SANTIAM PASS — Winter has arrived in Oregon’s mountains.

As such, it’s time for skiers, snowshoers, snowmobilers and sledders to find powdery fun at Santiam Pass’ collection of sno-parks.

A seasonal permit of $25 will give you access to 11 different parks, along with the miles of trails they provide access to.

Each park is different. Some, like McCoy, are havens for snowmobilers. Others, like Maxwell, cater to snowshoers looking for scenery. Santiam is the place for sledding, while Ray Benson can’t be beat for cross-county skiing.

There is, in a nutshell, something for everyone.

Here’s a short breakdown, ranked from lowest to highest elevation, of what each sno-park offers. The best way to navigate sno-parks’ numerous trails is to stop at Detroit Ranger Station and pick up a Santiam Pass winter recreation map. Call ahead to check hours: 503-854-3366.

(Always be prepared for winter conditions when driving in the mountains).

Maxwell Sno-park

In a nutshell: A favorite for snowshoers and cross-country skiers, with 360-degree mountain views, two snow shelters and a wide collection of well-marked trails ranging in difficulty

Elevation: 3,700 feet

Activities: Skiing, snowshoeing

Trails: Seven trails totaling 22.8 miles

Difficulty: Easy to most difficult

Shelters: Mountain View Shelter (on Mountain View Loop) and South Maxwell Shelter (on South Maxwell Loop)

Amenities: Bathrooms

Usage: Medium to heavy

Big Springs Sno-park

In a nutshell: Wooded snowshoe routes that lead all the way to Lava Lake, with snowmobile access to a 40-mile network of trails

Elevation: 3,700 feet

Activities: Skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling

Trails: Five trails of 15.8 miles for skis/snowshoes; 40 miles of snowmobile trail access

Difficulty: Easy to most difficult

Shelters: None

Amenities: Bathrooms

Usage: Light

Potato Hill Sno-park

In a nutshell: Old-growth forest and panoramic views of Three Fingered Jack and Mount Washington near the top of namesake hill, on a popular and fairly easy snowshoeing route

Elevation: 4,200 feet

Activities: Skiing, snowshoeing

Trails: Two trails totaling 6.2 miles

Difficulty: Easy to more difficult

Shelters: None

Amenities: None

Usage: Light

Santiam Sno-park

In a nutshell: Best-known for the “snow play” area, which includes a sledding/tubing hill popular with families. Also provides access to Pacific Crest Trail and the backcountry area around Three Fingered Jack.

Elevation: 4,800 feet

Activities: Skiing, snowshoeing, tubing

Trails: One trail of 1.2 miles that connects to the Pacific Crest Trail into the Mount Jefferson Wilderness. Not marked beyond wilderness boundary.

Difficulty: Easy

Shelters: None

Amenities: Bathrooms

Usage: Heavy, mostly among sledders.

Ray Benson Sno-park

In a nutshell: The largest and best-known sno park on Santiam Pass, with views of the surrounding mountains and a large network of trails. The favorite destination of cross-county skiers.

Elevation: 4,800 feet

Activities: Skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, mushing (sled dogs)

Trails: Eight trails totaling 67.7 miles, with snowshoeing/skiing (six), snowmobiling (three), mushing (one)

Difficulty: Easy to most difficult

Shelters: North Blowout Shelter and South Blowout Shelter

Amenities: Two restrooms, warming hut, orientation maps, staging area with snub posts for sled dogs

Usage: Heavy

Ikenick Sno-park

One of the least-known snowshoe routes on Santiam Pass begins at this park.

Ikenick Sno-Park, just off Highway 126, sits at the fairly low elevation of 3,200 feet. Because of that, it hasn’t gotten much snow since 2011 and consequently hasn’t had many visitors.

That finally changed last year and has continued into this season — the snowiest since 2001.

The Isaac Nickerson Loop is 4.4 miles and climbs 472 feet, passing multiple viewpoints of the Cascade Range and dipping into snowy forest. It’s well-marked and easy to follow.

Other Santiam Pass sno-parks

Corbett Sno-park: Nine ski/snowshoe trails, located east of Santiam Pass and Hoodoo Ski Area in Deschutes National Forest off Highways 22/20; elevation 4,200

Little Nash Sno-park: One trail each for skis and snowmobiles, located 1 mile west of Santiam Junction on Highways 126/20; elevation: 3,800

Lava Lake Sno-Park: Four easy ski/snowshoe trails totaling 4.5 miles, with one snowmobile route of 25 miles, 4 miles west of Santiam Junction on Highway 20; elevation 3,500

Lava Lake Sno-Park: Four ski/snowshoe trails, one for snowmobiles, 4 miles west of Santiam Junction on Highway 20; elevation 3,500

Tombstone Sno-Park: Two ski/snowshoe trails, one musher trail 11 miles west of Santiam Junction on Highway 20; elevation 4,200