Washington Skiing, Snowboarding, Cross Country Skiing & Winter Recreation

Skiing & Winter Recreation

This is a comprehensive guide to Washington's ski and snow-play areas. Washington has a number of ski resorts with excellent facilities for alpine skiing, snowboarding, and cross country skiing. There are hundreds of lifts and runs, and miles of Nordic ski trails to explore. The winter scenery is breathtaking, and the mountaintop views are awesome. Most ski areas can be reached in less than two hours from major cities. Washington's winter recreation also includes snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and dog sledding. Lodging is available at some ski resorts and in nearby mountain communities. Winter driving conditions often prevail, so check the Mountain Pass Report before heading up.
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Alpine/Board | Nordic | Snowshoeing | Snowmobiling | Dog Sledding

WASHINGTON SKI AREAS
Washington State Skiing

Alpine Ski & Snowboard Areas
For locations refer to the map above

The mountains and terrain in Washington offer enough diversity to challenge any level of skier or boarder - relaxed slopes, steep runs, ungroomed glades, and rugged backcountry. Snow usually makes its first appearance in late October. Most ski areas open by mid-November, and close in mid-April, depending on conditions. Ski resorts offer a wide range of facilities, from night skiing, ski schools and rentals to day care, family packages, and on-site lodging. Contact them directly for more information.

49 Degrees North - (509) 935-6649; snow line (509) 548-9208

Crystal Mountain - (360) 663-2265; snow line (888) 754-6199

Mission Ridge - (509) 663-6543; snow line (800) 374-1693

Mount Baker - (360) 734-6771; from Vancouver, B.C. (604) 688-1595;
snow line (360) 671-0211; from Seattle (206) 634-0200

Mount Spokane - (509) 238-2220; snow line (509) 443-1397

Ski Bluewood - (509) 382-4725; snow line (509) 382-2877

Stevens Pass - from Seattle (206) 634-1645, Everett (425) 353-4400,
Eastern Washington (509) 782-5516

The Summit At Snoqualmie (frmly Alpental/Ski Acres/Snoqualmie/Hyak)
(206) 236-7277 or (425) 434-7669; snow line (206) 236-1600

White Pass - (509) 672-3100; office (509) 453-8731

The following areas also offer a wide variety of alpine and some Nordic skiing opportunities.
Call ahead for additional information and hours of operation.

Badger Mountain - (509) 745-8373

Echo Valley - (509) 682-4002

Hurricane Ridge/Olympic National Park - (360) 452-0330;
road report (360) 452-0329

Leavenworth Ski Hill - (509) 548-5115

Loup Loup Ski Bowl

North Cascades Heli-Skiing - (800) 494-4354

Sitzmark - (509) 485-3323 (in season)

More Alpine Skiing & Snowboarding Information:

Cascade Ski Report - current snow conditions at all the major ski areas in the Northwest

Current Conditions - (206) 634-0200

Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association (PNSAA) - (800) 278-7669 (Oct-Mar) or (206) 623-3777

Mt. Baker Snowboard Update

Top of page | Ski Area Map

Nordic Ski Areas
For locations refer to the map above

Cross country skiers will find a wide range of conditions available to them, from undisturbed backcountry trails to groomed tracks at developed ski areas and resorts. Washington's Sno-Parks Program provides a number of plowed parking areas along major mountain highways, such as I-90, US 2, and Blewett Pass - it is illegal to park along the highway during the winter. These allow easy access to many designated cross country ski trails. The trails vary in length and degree of difficulty, and some are groomed weekly by the State Parks and local volunteers. However, skiers need to buy a Sno-Park pass to utilize these facilities. They can be purchased at sports stores and ski shops throughout the state. Many Forest Service Ranger District Offices also sell passes and cross country trail guides. Sno-Parking permits for Snoqualmie Pass are available at the Forest Service Information Center located at the summit.

