Pacific Northwest Winter Fun
You don’t need a chairlift to have a good time in the snow this winter. In fact, some days, the lifts just get in the way. All that time spent riding the lift and waiting in line is time you could be playing. Craig Hill a reporter for the News Tribune in Tacoma put together his list of 25 things to do in the Northwest during the winter. So, if you’re looking to save a few bucks, get a better workout or just try something new, here are 25 ways to enjoy winter without a chairlift.
1. MOUNT TAHOMA TRAILS ASSOCIATION: There is no better bargain in winter recreation than an overnight cross-country trip on the Mount Tahoma Trails System near Ashford, Wash. The MTTA grooms more than 50 kilometers of trails and maintains three huts and one yurt. You can spend the night in the hut for $5 per person per night; www.skimtta.org.
2. NORDIC SKI JUMPING IN LEAVENWORTH: Whistler Blackcomb started installing its ski jump for the 2010 Olympics this summer, so Leavenworth’s modest ski hill no longer has the Northwest’s only ski jump. However, it’s the only one you can use. While nordic skis are ideal for this jump, many use alpine skis on the two hills; www.skileavenworth.com.
3. SPEED SKATING: If you like to go fast on the ice, Tacoma’s Puget Sound Speed Skating Club offers lessons at the Tacoma Hockey Club. The club offers short track skating, but some members are training for long-track racing; (253) 272-1757, www.pugetsoundspeedskating.org.
4. VISIT SUN MOUNTAIN LODGE: Tucked away in the Methow Valley, Sun Mountain Lodge is considered the ultimate base camp for a cross country skiing adventure. From the lodge you’ll find easy access to an ice rink, more than 200 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails and more than a dozen snowshoe trails; www.sunmountainlodge.com.
5. GO TUBING: You don’t need to know how to ski to zip down a snowy slope. You can do the same with an inner tube from your local tire store. Summit at Snoqualmie has a tubing hill (you’ll have to use their tubes). You can find free tubing hills at Paradise and the Hyak Sno-P a r k; www.summitatsnoqualmie.com, www.parks.wa.gov/winter and www.nps.gov/mora.
6. TAKE A BIATHLON LESSON: You don’t have to go to Europe to try the biathlon. The Washington Biathlon Association, based at Stevens Pass, has events throughout the winter open to all skill levels, even gun-shy rookies; www.wabiathlon.org.
7. PARADISE: Whether you’re an alpine skier, nordic skier, snowshoer or tuber, Paradise, located on the south side of Mount Rainier, has places for you to play. Call ahead for road conditions; (360) 569-2211, www.nps.gov/mora.
8. PLAY HOCKEY: The Tacoma Hockey Club offers everything from hockey lessons and leagues for kids to adult leagues to lunch hour pickup games. The pick-up sessions are $5 and 90 minutes starting at noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; www.tacomahockeyclub.com.
9. POLAR BEAR SWIM: You might need to be a little off center — not to mention thick-skinned — to enjoy this New Year’s Day tradition. Olalla Lagoon is home to Washington state’s biggest Polar Bear Club. When a cannon signals, participants dash — bridge-jumping is no longer allowed — into the frigid water. Why? Who knows; Al’s Grocery Store, (253) 851-4955. 10. CRYSTAL’S DUMMY DOWNHILL: Enter Crystal Mountain’s Dummy Downhill race. You won’t have to race, but you’ll have to build a contraption that will. The dummy mounted on skis or a snowboard will have to be sturdy enough to survive a jump. Don’t worry, there are awards for the best crashes. This three-year-old event benefits the Crystal Mountain Fire Department; www.skicrystal.com.11. MOUNT SPOKANE: Two-time Olympic cross-country skier Torin Koos of Leavenworth lists Mount Spokane as one of his favorite ski areas in Washington. Mount Spokane has 25 kilometers of groomed trails that Koos says is worth the trip; www.mtspokane.com or www.parks.wa.gov/winter.Two-time Olympic cross-country skier Torin Koos of Leavenworth lists Mount Spokane as one of his favorite ski areas in Washington. Mount Spokane has 25 kilometers of groomed trails that Koos says is worth the trip; or
12. SKI ST. HELENS FOR MOM: One of the Northwest’s coolest traditions returned this year with the reopening of Mount St. Helen’s’ climbing routes. It is tradition to climb Monitor Ridge on Mother’s Day, then — boy or girl — ski down while wearing a dress. The limit of 100 climbers per day is lifted on mom’s day. Permits are $24 per climber; www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/mount-st-helens.
