If you start to feel “closed in” this winter in Western Washington, remember you’ve got options across the mountains. And one of the best ways to beat the constant drip, drip, drip, and escape the quad burning “Cascade Concrete” snow is to head east.
Just a few hours in the car driving east across the Cascades lay three unique and pristine winter destination areas: the Methow Valley, Wenatchee and Leavenworth. Each place has its own saving grace for us Westsiders; be it light snow, friendly smiles, no lift lines or just lots of peace and quiet.
There is much to discover east of the mountains and there’s no better time than this winter to go and explore.
Methow Valley (4 hours from Seattle)
Welcome to the Methow Valley, a winter paradise that gives you enough breathing room and choices to feel like you are directing your own adventure. You can find people or peace; it’s your choice.
With nearly 200 kilometers of machine-groomed, unrepeated trails surrounded by more than a million acres of national wilderness and forestlands, the Methow Valley today comprises one of the largest Nordic centers in North America.
Novice or expert, you'll find skiing here to match your interests and abilities. Behind it all are the coolest people who found paradise a while back and, when trying to figure out how to make a living in the valley, formed the Methow Valley Sport Trails Association (MVSTA).
This group is dedicated to developing and promoting environmentally sound non-motorized recreation year-around on and near the trails of the Methow and they sponsor ski races, clinics, and fun events for the whole family.
Visit the Methow Valley when the MVSTA has one of its “uniquely Methow” events such as the Ski Rodeo, Doggie Dash, a six-legged ski race or the Ski to Eat race. Visit the valley’s website at www.mvsta.com/events and mark your calendar. Hitting the Methow during an event pretty much insures that you’ll get a chance to mingle with the locals and feel some of that one-of-a-kind Methow “love.”
Interested in a new way to explore the Methow Valley? On Saturdays, three-day weekends and holidays this winter you can join a local naturalist and learn about wildlife, animal tracks, winter ecology, beaver ponds and more. Each tour is different. All of them are free; you just need an MVSTA ski or snowshoe trail pass, available at many businesses in the area.
Ski Tours Guided trips are on the Methow Community Trail near Mazama or the Beaver Pond Trail near Sun Mountain Lodge. Both are very easy routes. Tours begin at 11 a.m. In Mazama, meet at Jack's Hut Activity Center at the Wilson Ranch. Over at Sun Mountain, meet at the Chickadee Trailhead warming hut.
Snowshoe Tours
Guided snowshoe trips are on groomed snowshoe trails along the Methow River in Mazama. Both are easy routes and tours begin at 11 a.m. In Mazama, meet at the Snowshoe Yurt next to the Burnt Finger Barbecue. Snowshoes are provided free of charge. Children's sizes are also available. Each ski and snowshoe tour is limited to a maximum of 10 people. Sorry, but everyone needs to be eight years old or older. For more information call (509) 996-4036.
Loup Loup (3-1/2 hours from Seattle)
Not so fast now. While you are romping around the Methow Valley, be sure to spend at least a day at Loup Loup Ski Center, just 30 minutes from the valley located between Twisp and Omak.
At Loup Loup you can ski, board, telemark, cross-country or tube in an idyllic small mountain setting. But don’t be fooled by Loup Loup’s friendly smiles and contagious warm hospitality.
The area has an impressive 1,240 vertical feet and 10 major runs that keep beginners and experts grinning from ear-to-ear. For more information about this secret winter gem visit www.skitheloup.com.
Wenatchee (2-1/2 to 3 hours from Seattle)
The Rodney Dangerfield of winter areas — Wenatchee just can’t get no respect. This may be due to some common misperceptions: 1) There’s nothing to do there but eat apples, 2) It’s far away, or 3) It costs the same in Wenatchee.
Luckily the reality is very different.
Wenatchee is the gateway to the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains, which means dry snow; often clear skies, and lots of great outdoor fun. With a 30 percent Latino population, the town offers up some culturally different experiences. And it’s close to Seattle — about three hours (which is about the same amount of time that it takes to get to Tacoma from Seattle on Friday afternoon!).
And finally, a dollar is not treated equally in many places around the state. In Wenatchee your dollar goes further. So you can actually afford to slow down.
Okay, here’s the primer. The main attraction is Mission Ridge Ski Area with its high desert making for great ski conditions and lighter powder than the west Cascade areas. It also boasts 2,200 vertical feet on 200 acres of terrain including 35 designated runs plus bowls, chutes, glades and other hidden spots. At 4,750 feet it offers the highest base elevation in the state, and it’s got sun 300 days a year!
How do you like them apples?
What it doesn’t have is high-speed quad chairlifts — or the crowds for that matter. (Although now with a new owner, high-speed quads may be making an appearance in the next few years.)
