Mazama Ski Trails - Methow Valley, Washington

Address:Methow Valley, Washington
Tel: (509) 996-3287

The Mazama section of the Methow Valley Cross Country Community Trails is best suited for those looking for an easy day on the trails or for those who have recently picked up the sport. This is a great beginners area to learn how to cross-country ski. This area is so family friendly that three of the Mazama trails are even four-legged friendly, so make sure to bring your furry friend along for a day of skiing, walking, or snowshoeing together.

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 then you have found just the right place. Methow Valley, located in Washington State, is a cross country skier's paradise. With more than 120 miles of interconnected groomed paths, spanning three separate cross-country ski areas, Methow Valley is sure to please any Nordic lover's appetite.

The Mazama section has 33 kilometers of machine groomed tracks. Of these, 28 kilometers are designed for beginners, so for families visiting the area with small children, or for those less experienced in cross-country, the Mazama trails are a great place to start off. The groomed tracks pass through flat and rolling farmland along the picturesque Methow River, and wind through the woodlands for a scenic loop.

Mazama is a great place to experience lodge-to-lodge skiing, in which one can hit the trails for a nice workout and then warm up with a cup of hot chocolate and a cozy fireplace. The trails in this section pass though the Mazama Country Inn, the North Cascades Base Camp, Mazama Ranch House, and the Freestone Inn at Wilson Ranch.

The Mazama trails interconnect with Rendezvous trails and through them become the Sun Mountain trails. If you are looking for a change of pace later on in the afternoon, or are feeling confident enough to test out the more difficult trails, you won't even need to take the car.

There are plenty of other activities nearby. Looking for a little alpine action? The family friendly Loup Loup Ski Area is just a few miles away, featuring 10 runs and a 1,240 foot vertical drop. At the Mazama trails you are free to try out snowshoeing on trails made by the Methow Valley Sports Trails Association. Additional activities in the area are ice skating at the Winthrop rink, sledding and sleigh rides. If you're looking for an interesting day off the trails check out Winthrop for its authentic wild-west feel. If you get tired, you may just choose to take it easy by soaking in a hot tub or having a glass of wine or hot chocolate by a welcoming fire.

If you're looking for an interesting day off the trails check out Winthrop for its authentic wild-west feel. If you're skiing over to Winthrop, you'll ski over the 275 foot high Foster-Talks Bridge over the Methow River. This is the country's only suspension bridge for skiers.

If you're just starting out, or are looking to sharpen your skiing skills be sure to check out the Methow Valley Ski School. The School offers skate and classic lessons for the young and the young at heart. Both group and private lessons are available, and they leave from three locations in Methow Valley to ensure easy access to them: Sun Mountain Lodge, Freestone Inn, and Mazama Country Inn.

A variety of dining options await those visiting the area. The choices range from a wide choice of dining options located in the hotels and resorts scattered throughout the Methow Valley Community Trails area. Another great idea is to check out Winthrop with its wide variety of local cuisine and historic atmosphere. Nearby Twisp also has a selection of menus to soothe your growling stomach.

The Mazama trails are speckled with numerous lodging options including a base camp, two inns, and a Ranch House. Spread throughout the other trail systems are still more lodging options. If you're looking for a night off the trails, there is a selection of lodgings dotting the roads between Mazama, Twisp and Winthrop. If you're looking for more of a cityscape, or more correctly small-townscape, then check out the lodgings in Twisp and rustic Winthrop.

Great area for beginners learning to ski. Lodge-to-lodge skiing via the Mazama Country Inn, North Cascades Basecamp, Mazama Ranch House, and the new Freestone Inn at Wilson Ranch, High country access via the Methow and Goat Creek trails, Machine groomed tracks over flat and rolling farm and woodlands offer scenic day tours. Beyond are open slopes and untrammeled high country of the Pasayten and Sawtooth wilderness areas and the Okanogan National Forest. Professional guides lead over-nights or extended tours.