13. SKI ICICLE RIVER TRAILS: While Methow Valley has the reputation as a nordic mecca, Leavenworth’s trail system also draws cross-country skiers from around the Northwest. The town has trails along the Icicle River, on the golf course, at Waterfront Park and the Leavenworth Ski Hill. A $10 pass gets you access to all 26 kilometers of trails; www.skileavenworth.com. Two-time Olympic cross-country skier Torin Koos of Leavenworth lists Mount Spokane as one of his favorite ski areas in Washington. Mount Spokane has 25 kilometers of groomed trails that Koos says is worth the trip; or One of the Northwest’s coolest traditions returned this year with the reopening of Mount St. Helen’s’ climbing routes. It is tradition to climb Monitor Ridge on Mother’s Day, then — boy or girl — ski down while wearing a dress. The limit of 100 climbers per day is lifted on mom’s day. Permits are $24 per climber;While Methow Valley has the reputation as a nordic mecca, Leavenworth’s trail system also draws cross-country skiers from around the Northwest. The town has trails along the Icicle River, on the golf course, at Waterfront Park and the Leavenworth Ski Hill. A $10 pass gets you access to all 26 kilometers of trails; Two-time Olympic cross-country skier Torin Koos of Leavenworth lists Mount Spokane as one of his favorite ski areas in Washington. Mount Spokane has 25 kilometers of groomed trails that Koos says is worth the trip; or One of the Northwest’s coolest traditions returned this year with the reopening of Mount St. Helen’s’ climbing routes. It is tradition to climb Monitor Ridge on Mother’s Day, then — boy or girl — ski down while wearing a dress. The limit of 100 climbers per day is lifted on mom’s day. Permits are $24 per climber;While Methow Valley has the reputation as a nordic mecca, Leavenworth’s trail system also draws cross-country skiers from around the Northwest. The town has trails along the Icicle River, on the golf course, at Waterfront Park and the Leavenworth Ski Hill. A $10 pass gets you access to all 26 kilometers of trails;Two-time Olympic cross-country skier Torin Koos of Leavenworth lists Mount Spokane as one of his favorite ski areas in Washington. Mount Spokane has 25 kilometers of groomed trails that Koos says is worth the trip; or One of the Northwest’s coolest traditions returned this year with the reopening of Mount St. Helen’s’ climbing routes. It is tradition to climb Monitor Ridge on Mother’s Day, then — boy or girl — ski down while wearing a dress. The limit of 100 climbers per day is lifted on mom’s day. Permits are $24 per climber;While Methow Valley has the reputation as a nordic mecca, Leavenworth’s trail system also draws cross-country skiers from around the Northwest. The town has trails along the Icicle River, on the golf course, at Waterfront Park and the Leavenworth Ski Hill. A $10 pass gets you access to all 26 kilometers of trails;Two-time Olympic cross-country skier Torin Koos of Leavenworth lists Mount Spokane as one of his favorite ski areas in Washington. Mount Spokane has 25 kilometers of groomed trails that Koos says is worth the trip; or One of the Northwest’s coolest traditions returned this year with the reopening of Mount St. Helen’s’ climbing routes. It is tradition to climb Monitor Ridge on Mother’s Day, then — boy or girl — ski down while wearing a dress. The limit of 100 climbers per day is lifted on mom’s day. Permits are $24 per climber;While Methow Valley has the reputation as a nordic mecca, Leavenworth’s trail system also draws cross-country skiers from around the Northwest. The town has trails along the Icicle River, on the golf course, at Waterfront Park and the Leavenworth Ski Hill. A $10 pass gets you access to all 26 kilometers of trails;14. SCOTTISH LAKES HIGH CAMP: You can ski or snowshoe five miles into the back country at Stevens Pass to stay in one of nine private cabins, or you can hire a snowmobile driver for $60 per person. Cabins are $70-80 per person per night; www.scottishlakes.com.
