Best Winter Activities in Washington
Stevens Pass - Lake Wenatchee - Leavenworth
If the forecast of snow in the high country has you wanting to strap on your snowshoes or skis, you are not alone. Washington State’s Sno-Parks are seeing a record number of visitors with lots filling up as early as 9am. Sno-Parks on the I-90 corridor in Kittitas County are seeing particularly high levels of visitation, with visitors parking illegally, causing hazards and risking tickets. Instead of heading over I-90, try hitting Stevens Pass. In addition to the Sno-Park trails around Lake Wenatchee, there are four more non-motorized winter recreation systems between Stevens Pass and Leavenworth, offering ski, snowshoe, and even fat bike opportunities for all types of users.
Groomed Trails at Steven’s Pass. Photo credit: Michael Power
Coming from Seattle, the first stop is the Stevens Pass Nordic Center, which is located just 5 miles east of Stevens Pass on Highway 2. The Nordic center offers over 22 miles of trails, including groomed ski trails as well as marked snowshoe trails. If you don’t have your own equipment, the Nordic Center rents both skis and snowshoes. Full day Nordic passes can be purchased online and cost $25 for adults, $15 for children and seniors.
Photo from Mountain Springs Lodge.
As you descend down the pass, there are two great Nordic systems. Lake Wenatchee State Park has almost 28 miles of groomed Nordic trails and snowshoe trails at both the north and south parking lots, and there is also a connected trail system with over 20 miles of trails that runs through the Kahler Glen Golf course. In addition to snowshoeing and Nordic skiing, Lake Wenatchee also has a snow play area where you can sled. If you would rather meander through farmlands, turn down Beaver Valley Rd and head to the Ski Plain trail system that has over 15 miles of classic and skate groomed Nordic trails that are groomed daily, plus several snowshoe routes. You can buy or rent equipment and get a coffee or supplies at the Plain Hardware store. If you are looking for a place to spend the night that allows skiing or snowshoeing right out the door, check out Mountain Springs Lodge, on the Ski Plain trail system, that offers luxury suites, a six bedroom lodge, and a cabin a mile from the main lodge. They also offer sleigh rides, dining at Beaver Creek Grill (open with outdoor seating and take out), and snowmobile rentals and tours, with trails across their property connecting to the state park system. Other great lodging options are the condos at Kahler Glenn Resort, which provide you direct access to the trails across their golf course that connect to the state park. A day pass for the Plain Valley ski trails costs $20 or $14 for snowshoeing and children under 18 are free. Lake Wenatchee State Park requires a Sno-Park permit, which is $20/day.
Make sure you are ready for the ski trails, with the right gear, whether it is the perfect ski pants, jackets, goggles, or other ski equipment.
Photo from Osprey Ski and Snowboard Shop
Not to be outdone by the opportunities up valley, the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club manages three venues that offer winter recreation options to suit just about everyone, all within a few miles of downtown Leavenworth. The Leavenworth Ski Hill offers nearly 5 miles of Nordic trails and an additional 7 miles of single-track snowshoe/fat bike trails. Fat bikes are also permitted on the Nordic trails from 6pm-10pm at night, with more than half of the available trails lit for night time enjoyment. The Ski Hill also has a tubing park and downhill skiing and snowboarding area that boasts two rope tows, a moving carpet, and 3- and 12-meter ski jumps. Across town there are two more trail systems: the Icicle River Trail and Golf Course trail systems, both of which maintain about 6.5 miles of ski and snowshoe trails. Day tickets for Nordic Skiing are $22 for adults, with discounts for afternoon tickets, youth, and those over 70, and are good at all three venues on the same day. Snowshoeing and fat biking tickets are both $12/day for all ages.
Photo from Osprey Ski and Snowboard Shop
Need equipment? Several places in Leavenworth rent skis and snowshoes including Arlberg Sports and the Osprey Ski and Snowboard Shop. If fat tire biking is more your speed, you can rent bikes at Downtown Bike in Cashmere.
