Things to do / Travel Guide
Skiing in Washington is devoted to both downhill and flat skiing. Both alpine and Nordic skiers can find their little, or not so little, piece of paradise in Washington State. Skiing in Washington has a feeling all its own, with a northern exposure ensuring great snow and fantastic weather. Most of Washington's ski resorts have sunny weather five out of seven days on average. Washington is also home to Seattle, often dubbed the birthplace of grunge music, which is located near many of the major ski areas. Seattle is a Mecca for the performing arts, so make sure to try and catch a show while you're in town. Coffee lovers will be happy to hear that the citizens of Seattle have a reputation of being huge consumers of coffee and therefore great coffee can be found all over the city.
Skiing the Seattle Area
The advantage of skiing here is the proximity to the city. With Puget Sound just a 2 hour drive from the mountains, you never feel stranded out in the middle of nowhere. No matter where you're staying, make sure to take a day and check out Seattle with its spectacular dining options and eclectic nightlife. There are two main resorts close to Seattle: Stevens Pass and Snoqualmie.
Stevens Pass has been around for over 70 years, and although its humble beginnings have been replaced with intense modernization, one can still feel the mom and pop ambiance on which this mountain prides itself. Stevens has a little bit of something for everyone and some of the best powder in the region. Located in the north-central part of the Cascades Mountain range, Stevens Pass has some of the most diverse terrain in Washington State. This varied terrain, combined with the choice between skiing the more groomed front side or “wilder” (and quieter) backside of the mountain, ensures an enjoyable adventure for all skill levels. The rumors about Stevens Pass claim it's a snowboarder's paradise. The varying terrain on the mountain provides for a wide variety of natural hits, jumps, and cliffs, whose views would take even the most advanced snowboarder's breath away. Playgrounds aplenty are also present, for days when the snow isn't so up to par.
The second resort located close to Seattle is Snoqualmie. Snoqualmie is actually four different mountain resorts melded into one. It is composed of the front face of the mountain divided into Summit West, Summit Central and Summit East, and the back face known as Alpental.
Summit West is definitely a beginner's playground. Within it you can find the most popular learning terrain in the whole resort. Summit West is mainly a beginning and intermediate area, though a few black diamond runs litter the mountain face for those looking for something a little steeper. Summit West is also well equipped for snowboarders. The 52nd Terrain Park is filled with more advanced tricks such as rails, boxes, and hits, while for those just strapping on their board, the West Greenhorn Progression Park provides easier tricks and landings. Summit Central, though, is definitely the snowboarding monarch of the four bases with the majority of the man-made snowboarding terrain located here. It is the mid-intermediate mountain, so almost anyone, particularly those not ready to brave Alpental's treacherous steeps, can find a perfect trail for their ski level here. Central's terrain is the most varied of the group, with miles of groomed, beginner terrain side-by-side with both intermediate and black diamond runs to keep the more advanced skiers entertained. Unfortunately, this varied terrain also makes Summit Central the most crowded of the four faces and therefore one should pout in an effort to ski Central on weekdays.
Summit East is a weekend only face. It is the smallest of the four areas, but makes up for its smaller size with its beautiful glade runs and equally small crowds. Summit East provides a choice of intermediate and advanced runs, but note that there are no beginner's runs on this side of the mountain. Snowboarders are welcome on all trails, but there are no specially made attractions here for those looking to catch some air, so they'd be better off hitting up Summit Central.
Alpental's claim to fame is its rugged terrain. This is indeed a free riders paradise, with some of the most challenging terrain in the state and featuring powder, powder, and more powder. Make sure you know what you're doing once you hit up this side of the mountain, or stick to the bottom. Once you take a ride up on the Edelweiss chair you'll be surrounded by beautiful drops and solely black diamond and double black diamond runs.
For those skiing Stevens Pass, the romantic Bavarian Village of Leavenworth, offering a wide variety of dining and nightlife options, is located just a short drive away. Also, don't forget that Seattle is a mere 78 miles away and would certainly be worth the drive for anyone craving some culture, dining, and a wilder nightlife.