Two-time Olympic cross-country skier Torin Koos of Leavenworth lists Mount Spokane as one of his favorite ski areas in Washington. Mount Spokane has 25 kilometers of groomed trails that Koos says is worth the trip; or One of the Northwest’s coolest traditions returned this year with the reopening of Mount St. Helen’s’ climbing routes. It is tradition to climb Monitor Ridge on Mother’s Day, then — boy or girl — ski down while wearing a dress. The limit of 100 climbers per day is lifted on mom’s day. Permits are $24 per climber;While Methow Valley has the reputation as a nordic mecca, Leavenworth’s trail system also draws cross-country skiers from around the Northwest. The town has trails along the Icicle River, on the golf course, at Waterfront Park and the Leavenworth Ski Hill. A $10 pass gets you access to all 26 kilometers of trails; You can ski or snowshoe five miles into the back country at Stevens Pass to stay in one of nine private cabins, or you can hire a snowmobile driver for $60 per person. Cabins are $70-80 per person per night;15. FREE SNOWSHOE TOURS: You can join free snowshoe tours at Hurricane Ridge and Paradise each winter. While it costs $15 per vehicle to enter the national parks, the free tours include snowshoe rentals. Check the national park Web sites for schedules; www.nps.gov/mora or www.nps.gov/olym.You can join free snowshoe tours at Hurricane Ridge and Paradise each winter. While it costs $15 per vehicle to enter the national parks, the free tours include snowshoe rentals. Check the national park Web sites for schedules;or
16. SNOWMOBILE: Western Washington has 80 snowmobile snow parks, most of which are in the Cascades. Some of the more popular destinations include Pyramid Creek, Gold Creek, Skate Creek and Marble Mountain; www.parks.wa.gov/winter.
17. BLUEWOOD BASH: Bluewood, a small resort near Walla Walla, throws a huge party every year called the BASH. You won’t need a lift ticket to try pond skimming, body bowling and polar swimming. The BASH, held the final day of the season, also includes a barbecue and beer garden; www.bluewood.com.You can join free snowshoe tours at Hurricane Ridge and Paradise each winter. While it costs $15 per vehicle to enter the national parks, the free tours include snowshoe rentals. Check the national park Web sites for schedules;or Western Washington has 80 snowmobile snow parks, most of which are in the Cascades. Some of the more popular destinations include Pyramid Creek, Gold Creek, Skate Creek and Marble Mountain; Bluewood, a small resort near Walla Walla, throws a huge party every year called the BASH. You won’t need a lift ticket to try pond skimming, body bowling and polar swimming. The BASH, held the final day of the season, also includes a barbecue and beer garden;You can join free snowshoe tours at Hurricane Ridge and Paradise each winter. While it costs $15 per vehicle to enter the national parks, the free tours include snowshoe rentals. Check the national park Web sites for schedules;or Western Washington has 80 snowmobile snow parks, most of which are in the Cascades. Some of the more popular destinations include Pyramid Creek, Gold Creek, Skate Creek and Marble Mountain; Bluewood, a small resort near Walla Walla, throws a huge party every year called the BASH. You won’t need a lift ticket to try pond skimming, body bowling and polar swimming. The BASH, held the final day of the season, also includes a barbecue and beer garden;You can join free snowshoe tours at Hurricane Ridge and Paradise each winter. While it costs $15 per vehicle to enter the national parks, the free tours include snowshoe rentals. Check the national park Web sites for schedules;or Western Washington has 80 snowmobile snow parks, most of which are in the Cascades. Some of the more popular destinations include Pyramid Creek, Gold Creek, Skate Creek and Marble Mountain; Bluewood, a small resort near Walla Walla, throws a huge party every year called the BASH. You won’t need a lift ticket to try pond skimming, body bowling and polar swimming. The BASH, held the final day of the season, also includes a barbecue and beer garden;You can join free snowshoe tours at Hurricane Ridge and Paradise each winter. While it costs $15 per vehicle to enter the national parks, the free tours include snowshoe rentals. Check the national park Web sites for schedules;or Western Washington has 80 snowmobile snow parks, most of which are in the Cascades. Some of the more popular destinations include Pyramid Creek, Gold Creek, Skate Creek and Marble Mountain; Bluewood, a small resort near Walla Walla, throws a huge party every year called the BASH. You won’t need a lift ticket to try pond skimming, body bowling and polar swimming. The BASH, held the final day of the season, also includes a barbecue and beer garden;18. CATT CREEK ROAD: This Forest Service road outside of Ashford is closed to vehicle traffic in the winter, leaving a snowy playground for families. When Mount Rainier National Park was closed last year, the road still lured people to Ashford; www.mt-rainier.com.
