Work Your Way Through This Winter Weather Short List!
Looking for some fresh air, space to move freely and get that heart a pumpin'? Look no more! The Cascade Loop has all manner of outdoor activities to keep you busy, happy and healthy this winter!
- Snowshoe three miles (one-way) and gain 1,100 ft. of elevation to alpine Skyline Lake on the Stevens Pass Greenway on this short but strenuous, snow-filled trek.
- Park and rent your Nordic ski or snowshoeing equipment at Plain Hardware, and head across the road to hit the trail at Plain Valley Nordic Ski Trails, a remote and ridiculously scenic trail system.
- Experience mountaintop views via Mountain Springs Lodges guided snowmobile tours. Tours are tailored to each guest, whether you want to spend a gentle hour on the trail or a full day of heart-pumping fun. And if you prefer to let the horses provide their own horsepower - a sleigh ride through the meadow valley is just the ticket!
- Looking to get in the holiday spirit (any time of year)? The Bavarian community of Leavenworth brings it year-round, AND a whole lot of winter activities too. Everything from skiing, sledding, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, dog-sledding and yep, even reindeer viewing/feeding. So. Much. Fun.
- Ski or snowboard at Mission Ridge Ski Area located right outside of Wenatchee. Rentals and lessons are available.
- Prepare to blaze down the hillside on skis, snowboard or tube- whatever floats your boat--at Lake Chelans Echo Valley Ski Area. Its snowy fun for the whole family. Rentals available. Or for Nordic skiing, Echo Ridge Nordic Ski Area offer 25 miles of groomed trails, with consistent sunshine, dependable snow and beautiful vistas. Echo Ridge is only 9 miles from downtown Chelan, and 2 miles past the Echo Valley Ski Area.
- Winter is no longer the time to put away the bike. Add fatbiking to your bucket list, and head to the Methow Valley this winter. Groomed trails are maintained specifically for winter biking here. Rentals available. The Methow Trails are also home to the one of the largest nordic ski trails systems in the nation so dust of those skis or snowshoes!
- It doesn't get more endorphin pumping than this- heli-skiing the North Cascades. This is NOT for the faint of heart or inexperienced. Die-hard, experienced skiers will find their bliss in the back country of the "American Alps" - the rest of us, lets just watch the footage while sipping a glass of wine...
- Trek around the Skagit Valleys Baker Lake during winter months. The Baker Lake Trail is located on the less-developed Eastern shoreline of the lake.
- Fidalgo and Whidbey Island are both located on the "milder side" of the Cascade Loop and thus, don't experience the level of snowfall in winter you'll find throughout the rest of the Loop. Head to Deception Pass that runs between Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands. Parks border each side of the Pass delivering beachfront walks, tidepooling, amazing views and the freshest air you can find.
