. Individuals who purchase a one-day permit are not required to buy the groomed-trails permit.

The snowmobile Sno-park permit including the yearly snowmobile registration fee is $30 a year per sled ($12 a year per vintage sled), plus additional dealer fees. Snowmobile owners may register through county auditors or local state-licensing office.

Nason Ridge Sno-Park near Lake Wenatchee State Park will be closed this season due to winter logging.

Downriver Golf Course Sno-Park in Spokane and Hardtime Sno-Park along the Wind River Highway in southwestern Washington are no longer available.

Several new Sno-Parks have been added: Ape Cave and Government Mineral Springs (South Cascades area), CS Road 54 and Lake Keechelus (I-90 corridor/Mount Snoqualmie area) and Silver Springs (Crystal Mountain area).

For a list of permit dealers e-mail winter@parks.wa.gov or 360-586-6644. For winter-recreation information, including trail-grooming reports go to www.parks.wa.gov/winter.

The Winter Trails Snowshoeing Day is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Mountaineers Snoqualmie Lodge.

Mountaineers Club members will take newcomers and beginners snowshoeing to test various types of snowshoes and to learn winter-travel basics. Beginners' snowshoe class will be held a week after the event.

REI also will be hosting snowshoeing and environmental-education activities for kids throughout the day. Details: 206-284-6310 or www.mountaineers.org.

Husky Winter Sports, a student-run club at UW, is hosting a ski and snowboard school at Snoqualmie Pass for students 18 and older, children and families.

Lesson times are 2:30-5 p.m. Saturdays, and 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sundays. Program dates are Jan. 26-27, Feb. 2-3, Feb. 9-10, Feb. 23-24, March 1-2 and March 8-9. Cost is $99 for six weeks, $29 for single lessons, $49 for single private lessons, $79 for two-person private lessons and $129 for single family lessons. Details: 206-543-8832 or www.huskywintersports.com/signup.php.

Northwest Trek's Kids 'n' Critters Naturefest is 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 19-21. The park will teach kids about where animals live and also have crafts and games. Cost is $15 per adult, and they are allowed to bring up to four children ages 3 to 12 for free. Details: www.nwtrek.org.

The Bellevue/Issaquah Chapter of Trout Unlimited's Chili Feed and Awards Banquet is 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Issaquah Brew House, 35 Sunset Way in Issaquah. Details: 206-200-2840.

The Puget Sound Anglers of Lake Washington annual membership meeting, election of officers, awards ceremony and holiday pot luck is 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at the home of Chuck and Judie Wischman, 4007 W. Mercer Way on Mercer Island. Details: 425-823-0704.

Mark Yuasa can be reached at 206-464-8780; e-mail: myuasa@seattletimes.com; fax: 206-464-3255; address: P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111.