You can join free snowshoe tours at Hurricane Ridge and Paradise each winter. While it costs $15 per vehicle to enter the national parks, the free tours include snowshoe rentals. Check the national park Web sites for schedules;or Western Washington has 80 snowmobile snow parks, most of which are in the Cascades. Some of the more popular destinations include Pyramid Creek, Gold Creek, Skate Creek and Marble Mountain; Bluewood, a small resort near Walla Walla, throws a huge party every year called the BASH. You won’t need a lift ticket to try pond skimming, body bowling and polar swimming. The BASH, held the final day of the season, also includes a barbecue and beer garden; This Forest Service road outside of Ashford is closed to vehicle traffic in the winter, leaving a snowy playground for families. When Mount Rainier National Park was closed last year, the road still lured people to Ashford;19. SKI THE LIFTLESS HILLS: Martin Volken, a native of Switzerland, loves skiing on Snoqualmie Pass, but he isn’t a big fan of waiting in lift lines. So Volken carves his own runs. In 2001, he decided to share his secrets in a guidebook called “Backcountry Skiing Snoqualmie Pass” (The Globe Pequot Press, $16.95).Martin Volken, a native of Switzerland, loves skiing on Snoqualmie Pass, but he isn’t a big fan of waiting in lift lines. So Volken carves his own runs. In 2001, he decided to share his secrets in a guidebook called “Backcountry Skiing Snoqualmie Pass” (The Globe Pequot Press, $16.95).
20. ICE SKATING: If making leisurely laps on the ice in rental skates is your thing, there are two places in Pierce County that offer open skating Sprinker Recreation Center and the Tacoma Hockey Club; tacomahockeyclub.com and www.sprinker.org.
21. SKI WHITE PASS: The White Pass Nordic Center has one of the best cross-country ski area among Northwest resorts with 18 kilometers of groomed trails; skiwww.whitepass.com. Martin Volken, a native of Switzerland, loves skiing on Snoqualmie Pass, but he isn’t a big fan of waiting in lift lines. So Volken carves his own runs. In 2001, he decided to share his secrets in a guidebook called “Backcountry Skiing Snoqualmie Pass” (The Globe Pequot Press, $16.95). If making leisurely laps on the ice in rental skates is your thing, there are two places in Pierce County that offer open skating Sprinker Recreation Center and the Tacoma Hockey Club; tacomahockeyclub.com and The White Pass Nordic Center has one of the best cross-country ski area among Northwest resorts with 18 kilometers of groomed trails;Martin Volken, a native of Switzerland, loves skiing on Snoqualmie Pass, but he isn’t a big fan of waiting in lift lines. So Volken carves his own runs. In 2001, he decided to share his secrets in a guidebook called “Backcountry Skiing Snoqualmie Pass” (The Globe Pequot Press, $16.95). If making leisurely laps on the ice in rental skates is your thing, there are two places in Pierce County that offer open skating Sprinker Recreation Center and the Tacoma Hockey Club; tacomahockeyclub.com and The White Pass Nordic Center has one of the best cross-country ski area among Northwest resorts with 18 kilometers of groomed trails;Martin Volken, a native of Switzerland, loves skiing on Snoqualmie Pass, but he isn’t a big fan of waiting in lift lines. So Volken carves his own runs. In 2001, he decided to share his secrets in a guidebook called “Backcountry Skiing Snoqualmie Pass” (The Globe Pequot Press, $16.95). If making leisurely laps on the ice in rental skates is your thing, there are two places in Pierce County that offer open skating Sprinker Recreation Center and the Tacoma Hockey Club; tacomahockeyclub.com and The White Pass Nordic Center has one of the best cross-country ski area among Northwest resorts with 18 kilometers of groomed trails;Martin Volken, a native of Switzerland, loves skiing on Snoqualmie Pass, but he isn’t a big fan of waiting in lift lines. So Volken carves his own runs. In 2001, he decided to share his secrets in a guidebook called “Backcountry Skiing Snoqualmie Pass” (The Globe Pequot Press, $16.95). If making leisurely laps on the ice in rental skates is your thing, there are two places in Pierce County that offer open skating Sprinker Recreation Center and the Tacoma Hockey Club; tacomahockeyclub.com and The White Pass Nordic Center has one of the best cross-country ski area among Northwest resorts with 18 kilometers of groomed trails;22. BUILD AN IGLOO: There’s something cool about spending the night in an igloo. You can do this any place where there is ample snow and winter camping is permitted. Olympic National Park is a popular destination for igloo campers. Check out this Web site for some good igloo construction instructions; www.primitiveways.com/igloo.html.