Mission Ridge has been diligently working on getting some respect. They stole the WWSRA (Western Winter Sports Reps Association) gathering from Bend, Ore. Next February and beat out Stevens and Schweitzer for it. Why?
“Great snow, great terrain, sun — we’ve got it all,” according to the communications folks at Mission Ridge.
The Wenatchee National Forest
For more advanced snowshoers and cross-country or backcountry skiers, the Wenatchee National Forest has over 100 miles of maintained, signed ski trails. The mapped ski routes consist of a combination of logging roads and trails designated by blue diamond signing.
Trail signs indicating level of difficulty are for normal conditions. Remember that changes in snow and weather will affect the difficulty rating of trails. For current information about individual cross-country ski trails or locations to snowshoe, contact the Wenatchee National Forest Ranger District office www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee, (509) 662-4335.
Snowmobiling
Snowmobilers are out there, too. In fact, snowmobilers pride themselves on being so friendly there that you can just call up the Snowmobiling Club in advance — and they’ll work hard to make sure someone takes you out on rides in the area. Call (509) 663-1246 for more information.
Après Ski – Wenatchee style
Choose salsa dancing (Emerald Station, 29 N. Columbia St.) and fabulous Mexican food and margarita happy hours throughout the city, or Cosmic Bowling at East Mont Lanes in East Wenatchee or ice-skating at the River Front Park Ice Arena.
Lodging
With more than 2,000 rooms within 35 miles of the ski area (and a surprising number of chain accommodations), there are some great unique choices.
A couple of good ideas:
- Warm Springs Inn, overlooking the Wenatchee River and right on the walkway with a library and hot tub, www.warmspringsinn.com.
- Apple Cottage, three bedrooms, three baths, and can sleep six to eight guests. The decor treats its guests to a historical review of what life on an apple ranch was like in the early 1900s. Five miles from Mission Ridge. Contact: Thyme Unlimited (509) 662-7699 or e-mail: lodging@thymeunlimited.com.
- Wenatche Valley Visitor’s Bureau, there are a lot packages going on in the winter to extend your dollar including ski packages and lodging specials. Visit www.wenatcheevalley.org or call (800) 57-APPLE.
Leavenworth (2 1/2 hours from Seattle)
This Bavarian-theme city, about 20 miles east of Stevens Pass, offers something for everyone.
With events planned almost every weekend, Leavenworth is usually teaming with activity.
For instance, Jan. 17 and 18 the town will hold the Icefest, which is billed as a “winter play day for all ages.” Some of the activities include snow sculptures, a great Frisbee sweep, ice cube scramble, tug of war, Washington dog sled pulling championship and fireworks over the village. For more information contact the Leavenworth Chamber at www.leavenworth.org or call (509) 548-5807.
Step away from the bustle of the town and the Leavenworth area flourishes into a cross-country skiing and snowshoeing Mecca, and a short drive to Stevens Pass and Mission Ridge for downhill skiing or boarding adventures.
Stevens Pass Nordic Center is located five miles east of the Stevens Pass summit on U.S. Highway 2. The center offers 25 km of perfectly groomed trails. You choose between cross-country skiing, skate skiing or snowshoeing.
Winter Sports Club grooms 24 km of trails at four locations in Leavenworth. At the Icicle River site, trails loop through open woods and meadows along the Icicle River. At the golf course site you may spot a herd of deer as you skate over the rolling hills that form the Leavenworth Golf Course in summer.
At the ski hill site, the trails loop through the woods behind the downhill area and are lit for night skiing. The waterfront site is downtown and joins the golf course trail at Enchantment Park. The club also has racing programs and sponsors clinics throughout the season. Log onto www.skileavenworth.com for more information.
Kahler Glen near Lake Wenatchee offers an impressive 30 k of groomed trails to explore. The Forest Service maintains a number of Sno-Parks, which are groomed for traditional cross-country skiing. For information on snow conditions, permits and fees call (509) 548-6977.
For an old-school ski experience, Leavenworth Ski Hill is one of the longest-running ski operations in the state has been a downhill and ski-jumping haunt since 1928. It offers up two groomed downhill slopes served by rope tows, night cross-country skiing, tubing and ski jumps.
If you want the true backcountry experience, sign up for the Three Day Introduction to Backcountry Touring at Leavenworth & Washington Pass adventure on Feb. 14-16 and April 23-25. The adventure is provided by expert guide outfitters Mountain Madness and costs $595. Visit www.mountainmadness.com for more information.
Lodging
There are many great accommodations in and around Leavenworth. Your best bet is to first visit www.leavenworthlodging.net.
Lisa McCrummen is a contributing writer living in Seattle, is a core member of the Seattle 'Endurance Divas' outdoor women's workout group and especially loves to run, snowboard and be in the mountains whatever the weather. Contact McCrummen at endurancediva@hotmail.com.
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