Alpental and the other Summit resorts are 50 miles from Seattle, so one can always spend the day tearing up the mountain and still make it back on time for dinner reservations in the city. Seattle also provides an enormous variety of lodging options for those visiting from out of town. If you're not interested in the drive to Seattle, a variety of lodging options are available near the mountain, which include a choice of lodges, inns, private rentals, and chalets.
Skiing the Mt. Rainier Area
With Mount Rainier National Park as one's backdrop it's difficult not to enjoy a day of skiing in this area. There are two resorts situated near Mount Rainier National Park, both of which are also within easy driving distance of Tacoma.
White Pass has a family friendly attitude and its relatively small size ensures that your kids will have a good time, while you ride the slopes. White Pass is one of the few small resorts that can boast a high speed detachable quad lift. The “Great White Express” serves as the main lift, and reaches the entire mountain's terrain. The terrain is perfectly balanced with quickening steeps, wide open cruisers, and great beginner areas for first-timers to pick up their ski-feet. For those looking for a one-piece adventure, White Pass offers natural quarter-pipes, kickers, drops, and chutes that will challenge even the most experienced of boarders. Due to its relatively isolated location, White Pass is barely ever crowded, which gives this relatively small mountain a definite one up on its larger rivals.
Nearby Crystal Mountain is probably Washington State's best kept secret. Nestled in the Cascades Mountains, overlooking Rainier National Park, this backcountry filled mountain features a great deal of variety. The views are breathtaking, and its proximity to Seattle makes it just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the big city shopping, dining, and nightlife. Crystal Mountain has clearly been blessed by the powder gods, and is a true powder hound's paradise. But it's not the snow that brings people here, as much as the 2,300 acres of variety. About 1,000 of those acres are "inbounds backcountry," meaning that what would normally be considered out of bound terrain is opened to the public when the snow and visibility are right.
Both of the Mount Rainier Ski resorts are quite off the beaten path, and therefore dining options beyond the resort's doors are sparse. At White Pass, most choices are located within the various lodging options in the area, where you can usually find a roaring fireplace and a bite to eat. A little bit further away, in the town of Yakima, there are an additional variety of lodging options, from B&Bs, to lodges and inns.
There are a wide variety of lodging facilities in the Crystal Mountain Area. There are numerous hotels and hundreds of condominiums available. For those who prefer to rough it a bit there are camper facilities, including 21 hookups for overnight parking in the area. Enumclaw is the nearest major town, and is a great place to stop to get food, gear, and supplies. Finally, Seattle is only 76 miles away and, thanks to the weekend Shuttle bus, one can happily spend their nights checking out the Seattle nightlife after hitting the slopes all day
Skiing the North Cascades National Park and the Methow Valley
Northern Washington is a great place for cross country skiing. With hundreds of miles of cross-country, Nordic, and skate skiing, any fan can truly claim they have found an oasis in the desert. But alpine lovers need not worry. Downhill skiing is available here as well. You just need to know where to look.
The main “flatlands” can be found in the Methow Valley. The Methow Valley is one of the most picturesque corners of the region, filled with beautiful forests, reflective lakes, and a magnificent view of the dramatic North Cascades Mountains. If you're looking for an American version of Scandinavia's famed cross country trails, this is the right place.
The more advanced cross-country skier will easily find their place amongst the seemingly endless trails of the Methow Valley. If you're looking for a cross country adventure of a lifetime, then Methow Valley's Rendezvous trails are definitely the choice for you. Part of the interconnected Methow Valley Cross Country Community Trails, the Rendezvous trails are 48 kilometers of breathtaking, mostly intermediate and advanced trails. The Mazama section is best suited for those looking for an easy day on the trails or for those who have recently picked up the sport. Family friendly indeed, three of the Mazama trails are also four-legged friendly, so make sure to bring your furry friend along for a day of skiing, walking, or snowshoeing together. The Sun Mountain Trails are definitely the place for those arriving in mixed company. If ability level varies, this "all-inclusive" track system has something to suit everyone. Whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced cross-country skier, you are sure to find your little slice of heaven in the scenic trails of Sun Mountain. Historic Winthrop is also connected to the trails, and is a great town to visit and grab some local cuisine in.
