Nordic Skiing - Washington

Nordic skiing is a great way to explore during the winter months.  It includes backcountry skiing and skiing on groomed trails.  While most of our skiing will be on groomed trails, more exciting ski adventures can be considered for those with the right gear and training. 

Nordic Skiing on Groomed Trails

Nordic Skiing on Groomed Trails is a great way to enjoy our winter months.  Flatter trails are great for beginners and many parks offer rolling or even steeper terrain for most skilled skiers.   

Note that most of these parks will require a Paid Pass or Permit.  Sno-Park Permits work on Washington Sno-Parks but not on private trails.

Stevens Pass

• Stevens Pass Nordic Center 

  • Just east of Stevens Pass

  • Around 15 miles of groomed trails

Snoqualmie Pass

• The Summit at Snoqualmie

  • 50km of groomed trails, access to upper trails via chairlift

  • Great views on Mt. Catherine Loop

• Hyak Sno-Park

  • Snoqualmie Pass

  • Flat beginner trails, connect to Crystal Springs

  • Crowded weekends

  • Heated restrooms

  • Need Seasonal Sno-Park permit with the special grooming sticker, or a day pass.  

• Crystal Springs Sno-Park 

  • Snoqualmie Pass

  • Groomed for skiers/snowshoers

  • Some dog-sled trails (no tracks)

  • Need Seasonal Sno-Park permit with the special grooming sticker, or a day pass.  

• Cabin Creek 

  • Near Easton

  • 8 miles of easy groomed trails

  • Varied terrain

  • Used for races

  • Need Seasonal Sno-Park permit with the special grooming sticker, or a day pass.  

• Lake Easton Sno-Park

  • Offers trails

  • Need Seasonal Sno-Park permit with the special grooming sticker, or a day pass.  

Mount Baker

• Razor Hone Base Area

  • Trail at Salmon Ridge Sno-Park 

  • Around 15 miles of groomed trails

  • Track skiing and a skate deck

Chelan-Leavenworth

• Echo Ridge Nordic Area 

  • 25 miles of groomed trails

  • Operated by the Chelan Ranger District with the Lake Chelan Nordic Ski Club

  • Sno-Park permits and NW Forest Passes are not honored here

  • Lake Chelan Winterfest

  • Lake Chelan Nordic Club 

• Plain Valley Nordic Trails

  • Near Leavenworth

  • Around 16 miles of groomed ski trails

  • Stay at Lake Wenatchee State Park

• Local Sno Parks:

  • Antilon Lake Sno-Park

  • Black Canyon Sno-Park

  • Chiwawa Sno-Park

    • 15 miles of non-motorized trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing

    • Groomed Ski Routes 

      • 7.6k See and Ski loop 

      • 3.5k Squirrel Run

    • Ungroomed Ski Routesoutes 

      • 10k Flying Loop

    • Snowshoe Trails

      • 3 miles of designated trails

  • Eagle Creek Sno-Park

  • Echo Valley Sno-Park

  • Entiat River Sno-Park

  • Fish Lake Sno-Park

  • Lake Wenatchee Airstrip Sno-Park

  • Lake Wenatchee Sno-Park

    • Camp and ski here 

  • Mad River Sno-Park

  • Nason Ridge Sno-Park

    • 20 miles total of groomed trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing

      • 12 miles machine-groomed for both classic and skate skiing

      • over 4 miles of designated Snowshoe Trails

    • Rolling terrain at Lower Nason 

    • More challenging ridge-top views at Upper Nason

    • Connects to Lake Wenatchee trails 

  • South Fork Gold Creek Sno-Park

  • Stemilt Sno-Park

  • Twenty-five Mile Creek Sno-Park

Methow Valley

• Methow Trails

  • Mecca for Nordic skiers

    • Great groomed trails

    • Warming Huts

    • Pizza Cafes to stop at

    • High end touristy area in Winthrop 

    • Many lodging options - including high end hostel in Winthrop

  • Four Main Ski Areas

    • Methow Valley Community Trail system (30 km)

    • Sun Mountain trail system (54 km)

    • Mazama Trails (33 km) 

    • Rendezvous Trails (48 km)

  • Local ski events 

    • Backyard Ski Day late January

    • Race of the Methow after Backyard Ski Day

    • Ski to the Sun in February 

South Cascades

• Koshko Sno-Park & Old Man Sno-Park

  • Part of a large, connected system with around 40 miles of Nordic trails

  • great for both classic and skate skiing.

• McClellan Meadows Sno-Park

  • Near Koshko & Old Man Sno-Parks

  • The smallest of the three linked parks

  • More gentle terrain for Nordic skiing

• Wakepish Sno-Park

  • 33 miles of trails for skiing and snowshoeing

• Marble Mountain Sno-Park

  • 36 miles of trails

  • Trails are shared with motorized users

• Governmental Mineral Springs Sno-Park

  • 154 miles of trails for both snowmobiles and skiers

Greenwater-Yakima

• Mount Tahoma Trails Association

  • 44 km of groomed trails 

  • Three backcountry huts and a yurt

    • Bunks are available at only $15 per night 

      • Reserve ahead of time

      • Bring a sleeping bag and food 

      • Plan to share space with others

Spokane

• Spokane Nordic Ski Association

  • 23 miles of doubletrack with a skating deck

  • Langlauf 10km classic ski race in February