Winter Trail Etiquette:
Be Respectful of Other

Winter transforms our trails into multi-use spaces where hikers, snowshoers, cross-country skiers, and fatbikers come together to enjoy the outdoors. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, it’s essential to respect each other’s chosen activities and follow some simple guidelines.

Here are a few etiquette tips inspired by the Leave No Trace philosophy to help maintain harmony on winter trails:

1.  If the snow is well-packed or less than 8 inches, hikers can walk anywhere on ungroomed trails.
2. If the snow is unpacked or deeper than 8 inches, hikers should wear snowshoes or stay outside of the single track created by snowshoers and skiers.
3. If you are postholing (your boot prints sink deep into the snow creating big holes) you should wear snowshoes.
   
   If you do not own snowshoes or cannot rent them, consider waiting to hike until the trail is packed OR please stay to the side of the single track created by snowshoers and skiers.
   
   Postholes can be dangerous to all trail users when they freeze. Traveling on a trail that has big ruts and postholes is inefficient and dangerous for ankles.
4. DO NOT hike or snowshoe on groomed ski surfaces, unless it is allowed, then stay to the far edge of the trail.
5. On multi-use trails, try not to hike or snowshoe on ski tracks, stay to the edges of the trails where possible.
6. Be nice and respectful with each other on the trail. In the winter we see multiple modes of travel, some that are faster than hikers like fat tire bikes and cross-country skiers.
7. The right of way is as follows: Bikers yield to hikers, hikers yield to skiers, all yield to horses. Uphill travelers have the right of way.