There's not quite enough snow at Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park to open the snow play area there, according to park officials/NPS file photo

While the Pacific Northwest has seen a nice, snowpack-building series of winter storms of late, not enough snow has fallen to open the "snow play" area at Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state, according to park officials. 

A park release noted that snow depths in the area around Paradise vary from 3-6 feet, and too many trees are still protruding to safely open the snow play area.

"A minimum of 5 feet of snow is needed throughout the area to cover vegetation and rocks, and provide enough snow to create containment berms," the release pointed out. "The snow play area allows visitors to enjoy groomed snow runs, using 'soft' sliding devices, such as plastic, flexible sleds, inner tubes, and plastic saucers. Hard toboggans and sleds with runners are not permitted because of the increased potential for injuries."

Winter backcountry camping is available elsewhere in the park when the snow depth reaches 2 feet. Camping on the snow at Paradise requires 5 feet of snow depth. And park officials say a snow depth of 8 feet is recommended before you build a snow cave.

Permits are required for backcountry camping expeditions, and can be obtained by calling 360-569-6575 between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Overnight car camping is not allowed.

Ranger-guided snowshoe hikes at Paradise are scheduled to begin December 23 and run through March 27. The walks are offered when the Jackson Visitor Center is open on weekends and during holiday periods. The walks last about two hours, heading out at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. They are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with signups taken beginning an hour before each scheduled walk.