Willamette Chapter of the Oregon Nordic Club

Nordic skiing opportunities with other skiers from the Willamette Valley The trails shown are in backcountry areas and are unmarked and unpatrolled. Map
4.

Safe ski touring is one of the primary concerns of the Willamette Chapter - Oregon Nordic Club. The aim of our trips is to have an enjoyable experience along with other skiers whether we are traveling on easy, marked trails or challenging backcountry routes. Since there is inherent risk in what we do, it is the responsibility of each of us to participate in a thoughtful and intelligent way, matchi

ng the trips we participate in to our skill level, and using each trip as an opportunity to improve our skiing and navigation skills and our ability to assess snow safety conditions. Trip descriptions, maps and trip reports are not intended to provide adequate information for independent travel; and the ONC Willamette chapter does not recommend such use of the information on this site. Navigation in winter conditions can be surprisingly difficult. Thoughtful consideration should be given to the advantages of making trips with experienced group leaders who have local knowledge of terrain and snow conditions. Avalanches occur near Santiam Pass, and it pays to be prepared. For the Santiam region, you will want to visit the Summary Avalanche forecast for the Mt. Hood area, which is the report geographically nearest to Santiam Pass. Always check this resource before your ski tour. If you have any question about the day's snow safety / avalanche conditions, it is wise to await better conditions. The mountains will always be there. We offer the following suggestions for your consideration; and we would welcome additional ideas from Club members regarding safe ski touring practices.

1. Choose tours that match your current skill level. It may be hazardous to yourself (and other tourers) to attempt trips that are too far beyond your abilities. Call the tour leader a day in advance to discuss skills and equipment. The tours are of varying length and difficulty. Skill levels applied to touring are:
A - Easy: A need for basic skills and the traversing of a few miles on largely level terrain. B - Intermediate: Distances extend to 10+ miles, moderate hills are encountered and the accumulated elevation gain for the trip can exceed 1000 feet
C - Advanced: Entering backcountry, C trips add elevation gain, frequent steep terrain and extended time “on the skis”. D - Expert: Backcountry and high terrain skiing. D is best described as professionally challenging with substantial difficult terrain and long distances entailed.

2. Be sure that someone knows where you are skiing and when you expect to return.

3. The Club seeks to sponsor as many tours (and as many types of tours) as possible and we schedule tours in advance so that members can plan ahead. However, we realize that adverse conditions may make a particular tour (or any tour) hazardous on the scheduled date. It is completely within the discretion of the tour leader to change the level of a tour, move a tour to a different location or cancel a tour entirely.

4. Travel to and from ski trips presents hazards which tourers should be aware of and prepared for: check the weather and road conditions before leaving for a tour; be sure your vehicle is prepared for winter driving; always use chains or traction when they are required; slow down--this is the most important step you can take to reduce the risks of winter driving; be aware of the potential for fatigue on the return trip--take a break or change drivers if necessary.

5. During a tour you should constantly assess snow/weather conditions, your own stamina level and that of your companions. Be willing to turn back before reaching your goal, if it might unsafe to continue.

6. Carry the TEN ESSENTIALS and know how to use them.

1. Water & extra food
2. Extra clothing
3. Compass
5. Whistle
6. Flashlight
7. Matches & fire starter
8. Sunglasses & sunscreen
9. First Aid kit
10. Ski repair supplies/tools. Please do not wear cotton on trips. This is out of concern for your safety, as well as the safety of others.

7. If you stop for a meal or some socializing on the drive home, have designated drivers who do not consume alcohol.

8. Keep safety in mind in all aspects of ski touring; you are responsible for your own safety

04/16/2026

April Newsletter

April 2026 - ONC NewsletterDownload Note: PIZZA FEED! It’s time again to get together and share the trips we did get, the ones we missed, and our hopes for next year. Let’s try for Friday May 1, 5:30 at the usual spot. Paddington’s Pizza 410 Pine St. NE, Salem 97301. Please let me know if you can join us so I can order enough pizza. Bob Young - [email protected] or 503-621-6626

April Newsletter April 2026 – ONC NewsletterDownload Note: PIZZA FEED! It’s time again to get together and share the trips we did get, the ones we missed, and our hopes for next year. Let’s try for Frid…

