C.O. sno-parks gain activities — and yurts

For years, the sno-parks along Century Drive have been hot spots for Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and sledding. Now throw in food, drink, a warm yurt, bathrooms — and they’ve become mini-resorts.

Food carts have popped up in recent years, Dad’s Big Kids Concessions opened at Wanoga four years ago, and Skinni Ski’s Caf opened last year at Viginia Meissner. They offer sandwiches, hot drinks, sledding tubes and sno-park passes.

The owner of Skinni Skis says they donate 20 percent of whatever they make to the Nordic club responsible for grooming the trails there.

Skiers say the hut adds to the community feel of the sno-parks.

“It’s just great to see everyone gathering right by that little trailer,” frequent sno-park user Maria Madden said Thursday. “They can walk into the yurt, the yurt is open at all times, and sit down and meet a new friend. It’s really a lot of fun.”

The yurts are approved by the Forest Service.

The No. 1 question at Skinny Ski’s Cafe? Directions to the restroom.