XC SKIING
(AND FAT TIRE BIKING, SNOWSHOEING AND MORE)
Methow Trails
Located in north-central Washington on the Eastern slopes of the Cascades, the Methow Valley offers winter fun for the whole family.
With over 220 kilometers of groomed, interconnected nordic ski trails, Methow Trails is the largest in North America, even though it’s relatively unknown. Plus you can ski right from town, which means you can load up on coffee and fresh baked goods at either of the three main access areas: Sun Mountain Lodge, Mazama and Winthrop. Kids ski free, there’s lots of dog friendly trails (and free doggie trail passes with pics if you stop in) and plenty of rentals, lessons and camps for beginners. You can also rent a fat tire bike or a pair of snowshoes and just get out there and enjoy yourself right away. Plenty of trailside lodging is available if you book early enough too, and there's an open-air ice rink with guaranteed ice from November to March. Throw in a sleigh ride or two and you just found the recipe for the best winter vacation of a lifetime!
If you’re a XC ski fan, there’s plenty of other places in Washington State to explore as well, including Stevens Pass Nordic Center (28 km), Summit at Snoqualmie (50 km), Lake Wenatchee State Park, Echo Ridge near Chelan (40 km), White Pass (18 km) Mount Spokane State Park (50+km), White Pass Nordic Center (18km) and the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail.
