FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Terry Brady
Deputy Press Secretary
(717) 772-9101

HARRISBURG (Dec. 17) -- With snow blanketing parts of Pennsylvania, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary John C. Oliver today reminded winter outdoors enthusiasts that Pennsylvania's state parks and forests are the perfect place for cold-weather fun.

DCNR activated its toll-free snowmobile hotline today and is continuing to update its winter activity website each week. Snowmobile trails in state parks and state forests are now open, conditions permitting, and some cross-country ski trails have sufficient snow cover for the sport. Winter ATV trails also have opened.

"To the delight of cold-weather outdoors enthusiasts, winter came early to Pennsylvania, and when snow flies and temperatures plummet, a whole new world of outdoor recreation opens in the state's scenic parks and forests," Secretary Oliver said. "It's time to head to our state parks and forests for cross-country and downhill skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating, and sledding."

Snow conditions are reported and updated regularly on DCNR's toll-free snowmobile hotline: 1-877-SNOMBLE (1-877-766-6253). Recorded messages, providing reports on snow depths and trail conditions across the state, are updated at about noon each Tuesday and Thursday. They also will be offered on a non-toll-free number: (717) 787-5651.

Regularly updated ice conditions, snow depths and other winter-activity details also can be found through the PA PowerPort at www.state.pa.us, PA Keyword: "Winter Recreation."

Pennsylvania's state forests have more than 2,500 miles of marked snowmobile trails. An additional 336 miles are available in state parks.

All snowmobiles in Pennsylvania must be registered with DCNR's Snowmobile/ATV Unit.
Snowmobilers also are required to carry liability insurance. For more information on registration, call (717) 783-9227.

Secretary Oliver also noted that there are 330 miles of marked cross-country ski trails on the 2.1 million acres of state forests in the state. Also available are nearly 400 miles of groomed and ungroomed cross-country ski trails in 73 of the Pennsylvania's 116 state parks.

Downhill skiing is offered at Blue Knob State Park in Bedford
County; Denton Hill State Park in Potter County; Camelback (Big Pocono State Park) in Monroe County; and Laurel Mountain in Westmoreland County.

Most state parks with bodies of water are open, weather permitting, for ice-skating, ice fishing and ice boating. Sledding and tobogganing also are available at many parks.
"Some of our state parks and forests also take advantage of winter weather by coordinating winter festivals with games, dog-sled races, sleigh rides and fun competitions for the whole family," Secretary Oliver said.

Several parks still have winter cabin rentals available. Cabin reservations can be made by calling the toll-free information and reservation phone number for the Commonwealth's 116 state parks, 1-888-PA-PARKS (1-888-727-2757), which is answered by operators Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information about ice and snow conditions, or winter festivals at state parks and forests, call the nearest state park or state forest district office, or visit the PA PowerPort at http://www.state.pa.us/, PA Keyword: "winter recreation."
2002

Gretchen Leslie
Press Secretary
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
717.772.9101
717.772-9106 fax
gleslie@state.pa.us
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/