03/06/2026

March Newsletter

2026 March ONC NewsletterDownload

March Newsletter 2026 March ONC NewsletterDownload

02/10/2026

February 2026 Newsletter

February 2026 Newsletter 2026 February ONC NewsletterDownload

February 2026 Newsletter February 2026 Newsletter 2026 February ONC NewsletterDownload

01/30/2026

Ski Outing with Jim – Saturday, January 31, 2026

Good afternoon, Snowpack is thin at Santiam Pass; but the weather will be decent Saturday and Hoodoo's Nordic instructor tells me he expects groomed, skiable snow on their trails. I'm going to give it a try Saturday, January 31, 2026. Phone (503-378-7003) if you would like to join me. Thanks, Jim

Ski Outing with Jim – Saturday, January 31, 2026 Good afternoon, Snowpack is thin at Santiam Pass; but the weather will be decent Saturday and Hoodoo’s Nordic instructor tells me he expects groomed, skiable snow on their trails. I’m …

01/30/2026

ONC Willamette Ski School on Feb. 7th, 2026

Hi everyone, Our annual ONC Willamette Chapter Ski School is coming up on Saturday, February 7th, 2026, and we’d love your help getting the word out. Please share the event flier with friends, family, coworkers, and anyone who might enjoy learning to cross‑country ski. Flier link: This year’s Ski School runs from 8:30am–3pm at Hoodoo Ski Area, with optional carpooling from the Airport Road Park & Ride in Salem (6:30am–5pm)....

01/22/2026

Ski School Date: Saturday, Feb 7th 2026

Good morning, skiers: The Willamette Chapter Ski School at Hoodoo has been postponed until Saturday, Feb. 7; hopefully by then we will have better snow. A detailed announcement about Ski School will be sent soon. Snow is a bit thin at present, but some areas are still skiable. If you wish to ski this Saturday or Sunday (Jan. 24 or 25), contact Jim Todd (503-378-7003) for an A Tour or Bob Young (503-621-6626) for a B Tour. Don't miss out on this clear weather. Thanks, Jim Jim Todd, Day Tour ChairWillamette Chapter - Oregon Nordic Club

12/05/2025

Renew Your Membership

It’s time again to renew your membership for the 2025-2026 season. For only $20 you receive access to all the inside club news, alerts, Ski School, upcoming tours and the satisfaction of supporting our efforts to promote and improve cross-country skiing for everyone. You cancomplete the electronic renewal form at Join us for a great season on the snow! For payment options, you can submit payment using PayPal, Zelle, or mailed check.

12/05/2025

December 2025 Newsletter

December 2025 Newsletter (PDF) ONC Newsletter December 2025Download

December 2025 Newsletter December 2025 Newsletter (PDF) ONC Newsletter December 2025Download

11/21/2025

Volunteer Opportunity: Lava Lake Sno-Park New Signs

Hay skiers, Lava Lake sno-park is getting new signs like those at Maxwell and Big Springs and now that the forest service is back in action it's time to install them before winter sets in and we can start skiing. A Salamander crew just finished clearing all the trails there and has re-established the Pumice Loop that was totally overgrown. …...

10/30/2025

Our club's volunteers and the Salamander crew from Cascade Volunteers did a great job last week stocking firewood in the Maxwell SnoPark shelters. With generous assistance from Randy Stroud at the Big Lake Youth Camp they split a wood mountain and hauled enough to nearly fill the huge woodshed at Mtn. View shelter. Yesterday's storm forced the cancellation of FS volunteer work, but we are going back to finish wood stocking on Saturday, Nov....

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities Our club’s volunteers and the Salamander crew from Cascade Volunteers did a great job last week stocking firewood in the Maxwell SnoPark shelters. With generous assistance from Randy Stroud …

09/23/2025

We are planning to work on a small reroute of the Nash/Potato trail next Thursday, Friday or Saturday (9/25, 26 or 27). We will place new diamonds, remove diamonds from the old route, set a couple signposts and do some trail clearing and brushing. If you would like to help, please reply and tell us which dates you are available to Jim Todd .

Volunteer Opportunity We are planning to work on a small reroute of the Nash/Potato trail next Thursday, Friday or Saturday (9/25, 26 or 27). We will place new diamonds, remove diamonds from the old route, set a couple…

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Salem, OR
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