It won’t be long before we’re strapping on Nordic skis or snowshoes and heading for the mountains. Just gotta have snow.

I got an email from the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation announcing that the state’s Park N’ Ski permit is available online in advance. It’s a good idea. That way you don’t have to go hunting around to purchase one on the way to the ski area.

The permit is needed to park at the state’s 15 Park N’ Ski trailheads from Priest Lake to Pocatello.

State Parks and Recreation has more than 180 miles of groomed and ungroomed trails, which are located in some of the most scenic areas of Idaho.

Revenues from the sale of permits go toward plowing parking lots and improving Nordic ski and snowshoe trails. Also, when buying a permit, skiers and snowshoers can designate which trail system they would like to receive their fee.

I was surprised to learn of all the different trailheads. I usually explore Park N’ Sk trails off Highway 21, northeast of Idaho City, which includes Beaver Creek Summit, Banner Ridge, Gold Fork and Whoop-Em-Up.

There are a lot of places to do a little skiing if you’re visiting grandma in Pocatello, heading up to visit the kids at the U of I in Moscow or driving to Yellowstone. You might plan a long weekend to explore other locations:

Northern Idaho — Hanna Flats, north of Priest River; Priest Lake Golf Course, north of Priest River on the west side of the lake; Priest Lake State Park’s Park N Ski Unit on the east side of the lake; Chipmunk Rapids, north of Priest River; 4th of July Pass, east of Coeur d’Alene.

North-Central Idaho — Palouse Divide north of Moscow; Fish Creek Meadows near Grangeville.

Eastern Idaho — Brimstone/Buffalo River, north of Ashton; Bear Gulch/Mesa Falls, east of Ashton; Fall River Ridge, east of Ashton; Mink Creek, south of Pocatello.

Permits cost $25 for a full season. For more information, check out parksandrecreation.idaho.gov and click on permits. You can also purchase permits by calling the state parks registration line at 888-922-6743.

Get a jump on the Nordic ski and snowshoe season.