It's snowing hard on a peaceful winter morning at Ponderosa State Park. Giant snowflakes fall in slow motion, like thousands of white feathers descending in unison, erasing all evidence of ski and animal tracks from the previous day. Stately ponderosa pine trees tower 150 feet above the ski trail all the way from the park entrance to Osprey Point Overlook on the extreme north end of the peninsula, a distance of about three miles one-way. It's one of those lovely winter moments when your senses become overwhelmed with quietude and beauty. It's always nice to enjoy the scenery and solitude in Ponderosa Park.
Race day can wait.
Located two miles northeast of downtown McCall, Ponderosa State Park takes on a decidedly different mood in the winter. The number of park visitors drops precipitously, compared to the heavily booked summer camping season, allowing Nordic skiers to enjoy a more solitary experience, especially during the week. If you already have a Park n' Ski sticker, there is no charge. The trails are in the woods, and you have the added benefit of being able to look out at Payette Lake. It's a circular white wall tent whose shape and design are borrowed from Mongolia.