For some downhill action amongst the Methow Valley excitement, make sure to check out the Loup Loup. The Loup Loup Ski Area is the kind of place where everybody knows your name. This small hill provides the best of all worlds with friendly service, a sufficient feeling of safety to let your kids freely roam the mountain, and fair prices. The mountain's beginner runs are groomed nightly, and there are plenty of off-piste opportunities on the outskirts of most major runs for those looking for a little bit of powder.
Just across the North Cascades National Park one will find the Mount Baker Ski Area. If your idea of a ski vacation is a calm and relaxing day on the slopes, then Mount Baker is probably not the place for you. Welcome to a free riders paradise! Steeps, chutes, tight tree runs, canyons, and natural half pipes rule the mountain here. Mount Baker also provides the small mountain feel on a large mountain.
A great adventure for a group of up to 10 people is the hut to hut skiing available on the Rendezvous trails. A series of huts are spread out at an average interval of 8km between huts. This allows for daylong skiing and then a warm and cozy place to rest at night. All huts are supplied with a full kitchen, so you only have to bring your food with you. There's a wood stove heater and fuel, sleeping pads, propane lights, and an outhouse. If you are uninterested in lugging your equipment on your own, there is freight haul and drop service to ensure your equipment meets you at your hut when you need it. If roughing it is not really your style, there are a variety of additional dining and lodging options speckling the Methow Valley Trail System. You can also check out the towns of Twisp and Omak, as well as the nearby Methow Valley. All three have a selection of dining venues where you can feed your growling stomach. There are also a variety of lodging options here, including inns, guest houses, and motels, to suit your budget.
When visiting Mount Baker, remember that this is a local-centric mountain with little resort culture. Once you hit the road though, lodging and dining abound. A variety of B&Bs, chalets, and inns are available to shelter you through the night.
Skiing Central Washington
Close to the town of Wenatchee, and at the Eastern foothills of the Cascade Mountain range, lie the Mission Ridge and Badger Mountain ski resorts. Wenatchee provides a small base for these ski areas, with places to restock and have a nice bite to eat.
Mission Ridge is known for its 2000 acres of terrain and its never-ending sun. With an average of 25 days of sunshine a month, everyone is sure to be in good spirits on the mountain. Located on the eastern slopes of the north Cascades, Mission Ridge is known for its powder. Its dry climate and low temperatures lead to longer lasting, fluffier snow. And if Mother Nature is just not providing, Mission Ridge has recently upgraded snowmaking capabilities.
Badger Mountain was established in 1938 by a group called the "49 Club." The groups' mission was to find the perfect place for skiing, and it seems they did. Badger Mountain is situated perfectly so as to allow the sun to warm you up in the chilly mornings, while the shade protects the snow for the long run. Badger Mountain is definitely what one would call a "micro-resort." It serves the nearby community of Waterville, and is owned by the town. The cafeteria is run by the local Lions Club, a local farmer uses his tractor to groom the hill, and all the staff members are volunteers. All of this contributes to the family-oriented atmosphere one finds here.
From Mission Ridge, if you're looking for a wider variety of dining options make sure to check out nearby Wenatchee, just 12 miles away. There one can find anything from Italian to all American food. Also available in Wenatchee are a variety of hotels which offer stay and play packages in conjunction with the resort. Additional dining and lodging options are also available in Leavenworth, about 45 minutes away.
As for Badger Mountain, the size of this resort means there are limited dining and accommodation options at the foot of the mountain, but once you step into your car a wide variety of options present themselves. Five miles away is the town of Waterville with various restaurants to quench your appetite, while within a 15 mile radius you can find anything from coffee shops and Italian restaurants to fine dining. Just as close are a wide variety of lodging options to fit any budget. From RV parks to nationally recognized hotels anyone can find a suitable place to rest their tired feet.
Ski Resorts in Seattle, Tacoma, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, Washington and The Cascades
Skiing
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