The Diamond Lake Nordic Center, 4 miles north of the park on Ore. 138 (tel. 800/733-7593), offers Crater Lake ski tours that include a snowcat ride to the North Rim Ski Trail. Cost is $35 per person, with a minimum of 10 participants. They also rent cross-country skis. Maps of ski areas are available at the Steel Information Center at park headquarters.
Without a doubt, the rim of Crater Lake National Park offers some of the best cross-country skiing in the country. Not only are there numerous views of sapphire-blue Crater Lake 1,000 feet below you, but the views to the west and south take in Mount McLoughlin, Mount Shasta, and countless ridges and seemingly endless forest vistas as well.
The ultimate ski tour is the 30- to 33-mile circuit of the lake. Although this route has been done in a single day by racers, most skiers take 3 days and enjoy the views along the way. Because the weather is better and there's still plenty of snow, March and April are the most popular months. The route is very straightforward, although you may have to do some route finding on the northeast side of the lake.
The West Rim Trail, which follows Rim Drive, is the most popular day skiing area. By mid-October the road is unplowed and the snow cover turns it into an excellent trail that requires a little climbing. It's best done in good weather and good snow conditions. Consult a park ranger for snow conditions before heading out.
The East Rim Trail is not nearly as popular as the West Rim Trail for the simple reason that it is between 4.25 and 5.4 miles to the first view of the lake (depending on where you start). This trail also has a lot more ups and downs. So, why would you want to start on this section at all? To stay out of the wind, that's why. If, after driving all the way up here there's a gale-force wind blowing up the west slopes, you really don't have much choice. Never set out, though, without checking with the rangers at park headquarters to find out about avalanche conditions and other dangers.
