Thank you to Bend, Oregon’s Meissner Nordic Community Ski Area for this helpful illustration of proper winter trail etiquette. Like essentially all nordic ski centers, once visitors are out on the trails, it is up to the individual to respect the rules to ensure the best possible experience for the various types of skiers and snowshoers.
Here is quick breakdown of 14 rules Meissner Nordic Community Ski Area uses to keep their 47 km of trails in the best possible condition for everyone to enjoy. Check them out and remember what some consider the golden rule “do not skate ski, snowshoe or walk on the classic tracks.”
Trail Etiquette & Safety Recommendations
Please follow the etiquette guidelines below when skiing on the Meissner trails. The precedence of the guidelines is by their order. For example, an advanced/intermediate skier should always yield the right-of-way to children even if the child is moving up the hill and you are moving down the hill.
- If somebody appears to be injured or in need of help, it is your responsibility to stop and assist. In case of emergency call 911.
- Children and beginning skiers have the right-of-way. Intermediate / advanced skier always yield the classic track to children / beginners.
- Downhill skiers have the right-of-way. When an uphill skier meets a downhill skier, the downhill skier has right-of-way. On steeper sections of trail, the uphill skier should consider stopping and moving to the side of the trail.
- Skiers practicing race techniques or race training (i.e. tempo workouts, interval workouts, etc.), must always yield the right-of-way.
- Ski on the right-hand side of the trail.
- Pass on the left side when overtaking another skier on a downhill or narrow trail, and announce your presence by stating “On your left”.
- Adjust your speed to the conditions.
- Respect the classic tracks and skate lane. Please do not skate ski, snowshoe or walk on the classic tracks. Please do not snowshoe, walk, or run on the skate lane.
- When stopped, move to the side of the trail. Don’t stop at the bottom of a hill where other skiers might have trouble avoiding you.
- When skiing side-by-side, please be aware of others on the trail and consider skiing single file on busy or narrow trails. On wider trails two abreast is fine, but three abreast makes passing difficult.
- Snowshoers – please follow marked snowshoe trails or stay to the far right of the classic tracks (avoid stepping on the set tracks, this includes the skate lane).
- Skiers with Dogs – Per Deschutes National Forest Rules, dogs are not permitted on the trails at Virginia Meissner Sno-Park or anywhere on the north side of Century Drive. There is an area maintained by DogPAC based out of Wanoga Sno-Park for off-leash skate and classic skiing.
- Snowbikes are discouraged from using the groomed trails at Meissner (though we think they’re fun!). Instead, check out COTA’s groomed fat bike trails at Wanoga Sno-Park or consider the groomed snowmobile trails that are accessible at Wanoga and beyond for some epic riding.
- Let freshly groomed snow set before skating on it if possible. The snowcat tills up the snow and it’s best to give the fresh corduroy around 15 minutes to set up to avoid creating ruts. By not following the snowcat around you’ll be helping make the trails better for everyone.