National forest roads closing to wheels, opening to winter activities

WINTER SPORTS — National forests are beginning to close some designated mountain roads to wheeled traffic to prepare for grooming snowmobile routes as well as some nordic skiing trails.

Echo Ridge Ski Area will open this weekend on Forest Service routes above Lake Chelan with more grooming planned for next week.

Snowmobile trails are opening but grooming operations have not begun, the Chelan Ranger District reports.

Check grooming status for other regions before going out.  Idaho Panhandle National Forests say crews and volunteers are still working to removed Nov. 17 windstorm debris from snowmobile routes.