Colville National Forest - (509) 684-3711

Echo Ridge, Lake Chelan - (509) 687-9808

Gifford Pinchot National Forest - (360) 891-5000, recorded info 891-5009
TTY 891-5003
Winter recreation for Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens, Packwood, Randle, and Wind River

Hurricane Ridge/Olympic National Park - (360) 452-0330;
road report (360) 452-0329

Leavenworth Winter Sports Club - (509) 548-5115
Maintains a groomed trail system in Leavenworth

Loup Loup Ski Bowl - (509) 826-2720;
Omak VIC 800-225-6625

Methow Valley Sport Trails Association - (509) 996-3287;
snow conditions (800) 682-5787

Mount Baker Ski Area - (360) 671-0211, from Vancouver, B.C. (604) 688-1595; snow line (360) 671-0211, from Seattle (206) 634-0200

Mount Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest - (800) 627-0062 or (425) 775-9702
Winter recreation
Sno-parks

Mount Rainier - road conditions (360) 569-2211
Mount Rainier National Park - winter recreation

Mount Spokane Resort - (509) 238-9114

Mount Spokane Cross-Country Hotline - (509) 238-4025

Mount Tahoma Scenic Ski Trails Association
PO Box 206, Ashford, 98034
(360) 569-2451
A non-profit backcountry hut-to-hut trail system with 4 huts, 50 miles of skiing/snowshoeing/hiking/biking trails, and $5/person hut reservations near Mt Rainier National Park.

North Cascades Heli-Skiing - (800) 494-4354

Okanogan National Forest - (509) 826-3275
Winter recreation

Pacific Northwest Ski Association (PNSA)
3414 228th St SE, Bothell, 98021
(425) 483-8666; admin. contact: Sue Johnson at PNSA@NWLink.com
Information about competitive events for alpine and nordic skiers, and snowboarders - all ages and skill levels

Scottish Lakes, Leavenworth - (800) 909-9916 (Western WA only) or (425) 844-2000

Seattle Mountaineers Backcountry Skiing - (206) 284-8484
Offers members outings ranging from easy day trips to extended alpine traverses, seminars focusing on coping skills for backcountry skiing, and courses in telemark technique.

Stehekin Valley Recreation Area - (509) 682-4494

Stevens Pass Nordic Center - (206) 812-4510

Sun Mountain Lodge - (800) 572-0493 or (509) 996-2211

The Summit Nordic Center (frmly, Ski Acres/Hyak Cross Country Center)
(206) 236-7277, ext. 3372

Washington Alpine Club - (206) 467-3042
Offers winter telemark and backcountry ski classes at their Ski School

Washington Ski Touring Club (WSTC)
Trip reports, issues, concerns, and more for touring and telemark skiers in Washington; offers trips and training to members

Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission
Winter Recreation Program
P O Box 42662, Olympia, 98504-2662
(360) 902-8552

White Pass X-Country Ski Area - (509) 672-3100;
office (509) 453-8731
Current conditions

Top of page | Ski Area Map

Snowshoeing

Mount Rainier National Park/Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise - (360) 569-2211

Olympic National Park Visitor Center at Hurricane Ridge - (360) 452-0330

Seattle Mountaineers Snowshoeing - (206) 284-8484
Offers members courses on snowshoeing techinques and survival in the backcountry, plus tours and field trips

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Snowmobiling

Jack's RV Park & Motel, Conconully - (800) 893-5668

Mountain Springs Lodge - (800) 858-2276 or (509) 763-2713

Omak Recreation Rentals - (888) 826-6895

Pend Oreille Outdoor Experiences - (509) 445-1393
We offer snowmobile rentals and hosted tours in the northeast corner of Washington state.

Shoreline Snowmobile Rentals, Lake Chelan
(800) 682-1561 or (509) 682-1515

Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission
Winter Recreation Program
PO Box 42662, Olympia, 98504-2662
(360) 902-8552

Snowmobile trail conditions: (800) 233-0321

Snowmobiling in Washington State - a guide to Sno-Park locations, permits, publications, and the rules of the road

Winthrop Snowmobile Rentals - (509) 996-3267

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Dog Sledding

Malamute Express
141A Poorman Creek Rd, Twisp, 98856
(509) 997-6402
Scenic dog sled adventures through the upper Twisp River Valley

Enchanted Mountain Tours
18555 Hazel Ln, Leavenworth, 98826
(509) 763-2975
Guided dog sled tours through the Cascades

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