War of the Sno-Parks

***UPDATE***

As we were writing this yesterday, Governor Christine Gregoire issued an order suspending the decision to end the agreement. Doing so would have required a change to the Administrative Code. Oregon Sno-Park permits will be accepted in Washington this year. We're still looking into whether Washington permits can be used in Oregon, which made a decision to end the reciprocity agreement pre-emptively in October. According to the Oregon DMV website, they will only accept Sno-Park permits from Idaho and California. Read the update in the Vancouver Columbian.

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A thirty-year reciprocal agreement between Washington and Oregon to honor each other's Sno-Park permits has ended.

As of November 1, Washington State Sno-Park permits are no longer valid in Oregon. Washington is expected to follow suit on Friday, according to the Outdoors Blog at the Spokane Spokesman-Review.

It's all about the money. The reciprocal agreement has not necessarily favored Washington. Oregon Sno-Park permits are significantly less expensive than are Washington Sno-Park permits. With Oregon residents required to purchase the pricier Washington permit, it is possible that Washington will generate more money to pay for its winter recreation program.

With a major winter storm bearing down on the Cascades and Olympics, it is going to be prime time for winter recreation. Sno-Parks provide cleared parking areas for winter recreationists in close proximity to groomed and/or backcountry trails.

The cost of a Washington Sno-Park pass is steep for one-time users, but more affordable for snow enthusiasts who return several times per year. For non-motorized Sno-Parks, the costs are:

• One-day permit; $20 for groomed & ungroomed Sno-Parks
  
• Seasonal permit: $40 for ungroomed Sno-Parks
  
• Groomed trails permit: $40 add-on to the seasonal permit, allowing the user to park at Cabin Creek, Chiwawa, Crystal Springs, Hyak, Lake Easton, Lake Wenatchee, Mount Spokane and Nason Ridge Sno-Parks. Funds from its sale pay for more frequent trail grooming at these Sno-Parks and the maintenance and replacement of snow grooming equipment owned by Washington State Parks.

They can be purchased online or (for $1 extra) at several vendors.

Still want to play in the snow in Oregon, even if it costs you more? There it will cost you only $4 per day, $9 for three days or $25 annually. These fees are also required for downhill areas, giving the state a much broader base of sales.