Martin Volken, a native of Switzerland, loves skiing on Snoqualmie Pass, but he isn’t a big fan of waiting in lift lines. So Volken carves his own runs. In 2001, he decided to share his secrets in a guidebook called “Backcountry Skiing Snoqualmie Pass” (The Globe Pequot Press, $16.95). If making leisurely laps on the ice in rental skates is your thing, there are two places in Pierce County that offer open skating Sprinker Recreation Center and the Tacoma Hockey Club; tacomahockeyclub.com and The White Pass Nordic Center has one of the best cross-country ski area among Northwest resorts with 18 kilometers of groomed trails; There’s something cool about spending the night in an igloo. You can do this any place where there is ample snow and winter camping is permitted. Olympic National Park is a popular destination for igloo campers. Check out this Web site for some good igloo construction instructions;23. TRY CURLING: Curling might look like shuffleboard on ice, but you might be surprised how fun the Scottish game can be. The Granite Curling Club, the Northwest’s only curling club, is in Seattle and offers open houses Nov. 17, Dec. 1 and March 8 and 22 for $10 per person or $25 per family; www.curlingseattle.org. Curling might look like shuffleboard on ice, but you might be surprised how fun the Scottish game can be. The Granite Curling Club, the Northwest’s only curling club, is in Seattle and offers open houses Nov. 17, Dec. 1 and March 8 and 22 for $10 per person or $25 per family;
24. TAKE A LESSON: Ed Strauss offers two-hour cross-country lessons for $16 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and younger. He’ll also guide you on a four-hour tour of Rainier for $80 and $20 for each additional hour; www.mashell.com/~mtrretail/Skiing.htm.
25. WATCH THE BEST: Get a look at future Winter Olympic athletes at future Olympic venues in February. The World Cup Freestyle circuit makes a stop at Vancouver, B.C.’s Cypress Mountain on Feb. 9-10. Whistler Blackcomb hosts World Cup alpine racing Feb. 18-24; www.cypressmountain.com,www.whistlerblackcomb.com. Get a look at future Winter Olympic athletes at future Olympic venues in February. The World Cup Freestyle circuit makes a stop at Vancouver, B.C.’s Cypress Mountain on Feb. 9-10. Whistler Blackcomb hosts World Cup alpine racing Feb. 18-24;Get a look at future Winter Olympic athletes at future Olympic venues in February. The World Cup Freestyle circuit makes a stop at Vancouver, B.C.’s Cypress Mountain on Feb. 9-10. Whistler Blackcomb hosts World Cup alpine racing Feb. 18-24;Get a look at future Winter Olympic athletes at future Olympic venues in February. The World Cup Freestyle circuit makes a stop at Vancouver, B.C.’s Cypress Mountain on Feb. 9-10. Whistler Blackcomb hosts World Cup alpine racing Feb. 18-24;Get a look at future Winter Olympic athletes at future Olympic venues in February. The World Cup Freestyle circuit makes a stop at Vancouver, B.C.’s Cypress Mountain on Feb. 9-10. Whistler Blackcomb hosts World Cup alpine racing Feb. 18-24;Get a look at future Winter Olympic athletes at future Olympic venues in February. The World Cup Freestyle circuit makes a stop at Vancouver, B.C.’s Cypress Mountain on Feb. 9-10. Whistler Blackcomb hosts World Cup alpine racing Feb. 18-24;
Get a look at future Winter Olympic athletes at future Olympic venues in February. The World Cup Freestyle circuit makes a stop at Vancouver, B.C.’s Cypress Mountain on Feb. 9-10. Whistler Blackcomb hosts World Cup alpine racing Feb. 18-24;