Grab your skis (or snowboards and snowshoes) and head out for a winter getaway in the Cascade Mountains. You’ll find winter recreation, quaint towns, and excellent local dining just off Interstate 90 east of Seattle.
Winter Getaway in the Cascade Mountains
Washington’s central Cascade Mountains are a winter wonderland. Bask in the area’s natural beauty, get your heart pumping on the slopes, and enjoy craft brews before cozying up in your lodge room or cabin. Here’s how to have the perfect winter getaway in the Cascade Mountains.
Day 1: Hit the Slopes
Get an early start and head to The Summit at Snoqualmie for a full day of fun on the mountain. Thanks to four unique base areas, snow tubing, snowshoeing, and Nordic trails, there’s something for everyone. Alpental offers epic terrain with some of the steepest and deepest runs, while Summit West is great for beginners.
You’ll find plenty of dining options at each base. At Alpental, enjoy pizza by the slice or brats, while Broken Tip Bar in the Milwaukee Lodge offers old-school character at Summit East. The fire pit outside the Silver Fir Lodge at Summit Central is the perfect place to warm up with a hot chocolate.
Also See: Where to Ski & Snowboard in Washington
Once you’ve had your fill of the slopes, take a short drive to The Commonwealth for dinner. Enjoy a burger made with hand-pressed Longhorn Beef raised in nearby Ellensburg or indulge in decadent mac and cheese. Next door, Dru Bru offers flagship and seasonal beers perfect for après-ski sips. Snag a seat at an outdoor picnic table (complete with table-top fire pits) and watch the sun slip behind the mountain.
Travel Tip: If you need to rent gear, evo Snoqualmie Pass offers multi-day rentals for snowshoes, skis, and snowboards. Grab your gear the day before you need it so you’re ready to hit the ground running.
Also See: Cozy Winter Getaway Destinations
Day 2: Snowshoeing Adventure
Day two of your winter getaway in the Cascade Mountains calls for snowshoeing. Fuel up with breakfast at the Roslyn Café in the quaint town of Roslyn. You may recognize the mural along the café’s exterior wall from its appearance in the 1990s TV show Northern Exposure. Inside, the café serves up breakfast staples such as biscuits and gravy and omelets decked out with locally foraged wild mushrooms.
Next, make the drive to the Salmon La Sac Sno-Park, where you’ll hit the Cooper River Snowshoe Trail. This out-and-back route takes you along the river and through a moss-draped forest, ending at Cooper Lake after four miles. Shortly after you begin, you’ll come to a bridge where you can stop to soak in the view.
Snowmobilers and cross-country skiers also use the sno-park, so be sure to practice trail etiquette by keeping off the groomed tracks. A permit or day pass is required.
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After you’ve had your fill of snowshoeing, head back to Roslyn. Stop into Basecamp Books and Bites for coffee or hot chocolate while you browse the shelves for your next favorite read. If you’re looking for a pre-dinner drink, wander over to Heritage Distilling for a craft cocktail made with the distillery’s spirits, or stop into The Brick Saloon.
For dinner, make your way to nearby Cle Elum for a farm-to-table dining experience at Orchard Restaurant. Choose from one of the multicourse tasting menus or order a la carte. The kitchen focuses on sustainability, butchering and dry-aging whole animals from local ranchers and making pasta and bread from scratch. Expect to find items such as cedar-plank Columbia River steelhead and seasonal vegetarian risotto.
Also See: Fantastic Farm-to-Table Dining
Where to Stay
From family-friendly lodges with cozy amenities to cabin rentals and hotels, there are plenty of options for your winter getaway in the Cascade Mountains.
Suncadia Resort, Cle Elum
Sitting on more than 6,000 acres high above the Cle Elum River, Suncadia Resort makes a great base for your winter getaway in the Cascade Mountains. The property, which is part of Hyatt, is especially magical when blanketed in snow.
Choose from vacation rentals perfect for bigger groups or enjoy gas fireplaces and balconies in your room at The Inn or The Lodge. The resort provides plenty of activities for all ages, including an ice-skating rink and easy access to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails.
Hotel Roslyn, Roslyn
Hotel Roslyn is perfect for those who want a boutique experience in a charming small town. Located in Roslyn this hotel is steps from the action on the main street. Easily walk to the town’s restaurants and boutiques. Each of the 11 bright and modern rooms is equipped with a private kitchenette.
Salish Lodge & Spa, Snoqualmie
About 30 minutes west of the Summit at Snoqualmie, the iconic Salish Lodge & Spa is a serene spa getaway in a beautiful setting. Owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe, the renovated Snoqualmie Falls sdukwalbixw Gift Shop & Visitor Center highlights the cultural significance of the falls to the tribe and their stewardship of the sacred site. Amenities such as gas fireplaces, plush robes, and dual rainfall shower heads are the definition of cozy.
Summit Inn, Snoqualmie Pass
For those who want to be first on the mountain, the no-frills Summit Inn provides easy access to the slopes. This pet-friendly option offers an on-site restaurant and is centrally located for après-ski drinks at Dru Bru.
Vacation Rental Cabins
In addition to hotels and lodges, there are plenty of vacation rentals available through Airbnb and VRBO that are a great fit for a winter getaway in the Cascade Mountains. Expect cozy A-frame cabins with wood-burning stoves as well as options with hot tubs where you can soak in the winter landscape.
Winter Travel: Know Before You Go
Getting Here
Interstate 90 runs across the state from east to west, connecting Seattle and Spokane. From Seattle, the drive to the Snoqualmie Pass area takes about an hour. Those coming from Spokane can get there in under four hours.
Before you leave, check the weather and road conditions for Interstate 90 through Snoqualmie Pass. The pass can close during heavy snowfall, and chains are often required. Always pack emergency roadside supplies, especially if taking less-traveled back roads.
When to Visit
Many of Washington’s sno-parks experience high visitation during the winter and can quickly fill up on weekends. If possible, plan your trip for midweek for a better chance of finding parking and enjoying your time on the slopes in less crowded conditions.
If you visit on a weekend, be sure to pack your patience, arrive early, and have a backup plan if your first choice is at capacity. Please note some amenities, such as The Summit at Snoqualmie’s Tubing Park, only operate Fridays-Sundays.
Sno-Park Permits
Vehicle permits are often required when parking at Washington’s sno-parks. The Salmon La Sac Sno-Park includes snowshoe, backcountry skiing, and groomed snowmobile trails and requires a permit or day pass to park.
Sno-park permits are available from November 1 through April 30 and can be purchased online or from various vendors and retail locations. Learn more about permits for snowmobile and non-motorized sno-parks.