Winter Sports
Winter Shelters
The Willamette National Forest has several winter shelters maintained by dedicated volunteers for use by winter sports enthusiasts. Some of the shelters permit overnight stays; some are warming shelters only. There are also three winter cabin rentals available by advance reservation.
Shelter Regulations:
- Shelters cannot be reserved and exclusive use by individuals and groups is prohibited.
- Overnight stays are permitted from November 15 to April 30.
- Maximum stay limit is 3 nights.
- Shelters must be shared with whomever would like to use the shelter.
- All shelters are backcountry sites - all garbage and human waste (if there is no restroom facility) along with extra food and supplies should be packed out. Follow Leave No Trace principles as you enjoy your winter outing.
- Firewood (if provided) is to be used in woodstoves only.
Santiam Pass Area Shelters
Winter shelters are only open for day use in the 2021-2022 winter season. Winter cabin rentals that can be reserved in advance are available for overnight use.
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Mountain View Shelter |
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Located in the McCoy Snowmobile Area, the shelter is open for day use and overnight stays. Overnight maximum capacity is 15 persons. Please report any misuse, vandalism or suggestions to the Detroit Ranger District. |
Shelters on the Deschutes National Forest |
Willamette Pass Area Shelters
Winter shelters are only open for day use in the 2021-2022 winter season. Winter cabin rentals that can be reserved in advance are available for overnight use.
View a list of shelter locations by UTM, Lat/Long and elevation
- South Waldo Shelter
- Gold Lake Shelter
- Gold Lake Sno Park Warming Hut/ Backcountry Patrol Cabin
- Westview Shelter
- Fuji Shelter
- Bechtel Shelter
- Maiden Peak Shelter
All shelters in the Willamette Pass area are three sided except for the Gold Lake Sno-park Warming Hut/Backcountry Patrol Cabin and the Maiden Peak Cabin, which are fully enclosed. The Willamette Backcountry Ski Patrol staffs the Gold Lake Sno-park Warming Hut/Backcountry Patrol Cabin and maintains the shelters near the Gold Lake Sno-Park. Chris and Kathy Jensen and volunteers maintain the Maiden Peak Cabin.
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Accessed from Gold Lake Sno-Park, the South Waldo Shelter is open for day use and overnight stays. It has a wood stove, sleeping bench, and gravel floor. Overnight maximum capacity is four persons. |
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Accessed from Gold Lake Sno-park, this shelter, located at the outlet of Gold Lake, has been a popular ski destination since the 1960s. The shelter is open for day use and overnight stays. It has a wood stove, picnic table, sleeping bench and gravel floor. Overnight maximum capacity is four persons. |
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Gold Lake Sno Park Warming Hut/ Backcountry Patrol Cabin |
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Westview shelter is an easy one-mile ski from the Gold Lake Sno-park and provides access to the Westview Snow Trail System. The shelter is open for day use and overnight stays. It has a sleeping loft, a wood stove, wood picnic table and gravel floor. Overnight maximum capacity is four persons. |
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Accessed from Salt Creek Falls Sno-park and Waldo Lake Sno-park, the Fuji Shelter sits at approximately 5600 feet and has an inspiring view of Diamond Peak and Salt Creek Canyon. Its location off Fuji Creek Road 5894 (across from Salt Creek Falls access road) provides access to numerous cross-country ski trails including Birthday Lakes, Pothole Meadows, Fuji Mountain and Island Lakes. It has a sleeping loft, a wood stove, wood picnic table and gravel floor. Overnight maximum capacity: 4 people. |
Accessed from Gold Lake Sno-park, it is an approximately 2.3 mile easy road ski from the Gold Lake Sno-Park. The shelter is open for day use and overnight stays. It has a sleeping loft, a wood stove, wood picnic table and gravel floor. Overnight maximum capacity is four persons.
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Maiden Peak Shelter |
Willamette Pass Area Shelter Locations:
Please note the UTMs use NAD 27
Shelter |
UTM |
Lat/Long |
Elevation |
---|---|---|---|
GOLD LAKE SNOPARK |
0577150 - 4828147 |
43.60425N |
5000 ft |
GOLD LAKE SHELTER |
0576755 - 4831014 |
43.63010N |
4840 ft |
WESTVIEW SHELTER |
0576551- 4827306 |
43.59673N |
5090 ft |
BECHTEL SHELTER |
0575064 - 4826823 |
43.59254N |
5190 ft |
FUJI SHELTER |
0573353 - 4830839 |
43.62886N |
5570 ft |
MAIDEN PEAK CABIN |
0580480 - 4831291 |
43.63220N |
6000 ft |