The winter snow brings thousands of people to Mount Hood every year, and
each person has an activity in mind to enjoy the white stuff. But for Mountain
resident Shelley Sperr-Hakanson, one of those ways has a special place in her
heart: cross-country skiing.

“I think it’s because you can go anywhere, and it’s quiet,” Sperr-Hakanson
said. “You really don’t have to be with a lot of folks, or you can be with a lot
of folks.”

Sperr-Hakanson has operated Wy’east Nordic since 1983, offering instruction
on cross-country skiing, telemark skiing and more, and she noted that cross-
country skiing was quite popular in the 1980s but has seen a drop in
participation in recent years. Now she sees up to 80 percent of people on area
trails using snowshoes, although she added that in talking to area retailers,
sales of cross-country ski equipment are on the rise.

“When people get tired of walking, they’ll come back to skiing,” Sperr-
Hakanson said.

Betsy Valian, owner of Valian’s Ski Shop in Government Camp (one of many
ski shops on the Mountain), noted the U.S. Forest Service improved trails
around Government Camp in recent years, including the Crosstown and
Summit Trails that circle the community. She also recommended stopping at
the Oregon Department of Transportation snowpark east of Government
Camp on Highway 26 to access Barlow and Helmock Trails.

“Great season (so far),” Valian said. “Plenty of snow to go.”

Government Camp resident Wendy Evans, who has to use snowshoes or
cross-country skis to access her house, also had a good recommendation for
visitors: skip the weekend outings if possible.

“Do it midweek when it’s not a zoo up there,” she said.

Sperr-Hakanson added that the Mountain offers a wide range of terrain, from
groomed tracks to untouched powder, and offered up some of her favorite
areas to cross-country ski, including below the White River snowpark, Trillium
Lake, Mud Creek Loop (near the Trillium Lake Campground) and Teacup Lake,
a trail system operated by the Teacup Lake Nordic Club. She also noted there
are a variety of organizations for people to join to get a start in cross-country
skiing, including the Mazamas and the Oregon Nordic Club.

“If they can join in a group like that, then you can fall in love with the sport,”
Sperr-Hakanson said.

For updates on conditions of trails around Government Camp, visit
mounthoodinfo.com.

* * *

Cross-country ski options on Mount Hood include (courtesy USFS):
Trillium Lake trails: Six miles groomed trails for traditional cross-country
skiing and snowshoeing. Trails are generally groomed twice a week from
Thanksgiving until April. Ski from your Government Camp lodging onto trails
that connect to Trillium. Dogs allowed on leash. Donation requested.

Teacup Lake (teacupnordic.org): Located one mile north of Mt. Hood Meadows
on Oregon 35. Generally groomed several times per week for both skating and
traditional cross-country skiing. There are 12 kilometers trails of trails, a toilet
and warming hut. $5 donation requested. Dogs and snowshoers prohibited.

Mt Hood Meadows Nordic Center (skihood.com): Generally open on the
weekends and holidays. Enjoy 15 kilometers of groomed skating and set track
through beautiful wooded trails and meadows. Rentals available. Track fees
range from five to ten dollars. Dogs and snow shoers prohibited.

Cooper Spur Nordic Center (cooperspur.com): Offers 6.5 km of cross-country
ski trails groomed for both skating and traditional cross country skiing.

Separate trails for snow shoers. Trail fee varies from 5 to $10.