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Idaho Park Passes and Park N' Ski Pass

The Park N' Ski Pass is required for parking at 11 designated cross-country ski areas in Idaho. When parked at those areas the pass must be visible in the front windshield to avoid receiving a fine. The Park N' Ski Pass is no longer valid for entry to state parks. A State Park Pass must be purchased instead.

Revenue from the sale of the Park N' Ski Pass are spent entirely on trail maintenance, grooming, plowing of parking lots, and providing facilities such as toilets. When purchasing the pass you will be asked to designate a specific Park N' Ski area to which the funds will be directed.

A seasonal Park N' Ski permit costs $25 plus tax and is valid from November to April. A 3-day temporary permit is $7.50 plus tax. Passes can be purchased at several sporting goods retailers throughout the state.

See Idaho State Parks for more information on the Park N' Ski Pass.

Premium Nordic Skiing Pass

At Harriman and Ponderosa state parks there is a grooming charge of $2 per person in addition to the park entry pass. The Premium Nordic Skiing Pass allows a family access to the ski trails at Harriman and Ponderosa state parks from November to April. The pass costs $25 plus taxes (2005).

See Idaho State Parks for more information.

State Park Pass

Entry to state parks requires the purchase of either a day pass ($4/vehicle) or the Idaho State Parks Annual Passport ($25 plus tax). The annaul pass is good for entry to all of Idaho's state parks for one year.

VIP Pass

An alternative to the Park N' Ski Pass is the Visit Idaho Playgrounds (VIP) pass. The VIP pass covers access fees to approximately 100 recreation sites in Idaho, including Park N' Ski areas, state parks, Craters of the Moon National Monument and certain Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management day-use areas.

An anuual VIP pass costs $49 (2005). See Idaho Recreation for information on purchasing the VIP Pass.