Paradise Riders: Be Prepared!

(1) holiday season lots of families unused to snow going to Paradise.
(2) This morning I arrived at the Longmire Gate ½ hour after it opened and still had to wait in line about 10 minutes because the LEO was checking every AWD and 4WD to determine if their tires had "M+S" on the sidewall, if not turn aroiund and put chains on. Note that the signs almost always say "Chains require ... except on AWD with traction tires." With all these flatlanders coming up with their kids it appears the LEOs are being judiciiously cautious and checking for traction (M+S) tires.
(3) Leaving the mountain today, I was behind people with chains who appeared to be scared to death by the packed snow and ice and poor visibility. Not so the Casino enthusianst in a Toyota Tundra with his family behind me who decided to pass 3 SUVs on a blind curve becuase the lead car was going so slow. Be aware, be prepared to be patient, and to deal with those who can not be patient.
(4) I found 5 inches of very nice powder on Mazama but it was lying on hard ice crust with no bonding whatsoever. Winds were blowing pretty good above treeline and by the time I left I experience a grauple storm and heavy snow blowing sideways.

I stayed to low angle slopes. YMMV

I can't wait till they add a sledding park and dedicated wi-fi!

I can't wait till they add a sledding park and dedicated wi-fi!

The sledding park is open.

Yesterday was the first day of operation for the snowplay / sliding area (no hard-runner sleds or toboggans, for safety).  I must say the design is much improved over last year's, which had runs so long they interfered with the trail to Edith Basin and frightened away some of the customers who'd waited over a half-hour in line.  I had a nice chat with a couple staff, who seemed open to establishing gates near the access ramp with roped lanes to try to help separate the through-traffic from the snowplayers. 

Are they checking for chains in AWD cars?
Not intending to distract from this topic, but I've read about that issue in other threads on this site and I'm curious what the current requirements are. (We have AWD plus winter snow tires and are wondering if we need to get chains.)
Thanks for any info on this!

Are they checking for chains in AWD cars?
Not intending to distract from this topic, but I've read about that issue in other threads on this site and I'm curious what the current requirements are. (We have AWD plus winter snow tires and are wondering if we need to get chains.)
Thanks for any info on this!

I've never been asked to put them on my Suby Crosstrek, but they have checked to see if I have them...made me open the tailgate and show them. You have to carry chains in the winter every time you head up to Paradise.  They can turn you around if they want, regardless of 4wd/Awd.

I do not have mud and snow tires.  I was planning on going on Monday.  The thought of chaining up when never having to ever before has me thinking about heading to Hood instead.  I have a very low tolerance for such things.