Mt.Rainier Paradise Cabins

Snow Play!  Area and Guided Snowshoe Walks Available at Paradise in Mount
Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park Acting Superintendent Randy King announces that
a snowplay area and guided snowshoe walks at the Paradise area in the park
will begin December 19.

Snowplay - Sledding and Sliding
The snowplay area is immediately north of the upper parking lot at Paradise.
Sliding and sledding in the park is permitted ONLY in this designated area.
Snowplay runs are supervised daily by Park Rangers from December 19 through
January 3, and on weekends and holidays from January 9 through March 28.
Visitors may use the runs when the area is not staffed, but the runs are not
groomed during the week. For current snowplay status, contact the Longmire
Museum at 360-569-2211 ext. 3314 (9:00 a.m.   4:30 p.m. daily).

Because of the high potential for personal injury and frequency of
accidents, no other areas of the park are  open to sliding activities.
Serious injuries have occurred when people mistakenly slid over waterfalls,
into trees, down slopes that were too steep, broke through thin snow into
stream gorges, or slammed into other people.  Skiing and snowboarding are
permitted in other areas, outside of the snowplay area.

For your enjoyment and safety, these few guidelines apply:
   Use only inner tubes, plastic sleds, saucers, or other soft sliding
      devices. No wooden toboggans, runner sleds with metal edges, or other
      hard devices are permitted.
   Compressed air is available at the rock restroom tunnel across the plaza
      from the new Jackson Visitor Center when snowplay rangers are
      present.
   Be sure the run is clear before starting your slide. Collisions may
      cause serious injury.
   Dress warmly and in layers with a wicking fabric such as wool or
      polypropylene next to the skin and a waterproof outer layer. Wear a
      hat, gloves, and snow-sealed boots. Do not wear lightweight blue
      jeans and t-shirts. They get wet easily and will not keep you warm.
   Rest, re-warm, and snack frequently to help keep you comfortable and
      alert. Take a warm-up break at the Jackson Visitor Center before
      feet, hands, noses, or ears feel numb. Food service is available from
      11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. when the visitor center is open.
   The snowplay area is usually closed by 4:30 p.m. nightly.

Snowshoe Walks!
Join a Park Ranger to learn the art of snowshoeing and discover the ecology
of the Paradise area.  During the holiday break, the guided walks will be
offered daily December 19 through January 3.  From January 9 through March
28 the walks will be conducted on weekends and holidays only. The walks are
offered at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.
Sign up at the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise beginning one
hour before the start time.

Snowshoe walks cover approximately 1.5 miles and last up to 2 hours.
Snowshoes are provided, or visitors may use their own.  A donation of $1-$4
per person is asked to help defray the cost of snowshoe maintenance.
Snowshoeing is a moderately strenuous activity, and participants must be at
least 8 years old.  Remember to wear sturdy boots and dress in layers.